Making Memories: It’s Not So Scary at Magic Kingdom

on October 19, 2021

Each week through the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary, we will be taking a look back at various parades, entertainment, and nighttime spectaculars throughout the history of the resort. Walt Disney World has seen so many different things come and go throughout its 50 year history. So, let’s take a look back at what people remember dearly or forgot quickly.

Welcome back to Making Memories! This week we are going with the time of year and looking at Halloween offerings at Magic Kingdom throughout the years. Halloween has grown to really become a major time of year to visit Walt Disney World.

In normal non-pandemic years, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom has delighted guests with its special entertainment options and more. This one of a kind party debuted in 1995 as a single night to celebrate Halloween. Since 1995, it has grown to become a very popular event that would start as early as mid-August. Early on there was no special fireworks or parade for the party but rather some Halloween theming and trick-or-treating throughout the park.

In 1997, “Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween” Parade was added during the party. Come 1999, the party took place over three nights in October. Then finally in 2003 “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” debuted. This parade ran until 2019 when the pandemic changed Disney’s offerings. Its uncertain if the parade will return. In 2005, Hallowishes was added as a special Halloween themed fireworks show. Hallowishes ran until 2018 when it was replaced by “Not So Spooky Spectacular.” In 2019, the last time the Halloween party was held, it ran for a record 36 nights between August, September and October.

“Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade” began with the Headless Horseman from The Legend of Sleepy Hallow prior to the parade coming down the route. For many guests, its one of the best moments of the party. The opening unit of the parade features Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney characters in decorated gazebos. Following that would be a Frontierland themed unit which originally featured characters from Splash Mountain and the Country Bears. In more recent years, Clarabelle Cow was the featured character of this unit with Clara Cluck also joining in the fun. The Pirate unit used characters from Peter Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean featuring a medley of “A Pirate’s Life” and “Yo Ho.”

One of the most popular units is the Haunted Mansion unit. This float featured the gravediggers with shovels who would swipe them across the streets to create sparks. The float itself featured the Hitchhiking Ghosts from the attraction. In 2019, a new unit was added featuring characters from Tomorrowland including The Incredibles and Buzz Lightyear. Vanellope von Schweetz leads “Sugar Rush Delivery” with Ralph from Wreck-it Ralph riding along. It also wouldn’t be Halloween without the villains. The finale is led with a skeleton band playing a special tune and Pain and Panic from Disney’s Hercules. The finale float features fan favorite villains such as Jafar, Chernabog, Maleficent and more.

During the pandemic, small Halloween themed cavalcades would be presented at the Magic Kingdom. Its unclear if in 2022, Boo-to-You will return.

Happy Hallowishes debuted in 2005 as part of the Halloween party and ran until October 2018. This special holiday show was developed by Steve Davison and Eric Tucker who also worked on Wishes, Holiday Wishes, and Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Hallowishes is led by the Haunted Mansion’s “Ghost Host,” and they are preparing for a Halloween celebration. Guests start to hear familiar voices such as Ursula and Jafar. The show ends with a “scream-along” finale.

In 2019, Disney debuted a new Halloween spectacular at Magic Kingdom. Disney’s “Not So Spooky Spectacular” begins with Jack Skellington as the host welcoming everyone to his party. His dog Zero takes Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald on a special trick-or-treating adventure. This show features songs from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Hercules,” “The Little Mermaid,” and more. Something special about this show is that it features a larger than life Jack Skellington Puppet during the show on the castle stage.

In 2005, Disney also added a stage show to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. “Villains Mix and Mingle” was a show that featured Disney Villains celebrating Halloween. Maleficent would invite other Disney Villains to join her celebration with dance numbers and more. In 2011, the show was updated and Dr. Facillier became the host of the show. This show was then replaced in 2015.

“Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” debuted in 2015 and was an instant hit. The Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus host this show as they try to create a special spell. Disney villains such as Dr. Facillier, Oogie Boogie, Maleficent and more join in the fun as well. The Sanderson sisters are especially loved in this show as they do live singing which is not something you see in many Disney shows.