Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween: How does it compare to Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights?
While it's still only July, it's only a few weeks away before we Floridians start seeing signs for pumpkin patches, advertisements for pumpkin spice lattes to enjoy in 90-degree weather, and Halloween decorations lining the stores.
Orlando offers two premier Halloween events for residents to attend when spooky season officially starts — Universal Studios Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights and Walt Disney World's Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
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Let's cut to the chase: Which one should I choose if I want …?
A more family-fun vibe with candy, costumes, and Disney characters
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom is perfect for you, with its unique characters, attraction overlays, treat stops, photo opportunities, and specialty food for Halloween.
An experience filled with over-the-top scares, satirical live shows, and (fake) gore galore
With 10 terrifying haunted houses, five sinister scare zones, and outrageous entertainment, Universal Studios Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights is your best bet.
Still can't decide between both options? Here's what to know:
What are the prices of both events?
Single-night tickets for Halloween Horror Nights start at $79.99 plus tax per person and go up to $114.99. Universal Studios Orlando also offers packages for the event that allows fans to attend multiple nights, including:
Fear of Fear Pass: Access to up to the first 18 event nights of terror - $179.99
Frequent Fear Pass: Every Sunday - Thursday, plus the first weekend - $229.99
Frequent Fear Plus Pass: every Sunday - Friday, plus the first weekend - $269.99
Ultimate Frequent Fear Pass: Every night of the event -$374.99
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Party single-night tickets range from $109.99 to $199.99, with $99.99 to $189.99 for children ages 3 to 9.
Do I need separate tickets from general admission tickets?
For both Halloween events: Yes.
When is Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and Disney's Mickey's Not-So-Scare Party?
Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando will run select nights from Sept. 1 to Nov. 4. The hours are 6;30 p.m. to 1 or 2 a.m. (closing time depends on the day).
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Party Halloween Party starts a little earlier, on Aug. 11 and will end on Nov. 1. Halloween Night on Tuesday, October 31 is already sold out.
Disney's Halloween event nights run from 7 p.m. to midnight.
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What's the theme this year for Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey's Not-So-Scary?
Disney's Halloween party has not revealed an overall theme for its 2023 event. Inside the Magic reported that the only new detail for this year's event so far is the Disney characters will dress as the Sanderson Sisters, with Minnie Mouse dressed as Winifred Sanderson, Daisy Duck as Sarah Sanderson, and Clarabelle Cow as Mary Sanderson.
There is a chance that the event might incorporate more Haunted Mansion decorations and theming this year, as the new live-action movie debuted on July 28.
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The official theme for the Universal Studios Orlando event has yet to be announced, with "Stranger Things" and The Last of Us haunted houses stealing the show for now. The full line-up for the houses are:
The Exorcist: Believer
Chucky: Ultimate Kill Count
Universal Monsters: Unmasked
The Last of Us
Stranger Things
Dr. Oddfellow: Twisted Origins
Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate
YETI: Campground Kills
The Darkest Deal
Bloodmoon: Dark Offerings
Is there an age limit for these events?
Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a family-friendly event for all age groups. Experts just advise that those with younger children make sure that the night event makes sense for their schedule and that they would enjoy it.
There is no official age limit for Halloween Horror Nights. However, on the webpage, it warns guests that the event might not be suitable for those under 13 years old.
Can I wear a costume to the Halloween events?
Guests are not allowed to wear costumes or masks to Universal Studios Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights.
However, Disney's event encourages guests to dress to the nines in Halloween gear. There are more restrictive rules regarding costumes for moms and dads, as well as those under the age of 14:
Avoid layered costumes that surround the entire body
Capes cannot go below the waist and costumes may not reach the ground
Masks are not allowed for adults, but things like wings, plastic swords, and tutus are ok.
Can I still ride rides at the parks? How long are the lines?
At both events, you can still ride the attractions in the hosting theme parks.
With haunted house lines can get up to as much as three hours, the lines for "Gringotts" or "Men in Black" can reach only 10 to 20 minutes. Perfect for a quick break from the constant frights.
Since Disney holds their Halloween event at Magic Kingdom, guests took advantage of the shortened line times for their popular ride times.
Talking terrifying treats - what iconic haunts can you feast on?
The spooky snacks and dreary drinks are almost iconic as the events.
Halloween Horror Nights boast an array of sweet and savory options modeled after gory, scary motifs. Some of their options last year included an atomically similar brain-shaped cake, blood-splattered popcorn, and petrified rat tails, aka funnel cake fries with old bay seasoning.
They also offer more tame eats that are easier on the eyes, such as a candy corn ice cream sandwich, twisted taters, and multiple alcoholic drinks for adults to indulge in.
Mickey's Not-So-Scary offers more ghoulish goodies for guests, such as an Apple Fritter Milk Shake and Tombstone Tart. Patrons can stop at multiple booths throughout the park to see their revamped menus for the park's event. And don't let the term "family-friendly" fool you — adults can also grab alcoholic beverages too.
What else do the two Halloween events offer?
On top of the haunted houses, Universal Studious will place four scare zones throughout the park and put on three live shows. The themes of the scare zones include:
Dr. Oddfellow's Collection of Horror
Dark Zodiac
Jungle of Doom: Expedition of Horror
Vampire '69: Summer of Blood
Shipyard 33: Horrors Unhinged
For Disney guests, they will also see:
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular!
Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular
Disney Junior Jam at Storybook Circus
Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade
Collect a bag full of candy as you roam the trick-or-treat trails in search of some of your favorite sweets
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Halloween Horror Nights vs. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Party: Let's compare
