Halloween
Disney Will Start Halloween Party in August for 2017!
Apr
Walt Disney World has announced the 2017 schedule for its holiday events at Magic Kingdom and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will kick off on August 25, 2017!! Join Mickey after hours for family friendly Halloween fun, including trick or treating, a Halloween parade, a fireworks spectacular known as Happy Hallowishes, and of course the Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular on the Castle Forecourt Stage with the Sanderson Sisters.
The August kickoff this year means the Halloween party at Disney World will span 32 nights and a total of 4 months (it concludes on November 1, 2017). They added a few nights to the schedule over last year (3-4 nights, depending on which report you believe).
Disney Halloween Party Dates
August 25, 29
September 1, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29
October 1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29, 31
November 1
Why August? The reports that I have seen did not explain the parks official reason. I assume that there were only so many weekends after Labor Day for Disney to sell tickets to this popular after hours event. They must have decided offering it a few weekends early would be appreciated by guests making the trip at the end of summer as well as extend their revenue from the Halloween party. A few years ago, we saw Starbucks release its pumpkin spice latte in August early for fans but they have not followed that practice the past few years, sticking instead to a release date near the Friday before Labor Day.
Need more details? Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party starts after the park closes and runs from 7 PM to midnight. A separate ticket purchase is required from daytime attendance. Guests with tickets to the Halloween party have historically been allowed to enter the park a few hours early. They are then given wristbands which identify to staff members which visitors should be allowed to remain in the park.
The 2017 ticket prices have not been announced yet. The ticket prices for 2016 ranged from $67-$105 with the cost of an adult ticket slightly higher than the corresponding ticket for kids ages 3-9.
Guests are allowed to wear costumes to special theme park events like this one even though the general park policy now bans costumes by guests 14 years of age and older. Guests may not bring in any costume that contains weapons, any object that could be mistaken for a weapon, any headgear that covers the face, or any costumes that drag on the ground. Toy swords and plastic light sabers are acceptable. Costumes with obscene graphics are banned by the park’s regular dress code policy. Sexy costumes which expose excessive portions of skin are also not allowed. Layered costumes or props that surround the entire body are discouraged as they will subject a visitor to extra screening.