The Fourth of July is over, which means one thing in my family…it’s fall. That’s just how we roll around here. As soon as the summer holiday is over, we figure it’s all downhill from there, so we might as well just make the most of it, and consider it our favorite season. Halloween decorations are starting to trickle into place around the house, and our mind is already on the candles we’ll start burning soon. That also means we’re thinking about something else…Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Any time I talk to people who say they are thinking about going to Disney World for the first time, I get a little excited. If they mention they are considering going in the fall, I get a lot excited. Once they start asking me to give them recommendations, it’s all over. I start gushing, and there’s no stopping me, but something I will always go back to is the Halloween party. I will encourage them to do it until they day they come back. This party is not only something that touches my heart because it’s both Halloween and Disney, but it can be a fantastic strategy as well. Just recently I started helping a very dear friend plan her family’s first trip, and she told me they are only planning to be there for three days. She already had one-day Park Hopper tickets given to her, so she needed to figure out the other two days. The first suggestion I made was to buy a one-day Magic Kingdom ticket and a party ticket. This would have a couple of benefits, saving her money, giving her a morning to see the amazing Art of Animation pool, and also letting her see the Halloween party that is one of the single greatest experiences in the World.
While the party itself is incredible, the crown jewel of it is the Boo to You Parade. Considered by many to be the best parade put on by Disney, not just by me, I promise, this parade is absolutely breathtaking, and something I don’t think anyone should miss if at all possible.
So, let’s go. I got us some good spots in Liberty Square. This is where I will always recommend you get spots for this particular parade. It steps off in Frontierland, so in Liberty Square, you are going to see it sooner, allowing you to clear out and head to attractions while others are still waiting for the rest of the parade. I also feel like it creates the perfect atmosphere since it is time-appropriate to the Headless Horseman.
Though this is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, I will admit there are a few elements of this particular parade that might be a little scary for your littlest ones. There is a lot more that is super fun, though, so it definitely outweighs it, and I will tell you I have never seen a child so upset they had to leave the parade. A few bury their heads in shoulders for a few moments, but then get fascinated again. These happen to be my favorite parts of the parade. One is the very beginning. This is when the music they play before the parade changes and becomes more ominous. The street is empty, and a fog rolls in. Somewhere in the distance you hear the sound of hooves. Look up the street and you’ll see a spooky figure approach. Astride a black horse sits a man in a flowing cape. You might immediately notice something strange about him — he has no head. Never fear, though. One hand holds a jack o’ lantern with glowing features. If you’re lucky, they will focus right on you.
This thrilling ride is the beginning of the parade, and it never fails to give me chills and bring tears to my eyes. Once he is past, you hear the beginning notes of the iconic “Boo to You!”, a song destined to get stuck in your head, but also be one of your favorites. A glowing sign saying the same approaches, and it’s time for fun!
A familiar voice surrounds you — it’s Madame Leota inviting you to her celebration. This is when the parade becomes totally little-one friendly (though I still contend Headless isn’t too scary). A swarm of favorite characters dances down the street either wearing Halloween costumes or holding masks in front of their faces. Alice is often the White Rabbit and Pooh is a bee. Adorable.
Then come the floats bringing with them more favorites, including Donald and Daisy, and Mickey and Minnie, in full costume. The song reassures everyone listening that “it’s really not so scary” and wishes everyone “boo to you…Happy Halloween!”. Encourage your little ones (and you!) to listen closely at this point. Mickey might tell you you’re wearing a great costume! It’s hard not to get giddy at this point. It’s the perfect combination of darkness surrounding you, and fun, totally innocent Halloween festivities happening in front of you.
Once the Fab Four pass (Goofy isn’t on the float, but among the first crowd usually), a pirate ship approaches carrying Hook, Smee, Wendy and the boys tied to the mast, and Peter in a valiant sword fight. I might have a little thing for Peter Pan, so this is another highlight for me. As they pass, you start to hear “A Pirate’s Life for Me”. Carrying on the pirate theme, a band of flag-twirling pirates comes down the street followed by Jack Sparrow on the Black Pearl. This is a slightly creepier float, but still all in good fun. Keep an eye on Jack. He tends to flirt with the ladies. He once offered to leave the pirate life for me, but hubby wouldn’t let me go.
The next part is another favorite for me, but might be a little scary. I still recommend encouraging little ones to try watching it because it’s amazing, but be prepared for a little bit of hiding with very little ones. This section of the parade is dedicated to The Haunted Mansion, and starts with a group of grave diggers coming down the street with shovels. Occasionally they scrape the shovels on the ground, creating sparks. It is absolutely thrilling. Next comes a float dedicated to Madame Leota herself, featuring graves festooned with black roses. Once that passes, ghostly couples from the ballroom scene of the ride materialize to dance down the street. It is truly beautiful, and a fun link to the ride, especially for fans. Our visit from the happy haunts living in the mansion ends with another float. It seems the Hitchhiking Ghosts have finally found a ride, as they glide past.
Now it’s time for a little break from the “scary”. A group of Western wear-clad revelers dance their way down the street followed by a barn introducing Clarabelle’s Harvest Hoedown. Chip and Dale join characters from Splash Mountain for a square dance followed by another barn float featuring Henrietta and smiling pumpkins.
Listen to the lyrics of Boo to You at this point and you’ll notice it starts talking about candy. This fits perfectly with the float that approaches hauling what looks like a giant cart of candy corn driven by Wreck It Ralph. Dancers dressed in candy stripes follow. Take a deep breath and you might notice the smell of candy in the air. Bringing up the end of this section is Vanellope on her own candy tricycle. I, personally, am not a fan of this section of the parade because I remember before Wreck It Ralph when this tricycle belonged to Goofy, which I found much better. But for fans of the Ralph movies, this should be a fun touch.
Now it’s time for a little glimpse of classic Disney with the trio of hyenas from The Lion King making their way down the street. They introduce a float holding a rock band of skeletons playing It’s Good to be Bad. Which, of course, only means one thing. No Halloween parade at Disney would be complete without the grand finale…the Villains.
Several baddies stalk along the street, including Oogie Boogie, the evil stepsisters, Cruella, and the Queen of Hearts. Behind them glides a large float featuring the Mistress of Evil herself, Maleficent, in the center surrounded by green flames, with a few accompanying acquaintances.
A “The End” sign carried by appropriately sullen-faced Cast Members marks the conclusion of the parade. I’m always sad to see it go, but I’m so hyped up and excited, I can’t wait to squeeze in more of the party!
The parade shows twice each night, and I recommend seeing both! If you only want to see one, though, go for the later one. This one has fewer people and ends the night on a really high note!
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Taryn was born and raised, and still lives in Richmond, Virginia. Neither she nor her husband ever had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World when they were children, but when their daughter Avalon came along, they decided she was not going to follow in their footsteps. They brought Avalon for the first time when she was 3 and have been hooked ever since. Now along with Taryn’s mother and equally Disney-loving older brother, they go “home” at least once a year, and by the time she is staring longingly at Cinderella Castle from the ferry on their last night, Taryn is well on her way to planning the next trip. As a group consisting of two adults with Asperger’s, including one who is also vegan, a very accommodating husband, an only child, a senior, and a service dog, they are a pretty special family, but Taryn is excited to show that the World really is The Most Magical Place on Earth and that there is a place there for everyone. When she isn’t thinking about her next Disney adventure and trying to come up with a Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party costume that will beat her Oozma Kappa nerd look, she is a professional blogger and novelist, but Taryn also likes to indulge her Disney passion on her Etsy shop It’s Better in Vinyl.
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