Spooky September Fun for Kids at the Theme Parks

from September 2023

Friends Forever

Get the Halloween party started early!

PRO TIPS:

1. If you are attending earlier in the season, consider a breathable costume since it can still be hot and humid, even after the sun goes down.

2. If you want to save time waiting in line for character meet-and-greets, get in the queue during one of the two parades or shows.

3. If you want to ride Tron, it’s by virtual queue only—there will be no stand-by line during the party. A virtual queue for party ticket holders opens at 6 p.m. via the My Disney Experience app, but you’ll want to be punctual; slots go quickly.

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom

Through Nov. 1, select nights

Cost: Special event tickets start at $99 for kids ages 3-9 and $109 for ages 10 and older

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was the first to kick off the Halloween season by hosting its first party Aug. 11. You can expect returning favorites, including the ‘Boo-to-You Parade,’ live shows featuring the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus and a spellbinding fireworks display. This special event tends to have smaller crowds than a normal day at the park, so ride wait times are far shorter. And, many rides have a Halloween twist like the Mad Tea Party and Space Mountain. Over at The Haunted Mansion, be on the lookout for a few ghosts along the queue, like Madame Carlotta.

What’s NEW in 2023:

• The Seven Dwarfs are back for event-exclusive meet and greets for the first time since 2019. You’ll find them indoors at Storybook Circus.

• New Treats: There are 30 food items, including 22 that are exclusive to the party like Jack and Sally Cake Pops at the Churro Cart near Cinderella’s Castle and Zombie Fingers at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

• Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow are dressed as the Sanderson Sisters from Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” in Mickey’s “BooTo-You” Halloween Parade.

• Chat it up with real pirates outside the Pirates of the Carribean ride in Adventure Land! They’ve been a part of the ride queue and in the ride experience in the past, but this year, they are outside.

4. We went one-on-one with Disney Live Entertainment show director Tara Anderson to get the scoop about the best spots to view the parade and live shows:

• Parade: “There’s really not a bad spot. I like Liberty Square, actually. Sometimes it’s not quite as crowded, but of course Main Street is wonderful.”

• Fireworks and Hocus Pocus Show: “For fireworks, you don’t have to be right up close, you can be a little further back in front of the castle. For the fabulous Hocus Pocus Villain Spectacular, you kinda want to be in the middle of the action; I have to admit it.”

Spooktacular at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. at the Festival Walkway, Sept. 9 through Oct. 29, Monday, Oct. 30 and Tuesday, Oct. 31 Cost: Included with park admission

Spooktacular returns this year after it debuted at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay last year. It’s such a great addition to the park’s Halloween themed offerings. Kids can meet Kandy, the witch-in-training who is still learning her magic. She might even indulge you on her stories of turning her pals into frogs—oops!

If you arrive at noon, you can take part in a short opening ceremony and be among the first to trick-or-treat your way through the event. We recommend bringing your own bag for the candy and prizes.

Once you’ve wrapped up trick-or-treating, be sure to snap some photos at the photo ops and with Kandy and her friends or snuggle up on the bench for a “Room on the Broom” story time. Kids 13 and younger can even take part in the Spooktacular Costume Parade—this is an adorable opportunity to let your children show off their costumes.

PRO TIPS:

1. If you go on a weekend from Sept. 30 through Oct. 29 (along with Monday, Oct. 30 and Tuesday, Oct. 31), you can also experience Sesame Street Safari of Fun’s Halloween activities like a Halloween Dance Party, singalong with Count von Count at the Not-TooSpooky Howl-O-Ween Radio Show and more!

2. It won’t take you too long to get through the Spooktacular event, so try and make some time for an animal experience or simply make a day out of it at the theme park!

3. Purchase an Annual Pass or Fun Card to come back and play all year long! !

SCAN FOR MORE!

We’re brewing even MORE Halloween reviews including how to map out your visit to ZooTampa’s Creatures of the Night which starts the final weekend of September!