October 6, 2024: Tips For A Frighteningly Fun Halloween Celebration At Disney World

1. If you don't have a daytime ticket to the party, you can still enter Magic Kingdom at 4:00 pm, which gives you 3 hours to enjoy the rides before the festivities even start. Crowds tend to be lower on these days, so there's a chance you'll be able to get on many of your favorites!
2. The Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks performance, the Boo-To-You parade, and the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show can only be witnessed at the party, so don't miss any of them! Remember to check out the photo ops around the park, which often include special Magic Shots, props, and backgrounds. Head to Frontierland to see the Hitchhiking Ghosts materialize and the Cadaver Dans perform barbershop versions of classic Halloween songs. Go to Adventureland, where you can see the Rusty Cutlass pirate band host a rousing dance party. And don't forget about the fun party-exclusive snacks – some stands will even let you grab yours 30 minutes before the celebration begins.
3. Three rides have special Halloween extras: Space Mountain is pitch-black and plays scary music, the Mad Tea Party has disco lights, and you can see two happy haunts in the queue for the Haunted Mansion.
4. Do you know about the 1-minute-before-park-closing rule? As long as you enter a line at least 1 minute before the end of a regular day or a party night, you can still ride that attraction! If you're dying to experience the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure or Tron, head to the line around 11:50 pm. You'll likely have an incredibly short wait.
5. Finally, for many guests, seeing Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas is a top priority. They're the most fun, magical characters I've ever met! If you'd like to visit them in Halloweentown, line up outside the main gates around 2:00 pm to receive your entry wristband at 4:00 pm. I waited in the actual line for them for just 16 minutes, and when I exited the Town Square Theatre, the wait was already 180 minutes! If you are already in the park with a day ticket or annual pass, you might wait up to an hour to get your wristband at the pick-up stations, giving the advantage to those who wait at the gate.

-- Michelle Richardson