Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is supposed to be a night filled with pumpkins, parades, and pixie dust. It’s one of Disney World’s most beloved seasonal offerings, but one party night this year left guests fuming after a string of problems derailed the event. For some, the frustration was eased by a rare gesture from Disney—full refunds.
Storm Clouds Over the Party
Rain is always a possibility in Central Florida, but this particular storm hit hard. Attractions across Magic Kingdom shut down due to the downpour, leaving guests with little to do beyond trick-or-treat stops and character meets. Headliners like Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain stayed closed much of the evening, chipping away at the value of the pricey event.
Parade Woes
The Boo to You parade is often the highlight of the party. Guests line up well before showtime, anticipating the Headless Horseman and floats featuring villains and heroes alike. But the first parade stumbled, with obvious delays and interruptions that threw off the flow. Hopes were pinned on the second run, only for Disney to cancel it altogether. For many, this was the final straw.
Two Hours for a Refund
Upset guests poured into Guest Relations, but refunds weren’t automatic. Reports confirm that those who endured the lengthy two-hour line walked away with something rare: a full refund for their tickets. Disney doesn’t often offer cash back for special events, but given the double hit of attraction closures and parade cancellations, the company made an exception—at least for the most determined visitors.
What Comes Next
Most nights of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party go off without a hitch, but this fiasco will linger in the minds of guests who expected Disney magic and instead got a soggy, disorganized evening. While refunds softened the blow for some, the ordeal highlighted just how fragile these special-ticketed events can be when weather and operations collide.
What night was that?