Hello Colleen! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
My family just returned from a Walt Disney World Resort vacation that included our first
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. We loved Trick-or-Treating, meeting our favorite characters and all of the festivities that make Magic Kingdom so "Spook-tacular" during the parties.
When I
purchased my Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets online, I was informed to print out my tickets upon completion of the sale, which I did. However, a few days later I noticed that my
tickets were linked to our My Disney Experience Account and as such, wouldn't need the hard copy tickets for access to the Special Event.
If you are looking for a surprise only a few days before the actual event, you best bet may be to use the option of printing your tickets after purchasing online. While you will be able to receive hard copy tickets or Admission cards at Ticket Gates for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, I recommend that anything you do ahead of time to expedite entry grants you more fun time inside the Magic Kingdom to enjoy the party.
If I was in your situation, I would secretly pack our Halloween costumes in the luggage without my kids knowing and put the costumes in their "surprise bags" for opening. I find it more fun when my kids piece together the surprise for themselves.
Have a "Spook-tacular" Vacation!
~Todd