From hot summer nights to Halloween haunts in the blink of an eye!
Tomorrow night marks the first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in 2026 and what I consider the official start of spooky season.
38 parties are happening on select nights this year, running from August 7 – October 31, and 9 dates are already sold out (as of this blog).
Ticket prices range from $119 to $229 per guest, plus tax.
Annual Passholders and eligible DVC Members can save $10 per ticket for party dates between August 7 and October 2.
The events run from 7:00pm to midnight, and party guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00pm using their party ticket.
You’re given a Trick-or-Treat candy bag at the start of the night, and you can run (walk at an appropriate pace) from one candy station to the next until you’re weighted down with sweet treats. You’re not limited to visiting each spot once; if candy is what fuels you, you can visit the same spots multiple times throughout the night.
There’s the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular stage show, the Boo-to-You parade, and specialty character meet-and-greets, meaning characters fill the kingdom and are out for you to see.
If villains are who you want to see, then my recommendation is the Boo-to-You parade. It’s the largest collection of villains to be found gathered together in all of Walt Disney World.
The park is transformed with glowing jack-o-lanterns along Main Street, Mickey-shaped pumpkin wreaths, and autumn décor.
Patches of fog drift along pathways, themed music can be heard, and to top it all off, there’s Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks show that lights up the night sky.
Guests of all ages (not just children) can wear costumes in the park! There is a list of safety guidelines to follow. Still, as long as your costume fits within those parameters, you’re able to dress up in full royal garb to be a princess, embrace your villainous style, or don any other costume that you choose to explore the kingdom.
We know that I LOVE bounding, but Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party gives guests the chance to wear a full costume without being limited by the traditional park dress code. I tend to see a mix of both, bounds and costumes at these parties, giving guests the choice on which option is best for them. So, if you want to break out of your bounds and do a Tigger costume with a tail and whiskers, you can.
Whether you’re drawn to the Candy, Characters, Conditions, or Costumes, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween parties have a little spooky (but not scary) magic for everyone.
Happy Halloween!
~Kelly
This is the second installment of my “3 Bounds, 1 Article of Clothing” series, and today I’m showcasing how a simple red dress can be used in three different outfits.
Because bounding is meant to be fun, not something that costs a fortune.
Red dress
Light blue bow barrette
Navy bow barrette clipped on the dress
Blue wristband
Gold chain belt
White socks
&
White shoes
I’ve worn this bound to dinner on the Disney Magic and to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Both times I’ve felt great in the bound. I LOVE seeing characters react to the outfit, and it worked well for a park day in the hot Florida weather.
Red dress
White lace blouse
Pink knee-length tights
White with black detailed socks
Red headband with a silver feather pin
Silver bracelet
&
Black shoes
This bound was one that I was nervous to try. With Hook’s over-the-top style of a giant feather in his hat, pink tights, and frilly shirt, I was cautious when building the bound; I wanted to find a balance between paying homage to the character’s style without feeling foolish. The silver feather pin on my headband, instead of a giant feather, and a lace top rather than a frilly neckline achieved the balance I was looking for and made for a fun Pirate night on the Disney Destiny.
Red bow
Red dress with gold trim*
Blue cardigan
Brown belt
Blue and gold bangles
Blue socks
&
Red shoes
*The gold trim at the bottom of the dress are self-adhesive foam sheets that I cut into the needed design. A big “Thank You” to @SpiritdaySarah for her suggestion of self-adhesive foam to complete the bound. If you’re not already following her on Instagram, you should be!
This bound made me feel like I could leap over tall buildings, fly around the earth, and have superhuman strength! The bright blue bangles constantly moving on my arms and the pop of gold trim on the dress added constant sparkle and the confidence to strike my best superhero pose.
There you have it: with one red dress and a little creativity, three different character bounds happened. You don’t need a whole new wardrobe for every bound; sometimes the right accessories and a little imagination can help you discover the magic that’s already hanging in your closet.
Happy bounding!
~Kelly the Character Bounder
In April, I talked about heroes who can be found sailing the seas with Disney Cruise Line (DCL), and now it’s time to talk about the mischievous characters we love – villains!
Disney fans are fierce; we love character interactions, and I’m thrilled to say we finally have a space to see these misunderstood characters year-round on our cruise vacations.
When sailing on the Disney Destiny, interacting with villains can be part of any day in your cruise. It’s a chance to see them shine as they take center stage (and sometimes want control of the ship).
To help draw you into their tales, the ship’s Storytellers Zayah and Gamble share the Legend of Loki during your first night of the cruise.
Loki is also seen walking in the Grand Hall throughout the sailing, interacting with guests and declaring himself as King of the Ship.
Cruella’s over-the-top persona is on full display during the sailings as she hosts her own fashion show and has her own lounge – De Vil’s. Blogs with full details of these two experiences will be published at a later date, BUT needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity to meet this fashionista in a bound inspired by her love for spots.
Captain Hook and Smee are out recruiting new members for their pirate crew during the Pirate Night, and it offered me the chance to build an outfit around a villain whose style is often overlooked. Between Captain Hook’s frilly top, red jacket, and pink pantaloons, his look is ageless and worth admiring.
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It’s hidden in the photos, but I had a silver feather-shaped pin on the red headband to mirror Hook’s feather in his hat. That little detail was noticed by Mr. Smee when I met him and Captain Hook at their meet-and-greet.
Under Her Spell: A Maleficent Encounter transforms the Saga lounge into Maleficent’s world of mysterious forests, dark dungeons, and her throne room, as she imparts her wisdom to those who dare to enter.
BUT for me, the villain whose presence is undeniable, who draws the biggest crowds, and who does a few fancy magic tricks is Dr. Facilier.
There are two ways to see him throughout your cruise. The first is a traditional meet-and-greet where you can step into his Parlor for a quick chat and a photo or two.
The second is Dr. Facilier’s Parlor Experience; believe me when I say this is worth lining up for!
It’s a 10–15-minute show where small groups of guests (usually around 12 people) are welcomed into the parlor, and three guests are invited to sit down at his table to assist in a magic trick. Photos and video recordings are not allowed, making this memorable gathering even more elusive and exciting to be part of.
The experience is listed in the Navigator app, and Dr. Facilier will run multiple iterations of his show during the hour (so it’s not just the first 12 people and that’s it), but Cast Members have to close the line once all of the show spots are full, so get there early. This experience was the busiest event during my sailing, and I’ll say it was well worth the wait.
Now, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t dress to impress for my first meeting with Dr. Facilier; therefore, I bounded when meeting him.
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I was lucky enough to be picked as one of the three cruisers invited to sit down at his table during the Parlor Experience, and it was adorable to hear other guests realize that I was bounding during the show.
My advice for a Disney Destiny cruise is to have fun with your bounds, and add a flash of villainous style to your sailing!
Happy Bounding!
~Kelly the Character Bounder
