Hi Amy, welcome to planDisney!
The Halfway to Halloween announcements coming from Walt Disney World Resort last week were full of ghoulish delights! News about the return of
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom park on select nights from August 12 to October 31 especially made my Minnie ears perk up. My kids have been waiting years to attend their first Halloween party and it promises to be a spooktacular evening. I'm still working on costume ideas for our party of six, but I'm excited about the new 3D photo backdrops that will be added to the event as part of the continuing
50th Anniversary Celebration.
You've asked an excellent question about whether or not Disney Genie+ service will be available to party Guests between 4:00 p.m. (the earliest arrival time) and 7:00 p.m. (the official party start time). The official answer from the Cast Member I spoke with today is that they do not yet have information about whether or not
Disney Genie+ service can be added to a Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party admission ticket. I will share that my family will not be purchasing Disney Genie+ service for our party day, even if it is available, and I'd love to tell you why.
In my experience, Disney Genie+ service grants the most wishes on full park days when the goal is to experience as many attractions as possible. Because
Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations require you to select the next available arrival window, it would be a time-consuming challenge to be on the
My Disney Experience mobile app exactly when a 4:00 p.m. arrival window becomes available for your desired attraction. You may have luck securing multiple Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations for that three-hour window, or you may not. Rather than take that risk, my family's goal for that time will be to experience as many attractions as possible that will not be open during the Halloween party. Those attractions include Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, and Mickey's PhilharMagic.
Shorter lines at popular attractions are one of the main perks of attending a specially ticketed event like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and my family definitely plans on getting our ride on once the party starts. In my experience, attraction wait times decrease significantly during the parades as well as after the fireworks. A nap agreement has already been drafted and signed by my kids!
I'm no Madame Leota, but I predict you're going to have a hauntingly good time at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this year, Amy. Thanks for letting planDisney be a part of your happily ever after. Please come back and see us again soon.
Choose magic,
Jennifer