I've got a tip for anyone attending Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom theme park: be sure to pack a costume.
Take it from me. I arrived at the media preview for the first night of the separately ticketed event without one. The Disney media concierges were kind enough to outfit me with one of the new merchandise offerings this year: luxe velvet Minnie ears with interchangeable villain adornments: Snow White's Wicked Queen, the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts or Maleficent's horns. I chose the latter, then spent the rest of the evening ogling some of the best Disney-themed Halloween costumes I've ever seen.
My personal favorite: A couple dressed as Monterey Jack and Gadget from the 1980s Disney cartoon series, "Chip 'N Dale's Rescue Rangers."
Those adorable mouse ears aren't all that's new this year at the event, which began on Aug. 17 and runs on select nights through Oct. 31. Three of the rides received makeovers for the occasion, including Pirates of the Caribbean, which for the first time features interactions with a live-action buccaneer. His name is Gunpowder Pete.
Unfortunately, the "enhancement" to that ride fell flat and just rang as a missed opportunity. The live actor only appeared in one scene of the ride, and it wasn't clear what the additional plotline was. It was a shame, since the Pirates of the Caribbean property has been fleshed out ad nauseum by Disney creatives, and there were plenty of other opportunities to use actors on the ride: the auction scene, at the jail, etc. Still, it's an acceptable place to enjoy some air-conditioning on a 90-degree Central Florida evening, something we're still enduring.
The wild and crazy Mad Tea Party ride was a shoo-in for a Halloween revamp, and the weird music and glowing lights get that much madder once night falls and the event begins at 7 p.m. The effects were fun and certainly heightened the experience once the black lights switched on and all those twisting-turning smiles glowed green. "As you step into that teacup, every spin you take is just going to get a little bit 'madder' than it was before," said Lindsey Vrab, technical director of live entertainment for the park. "It's not just fun for people in the attraction, it's fun to watch from the outside."
Because the Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is limited in attendance, it's the perfect time to queue up for Space Mountain, which can sport three-hour lines at top times. This year, the rollercoaster is outfitted with a new soundtrack and deep-space theming for the party. "If you thought Space Mountain was dark before," said Vrab, "it's even darker now, with a special rock and roll soundtrack to go with it."
It's likely that any 80s kid will fall under the spell of this year's merchandise, which commemorates the 25th anniversary of the film "Hocus Pocus," starring Bette Midler. I admit to coveting the Annual Passholder tote bag with caricatured images of the Sanderson Sisters, and wanted to snag the three t-shirts printed with the sisters' signature corseted costumes for me and my two besties to wear this Hallow's Eve.
The characters from the film also make an appearance at the new "Villain Spectacular" live show, where they are joined by many favorite Disney villains throughout the performance. Move over, princesses. There are darker, funnier forces at work here.
Once you get your wristband that indicates you've paid for the extra event, you'll get a bag for trick-or-treating around the park. A separate event map shows where you'll find all the sweet loot, including allergy-friendly options.
Speaking of sweets, each Not-So-Scary Halloween Party comes with signature desserts served at dining locations throughout the park. Several of the new bites are themed after the Haunted Mansion, but for me, the Forbidden Apple cupcake (apple cake with multiple layers of candy-apple-red buttercream frosting), the black Maleficent froyo cone filled with lime soft-serve and chocolate "horns," and the over-the-top candy corn milkshake topped with a giant Mickey marshmallow and plume of cotton candy were diabolically decadent.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party mixes fall fun and Halloween magic into an event that's worth the $75 price tag ($70 for kids ages 3 to 9). The new attraction enhancements, merchandise and food, plus the return of the Boo-to-You parade and Happy HalloWishes fireworks spectacular make for a family-friendly way to enjoy the season.