Halloween begins this week at Walt Disney World. Not a typo.
Friday, August 7, Magic Kingdom opens the first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. The August start still throws people off every year, and it shows up faster than expected.
Everybody plans these nights differently. Some map trick-or-treat stops like a military operation. Some camp on Main Street, U.S.A. for Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade. Some are there strictly for the food, which has become its own reason to buy a ticket.
Then there is the character crowd.
If that is you, this is the night. The party is the only time you can meet certain characters at Walt Disney World, and the costumed versions of the regulars exist only during these hours. Lines build fast. Planning matters.
Disney just released the full 2026 lineup.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in Halloween Attire, Town Square Theater.
Jack Skellington and Sally, Town Square Theater.
Adventureland
Aladdin, Abu, Princess Jasmine, and Genie, Agrabah Marketplace.
Captain Jack Sparrow and Pirates, Captain Jack’s Buccaneer Bash at Adventureland Stage. New as an entertainment experience this year, though Jack has met before.
Frontierland
Chip ‘n’ Dale, near the exit of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Brand new meet for 2026.
Shaker, Wendell, Romeo McGrowl, and Big Al roam throughout Frontierland.
Liberty Square
Mirabel and Bruno, Liberty Square Gazebo. Back after appearing in 2024 and skipping 2025.
Haunted Mansion Residents, The Haunted Mansion.
Tomorrowland
Stitch, Angel, and Lilo, Stitch’s Masquerade Mashup at Rockettower Plaza Stage. One of the big new additions, and an entertainment experience rather than a standard meet.
Fantasyland
Alice, Mad Hatter, and Queen of Hearts, outside the Mad Tea Party.
Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella, Fantasyland.
Ariel and Prince Eric, near Under the Sea, Journey of the Little Mermaid.
Gaston, near Gaston’s Tavern.
Pluto, entrance to Storybook Circus.
Donald Duck and Daisy Duck in Halloween Attire, Pete’s Silly Sideshow.
Pooh as a Bumble Bee, Piglet as a Butterfly, Eeyore as a Clown, and Tigger as a Pirate, The Thotful Spot.
What’s Different This Year at Disney
Chip ‘n’ Dale are the genuinely new addition.
Donald skipped 2025, when Daisy was paired with Goofy instead. Donald is back with Daisy this year. Goofy is not listed at all.
Mirabel and Bruno return after a year off.
Who Isn’t on the Disney List
Veterans know this part.
Disney has teased unannounced appearances, including the Hitchhiking Ghosts. Last year, they showed up in Frontierland on the balcony between Frontier Trading Post and Country Bear Musical Jamboree, plus the Diamond Horseshoe Stage.
Villains appeared off-list, too. Mother Gothel and Cruella de Vil on Main Street, U.S.A. Maleficent and the Evil Queen in the candy trail queue at Princess Fairytale Hall.
No guarantee any of it repeats. Worth watching for anyway.
Dates Are Disappearing
Buy soon if you have not.
Sold out as of July 30: Friday, August 7, opening night; Tuesday, August 11; Friday, August 14; Tuesday, August 18; Friday, October 9; Tuesday, October 13; and Saturday, October 31.
Then September broke. As of July 31, Friday, September 4 sold out too, ending the run of fully available September dates.
Remaining August nights are the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 28th, and 30th. September still has the most availability overall. October has a solid number of open dates left.
Prices moved with demand. Tickets ranged from $119 to $229 for adults and $109 to $219 for kids 9 and under. Remaining dates now run $139 to $224 for adults and $129 to $214 for children.
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members save $10 on select nights through early October. Kids two and under get in free with a paying adult.
How the Night Runs
Party hours are 7 p.m. to midnight on select nights, August 7 through October 31. Ticket holders can enter Magic Kingdom starting at 4 p.m., so up to 8 hours inside.
Beyond characters, you get trick-or-treating throughout the park, exclusive food and beverage, themed merchandise, ride overlays, and entertainment, including Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade, and Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular over Cinderella Castle.
If Disney Characters Are the Priority
Quick strategy.
Rare meets draw the worst lines, and Jack Skellington and Sally have historically been the worst of all. Get in line right at the party’s opening rather than waiting.
The Stitch and Captain Jack experiences run on showtimes, not queues. Build around those.
Frontierland’s roaming characters are not worth planning around. Just walk through the area, and you will find them.
Friday is opening night. Who are you hoping to meet?
