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Writer's pictureBrenda

Special Hard Ticketed Events FAQ

Updated: Sep 29

***Updated September 29, 2024

Throughout the year Disney holds several special events. These include much anticipated annual events and the occasional after hours event. Read more about the currently offered hard ticketed events to help decide if they are worth it for you and your family.


Throughout the year there are special hard ticketed events at various parks. These are events where you pay an additional fee for the ticket and gain access to an after hours party. These hard ticketed events have a limited number of tickets, so party attendance is lower than park capacity typically is, resulting in lower crowds and short lines for attractions. The majority of these events are themed for the holidays, offering special fireworks, parades, character meet and greets, merchandise, and more. For these parties you do not need to have an additional park ticket and will be able to enter the designated park shortly before the beginning of the party. Below we provide more detailed information on the three main hard ticketed events offered: Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and Disney’s Jollywood Nights. For information about Disney's After Hours click here.


Magic Kingdom

Hollywood Studio





Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP)


Located at the Magic Kingdom, dress up in your best Disney-themed costumes, and join in the fun for this annual, seasonal after-hours event where guests enjoy special Halloween themed parades, shows, fireworks and special character interactions plus trick-or-treating. Exclusive snacks, PhotoPass opps, and merchandise are also available. Plus guests will have an opportunity to ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure via a stand by line.


When is MNSSHP?

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is back for 2024 - running from August 9 - October 31 on select nights at the Magic Kingdom.

  • August 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27, 30

  • September 2, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29

  • October 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 29, 31 


What is the cost of MNSSHP?

Tickets will run from $119-$199 before tax.  No specific dates for pricing have been released yet, we will update our post when we know more. DVC members and annual passholders get a $10 discount per ticket, but only for August and September dates.


What are the hours of MNSSHP?

It runs from 7pm - Midnight. Guests with a ticket to MNSSHP will be admitted to the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm.


Do I need a theme park ticket or a reservation to attend MNSSHP?

This is a hard ticketed event, no regular theme park ticket or reservation are required. Guests with a ticket to MNSSHP will be admitted to the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm. You are free to ride attractions or dine between 4pm and 7pm. The fun festivities begin at 7pm.


What exclusive activities are available at MNSSHP?

Trick or Treat your way around the park. You will be provided a free tote for collecting all the candy.

New for 2024:

  • Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be decked out in brand new neon spider-web outfits.  

  • There will be even more spooktacular Villains roaming the parks, ready to fill party goers with ghoulish delight. 

  • We may not talk about Bruno from Encanto, but he will be joining Mirabel at the Casita in Fairytale Garden during the party.  

  • Plus there will be a new DescenDANCE Party at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland.


Parade:

  • Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade full of characters decked out in their Halloween best including Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle Cow making a spooktacular appearance as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus. *** New for 2024   “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade” will begin an hour earlier at 8:15pm. This is great for families who have younger kiddos that might do better with slightly earlier spooky-time events before they head off to bed. We expect the parade to run again at 11:15pm.

  • 2023 - The parade ran at 9:15pm and 11:15pm.


Shows:

  • Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular is a wickedly fun romp on the Cinderella Stage in front of the castle.

    • ***2023 Show times started at 8:35pm, 10:15pm, and Midnight. October 1st a fourth show was added at 7:40pm. Show times have not been released for 2024. We will update here when they are.


  • Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet- Enjoy the “dead pan” humor of the Dapper Dans. Appearing intermittently in Frontierland throughout the party.

  • Rusty Cutlass Pirate Band - performing intermittently in Adventureland throughout the party.


Special Halloween Character Meet and Greets:

  • Pooh and Friends - Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, and Piglet

  • Jack Skellington and Sally

  • The Seven Dwarfs

  • Elvis Stitch

  • Pirate Goofy

  • Witch Minnie

  • Princess Daisy and Pumpkin Donald

  • Mickey decked out in his Halloween best

  • Jafar

  • Jasmine and Genie

  • Captain Jack

  • Mad Tea Party - Alice, Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

  • New for 2024 Bruno and Mirabel from Encanto at the Casita in Fairytale Garden

  • New for 2024 - Addtional Villians will be roaning the parks 


Dance Parties usually with characters hanging out to dance the night away with guests:

  • Disney Junior Jam Dance Party - Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

  • DescenDANCE Party - Tomorrowland’s Rockettower Plaza Stage

  • Max Goof’s Powerline Pop-up Party - around the Magic Kingdom


Attractions with Halloween Overlays:

  • Space Mountain

  • Mad Tea Party

  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor


Fireworks:

  • Disney’s Not So Spooky Spectacular Fireworks Show

10:15pm


Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party




Join in the jovial holiday party at the Magic Kingdom with one of a kind Christmas themed shows, parades, character meet and greets and more. Enjoy the snow falling on Main Street U.S.A. and complimentary Christmas treats, plus a chance to visit with Santa Claus. Click here to read our detailed post about MVMCP.


When is MVMCP?

There are 25 party dates for 2024

November and 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 21st, 22nd, 26th, 27th, 29th

December 1st, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 20th. 

What is the cost of MVMCP?

Prices start at $169 for ages 10 and up and $159 for ages 3-9. Click here for exact pricing by date.

Are there any discounts available for MVMCP?

On select nights Annual Passholders or Disney Vacation Club members can save $10 on tickets.

What are the hours of MVMCP?

It runs from 7pm - Midnight. People with tickets to MVMCP can enter the park at 4PM, before the party officially starts.

Do I need a theme park ticket or a reservation to attend MVMCP? 

This is a hard ticketed event, no regular theme park ticket or reservation are required. Guests with a ticket to MNSSHP will be admitted to the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm. The fun festivities begin at 7pm.

What exclusive activities are available at MVMCP?

Details are still being released for 2024 but the merriment includes exclusive holiday character meet and greets as well as:

  • Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show

    • 10pm

    • This combination of projections and fireworks is delightful, but the viewing area in front of the castle will be quite crowded. For a less chaotic experience consider watching from the Rapunzel bathrooms or near Gaston's Tavern. 

  • Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade (runs from Frontierland to Main Street U.S.A.) 

    • 8:30pm and 11pm

    • The parade features toy soldiers, reindeer, gingerbread men, Disney characters dressed in the holiday finery plus the jolly old man himself. Disney pipes in the best holiday smells. Pro-tip - the best spots to watch the parade are on Main Street near the front of the park, however this area will be very crowded. The second parade will have much lighter crowds. 

  • Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration (Stage show at Cinderella Castle)

    • 7:40pm, 9:25pm, 10:35pm, and 11:55pm

    • Classic Disney Characters sing and dance to your favorite Holiday songs.

  • Frozen Holiday Surprise (Stage show at Cinderella's Castle)

    • 8:15pm

    • Join Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf as they decorate Cinderella's Castle in this delightful 7 minute show

  • Holiday Overlays on the Jungle Cruise, Tomorrowland Speedway, Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, and Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

  • Disney Junior Jingle Jam Dance Party (Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe)

  • Special Character Meet and Greets in their best holiday duds. 

    • Fantasyland: Seven Dwarfs, Donald, Scrooge McDuck, Daisy, Minnie, Santa Goofy, Belle, Ariel and Prince Eric, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Snow White, Aurora and Prince Phillip, Winnie the Pooh and Friends, Alice, the White Rabbit, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and Mirabel

    • Liberty Square:  Tiana and Naveen, Santa Claus

    • Adventureland: Stitch, Captain Jack Sparrow, Aladin, Jasmine, the Genie, and Peter Pan

    • Tomorrowland: Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, Chip 'n' Dale, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, Fancy Nancy, & Timon

    • Main Street U.S.A.: Jack Skellington and Sally, Mickey Mouse, and Mary Poppins.

  • Special PhotoPass opportunities and Magic Shots


Disney’s Jollywood Nights (DJN)



2023 brought a brand new after hours party at Hollywood Studios where the spirit of old Hollywood blends with Christmas and Disney Magic. Read our detailed post about DJN here.


When is DJN?

Jollywood Nights happens on 13 nights from November 9 to December 21, 2024:

  • November: 9, 13, 16, 18, 23, 25, 30

  • December: 2, 7, 11, 14, 18, 21


What does DJN cost?

The pricing starts at $159 for ages 10 and up and also $159 for ages 3-9. Click here for exact pricing by date.


Are there any discounts available for MVMCP?

On select nights Annual Passholders or Disney Vacation Club members can save $10 on tickets.


What time does DJN run?

DJN runs from 7:30 pm until 12:30 am. People with tickets to DJN can enter the park at 6PM, before the party officially starts.


Do I need a theme park ticket or a reservation to attend DJN? 

This is a hard ticketed event, no regular theme park ticket or reservation are required. Guests with a ticket to DJN will be admitted to the Hollywood Studios starting at 6 pm. The fun festivities begin at 7:30 pm.


What special holiday experiences are included in Jollywood Nights?

  • Holiday's in Hollywood: “A spirited holiday show” hosted by Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy including appearances by Tiana, Belle, Minnie, Mickey Mouse, and more. The show will take place at 8:15PM, 9:15PM, 11:15PM, and 12:15AM. 

  • What’s This? Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas inspired show at the Hyperion Theater. Jack Skeleton leads the audience in singing popular songs from the movie with Oogie Boogie joining in on the fun!

  • Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! is a nighttime show featuring the Chinese Theatre with fireworks, lasers, lights, projections, and holiday music.

  • Fantasmic! While Fantasmic! is not part of Jollywood Nights, ticket holders can enter the park starting at 6PM, enabling them see the 6:30PM showing of Fantasmic! 

  • Latin Street Fair in Animation Courtyard

  • Gilsten! is a stunning show on Hollywood Boulevard where international champion skaters perform breathtaking routines set to a vibrant holiday soundtrack

  • Jazzy Holiday's Lounge at the Brown Derby

  • Tip Top Lounge at the Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard 

  • Holiday-themed treats and specialty drinks (available for purchase) See our Treats and Sips Jollywood guide here for more info.

  • Holiday themed PhotoPass and Magic Shots

  • Dine with Minnie Mouse and Friends at Hollywood and Vine

  • Sunset Season's Greetings projection show on the Tower of Terror




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