The 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering season is about half over, and now all remaining dates by means of October thirty first are bought out. This isn’t in any respect stunning, however we’re however going to cowl the promote out and, far more importantly, what this might imply for the 2026 MNSSHP.
If you happen to’re new to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering scene, the laborious ticket occasion has bought out each single evening for every of the three earlier years. If you happen to rely Boo Bash, each single spook season occasion has fully bought out from 2021 by means of 2024. Now with the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out, you can also make that every of the final 5 years.
That is the ‘new regular’ for Walt Disney World occasions, even after revenge journey and elevated pent-up demand spending have run their course. It’s not distinctive to MNSSHP, both. Most particular occasions promote higher now regardless of most additionally affected by staleness and better costs.
That is fairly the reversal from pre-COVID. Again in 2019, Walt Disney World provided the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Move. This was primarily an Annual Move for the Halloween Social gathering that allowed entry to 35 nights–each social gathering evening in August, September, October, and November aside from Halloween itself for $299.
This was actually a last-minute providing that rolled out the day of the primary MNSSHP, as Walt Disney World scrambled to buoy ticket gross sales for August and September on account of a scarcity of demand. Even setting apart 2019, it was widespread for a lot of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights to not promote out. There have been a number of years a decade or extra in the past when most events didn’t promote out!
Quick ahead to 2025, and the ultimate date of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween that beforehand had availability (September thirtieth) is now bought out as of September 24, 2025.
For these holding rating at dwelling, October 31, 2025 was the primary date of this 12 months’s MNSSHP to promote out, and that occurred in document time regardless of document costs. The All Hallow’s Eve date of MNSSHP bought out someday round noon on Could 22–lower than one full day after common public gross sales started, which is the primary time ever that any date has bought out on the day common public gross sales opened.
The following date to promote out was August nineteenth, which bought out on July thirteenth. This was one of many lowest-priced dates for MNSSHP, and people cheaper dates all bought out by early August. Opening evening was subsequent to promote out, which occurred on August 1st. As soon as the primary evening rolled round, there was a “run” on tickets with many extra nights in August and September, and even some in October, promoting out.
There have been a few misconceptions about 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering ticket gross sales. The primary was that ticket gross sales have been slower as in comparison with final 12 months. That is partially true, however provided that you don’t modify for tickets happening sale later this 12 months and the occasion beginning later. When measured from the time of gross sales beginning, it’s fairly comparable year-over-year.
The second and extra important one is that, for the primary time within the final 3 years, one evening of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering did not promote out! Though unavailable for a few days, August twenty fourth tickets reopened for same-day gross sales and, from what we noticed on-line, have been obtainable by means of the beginning of the social gathering.
A variety of websites that observe MNSSHP missed this since tickets have been bought out at one level, however reopened over the weekend when few have been paying consideration. And actually, it’s unclear whether or not or not August twenty fourth did find yourself promoting out organically with same-day gross sales, or if Walt Disney World simply lower off gross sales as soon as the occasion began.
Regardless, even having availability as much as 2 days earlier than the occasion is unprecedented in recent times, and means that perhaps demand is lastly beginning to die down–even only a bit–for these expensive laborious ticket occasions. So on stability, these dueling misconceptions primarily cancel one another out. All issues thought-about, demand was barely softer for the 2025 Mickey’s Not Scary Halloween Social gathering than final 12 months or the 12 months earlier than.
Final 12 months, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out for the season by September twenty fourth. Earlier than October even began, there was nothing left. Coincidentally (?), the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering has bought out on the very same date–September 24, 2025. That’s arguably forward of final 12 months if we’re benchmarking from the time ticket gross sales began, though I’d say that’s extra significant for occasions in August than at this level.
In 2023, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering was bought out by September thirtieth. The 2022 occasion bought out the earliest ever, with all dates passed by September eleventh. Notably, that was the return of MNSSHP for the primary time since 2019, so there was pent-up demand for the occasion. There was additionally pent-up demand extra broadly, as that was the peak of “revenge journey” at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, Disney After Hours Boo Bash bought out by August 26, 2021. Nevertheless, it’s price mentioning that was an After Hours occasion at its coronary heart, and had considerably decrease capability because of this. (Additionally price noting that it occurred throughout a interval of excessive cancellations for Walt Disney World, and ticket gross sales reopened on a number of events–it’s attainable there have been tickets obtainable sporadically after August twenty sixth.)
As we’ve defined elsewhere, there are a variety of causes for MNSSHP promoting out sooner than earlier than. Whereas some critics assume it’s diehard Disney followers consuming up the identical stale occasion 12 months after 12 months, we view this as lazy and largely incorrect evaluation. Greater drivers are nearly definitely locals who’ve dropped Annual Passes (however need an occasional Disney repair) and vacationers choosing MNSSHP tickets as an alternative of 1-day Magic Kingdom park tickets. Because of this, at the very least to some extent, visitors are buying and selling day visits to Magic Kingdom for social gathering time.
That is mirrored in attendance patterns, and it’s pretty well-established that the recognition of the social gathering is divorced from general crowd ranges. I’ve visited Magic Kingdom on a number of events in August and September 2025, and the park has been lifeless on non-party days however busy on 11 pm closing nights–fairly in line with 2022-2024. The Slowest 3 Weeks at Walt Disney World in 2025 simply occurred, and Magic Kingdom was not proof against these decrease crowd ranges.
Additional reinforcing all of that is that Magic Kingdom’s mix-in window from 4 pm to six pm has been busier than ever. This is because of fewer visitors having each MNSSHP and day tickets, with locals and different purchasers of social gathering tickets attempting to maximise their park time. See Finest & Worst 2025 Dates in Magic Kingdom for extra perception.
What’s Subsequent for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering in 2026?
For this part of the publish, we’re going to function beneath the belief that Walt Disney World management want to capitalize on the recognition of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, and use that to extend income in 2026.
The underlying premises are pretty well-established. Walt Disney World likes to search out methods to extend income, as evidenced by quarterly earnings calls and worth will increase. There’s unhappy demand for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, as evidenced by promote outs. There aren’t a variety of different avenues for income progress till 2027, particularly if there’s an financial downturn subsequent 12 months, so Disney has to grab clear-cut alternatives wherever obtainable.
The obvious, and least fascinating, change for 2026 can be worth will increase. This occurs yearly, and it’s barely price discussing on a fundamental degree, to the extent that it in all probability means a higher distribution of dates on the increased finish of the spectrum. This may quantity to efficient worth will increase of 5-10%, which occurred for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The extra fascinating angle is the potential for resetting the worth ceiling once more with the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Regardless of October thirty first seeing an enormous improve to $229, it bought out sooner than ever. As we wrote previous to gross sales even beginning, Walt Disney World may in all probability worth the final couple of nights at $299 and nonetheless promote them out. It’s all a matter of optics, and whether or not that a lot of a rise is well worth the unfavorable headlines.
Basically, there seems to be extra runway for worth will increase in October than there may be August or September. Relative to occasion dates, the primary two months bought out slower than October 2025; that is once more regardless of October having increased costs. That is seemingly on account of October being by far the busiest month of the three, and the precise coronary heart of Halloween season. Suffice to say, there’s in all probability room for many–if not all–different October dates to be priced above $200. Worth will increase seems like a reasonably secure guess.
A bolder guess is that Walt Disney World will host 40+ Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights in 2026 for the primary time ever.
There have been 38 events final 12 months–and there are additionally 38 events this 12 months. Previous to that, the variety of events had elevated by 1-2 per 12 months for a number of years. The explanation the variety of events didn’t improve in 2025 is as a result of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering began a full week later than final 12 months. This isn’t regular. It’s widespread for MNSSHP to start out earlier and earlier, however I don’t recall a time when the beginning date was pushed again previous to 2025.
In all chance, this resolution was pushed by the delayed Disney Starlight Evening Parade, and giving {that a} longer runway of uninterrupted efficiency dates earlier than Social gathering Season begins. That new nighttime parade wanted as many efficiency dates as attainable as a launch valve on demand and crowds earlier than Social gathering Season begins, and causes Magic Kingdom to shut early a number of nights per week. Clearly, this situation gained’t repeat in 2026.
The 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering may break the 40 evening barrier merely be including that early August week again to the schedule, beginning the occasion on August 7, 2026. If that occurs, and nothing else modifications, that’s a straightforward 40-41 events.
Walt Disney World stored the identical variety of events monthly this 12 months, and completed the week later begin by including two Sunday evening events within the second half of August. These dates nonetheless managed to promote properly and didn’t trigger loopy crowding on non-party dates, so it appears seemingly that Walt Disney World will revisit that playbook for 2026.
Including extra August dates additionally introduces the chance for extra of the least costly dates. In concept, Walt Disney World may preserve the beginning worth the identical as 2025, simply improve the October ceiling, and market extra of the “least expensive” dates. (Disneyland has executed this with $104 ticket days.) That might be a win-win for visitors and the corporate, rising income whereas additionally nudging these with versatile journey dates to August for (primarily) half-priced tickets as contrasted with October.
Together with considerably increased costs, Walt Disney World has lowered the attendance cap for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, which is a part of the explanation extra dates promote out. If you happen to final skilled MNSSHP in October 2019 when this downside peaked, it is best to discover the distinction within the 2022-2025 crowds. (See “Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Too Crowded?” for extra on how dangerous October 2019 was.)
That is no assure that Walt Disney World will keep on with the decrease attendance cap for the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. They may decide that, on stability, visitor satisfaction is increased if the occasions don’t promote out as simply. (Clearly, visitor satisfaction is increased amongst attendees with a decrease cap, however that doesn’t account for visitors who get shut out and are disenchanted. You’re an outlier by studying this weblog; many Walt Disney World visitors don’t begin fascinated about or planning for Halloween till October.)
In order that’s one potential change for 2026–the next attendance cap to scale back bought out dates. This strikes me as unlikely to occur. Walt Disney World has hit the goldilocks zone for crowds–not too gentle or too heavy–at each MNSSHP and MVMCP. This doesn’t imply there’s zero congestion or traces–you’ll nonetheless encounter each, particularly for uncommon characters and in entrance of Cinderella Fort between the parade and fireworks, however there’s no fixing for that.
One other wildcard is bringing again extra upcharges inside the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Walt Disney World has been actually sluggish to revive a variety of ‘Enchanting Extras’ for causes unknown, however 2026 is perhaps the turning level on that if there’s in any other case a slowdown. Bringing again the Cruella’s Halloween Disguise-a-Approach at Tony’s City Sq. Restaurant or including one other premium parade viewing package deal can be one option to accomplish this.
An much more outlandish concept is perhaps pulling a web page from the Christmas playbook and introducing a extra adult-oriented social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One thing that is so scary (or is barely scary) and will slot between MNSSHP and Halloween Horror Nights at Common on the scariness spectrum. There’s positively an viewers for this, and Disney may look to occasions held in Paris or Hong Kong for inspiration.
I’m skeptical of this occurring for plenty of causes, but it surely’s at the very least price discussing as a “only for enjoyable” risk. Having executed Halloween at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland again after they had this extra grownup vibe, I might love to see this. Amongst different impediments, messaging can be an enormous one. (Don’t need one other Alien Encounter situation!)
The larger difficulty, although, is that solely October may realistically maintain a second Halloween occasion at Walt Disney World. Possibly they may do one evening per week from mid-August by means of late September, however that’s an enormous perhaps. Such a celebration would in all probability take a number of seasons to interrupt even, and dangers a repeat of Jollywood Nights’ inaugural season.
Though Walt Disney World has pushed ahead with Jollywood Nights, I can’t assist however ponder whether that’s on account of recouping upfront sunk prices. That if they may make the unique resolution with the information they’ve immediately, perhaps they’d choose in opposition to ever doing Jollywood Nights within the first place.
If something, a summer-time laborious ticket occasion from Could by means of July at Magic Kingdom might be the extra surefire, bankable idea. Maybe the actual resolution right here is bringing again Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom for these months, versus one other social gathering throughout Halloween at DHS that might cannibalize attendance from MNSSHP and create confusion amongst visitors.
Personally, I’d like to see a summer-time particular occasion return to Magic Kingdom. It’s been practically twenty years because the failed Pirates & Princesses Social gathering, which was truly a ton of enjoyable. That was additionally poorly timed proper in the course of the Nice Recession, and though we’re beneath no delusions that it’ll return, it could possibly be an enormous hit in 2025, particularly with the resurgence of pirates! The newer Villains After Hours is certainly the smarter guess, particularly with Villains Land on the horizon.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? If you happen to’re fascinated with studying extra about motels, our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which sort it is best to get, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at unconventional issues it is best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Experience Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the most effective place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to take advantage of your expertise!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering at Walt Disney World in the previous couple of years? What did you consider the ‘bought out’ crowds? Suppose it was well worth the excessive ticket worth? Any modifications you anticipate in 2026? Suppose Walt Disney World will add a second Halloween social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or a summer season occasion at Magic Kingdom? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
The 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering season is about half over, and now all remaining dates by means of October thirty first are bought out. This isn’t in any respect stunning, however we’re however going to cowl the promote out and, far more importantly, what this might imply for the 2026 MNSSHP.
If you happen to’re new to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering scene, the laborious ticket occasion has bought out each single evening for every of the three earlier years. If you happen to rely Boo Bash, each single spook season occasion has fully bought out from 2021 by means of 2024. Now with the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out, you can also make that every of the final 5 years.
That is the ‘new regular’ for Walt Disney World occasions, even after revenge journey and elevated pent-up demand spending have run their course. It’s not distinctive to MNSSHP, both. Most particular occasions promote higher now regardless of most additionally affected by staleness and better costs.
That is fairly the reversal from pre-COVID. Again in 2019, Walt Disney World provided the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Move. This was primarily an Annual Move for the Halloween Social gathering that allowed entry to 35 nights–each social gathering evening in August, September, October, and November aside from Halloween itself for $299.
This was actually a last-minute providing that rolled out the day of the primary MNSSHP, as Walt Disney World scrambled to buoy ticket gross sales for August and September on account of a scarcity of demand. Even setting apart 2019, it was widespread for a lot of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights to not promote out. There have been a number of years a decade or extra in the past when most events didn’t promote out!
Quick ahead to 2025, and the ultimate date of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween that beforehand had availability (September thirtieth) is now bought out as of September 24, 2025.
For these holding rating at dwelling, October 31, 2025 was the primary date of this 12 months’s MNSSHP to promote out, and that occurred in document time regardless of document costs. The All Hallow’s Eve date of MNSSHP bought out someday round noon on Could 22–lower than one full day after common public gross sales started, which is the primary time ever that any date has bought out on the day common public gross sales opened.
The following date to promote out was August nineteenth, which bought out on July thirteenth. This was one of many lowest-priced dates for MNSSHP, and people cheaper dates all bought out by early August. Opening evening was subsequent to promote out, which occurred on August 1st. As soon as the primary evening rolled round, there was a “run” on tickets with many extra nights in August and September, and even some in October, promoting out.
There have been a few misconceptions about 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering ticket gross sales. The primary was that ticket gross sales have been slower as in comparison with final 12 months. That is partially true, however provided that you don’t modify for tickets happening sale later this 12 months and the occasion beginning later. When measured from the time of gross sales beginning, it’s fairly comparable year-over-year.
The second and extra important one is that, for the primary time within the final 3 years, one evening of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering did not promote out! Though unavailable for a few days, August twenty fourth tickets reopened for same-day gross sales and, from what we noticed on-line, have been obtainable by means of the beginning of the social gathering.
A variety of websites that observe MNSSHP missed this since tickets have been bought out at one level, however reopened over the weekend when few have been paying consideration. And actually, it’s unclear whether or not or not August twenty fourth did find yourself promoting out organically with same-day gross sales, or if Walt Disney World simply lower off gross sales as soon as the occasion began.
Regardless, even having availability as much as 2 days earlier than the occasion is unprecedented in recent times, and means that perhaps demand is lastly beginning to die down–even only a bit–for these expensive laborious ticket occasions. So on stability, these dueling misconceptions primarily cancel one another out. All issues thought-about, demand was barely softer for the 2025 Mickey’s Not Scary Halloween Social gathering than final 12 months or the 12 months earlier than.
Final 12 months, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out for the season by September twenty fourth. Earlier than October even began, there was nothing left. Coincidentally (?), the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering has bought out on the very same date–September 24, 2025. That’s arguably forward of final 12 months if we’re benchmarking from the time ticket gross sales began, though I’d say that’s extra significant for occasions in August than at this level.
In 2023, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering was bought out by September thirtieth. The 2022 occasion bought out the earliest ever, with all dates passed by September eleventh. Notably, that was the return of MNSSHP for the primary time since 2019, so there was pent-up demand for the occasion. There was additionally pent-up demand extra broadly, as that was the peak of “revenge journey” at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, Disney After Hours Boo Bash bought out by August 26, 2021. Nevertheless, it’s price mentioning that was an After Hours occasion at its coronary heart, and had considerably decrease capability because of this. (Additionally price noting that it occurred throughout a interval of excessive cancellations for Walt Disney World, and ticket gross sales reopened on a number of events–it’s attainable there have been tickets obtainable sporadically after August twenty sixth.)
As we’ve defined elsewhere, there are a variety of causes for MNSSHP promoting out sooner than earlier than. Whereas some critics assume it’s diehard Disney followers consuming up the identical stale occasion 12 months after 12 months, we view this as lazy and largely incorrect evaluation. Greater drivers are nearly definitely locals who’ve dropped Annual Passes (however need an occasional Disney repair) and vacationers choosing MNSSHP tickets as an alternative of 1-day Magic Kingdom park tickets. Because of this, at the very least to some extent, visitors are buying and selling day visits to Magic Kingdom for social gathering time.
That is mirrored in attendance patterns, and it’s pretty well-established that the recognition of the social gathering is divorced from general crowd ranges. I’ve visited Magic Kingdom on a number of events in August and September 2025, and the park has been lifeless on non-party days however busy on 11 pm closing nights–fairly in line with 2022-2024. The Slowest 3 Weeks at Walt Disney World in 2025 simply occurred, and Magic Kingdom was not proof against these decrease crowd ranges.
Additional reinforcing all of that is that Magic Kingdom’s mix-in window from 4 pm to six pm has been busier than ever. This is because of fewer visitors having each MNSSHP and day tickets, with locals and different purchasers of social gathering tickets attempting to maximise their park time. See Finest & Worst 2025 Dates in Magic Kingdom for extra perception.
What’s Subsequent for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering in 2026?
For this part of the publish, we’re going to function beneath the belief that Walt Disney World management want to capitalize on the recognition of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, and use that to extend income in 2026.
The underlying premises are pretty well-established. Walt Disney World likes to search out methods to extend income, as evidenced by quarterly earnings calls and worth will increase. There’s unhappy demand for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, as evidenced by promote outs. There aren’t a variety of different avenues for income progress till 2027, particularly if there’s an financial downturn subsequent 12 months, so Disney has to grab clear-cut alternatives wherever obtainable.
The obvious, and least fascinating, change for 2026 can be worth will increase. This occurs yearly, and it’s barely price discussing on a fundamental degree, to the extent that it in all probability means a higher distribution of dates on the increased finish of the spectrum. This may quantity to efficient worth will increase of 5-10%, which occurred for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The extra fascinating angle is the potential for resetting the worth ceiling once more with the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Regardless of October thirty first seeing an enormous improve to $229, it bought out sooner than ever. As we wrote previous to gross sales even beginning, Walt Disney World may in all probability worth the final couple of nights at $299 and nonetheless promote them out. It’s all a matter of optics, and whether or not that a lot of a rise is well worth the unfavorable headlines.
Basically, there seems to be extra runway for worth will increase in October than there may be August or September. Relative to occasion dates, the primary two months bought out slower than October 2025; that is once more regardless of October having increased costs. That is seemingly on account of October being by far the busiest month of the three, and the precise coronary heart of Halloween season. Suffice to say, there’s in all probability room for many–if not all–different October dates to be priced above $200. Worth will increase seems like a reasonably secure guess.
A bolder guess is that Walt Disney World will host 40+ Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights in 2026 for the primary time ever.
There have been 38 events final 12 months–and there are additionally 38 events this 12 months. Previous to that, the variety of events had elevated by 1-2 per 12 months for a number of years. The explanation the variety of events didn’t improve in 2025 is as a result of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering began a full week later than final 12 months. This isn’t regular. It’s widespread for MNSSHP to start out earlier and earlier, however I don’t recall a time when the beginning date was pushed again previous to 2025.
In all chance, this resolution was pushed by the delayed Disney Starlight Evening Parade, and giving {that a} longer runway of uninterrupted efficiency dates earlier than Social gathering Season begins. That new nighttime parade wanted as many efficiency dates as attainable as a launch valve on demand and crowds earlier than Social gathering Season begins, and causes Magic Kingdom to shut early a number of nights per week. Clearly, this situation gained’t repeat in 2026.
The 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering may break the 40 evening barrier merely be including that early August week again to the schedule, beginning the occasion on August 7, 2026. If that occurs, and nothing else modifications, that’s a straightforward 40-41 events.
Walt Disney World stored the identical variety of events monthly this 12 months, and completed the week later begin by including two Sunday evening events within the second half of August. These dates nonetheless managed to promote properly and didn’t trigger loopy crowding on non-party dates, so it appears seemingly that Walt Disney World will revisit that playbook for 2026.
Including extra August dates additionally introduces the chance for extra of the least costly dates. In concept, Walt Disney World may preserve the beginning worth the identical as 2025, simply improve the October ceiling, and market extra of the “least expensive” dates. (Disneyland has executed this with $104 ticket days.) That might be a win-win for visitors and the corporate, rising income whereas additionally nudging these with versatile journey dates to August for (primarily) half-priced tickets as contrasted with October.
Together with considerably increased costs, Walt Disney World has lowered the attendance cap for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, which is a part of the explanation extra dates promote out. If you happen to final skilled MNSSHP in October 2019 when this downside peaked, it is best to discover the distinction within the 2022-2025 crowds. (See “Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Too Crowded?” for extra on how dangerous October 2019 was.)
That is no assure that Walt Disney World will keep on with the decrease attendance cap for the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. They may decide that, on stability, visitor satisfaction is increased if the occasions don’t promote out as simply. (Clearly, visitor satisfaction is increased amongst attendees with a decrease cap, however that doesn’t account for visitors who get shut out and are disenchanted. You’re an outlier by studying this weblog; many Walt Disney World visitors don’t begin fascinated about or planning for Halloween till October.)
In order that’s one potential change for 2026–the next attendance cap to scale back bought out dates. This strikes me as unlikely to occur. Walt Disney World has hit the goldilocks zone for crowds–not too gentle or too heavy–at each MNSSHP and MVMCP. This doesn’t imply there’s zero congestion or traces–you’ll nonetheless encounter each, particularly for uncommon characters and in entrance of Cinderella Fort between the parade and fireworks, however there’s no fixing for that.
One other wildcard is bringing again extra upcharges inside the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Walt Disney World has been actually sluggish to revive a variety of ‘Enchanting Extras’ for causes unknown, however 2026 is perhaps the turning level on that if there’s in any other case a slowdown. Bringing again the Cruella’s Halloween Disguise-a-Approach at Tony’s City Sq. Restaurant or including one other premium parade viewing package deal can be one option to accomplish this.
An much more outlandish concept is perhaps pulling a web page from the Christmas playbook and introducing a extra adult-oriented social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One thing that is so scary (or is barely scary) and will slot between MNSSHP and Halloween Horror Nights at Common on the scariness spectrum. There’s positively an viewers for this, and Disney may look to occasions held in Paris or Hong Kong for inspiration.
I’m skeptical of this occurring for plenty of causes, but it surely’s at the very least price discussing as a “only for enjoyable” risk. Having executed Halloween at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland again after they had this extra grownup vibe, I might love to see this. Amongst different impediments, messaging can be an enormous one. (Don’t need one other Alien Encounter situation!)
The larger difficulty, although, is that solely October may realistically maintain a second Halloween occasion at Walt Disney World. Possibly they may do one evening per week from mid-August by means of late September, however that’s an enormous perhaps. Such a celebration would in all probability take a number of seasons to interrupt even, and dangers a repeat of Jollywood Nights’ inaugural season.
Though Walt Disney World has pushed ahead with Jollywood Nights, I can’t assist however ponder whether that’s on account of recouping upfront sunk prices. That if they may make the unique resolution with the information they’ve immediately, perhaps they’d choose in opposition to ever doing Jollywood Nights within the first place.
If something, a summer-time laborious ticket occasion from Could by means of July at Magic Kingdom might be the extra surefire, bankable idea. Maybe the actual resolution right here is bringing again Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom for these months, versus one other social gathering throughout Halloween at DHS that might cannibalize attendance from MNSSHP and create confusion amongst visitors.
Personally, I’d like to see a summer-time particular occasion return to Magic Kingdom. It’s been practically twenty years because the failed Pirates & Princesses Social gathering, which was truly a ton of enjoyable. That was additionally poorly timed proper in the course of the Nice Recession, and though we’re beneath no delusions that it’ll return, it could possibly be an enormous hit in 2025, particularly with the resurgence of pirates! The newer Villains After Hours is certainly the smarter guess, particularly with Villains Land on the horizon.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? If you happen to’re fascinated with studying extra about motels, our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which sort it is best to get, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at unconventional issues it is best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Experience Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the most effective place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to take advantage of your expertise!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering at Walt Disney World in the previous couple of years? What did you consider the ‘bought out’ crowds? Suppose it was well worth the excessive ticket worth? Any modifications you anticipate in 2026? Suppose Walt Disney World will add a second Halloween social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or a summer season occasion at Magic Kingdom? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
The 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering season is about half over, and now all remaining dates by means of October thirty first are bought out. This isn’t in any respect stunning, however we’re however going to cowl the promote out and, far more importantly, what this might imply for the 2026 MNSSHP.
If you happen to’re new to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering scene, the laborious ticket occasion has bought out each single evening for every of the three earlier years. If you happen to rely Boo Bash, each single spook season occasion has fully bought out from 2021 by means of 2024. Now with the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out, you can also make that every of the final 5 years.
That is the ‘new regular’ for Walt Disney World occasions, even after revenge journey and elevated pent-up demand spending have run their course. It’s not distinctive to MNSSHP, both. Most particular occasions promote higher now regardless of most additionally affected by staleness and better costs.
That is fairly the reversal from pre-COVID. Again in 2019, Walt Disney World provided the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Move. This was primarily an Annual Move for the Halloween Social gathering that allowed entry to 35 nights–each social gathering evening in August, September, October, and November aside from Halloween itself for $299.
This was actually a last-minute providing that rolled out the day of the primary MNSSHP, as Walt Disney World scrambled to buoy ticket gross sales for August and September on account of a scarcity of demand. Even setting apart 2019, it was widespread for a lot of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights to not promote out. There have been a number of years a decade or extra in the past when most events didn’t promote out!
Quick ahead to 2025, and the ultimate date of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween that beforehand had availability (September thirtieth) is now bought out as of September 24, 2025.
For these holding rating at dwelling, October 31, 2025 was the primary date of this 12 months’s MNSSHP to promote out, and that occurred in document time regardless of document costs. The All Hallow’s Eve date of MNSSHP bought out someday round noon on Could 22–lower than one full day after common public gross sales started, which is the primary time ever that any date has bought out on the day common public gross sales opened.
The following date to promote out was August nineteenth, which bought out on July thirteenth. This was one of many lowest-priced dates for MNSSHP, and people cheaper dates all bought out by early August. Opening evening was subsequent to promote out, which occurred on August 1st. As soon as the primary evening rolled round, there was a “run” on tickets with many extra nights in August and September, and even some in October, promoting out.
There have been a few misconceptions about 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering ticket gross sales. The primary was that ticket gross sales have been slower as in comparison with final 12 months. That is partially true, however provided that you don’t modify for tickets happening sale later this 12 months and the occasion beginning later. When measured from the time of gross sales beginning, it’s fairly comparable year-over-year.
The second and extra important one is that, for the primary time within the final 3 years, one evening of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering did not promote out! Though unavailable for a few days, August twenty fourth tickets reopened for same-day gross sales and, from what we noticed on-line, have been obtainable by means of the beginning of the social gathering.
A variety of websites that observe MNSSHP missed this since tickets have been bought out at one level, however reopened over the weekend when few have been paying consideration. And actually, it’s unclear whether or not or not August twenty fourth did find yourself promoting out organically with same-day gross sales, or if Walt Disney World simply lower off gross sales as soon as the occasion began.
Regardless, even having availability as much as 2 days earlier than the occasion is unprecedented in recent times, and means that perhaps demand is lastly beginning to die down–even only a bit–for these expensive laborious ticket occasions. So on stability, these dueling misconceptions primarily cancel one another out. All issues thought-about, demand was barely softer for the 2025 Mickey’s Not Scary Halloween Social gathering than final 12 months or the 12 months earlier than.
Final 12 months, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out for the season by September twenty fourth. Earlier than October even began, there was nothing left. Coincidentally (?), the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering has bought out on the very same date–September 24, 2025. That’s arguably forward of final 12 months if we’re benchmarking from the time ticket gross sales began, though I’d say that’s extra significant for occasions in August than at this level.
In 2023, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering was bought out by September thirtieth. The 2022 occasion bought out the earliest ever, with all dates passed by September eleventh. Notably, that was the return of MNSSHP for the primary time since 2019, so there was pent-up demand for the occasion. There was additionally pent-up demand extra broadly, as that was the peak of “revenge journey” at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, Disney After Hours Boo Bash bought out by August 26, 2021. Nevertheless, it’s price mentioning that was an After Hours occasion at its coronary heart, and had considerably decrease capability because of this. (Additionally price noting that it occurred throughout a interval of excessive cancellations for Walt Disney World, and ticket gross sales reopened on a number of events–it’s attainable there have been tickets obtainable sporadically after August twenty sixth.)
As we’ve defined elsewhere, there are a variety of causes for MNSSHP promoting out sooner than earlier than. Whereas some critics assume it’s diehard Disney followers consuming up the identical stale occasion 12 months after 12 months, we view this as lazy and largely incorrect evaluation. Greater drivers are nearly definitely locals who’ve dropped Annual Passes (however need an occasional Disney repair) and vacationers choosing MNSSHP tickets as an alternative of 1-day Magic Kingdom park tickets. Because of this, at the very least to some extent, visitors are buying and selling day visits to Magic Kingdom for social gathering time.
That is mirrored in attendance patterns, and it’s pretty well-established that the recognition of the social gathering is divorced from general crowd ranges. I’ve visited Magic Kingdom on a number of events in August and September 2025, and the park has been lifeless on non-party days however busy on 11 pm closing nights–fairly in line with 2022-2024. The Slowest 3 Weeks at Walt Disney World in 2025 simply occurred, and Magic Kingdom was not proof against these decrease crowd ranges.
Additional reinforcing all of that is that Magic Kingdom’s mix-in window from 4 pm to six pm has been busier than ever. This is because of fewer visitors having each MNSSHP and day tickets, with locals and different purchasers of social gathering tickets attempting to maximise their park time. See Finest & Worst 2025 Dates in Magic Kingdom for extra perception.
What’s Subsequent for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering in 2026?
For this part of the publish, we’re going to function beneath the belief that Walt Disney World management want to capitalize on the recognition of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, and use that to extend income in 2026.
The underlying premises are pretty well-established. Walt Disney World likes to search out methods to extend income, as evidenced by quarterly earnings calls and worth will increase. There’s unhappy demand for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, as evidenced by promote outs. There aren’t a variety of different avenues for income progress till 2027, particularly if there’s an financial downturn subsequent 12 months, so Disney has to grab clear-cut alternatives wherever obtainable.
The obvious, and least fascinating, change for 2026 can be worth will increase. This occurs yearly, and it’s barely price discussing on a fundamental degree, to the extent that it in all probability means a higher distribution of dates on the increased finish of the spectrum. This may quantity to efficient worth will increase of 5-10%, which occurred for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The extra fascinating angle is the potential for resetting the worth ceiling once more with the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Regardless of October thirty first seeing an enormous improve to $229, it bought out sooner than ever. As we wrote previous to gross sales even beginning, Walt Disney World may in all probability worth the final couple of nights at $299 and nonetheless promote them out. It’s all a matter of optics, and whether or not that a lot of a rise is well worth the unfavorable headlines.
Basically, there seems to be extra runway for worth will increase in October than there may be August or September. Relative to occasion dates, the primary two months bought out slower than October 2025; that is once more regardless of October having increased costs. That is seemingly on account of October being by far the busiest month of the three, and the precise coronary heart of Halloween season. Suffice to say, there’s in all probability room for many–if not all–different October dates to be priced above $200. Worth will increase seems like a reasonably secure guess.
A bolder guess is that Walt Disney World will host 40+ Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights in 2026 for the primary time ever.
There have been 38 events final 12 months–and there are additionally 38 events this 12 months. Previous to that, the variety of events had elevated by 1-2 per 12 months for a number of years. The explanation the variety of events didn’t improve in 2025 is as a result of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering began a full week later than final 12 months. This isn’t regular. It’s widespread for MNSSHP to start out earlier and earlier, however I don’t recall a time when the beginning date was pushed again previous to 2025.
In all chance, this resolution was pushed by the delayed Disney Starlight Evening Parade, and giving {that a} longer runway of uninterrupted efficiency dates earlier than Social gathering Season begins. That new nighttime parade wanted as many efficiency dates as attainable as a launch valve on demand and crowds earlier than Social gathering Season begins, and causes Magic Kingdom to shut early a number of nights per week. Clearly, this situation gained’t repeat in 2026.
The 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering may break the 40 evening barrier merely be including that early August week again to the schedule, beginning the occasion on August 7, 2026. If that occurs, and nothing else modifications, that’s a straightforward 40-41 events.
Walt Disney World stored the identical variety of events monthly this 12 months, and completed the week later begin by including two Sunday evening events within the second half of August. These dates nonetheless managed to promote properly and didn’t trigger loopy crowding on non-party dates, so it appears seemingly that Walt Disney World will revisit that playbook for 2026.
Including extra August dates additionally introduces the chance for extra of the least costly dates. In concept, Walt Disney World may preserve the beginning worth the identical as 2025, simply improve the October ceiling, and market extra of the “least expensive” dates. (Disneyland has executed this with $104 ticket days.) That might be a win-win for visitors and the corporate, rising income whereas additionally nudging these with versatile journey dates to August for (primarily) half-priced tickets as contrasted with October.
Together with considerably increased costs, Walt Disney World has lowered the attendance cap for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, which is a part of the explanation extra dates promote out. If you happen to final skilled MNSSHP in October 2019 when this downside peaked, it is best to discover the distinction within the 2022-2025 crowds. (See “Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Too Crowded?” for extra on how dangerous October 2019 was.)
That is no assure that Walt Disney World will keep on with the decrease attendance cap for the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. They may decide that, on stability, visitor satisfaction is increased if the occasions don’t promote out as simply. (Clearly, visitor satisfaction is increased amongst attendees with a decrease cap, however that doesn’t account for visitors who get shut out and are disenchanted. You’re an outlier by studying this weblog; many Walt Disney World visitors don’t begin fascinated about or planning for Halloween till October.)
In order that’s one potential change for 2026–the next attendance cap to scale back bought out dates. This strikes me as unlikely to occur. Walt Disney World has hit the goldilocks zone for crowds–not too gentle or too heavy–at each MNSSHP and MVMCP. This doesn’t imply there’s zero congestion or traces–you’ll nonetheless encounter each, particularly for uncommon characters and in entrance of Cinderella Fort between the parade and fireworks, however there’s no fixing for that.
One other wildcard is bringing again extra upcharges inside the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Walt Disney World has been actually sluggish to revive a variety of ‘Enchanting Extras’ for causes unknown, however 2026 is perhaps the turning level on that if there’s in any other case a slowdown. Bringing again the Cruella’s Halloween Disguise-a-Approach at Tony’s City Sq. Restaurant or including one other premium parade viewing package deal can be one option to accomplish this.
An much more outlandish concept is perhaps pulling a web page from the Christmas playbook and introducing a extra adult-oriented social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One thing that is so scary (or is barely scary) and will slot between MNSSHP and Halloween Horror Nights at Common on the scariness spectrum. There’s positively an viewers for this, and Disney may look to occasions held in Paris or Hong Kong for inspiration.
I’m skeptical of this occurring for plenty of causes, but it surely’s at the very least price discussing as a “only for enjoyable” risk. Having executed Halloween at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland again after they had this extra grownup vibe, I might love to see this. Amongst different impediments, messaging can be an enormous one. (Don’t need one other Alien Encounter situation!)
The larger difficulty, although, is that solely October may realistically maintain a second Halloween occasion at Walt Disney World. Possibly they may do one evening per week from mid-August by means of late September, however that’s an enormous perhaps. Such a celebration would in all probability take a number of seasons to interrupt even, and dangers a repeat of Jollywood Nights’ inaugural season.
Though Walt Disney World has pushed ahead with Jollywood Nights, I can’t assist however ponder whether that’s on account of recouping upfront sunk prices. That if they may make the unique resolution with the information they’ve immediately, perhaps they’d choose in opposition to ever doing Jollywood Nights within the first place.
If something, a summer-time laborious ticket occasion from Could by means of July at Magic Kingdom might be the extra surefire, bankable idea. Maybe the actual resolution right here is bringing again Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom for these months, versus one other social gathering throughout Halloween at DHS that might cannibalize attendance from MNSSHP and create confusion amongst visitors.
Personally, I’d like to see a summer-time particular occasion return to Magic Kingdom. It’s been practically twenty years because the failed Pirates & Princesses Social gathering, which was truly a ton of enjoyable. That was additionally poorly timed proper in the course of the Nice Recession, and though we’re beneath no delusions that it’ll return, it could possibly be an enormous hit in 2025, particularly with the resurgence of pirates! The newer Villains After Hours is certainly the smarter guess, particularly with Villains Land on the horizon.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? If you happen to’re fascinated with studying extra about motels, our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which sort it is best to get, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at unconventional issues it is best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Experience Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the most effective place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to take advantage of your expertise!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering at Walt Disney World in the previous couple of years? What did you consider the ‘bought out’ crowds? Suppose it was well worth the excessive ticket worth? Any modifications you anticipate in 2026? Suppose Walt Disney World will add a second Halloween social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or a summer season occasion at Magic Kingdom? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
The 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering season is about half over, and now all remaining dates by means of October thirty first are bought out. This isn’t in any respect stunning, however we’re however going to cowl the promote out and, far more importantly, what this might imply for the 2026 MNSSHP.
If you happen to’re new to the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering scene, the laborious ticket occasion has bought out each single evening for every of the three earlier years. If you happen to rely Boo Bash, each single spook season occasion has fully bought out from 2021 by means of 2024. Now with the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out, you can also make that every of the final 5 years.
That is the ‘new regular’ for Walt Disney World occasions, even after revenge journey and elevated pent-up demand spending have run their course. It’s not distinctive to MNSSHP, both. Most particular occasions promote higher now regardless of most additionally affected by staleness and better costs.
That is fairly the reversal from pre-COVID. Again in 2019, Walt Disney World provided the Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Move. This was primarily an Annual Move for the Halloween Social gathering that allowed entry to 35 nights–each social gathering evening in August, September, October, and November aside from Halloween itself for $299.
This was actually a last-minute providing that rolled out the day of the primary MNSSHP, as Walt Disney World scrambled to buoy ticket gross sales for August and September on account of a scarcity of demand. Even setting apart 2019, it was widespread for a lot of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights to not promote out. There have been a number of years a decade or extra in the past when most events didn’t promote out!
Quick ahead to 2025, and the ultimate date of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween that beforehand had availability (September thirtieth) is now bought out as of September 24, 2025.
For these holding rating at dwelling, October 31, 2025 was the primary date of this 12 months’s MNSSHP to promote out, and that occurred in document time regardless of document costs. The All Hallow’s Eve date of MNSSHP bought out someday round noon on Could 22–lower than one full day after common public gross sales started, which is the primary time ever that any date has bought out on the day common public gross sales opened.
The following date to promote out was August nineteenth, which bought out on July thirteenth. This was one of many lowest-priced dates for MNSSHP, and people cheaper dates all bought out by early August. Opening evening was subsequent to promote out, which occurred on August 1st. As soon as the primary evening rolled round, there was a “run” on tickets with many extra nights in August and September, and even some in October, promoting out.
There have been a few misconceptions about 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering ticket gross sales. The primary was that ticket gross sales have been slower as in comparison with final 12 months. That is partially true, however provided that you don’t modify for tickets happening sale later this 12 months and the occasion beginning later. When measured from the time of gross sales beginning, it’s fairly comparable year-over-year.
The second and extra important one is that, for the primary time within the final 3 years, one evening of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering did not promote out! Though unavailable for a few days, August twenty fourth tickets reopened for same-day gross sales and, from what we noticed on-line, have been obtainable by means of the beginning of the social gathering.
A variety of websites that observe MNSSHP missed this since tickets have been bought out at one level, however reopened over the weekend when few have been paying consideration. And actually, it’s unclear whether or not or not August twenty fourth did find yourself promoting out organically with same-day gross sales, or if Walt Disney World simply lower off gross sales as soon as the occasion began.
Regardless, even having availability as much as 2 days earlier than the occasion is unprecedented in recent times, and means that perhaps demand is lastly beginning to die down–even only a bit–for these expensive laborious ticket occasions. So on stability, these dueling misconceptions primarily cancel one another out. All issues thought-about, demand was barely softer for the 2025 Mickey’s Not Scary Halloween Social gathering than final 12 months or the 12 months earlier than.
Final 12 months, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering bought out for the season by September twenty fourth. Earlier than October even began, there was nothing left. Coincidentally (?), the 2025 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering has bought out on the very same date–September 24, 2025. That’s arguably forward of final 12 months if we’re benchmarking from the time ticket gross sales began, though I’d say that’s extra significant for occasions in August than at this level.
In 2023, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering was bought out by September thirtieth. The 2022 occasion bought out the earliest ever, with all dates passed by September eleventh. Notably, that was the return of MNSSHP for the primary time since 2019, so there was pent-up demand for the occasion. There was additionally pent-up demand extra broadly, as that was the peak of “revenge journey” at Walt Disney World.
Earlier than that, Disney After Hours Boo Bash bought out by August 26, 2021. Nevertheless, it’s price mentioning that was an After Hours occasion at its coronary heart, and had considerably decrease capability because of this. (Additionally price noting that it occurred throughout a interval of excessive cancellations for Walt Disney World, and ticket gross sales reopened on a number of events–it’s attainable there have been tickets obtainable sporadically after August twenty sixth.)
As we’ve defined elsewhere, there are a variety of causes for MNSSHP promoting out sooner than earlier than. Whereas some critics assume it’s diehard Disney followers consuming up the identical stale occasion 12 months after 12 months, we view this as lazy and largely incorrect evaluation. Greater drivers are nearly definitely locals who’ve dropped Annual Passes (however need an occasional Disney repair) and vacationers choosing MNSSHP tickets as an alternative of 1-day Magic Kingdom park tickets. Because of this, at the very least to some extent, visitors are buying and selling day visits to Magic Kingdom for social gathering time.
That is mirrored in attendance patterns, and it’s pretty well-established that the recognition of the social gathering is divorced from general crowd ranges. I’ve visited Magic Kingdom on a number of events in August and September 2025, and the park has been lifeless on non-party days however busy on 11 pm closing nights–fairly in line with 2022-2024. The Slowest 3 Weeks at Walt Disney World in 2025 simply occurred, and Magic Kingdom was not proof against these decrease crowd ranges.
Additional reinforcing all of that is that Magic Kingdom’s mix-in window from 4 pm to six pm has been busier than ever. This is because of fewer visitors having each MNSSHP and day tickets, with locals and different purchasers of social gathering tickets attempting to maximise their park time. See Finest & Worst 2025 Dates in Magic Kingdom for extra perception.
What’s Subsequent for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering in 2026?
For this part of the publish, we’re going to function beneath the belief that Walt Disney World management want to capitalize on the recognition of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, and use that to extend income in 2026.
The underlying premises are pretty well-established. Walt Disney World likes to search out methods to extend income, as evidenced by quarterly earnings calls and worth will increase. There’s unhappy demand for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, as evidenced by promote outs. There aren’t a variety of different avenues for income progress till 2027, particularly if there’s an financial downturn subsequent 12 months, so Disney has to grab clear-cut alternatives wherever obtainable.
The obvious, and least fascinating, change for 2026 can be worth will increase. This occurs yearly, and it’s barely price discussing on a fundamental degree, to the extent that it in all probability means a higher distribution of dates on the increased finish of the spectrum. This may quantity to efficient worth will increase of 5-10%, which occurred for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The extra fascinating angle is the potential for resetting the worth ceiling once more with the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Regardless of October thirty first seeing an enormous improve to $229, it bought out sooner than ever. As we wrote previous to gross sales even beginning, Walt Disney World may in all probability worth the final couple of nights at $299 and nonetheless promote them out. It’s all a matter of optics, and whether or not that a lot of a rise is well worth the unfavorable headlines.
Basically, there seems to be extra runway for worth will increase in October than there may be August or September. Relative to occasion dates, the primary two months bought out slower than October 2025; that is once more regardless of October having increased costs. That is seemingly on account of October being by far the busiest month of the three, and the precise coronary heart of Halloween season. Suffice to say, there’s in all probability room for many–if not all–different October dates to be priced above $200. Worth will increase seems like a reasonably secure guess.
A bolder guess is that Walt Disney World will host 40+ Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering nights in 2026 for the primary time ever.
There have been 38 events final 12 months–and there are additionally 38 events this 12 months. Previous to that, the variety of events had elevated by 1-2 per 12 months for a number of years. The explanation the variety of events didn’t improve in 2025 is as a result of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Social gathering began a full week later than final 12 months. This isn’t regular. It’s widespread for MNSSHP to start out earlier and earlier, however I don’t recall a time when the beginning date was pushed again previous to 2025.
In all chance, this resolution was pushed by the delayed Disney Starlight Evening Parade, and giving {that a} longer runway of uninterrupted efficiency dates earlier than Social gathering Season begins. That new nighttime parade wanted as many efficiency dates as attainable as a launch valve on demand and crowds earlier than Social gathering Season begins, and causes Magic Kingdom to shut early a number of nights per week. Clearly, this situation gained’t repeat in 2026.
The 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering may break the 40 evening barrier merely be including that early August week again to the schedule, beginning the occasion on August 7, 2026. If that occurs, and nothing else modifications, that’s a straightforward 40-41 events.
Walt Disney World stored the identical variety of events monthly this 12 months, and completed the week later begin by including two Sunday evening events within the second half of August. These dates nonetheless managed to promote properly and didn’t trigger loopy crowding on non-party dates, so it appears seemingly that Walt Disney World will revisit that playbook for 2026.
Including extra August dates additionally introduces the chance for extra of the least costly dates. In concept, Walt Disney World may preserve the beginning worth the identical as 2025, simply improve the October ceiling, and market extra of the “least expensive” dates. (Disneyland has executed this with $104 ticket days.) That might be a win-win for visitors and the corporate, rising income whereas additionally nudging these with versatile journey dates to August for (primarily) half-priced tickets as contrasted with October.
Together with considerably increased costs, Walt Disney World has lowered the attendance cap for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering, which is a part of the explanation extra dates promote out. If you happen to final skilled MNSSHP in October 2019 when this downside peaked, it is best to discover the distinction within the 2022-2025 crowds. (See “Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering Too Crowded?” for extra on how dangerous October 2019 was.)
That is no assure that Walt Disney World will keep on with the decrease attendance cap for the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. They may decide that, on stability, visitor satisfaction is increased if the occasions don’t promote out as simply. (Clearly, visitor satisfaction is increased amongst attendees with a decrease cap, however that doesn’t account for visitors who get shut out and are disenchanted. You’re an outlier by studying this weblog; many Walt Disney World visitors don’t begin fascinated about or planning for Halloween till October.)
In order that’s one potential change for 2026–the next attendance cap to scale back bought out dates. This strikes me as unlikely to occur. Walt Disney World has hit the goldilocks zone for crowds–not too gentle or too heavy–at each MNSSHP and MVMCP. This doesn’t imply there’s zero congestion or traces–you’ll nonetheless encounter each, particularly for uncommon characters and in entrance of Cinderella Fort between the parade and fireworks, however there’s no fixing for that.
One other wildcard is bringing again extra upcharges inside the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering. Walt Disney World has been actually sluggish to revive a variety of ‘Enchanting Extras’ for causes unknown, however 2026 is perhaps the turning level on that if there’s in any other case a slowdown. Bringing again the Cruella’s Halloween Disguise-a-Approach at Tony’s City Sq. Restaurant or including one other premium parade viewing package deal can be one option to accomplish this.
An much more outlandish concept is perhaps pulling a web page from the Christmas playbook and introducing a extra adult-oriented social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One thing that is so scary (or is barely scary) and will slot between MNSSHP and Halloween Horror Nights at Common on the scariness spectrum. There’s positively an viewers for this, and Disney may look to occasions held in Paris or Hong Kong for inspiration.
I’m skeptical of this occurring for plenty of causes, but it surely’s at the very least price discussing as a “only for enjoyable” risk. Having executed Halloween at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland again after they had this extra grownup vibe, I might love to see this. Amongst different impediments, messaging can be an enormous one. (Don’t need one other Alien Encounter situation!)
The larger difficulty, although, is that solely October may realistically maintain a second Halloween occasion at Walt Disney World. Possibly they may do one evening per week from mid-August by means of late September, however that’s an enormous perhaps. Such a celebration would in all probability take a number of seasons to interrupt even, and dangers a repeat of Jollywood Nights’ inaugural season.
Though Walt Disney World has pushed ahead with Jollywood Nights, I can’t assist however ponder whether that’s on account of recouping upfront sunk prices. That if they may make the unique resolution with the information they’ve immediately, perhaps they’d choose in opposition to ever doing Jollywood Nights within the first place.
If something, a summer-time laborious ticket occasion from Could by means of July at Magic Kingdom might be the extra surefire, bankable idea. Maybe the actual resolution right here is bringing again Villains After Hours at Magic Kingdom for these months, versus one other social gathering throughout Halloween at DHS that might cannibalize attendance from MNSSHP and create confusion amongst visitors.
Personally, I’d like to see a summer-time particular occasion return to Magic Kingdom. It’s been practically twenty years because the failed Pirates & Princesses Social gathering, which was truly a ton of enjoyable. That was additionally poorly timed proper in the course of the Nice Recession, and though we’re beneath no delusions that it’ll return, it could possibly be an enormous hit in 2025, particularly with the resurgence of pirates! The newer Villains After Hours is certainly the smarter guess, particularly with Villains Land on the horizon.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? If you happen to’re fascinated with studying extra about motels, our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page is an efficient place to start out. For the place to eat, check out our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions web page. If you wish to lower your expenses on tickets or decide which sort it is best to get, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a singular take a look at unconventional issues it is best to take in your journey. When you arrive on the parks, our Walt Disney World “Experience Guides” are nice for figuring out what to do and when to do it. For overviews of all of those matters and a lot extra, the most effective place to start out is our complete Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information to take advantage of your expertise!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Social gathering at Walt Disney World in the previous couple of years? What did you consider the ‘bought out’ crowds? Suppose it was well worth the excessive ticket worth? Any modifications you anticipate in 2026? Suppose Walt Disney World will add a second Halloween social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or a summer season occasion at Magic Kingdom? Agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
