MickeyBlog News for May 3rd, 2026

If you weren’t paying attention to Disney news this past week, you missed a lot.

Disney confirmed the return of two seminal events on the annual calendar.

Disney

I’ll catch you up on what you need to know in MickeyBlog News.

Boo to You!

Photo: Disney

We are halfway to Halloween, y’all! And for Disney fans, the dates are even closer.

As you know, Disney always starts its Halloween season in August.

So, we’re just three months away from the most wonderful time of the year.

Yes, I know that some of you prefer Christmas at Disney, but I’m a Halloween diehard.

MIckey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will return to Magic Kingdom this fall

My right time starts on August 7^th, as that’s when the annual tradition returns.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will host its first 2026 event on that date.

Disney

That’s just one of 38 different Halloween parties at Magic Kingdom this year. Here are the rest:

• August 7^th, 11^th, 14^th, 18^th, 21^st, 23^rd, 25^th, 28^th, and 30^th
• September 1^st, 4^th, 8^th, 11^th, 13^th, 15^th, 18^th, 20^th, 22^nd, 24^th, 25^th, 27^th, and 29^th
• October 1^st, 2^nd, 4^th, 6^th, 8^th, 9^th, 13^th, 15^th, 16^th, 18^th, 22^nd, 23^rd, 25^th, 27^th, 29^th, 31^st

You’ll have no trouble remembering whether a specific day in August or September has a party.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Disney has structured this year’s event so that parties occur on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

September 24^th is the lone exception, as it’s a Thursday.

In October, ghouls and ghosts have an open season at Magic Kingdom.

The Disney Parks Blog says, “ghouls can descend upon Magic Kingdom every Thursday; most Fridays, Sundays, most Tuesdays; and Saturday on Halloween.”

This year’s event won’t have any November dates, which is my preference.

When Disney uses this schedule, MNSSHP ends in the witching hour of Halloween. That’s not even the best part. Ticket prices are basically identical to last year!

Let’s Talk Tickets and Party Details

Disney has adopted a tiered approach to MNSSHP ticket sales.

People who have booked hotel reservations at official Disney World resorts go first.

If you’re a qualifying guest, you can buy your Halloween party tickets on May 5^th.

Yes, that’s Tuesday. Expect healthy competition for the most popular dates.

Typically, those are Halloween Night and the first few parties of the year.

If those are your preferred dates, you’ll want to book on May 5^th.

Oogie Boogie Bash

Everyone else can purchase tickets starting on May 12^th, and that week matters.

While the sellouts won’t be as severe as Disneyland’s Oogie Boogie Bash, they do happen.

2025 Oogie Boogie Bash Button Set

So, you should be prepared to buy early. If you don’t have a reservation yet, that’s okay!

You can speak to a MickeyTravels agent and book a room today.

Then, you can purchase Halloween party tickets on Tuesday.

Alternatively, you can just have MickeyTravels do it for you. Remember that it’s free to you!

In terms of what to expect at this year’s party, Disney has already confirmed most faves.

The Hocus Pocus party, the fireworks, and the Cadaver Dans are all back this year.

We’re also getting a new Stitch dance party, which will differ from previous ones.

MickeyBlog has confirmed the characters we know so far, as well as the ride overlays.

We posted a comprehensive list of entertainment, but you should still stay tuned.

Disney will confirm more later. For now, here are tips to do Halloween like a pro.

Food & Wine Is Coming Soon

Photo: Disney

Okay, when I say “coming soon,” that’s a bit of an exaggeration.

Once again, MNSSHP will open before the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival.

Disney

Still, we’re less than four months away from EPCOT’s most iconic festival.

Food & Wine will debut on August 27^th and run through November 21^st.

This has been Disney’s recent summer calendar strategy.

Nobody quite understood it in 2024, but then Cool Kid Summer arrived last year.

Photo: Disney

In 2026, Cool Kids’ Summer – yes, both spellings are correct – will fill the void.

When the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival closes in early June, it’s the substitute.

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Throughout the summer, families will be encouraged to engage in these activities.

Park planners view Food & Wine as overkill in combination with Cool Kids’ Summer.

Cool Kids’ Summer

So, the two events will only overlap briefly at the end of August.

Once Cool Kids’ Summer ends, the festival will entertain guests in the fall.

Photo: Disney

For this reason, we should think of Food & Wine as the MNSSHP fall companion.

As usual, the dishes and drinks will be the start of the event.

Photo: Disney

Disney has already confirmed several returning favorites.

We’re also getting several activities, including the beloved scavenger hunt.

This year’s event looks amazing, but I doubt I need to sell you on it.

Even though EPCOT hosts four different festivals, Food & Wine towers above the rest.

When you think of EPCOT festivals, this one likely springs to mind. So, you can double-dip with Food & Wine and MNSSHP in late August, September, and October.

Doesn’t that sound like the fall vacation you deserve?

Disney Miscellany

Photo: Disney

Well, maybe not. You may be like me instead. I’m heading to the ocean.

Disney Cruise Line will again host Halloween on the Seas.

Photo: Disney

These cruises are like multi-day Halloween parties, which makes them irresistible.

I mentioned this cruise at Easter, and now I’ve got a party of seven or eight joining us.

Photo: Disney

Even casual Disney fans have heard wonderful things about its Halloween festivities.

We’re going on the Disney Destiny this time, and I mention it because it’s a first.

Photo: Disney

Of course, I’m obsessing over fall when spring just started…and you know what that means!

Yes, May the Fourth is tomorrow, and the parks are celebrating.

At Disneyland Park, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just expanded its timeline.

As of now, you can meet Han Solo and Princess Leia as a part of these updates.

Disney is selling tons of new Star Wars merch this week, too.

Speaking of merch, we’re still awaiting Oogie Boogie Bash details, but here’s the new gear.

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Speaking of Disneyland, park officials just confirmed something I mentioned a while ago.

The writing has been on the wall about MagicBands here for a while.

Photo: Disney

They never took off at Disneyland the way they did at Disney World.

Finally, Disney has rededicated Magic Kingdom’s Wish Lounge. You’ll want to watch this video.

Photo: Disney

I’m never prouder to be a Disney fan than when I see the Make-A-Wish activities.

Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, an EarMarked By Disney – Authorized Travel Agency – Diamond Level, will be in touch soon!

Feature Photo: Disney