Walt Disney World is sort of sure to announce dates & particulars concerning the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion at Magic Kingdom, primarily based on a brand new teaser simply posted to the Disney Parks social media accounts. Right here’s the most recent, together with what we’re anticipating by way of occasion dates, value will increase, tickets promoting out, adjustments & main additions.
For these unfamiliar with it, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion (MNSSHP) is a particular occasion that happens after Magic Kingdom closes for the day. It’s individually ticketed, that means you need to pay additional for the celebration for those who’re already within the park as a day visitor and need to keep by way of MNSSHP. It’s a extremely well-liked celebration, and for good cause.
All through the night throughout MNSSHP, you possibly can take pleasure in Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular!, watching as the three sinister sisters bewitch and bedazzle company from the Cinderella Fortress Forecourt Stage. There’s additionally Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, a wickedly wild fireworks show that’s hosted by Jack Skellington on that very same stage. The ultimate piece of the MNSSHP trifecta is Mickey’s Boo to You Parade, one among Walt Disney World’s most iconic leisure choices of all-time. The particular occasion additionally options dance events, trick-or-treating, distinctive ambiance, and extra.
The teaser picture that Disney Parks posted reveals illustrated enjoying playing cards glowing with a Mickey Mouse silhouette on a dimly lit desk together with the caption: “Effectively, nicely, nicely what do we now have right here. A couple of ghoulish riddles are close to. #HalfwayToHalloween”
Right here’s a have a look at the photograph that accompanies the cryptic caption:
The caption is a nod to Oogie Boogie, suggesting that we’ll additionally hear information concerning the arduous ticket Halloween celebration held at DCA, Oogie Boogie Bash. Nevertheless, we’d word that Disneyland already introduced 2026 Oogie Boogie Bash dates on the finish of final yr, and usually doesn’t begin promoting tickets till a lot later in the summertime. So if the Oogie Boogie quote was purposeful, it’s in all probability completely different–probably larger–Oogie Boogie Bash information.
As well as, Mickey Mouse’s silhouette on the tarot playing cards is probably going a reference to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion at Magic Kingdom. Mickey heads are a staple of Disney design–so it might be purely coincidental–however there has not been a single “Midway to Halloween” that didn’t contain the announcement of Disney After Hours Boo Bash (do not forget that?!) or MNSSHP dates and particulars.
Actually, the #HalfwayToHalloween hashtag is all we actually want right here. With that, it’s a performed cope with that we’re getting 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion information this week…
For many who are unfamiliar with it, ‘Midway to Halloween’ is an announcement occasion that Disney Parks did for a number of years in the course of the post-reopening period. The concept was (or is, it could appear) like Christmas in July, providing an excuse for Halloween-reveal marketing campaign within the spring.
Along with bulletins, Midway to Halloween has featured meals & beverage gadgets bought out of season for like per week at Disney Springs, and synergy with the networks and streaming providers. One yr, the Disney Parks account live-tweeted working commentary throughout Hocus Pocus roughly 1,971 occasions. Which could appear enjoyable…aside from these of us who’ve notifications enabled for the Disney Parks social media accounts. My cellphone was blowing up greater than the evening that Bob Chapek obtained canned!
In any case, Midway to Halloween is a enjoyable technique to generate hype forward of ticket gross sales beginning. It’s additionally a bit amusing. The notion of it being ‘midway’ to Halloween makes us chuckle just a bit bit provided that the parks begin celebrating Halloween in early to mid August.
Don’t get me incorrect–I really like Halloween and recognize any excuse to rejoice holidays prematurely. However being a Walt Disney World common sorta means having a warped sense of seasons. It’s additionally humorous that the ‘midway’ level to Halloween has shifted round over time, bouncing round between April and Could.
Midway to Halloween didn’t occur final yr, which got here as no shock. Even the yr earlier than, the announcement occasion felt phoned in–like an afterthought. There wasn’t a lot of a build-up, it simply occurred with a fast information dump. It appeared like Walt Disney World was shifting on from Midway to Halloween, and consequently, we didn’t anticipate it to return for 2026.
It’s additionally potential that Midway to Halloween was ‘sidelined’ the final couple of years resulting from larger bulletins that had been nonetheless in a holding sample. In 2024, followers had been awaiting an announcement of Tiana’s Bayou Journey, which was the primary attraction debuting that summer time and had a comparatively last-minute opening date announcement.
It was an identical story final yr with Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away. That new nighttime parade was delayed till late summer time, and it’s our robust suspicion {that a} need to not begin the events too quickly after it debuted pushed again each the unique announcement of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion dates, in addition to the primary night of the occasion.
This yr, Walt Disney World has performed a significantly better job of getting its geese in a row nicely upfront. We obtained dates for nearly every little thing debuting throughout Cool Children’ Summer season practically two months in the past. The primary stragglers had been Huge Thunder Mountain Railroad and Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring the Muppets, each of which obtained official dates inside the final couple of weeks.
Except for the Magic of Disney Animation, there actually aren’t any massive unknowns (and as a lot as I’m trying ahead to that, I doubt many planners are on pins and needles awaiting that date earlier than reserving a visit). Kudos to Walt Disney World for decreasing uncertainty with earlier bulletins.
Walt Disney World likes to house out bulletins to present every a little bit of ‘respiration room.’ With nothing else on the horizon, this additionally opens the door for a return of Midway to Halloween within the absence of ‘competing’ information…
Based mostly on previous precedent, we’d anticipate dates and particulars for the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion to be the main information throughout Midway to Halloween. It’s additionally seemingly that we’ll hear extra about Halloween on the Excessive Seas, new character costumes for Mickey & Pals at Disneyland, and maybe a wildcard (extra on that in a bit).
Final yr, dates and particulars for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion weren’t revealed till Could twelfth. Occasion tickets went on sale to company of choose Walt Disney World Resort motels beginning Could 15, 2025. Normal public gross sales began Could 22, 2025.
All of that was late by historic requirements, however we strongly suspect it was as a result of aforementioned Disney Starlight Evening Parade delay. In every of the three years previous to that, dates had been introduced between late April and early Could throughout “Midway to Halloween.”
Most not too long ago, the “Midway to Halloween” announcement was made on Could 6, 2024 with ticket gross sales beginning one week later. However once more, that was additionally a little bit of an anomaly as a result of TBD nature of TBA.
The most effective precedential instance is 2023, which was the final ‘regular’ or full yr of “Midway to Halloween.” The weeklong occasion began on Monday, April 17 and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion dates and particulars had been introduced on Thursday, April 20. So that is already late as in comparison with that!
There’s clearly no assure of historical past repeating itself, however at any time when “Midway to Halloween” has been a fully-fledged hype occasion, it’s been extra drawn out and the MNSSHP information has been Wednesday or Thursday. With that mentioned, I can also’t recall the tease ever taking place on a weekend, so I suppose that doesn’t fully rule out a Monday morning announcement of MNSSHP dates.
The massive cause that dates had been introduced and went on sale earlier in previous years was to supply an extended runway for the occasion to promote tickets. That’s not a priority–the brand new regular is for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion to promote out.
In truth, each single date has bought out for the final two years, with MNSSHP gross sales growing even because the parks have in any other case slowed down post-pent-up demand. Final yr, October thirty first bought out on the day that ticket gross sales opened; a record-setting promote out regardless of a record-setting excessive value! Different dates didn’t promote out practically as rapidly, however they did promote out.
There’s actually no cause to consider MNSSHP tickets will promote slower in 2026. You may discover that troublesome to consider, however a part of the Halloween Occasion’s recognition is as a result of of the slowdown. That means that Floridians, followers, and different company are “buying and selling down” from costly Annual Passes and common tickets to MNSSHP.
For reference, final yr’s Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion was held on the next dates:
- August 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, 29
- September 2, 5, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30
- October 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26, 28, 30, 31
Notice that the primary MNSSHP was a full week later than regular, which we consider was a one-off as a result of delayed debut of Starlight and operations wanting that parade to have an extended runway of nightly performances.
Walt Disney World by no means formally said as a lot; that’s purely speculative on our half. We’ll know in some way as soon as 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion dates are launched.
With all of that in thoughts, we’ll predict that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion will begin on August 7, 2026.
MNSSHP will proceed a number of nights per week till October 31, 2026 (in all probability not November 1st since that’s a Sunday). These dates ignore 2025 and comply with previous precedent previous to then. If final yr’s begin is used as a substitute, the primary occasion can be one week later, on August 14, 2026.
There have been 38 events final yr–we’d anticipate 39 to 41 nights of the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion. Disney normally tries to squeeze in one other date or two, and there’s loads of room earlier within the season. A better density of dates in August and September might simply push 2026 previous the 40 evening barrier.
Ticket costs for the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion will seemingly vary from $125 to $250 relying upon the date. It’s truly troublesome to foretell costs–they skyrocketed just a few years in the past, however haven’t gone up a lot since besides on the upper finish, regardless of all dates promoting out.
Walt Disney World might stick to the present vary ($119 to $229) or blow previous it, resetting the ground and ceiling (~$150 to $250). Final yr, the value of the final two events shot up from $199 to $229, however that enhance solely utilized to these two dates. Each different evening was $199 or under.
With these closing two nights being a weekend in 2026, we wouldn’t be in the least stunned to see them hit $250…and nonetheless promote out with ease. Walt Disney World may even be capable of “get away with” $299 tickets for these closing two events, however there’s the query of whether or not the unfavourable headlines can be value it.
The dates with the slowest gross sales had been the in-between ones. Nights in late August and early-to-mid September that had been priced round $139 to $159. These are too costly for bargain-hunters, but in addition method earlier than most traditional individuals begin celebrating Halloween.
It thus may behoove Walt Disney World to go away the center dates unchanged, whereas growing the value ceiling and perhaps even the ground. The latter actually depends upon when the brand new dates (if any) are added. There’s seemingly much less bandwidth for the least-popular August dates, which in all probability can’t go above $129 in 2026.
Disney may additionally be apprehensive about getting too aggressive with value will increase. Each from a model injury/visitor goodwill perspective, and in addition one among FOMO. Dates promoting out may very nicely result in extra dates promoting out, as individuals see this pattern and don’t need to miss out on one thing particular. The reverse can be true–that extra individuals may need pause about buying tickets if many dates stay obtainable.
Given how nicely tickets have bought for the final a number of years, we’re not anticipating main adjustments to the 2026 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion. Walt Disney World seemingly has a “don’t repair what isn’t damaged” mentality in direction of the occasion, and sees no incentive to put money into an occasion that’s massively well-liked as-is.
We already know that two marquee leisure choices are confirmed as returning. A few months in the past, Walt Disney World beginning accepting functions for vocalists and dancers performing in Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, in addition to flag corps performers for Mickey’s Boo to You Halloween Parade.
None of that is shocking. Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular and Boo to You Parade are the tentpole productions throughout MNSSHP. Affirmation that they’re returning is sweet, however there was no cause to consider they wouldn’t. Relating to adjustments for 2026, the lifelike greatest case situation is refreshes to the present leisure–new villains within the stage present, a brand new parade unit, or atmospheric enhancements.
Though there haven’t been main adjustments to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Occasion since 2019, Walt Disney World has quietly plussed the occasion in a bunch of little methods. There’s undoubtedly nonetheless room for enchancment, and we’d like to see WDW do fully-fledged deal with trails (which they’ve examined on a smaller scale the final two years), however we’re not holding our breath.
Lastly, there’s the potential for a serious announcement throughout Midway to Halloween.
Now that the Jollywood Nights Christmas Occasion has lastly discovered its footing after three years and began to promote nicely final Christmas, perhaps Walt Disney World introduces an identical counterprogramming Halloween celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
They might do a barely extra grownup occasion, and with the teachings discovered from Jollywood Nights, it might be a hit from the inaugural yr. I wouldn’t guess towards this (Disney loves upcharges!), however with zero rumors of such an providing in improvement, I additionally wouldn’t guess on it.
The massive information that looks like extra of a certain factor is a brand new main piece of leisure for Oogie Boogie Bash. The occasion has gotten stale every of the final two years, and desires a shot within the arm. Extra importantly, the backstage parade amenities at DCA are out of fee for the following few years resulting from Coco development.
This presumably contains the Halloween parade at Oogie Boogie Bash, and I’d assume Disneyland plans on various leisure to fill the hole. Each for the sake of promoting out the occasion and having adequate capability. It could be a really daring transfer to chop the parade and provide no substitute. I wouldn’t be towards it (Disney loves cost-cutting!), however I additionally wouldn’t guess on it. My intestine says a brand new World of Colour and one thing else will probably be added.
Keep tuned, we’ll preserve you posted about what’s introduced (and what isn’t!) in the course of the 2026 Midway to Halloween “occasion” this week.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What do you anticipate to be introduced throughout Midway to Halloween? Assume Walt Disney World will begin MNSSHP per week sooner than final yr, returning to the ‘regular’ August 7, 2026 begin date? Predictions as to pricing or different adjustments? What a couple of new occasion at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or added leisure for Oogie Boogie Bash? Will your loved ones be shopping for or sitting the Halloween arduous ticket occasions out? Any questions we may also help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
