Posts Tagged ‘magickingdom’
Need a quiet spot at Walt Disney World? Look for the old smoking areas!
Introversion Insight:
Susan Cain wrote one of the best books about introversion called Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. In it she talks about creating “restorative niches” in your life. These are places you go when you want to return to your true self. In our noisy, extroverted world, we’ve learned how to act more extroverted and get out of our comfort zones—but only if we have the accompanying restorative niches to balance it all out.
On May 1, 2019, Disney Parks banned smoking inside the parks. As a result, all these off-the-beaten-path, tucked-way smoking areas were now empty. Disney inadvertently created what I’m affectionately calling D•Introvert Zones, quiet areas where introverts can take a breather and escape the crowds!
Leading up to the smoking ban, Disney had reduced the number of smoking areas, and as of 2019, eleven areas remained. Some of these areas have been repurposed, but many of them remain accessible and are surprisingly quiet. Let’s go over each area.
Magic Kingdom
Tomorrowland: Near Space Mountain
- Shaded area with benches
- One of the quietest, tucked-away spots in my experience
Tip: Get some Joffrey’s coffee nearby and enjoy it in this area.
Frontierland: Near Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Scenic area next to the water
- Not as tucked away
Because everyone passes this area as they exit Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, it may not be as quiet or empty.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Africa/Asia: Pathway in between
- Scenic pathway
- Covered area with tables and chairs
Tip: Get some fries at Mr. Kamal’s nearby and take it up to this area.
DinoLand U.S.A.: Near DINOSAUR
- Secluded pathway
- Not always accessible
Cast Members are sometimes positioned just to the right of the DINOSAUR entrance, blocking access to this area.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sunset Boulevard: Near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror exit
- Shaded area with benches
- Tucked-away spot
Tip: Get some Joffrey’s coffee nearby and enjoy it in this area.
Grand Avenue: End of street before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge entrance
- Mostly standing room
- May be used for character meet-and-greets
EPCOT
World Nature: Across from The Land Pavilion
- Scenic area by water with monorail overhead
- Some benches
World Discovery: Across from Mission: SPACE
- Multiple benches
- Tucked-away spots
Tip: Get some Joffrey’s coffee nearby and enjoy it in this area.
World Showcase: Between France and United Kingdom Pavilions
- Scenic area by water
- One of the quietest, tucked-away spots in my experience
- May be used for special events
World Showcase: Italy Pavilion
- Mostly standing room
- Not very tucked away
World Showcase: Between China and Norway Pavilions
- Standing room
- Not very tucked away
An introvert’s guide to 2023 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Introversion Insight:
Put an introvert in a new, busy, and extroverted environment. How do they fare? It’s natural for them to be quiet, introspective, intimidated, and maybe even a little self-conscious. But with some planning and knowing what to expect (and knowing they’re doing something they’ll enjoy), they can have a pleasant experience.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) is a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom. Your ticket grants you eight hours inside the park (five hours of actual party time), with all kinds of seasonal offerings:
- complimentary holiday treats
- entertainment including fireworks, a parade, stage shows, live music, and dance parties
- snow on Main Street, U.S.A.
- characters
- attractions
- food and beverages
- merchandise
- photo opportunities
This introvert’s guide to 2023 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will prepare you for the event so you’ll know what to expect, how to deal with the crowds, and ways to get the most out of the event.
How it works
Pick your night
The event takes place on select nights from November 9 through December 22, 2023.
Note: At the time of this writing (11/11/23), 40 percent of the nights are sold out.
It’s hard to predict which nights will sell out (or in other words, be the most crowded), but for a potentially less crowded party, I’d suggest a Tuesday night in November.
Some guests like picking a night in December because the weather is cooler and it feels more like the holidays since it’s closer to the actual holidays.
Buy your ticket
Prices range from $159 to $199 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $149 to $189 for children (ages 3 to 9), depending on the night.
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket on select nights.
Tickets can be purchased online and in the My Disney Experience app. They’ll link with your account so you can use your MagicBand or MagicMobile to get into the park.
(If you don’t want to use a MagicBand or MagicMobile, you’ll need to go to a ticket window where they’ll issue a physical card to you. The purchase confirmation email with barcode can’t be used to get into the park.)
On a related note, you don’t need to make a park pass reservation for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Check in
Event hours go from 7 p.m. until midnight. But your ticket actually gets you into Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m., so you have eight hours in the park.
Take it easy between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. You don’t want an introvert hangover before the party even starts!
Check-in takes place at the park’s main entrance on the right side. This area is typically roped off from the left side where guests with regular park tickets may enter until the party officially begins.
In my experience, guests start queuing up outside the park around 3 p.m. So that you can be at the front of this long line of people, I would be at the gate at this time. If you don’t get there early, I’d let the rush subside and be at the gate around 5 p.m.
Have a plan
Introverts are planners, so you’re probably already thinking (and overthinking) about what you want to do during the event. You definitely want to have a plan because five hours of party time is not enough time to do it all. We’ll go over all the party offerings so you can prioritize your list and know what’s best for you as a D•Introvert.
You know your limits, but at the very least, I recommend you do these things:
- Visit all five of the treat locations
- Ride Space Mountain and Tomorrowland Speedway (special party versions)
- Watch the fireworks
- Watch the parade
This was our plan for the fireworks and parade:
- Around 9:15 p.m. we grabbed a Peppermint Brownie Sundae from the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor.
- We took this sundae halfway down Main Street, U.S.A., and plopped down on the curb. We wanted more time on Main Street because that’s where it’s most festive.
- At 10 p.m. we stood up to watch the fireworks. The crowds back here are much lighter than in the hub area in front of Cinderella Castle.
- We sat back down on the curb just in time for the “snow” to fall on Main Street. Lots of guests exit after the fireworks. (It’s pretty satisfying to watch the masses leave.)
- We remained patient and hung out on the curb a while longer because we’ve secured a prime spot for the second parade at 11 p.m. It’s also a seated spot, which is perfect when you’ve been standing and walking around all night. Note: Although the second parade starts at 11 p.m., it’s closer to 11:20 p.m. by the time it reaches this point on Main Street. We then experienced more “snow” as part of the parade.
Be aware of the snowball dance party that occurs before the parade reaches you. Performers sing and dance as a way to pep up the crowd. They have large beach balls that look like snowballs, which they throw back and forth with the crowd. They encourage you to clap along with the music and do the wave. It’s cute and all, but know there is some mild audience participation.
Crowds
Between 4 p.m and 6 p.m., you’ll find day guests and party guests in the park, so it may feel crowded. Crowds tend to thin out, though, the closer you get to 6 p.m. Although they limit the number of tickets sold, you’ll still experience a crowded park during MVMCP. You’ll find a reprieve, though, in the last hour from 11 p.m. until midnight.
This is not to say that the whole park is crowded. Because most of the popular festive offerings take place on either Man Street, U.S.A. or in the hub area in front of Cinderella Castle, you’ll find other areas of the park much less crowded.
Complimentary holiday treats
Complimentary cookies and festive drinks are available at various locations throughout the park. Offerings are subject to change, but I’ve seen gingerbread, snickerdoodle, red velvet, sugar, and chocolate chip cookies. For drinks, I’ve seen hot cocoa, eggnog, and apple cider. Locations are marked on your map with a candy cane icon. You can also find them in the My Disney Experience app.
Tip: Within the app, just search for treat.
Even without the map, you can easily stumble upon the locations by looking for the lit-up, inflatable candy cane markers (see below).
These are the five holiday treat locations.
Adventureland
- Tortuga Tavern
Liberty Square
- Columbia Harbour House
Fantasyland
- Pinocchio Village Haus
Tomorrowland
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- The Lunching Pad
Note: All locations have an allergy-friendly cookie available upon request.
Entertainment
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
- skies above Cinderella Castle
- 10 p.m.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- begins in Frontierland (see map for full route)
- 8:30 p.m.
- 11 p.m.
Opt for the later parade. The crowds will be lighter. The most crowded part of the parade route is along Main Street, U.S.A. But I think it’s worth it for the “snowfall.”
During the first parade, focus on other things like characters, rides, or food.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
(stage show)
- Castle Forecourt Stage
- 7:40 p.m., 9:25 p.m., 10:35 p.m., and 11:55 p.m.
Frozen Holiday Surprise (stage show)
- Castle Forecourt Stage
- 6:15 p.m.
- 8:15 p.m.
The first Frozen Holiday Surprise show is technically before the party starts, but remember you can enter the park as early as 4 p.m. If this show is on your to-do list, I would watch it at 6:15 p.m. That way you have more time during the party. And if you’re an anxious D•Introvert like me, you’ll feel better knowing you have one less thing to worry about.
The Collective 5ive (live music)
- Rockettower Plaza Stage
- 7 p.m.–midnight (intermittently)
Reindeer Wranglers (live music)
- Frontierland – Country Bear Jamboree
- 7:15 p.m., 8:05 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and 11:40 p.m.
Disney Junior Jingle Jam (dance party)
- Tomorrowland – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- 7 p.m.–midnight
Club Tinsel (dance party)
- Tomorrowland – Rockettower Plaza Stage
- 7 p.m.–midnight
The two dance parties may be intense for your introverted little ones. Disney Junior Jingle Jam is in more of a confined indoor space, whereas Club Tinsel is outside.
Characters
Most character encounters happen in traditional meet-and-greet locations where you seek them out, but a few characters are free roaming (noted below). Make note if you’re concerned about a potential surprise interaction.
Main Street, U.S.A.
- Sally & Jack Skellington (as Sandy Claws) – Town Square Theater
Note: These two are popular and start meeting guests around 4:30 p.m.
- Mickey Mouse – Town Square Theater
- Mary Poppins – Town Square Theater
- Toy Soldiers – Market Street
Note: Market Street is only open until 8 p.m.
Adventureland
- Stitch – Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
- Captain Jack Sparrow – near Pirates of the Caribbean
- Abu and Aladdin – Agrabah Bazaar
- Genie and Jasmine – Agrabah Bazaar
- Peter Pan (roaming)
Frontierland
- Country Bears – near Country Bear Jamboree (roaming)
Liberty Square
- Santa Claus – behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
Note: Santa doesn’t meet guests during the two parade times.
- Tiana and Naveen – near Liberty Square Riverboat Landing (dock)
Fantasyland
- Ariel and Prince Eric – near Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Belle – Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Cinderella and Prince Charming – near Pinocchio Village Haus restrooms
- Rapunzel and Flynn Rider – near Pinocchio Village Haus restrooms
- Snow White and The Prince – near Pinocchio Village Haus restrooms
- Aurora and Prince Phillip – near Pinocchio Village Haus restrooms
- Tigger, Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore – near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Note: Pooh and friends start meeting guests around 6:30 p.m.
- Alice and The White Rabbit – near Mad Tea Party
- Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum – near Mad Tea Party
- Mirabel – Fairytale Garden
Storybook Circus
- Seven Dwarfs – Pete’s Silly Sideshow
Note: They start meeting guests around 6:30 p.m.
- Donald Duck and Scrooge McDuck – Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Daisy Duck and Minnie Mouse – Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Goofy (as Santa Goofy) – Calliope Tent
Tomorrowland
- Timon – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Vampirina – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Doc McStuffins – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Fancy Nancy – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Judy Hopps – Rockettower Plaza Stage (dance party)
- Nick Wilde – Rockettower Plaza Stage (dance party)
- Chip ‘n’ Dale – Rockettower Plaza Stage (dance party)
Attractions
With everything else going on during the party, you’ll find attraction wait times to be lower than a regular park day. That also means the areas surrounding the attractions may be less crowded.
Below are the attractions open during the event, including five that have a “holiday twist” (noted as special party version).
Adventureland
- Jingle Cruise (special party version)
Note: The holiday twist on Jungle Cruise is available the entire holiday season, not just during the event).
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Frontierland
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Liberty Square
- Haunted Mansion
Fantasyland
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- “it’s a small world”
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mad Tea Party (special party version)
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Storybook Circus
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Barnstormer
Tomorrowland
- Space Mountain (special party version)
Space Mountain is a popular attraction during the event. For a lower wait time, here are two options:
- Experience it in the last hour of the party (11 p.m.–midnight).
- Head over between 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. You’ll queue up and wait for the day guests to clear out. Then you’ll be one of the first guests to experience the switchover to the holiday version.
- Tomorrowland Speedway (special party version)
Wait to ride until it's dark.
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Make sure to ride this once the party starts (and before since it’s the perfect D•Introvert attraction). PeopleMover offers a unique perspective of the special party version of Space Mountain.
- Astro Orbiter
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (special party version)
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
TRON Lightcycle / Run
TRON Lightcycle / Run is only available through a virtual queue during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You can request to join the queue at 6 p.m., and you do not need to be inside the park to join.
Even with the virtual queue, you may have to wait. In my experience, I’ve waited close to 20 minutes. Keep this in mind if it’s almost fireworks time.
Specialty Food and Beverages
Don’t forget to try some themed food and beverages! Some items below are available throughout the season (November 11 through December 31), while others are only available during the party (noted as party exclusive).
If you’re a foodie, I’d keep this in mind as you’re looking for snacks between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (not party exclusive) and then again from 7 p.m. until midnight (party exclusive).
Mobile order is available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I highly recommend it, party or not. You don’t have the pressure of ordering your food with a Cast Member. You can put in your order on your own time and even select a future arrival window. You’ll also avoid long ordering lines. During MVMCP, three locations participate:
- Casey’s Corner
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party
For a separate price, you can attend a dessert party, which includes desserts, drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), and a spot in a reserved fireworks viewing area.
One offers fireworks viewing from the Plaza Garden area. The other is from a seated area at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. Prices range from $109 to $119 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $59 to $75 for children (ages 3 to 9).
Although I might recommend a dessert party for a regular park day, during MVMCP I would skip it. It takes precious time out of your night. You’ll want as much time as you can to check out the seasonal, party-exclusive offerings.
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
- Reindeer Chow Sundae (NEW): Chocolate soft-serve, pretzels, cereal, M&M’s chocolate candies, and hot fudge
- Lump of Coal in Your Stocking (NEW): Cookies ‘n’ cream milkshake topped with whipped cream, cookies ‘n’ cream crumbles, and a chocolate doughnut hole (party exclusive)
Casey’s Corner
- Candy Cane Tart (NEW): Chocolate tart filled with peppermint ganache and topped with festive meringue (party exclusive)
Cheshire Café
- Peppermint Éclair (NEW): Éclair filled with white chocolate peppermint mousse and topped with peppermint mousse and chocolate pieces
Note: This restaurant closes at 3 p.m. on party nights.
Columbia Harbour House
- Maple-Mustard Glazed Salmon (NEW): Salmon served with green beans and rice
Cool Ship
- Magic Holiday Tree (NEW): Coconut, pecans, and M&M’s chocolate candies on a graham cracker crust (party exclusive)
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- Holiday Pot Roast Melt (NEW): Slow-cooked beef on thick toast with cheddar and provolone cheese and beef gravy (party exclusive)
- Holiday Turkey Burger (NEW): Turkey burger topped with traditional stuffing, provolone cheese, and cranberry chutney on a brioche bun (party exclusive)
- Christmas Cookie Cake (NEW): Christmas cookie cake roll with buttercream and topped with holiday sprinkles (party exclusive)
The Friar’s Nook
- Holiday Ham-Fried Pie (NEW): Flaky pastry filled with baked ham, candied sweet potatoes, and spiced pecans and served with pineapple glaze (party exclusive)
- Italian Beef Tots (NEW): Tots covered in slow-cooked beef, cheese curds, zesty giardiniera, and pot roast gravy (party exclusive)
- Peppermint Snowman (NEW): Chocolate brownie topped with cookies ‘n’ cream peppermint mousse (party exclusive)
- Winter Milkshake (NEW): Creamy coconut milk shake topped with whipped cream, toasted coconut, cinnamon, and crisp pearls (party exclusive)
Golden Oak Outpost
- Orange Gingerbread Shake (NEW): Orange cream slushy layered with gingerbread cookie crumbles and topped with whipped cream and gingerbread spice (party exclusive)
- Gingerbread Cake (NEW): Cake layered with cream cheese frosting and dulce de leche ganache topped with a gingerbread man chocolate piece (party exclusive)
Main Street Bakery
- Minnie-Shaped Cinnamon Roll: Cinnamon roll topped with red icing, holiday sprinkles, and a chocolate bow
- Letter to Santa (NEW): Flourless chocolate cake, hot cocoa mousse, and marshmallows topped with chocolate pieces (party exclusive)
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café
- Chicken Tamale: Tamale served “Christmas style” with mild red chile and green chile-pumpkin seed sauces, cilantro rice, pinto beans, and queso fresco (party exclusive)
- Chocolate Eggnog Reindeer (NEW): Chocolate tart topped with eggnog mousse and chocolate antlers (party exclusive)
- Orange-Cranberry Pineapple Punch (NEW): Punch with a hint of “smoke” from the fireplace (party exclusive)
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Peppermint Brownie Sundae: Peppermint ice cream, hot fudge, and candy cane sprinkles served on a brownie
Sleepy Hollow
- Holiday Waffle Sundae (NEW): House-made red velvet waffle topped with M&M’s chocolate candies, peppermint ice cream, and hot fudge (party exclusive)
- Milk and Cookies for Santa (NEW): Brown sugar cookie cake topped with chocolate chip cookie dough mousse, milk mousse, and chocolate chip cookies (party exclusive)
Storybook Treats
- Sugar Plum Sundae (NEW): Sugar plum soft-serve atop sugar cookie crumbs and topped with whipped cream, crisp pearls, and cotton candy (party exclusive)
Sunshine Tree Terrace
- Santa’s Belt Buckle (NEW): Pistachio mousse with a dark chocolate truffle center and a chocolate buckle (party exclusive)
- Cranberry Citrus Float with Orange-Vanilla Soft-Serve Twist (NEW): Orange-vanilla soft-serve twist with Winter-Spiced Cranberry Sprite and fruity boba pearls
Outdoor vending locations near Cinderella Castle
- Red Velvet Wreath: Doughnut topped with buttercream and holiday sprinkles
- Hot Cocoa Churro (NEW): Churro rolled in hot cocoa powder and topped with marshmallows and peppermint candy pieces
Merchandise
You can purchase party-specific merchandise from Star Traders in Tomorrowland and Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.
Photo opportunities
PhotoPass
You can get your picture taken by PhotoPass photographers with Magic Shots and holiday props (see map for locations). Be aware this may require you to make poses or hold props in front of the photographer. Awkward.
Photo frames
You can take your picture inside interactive photo frames that recreate scenes from various Disney stories (see map for locations).
An introvert’s escape: Blue Launch boat crawl in Magic Kingdom Resort area
Introversion Insight:
It’s inevitable that introverts will find themselves in busy places with crowds. And sometimes they voluntarily put themselves in these places to have fun or see something new. To avoid an introvert hangover, though, it’s important to find ways to recharge—away from the action.
You’ve just watched the 3 o’clock parade at Magic Kingdom. Are you starting to feel tired, physically and mentally? Here’s a way to recharge so that you’ll make it through the whole park day.
(And if you’re just having a Resort day or wanting a new way to experience the parks as a local, this is for you as well.)
Hop on a boat and explore three Disney Resorts!
Stop 1: Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Step 1: Hobble your way to the Magic Kingdom exit and make a left. You’ll follow a path and cross the street to reach the Contemporary.
Note: If you’re a local and not visiting the park, you may find it difficult to park at the Contemporary without a stay or dining reservation. I suggest parking at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and making that Resort your first stop in this boat crawl.
Step 2: Grab a spot at the Steakhouse 71 lounge or bar.
After entering the Contemporary, make a left and walk past the check-in area. Steakhouse 71 will be on your left. The lounge and bar don’t require a reservation, so just ask the host if there’s room. You’ll find tables and chairs on the right, which are part of the lounge, and then traditional bar seating at the bar itself.
Tip: Opt for the lounge. I find that if I sit at the bar, the bartender is more likely to engage in small talk.
My favorite drink?
Heron Gimlet – Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Chartreuse Green Liqueur, Seedlip Garden, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, and Lemonade
Stop 2: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Step 3: Hop on a boat to Wilderness Lodge.
Once you exit Steakhouse 71, make a left out the back of the Resort. The boat dock is straight out from there.
Note: You’ll be taking what’s called the Blue Launch (or Flag) route. Interestingly enough, the signs at the Contemporary’s dock don’t say it’s the Blue Launch route. Just look for the sign that says, “Boat to Wilderness Lodge.” It will be on the left. The boat itself also has a blue flag—hence the route name.
Step 4: Grab a spot at Geyser Point Bar & Grill.
Once you disembark, head left, taking the path near the water. You’ll pass the pool area and, if you’re lucky, catch a geyser going off on the left. Geyser Point doesn’t require a reservation, but you can join the walk-up list in the My Disney Experience app as you get closer to the restaurant. If you don’t use the app, you can walk right up and put your name down.
My favorite drink?
Seasonal margarita flight – It’s not typically on the menu, so be sure to ask if they have one.
Stop 3: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Step 5: Hop on a boat to Fort Wilderness.
You’ll head back to the same dock to board the boat to your final spot. Look for the sign for the Blue Flag route (right side).
Step 6: Grab a spot at Crockett’s Tavern.
Once you go ashore, follow the path past the beach area. The first building you’ll encounter on your right is Crockett’s Tavern. Once again, no reservation is needed. You can seat yourself at a table, or you can get drinks or food items to go from the pickup window. If you opt for to-go items, walk around the building and sit in the rocking chairs that face the water.
My favorite drink?
Meadows Cup – Pimm’s No. 1 Liqueur Cup, Hendrick’s Gin, Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, and Strawberry
Step 7: Hop on a boat back to the Contemporary.
You’ll head back to the same dock to return to your starting point. Look for the sign for the Blue Flag route (right side).
You’ve now done the loop! I hope you’re feeling recharged (and maybe a little buzzed). Time to finish out your magical evening at Magic Kingdom.
An introvert’s escape
The Blue Launch boat crawl is fun for all, but I think it’s especially great for D•Introverts who need a reset from the hustle and bustle that is Magic Kingdom.
- I chose these lounge locations because they’re close to the boat docks. There’s less of a chance of getting lost this way!
- If you imbibe, liquid extroversion is always a nice option, especially since Magic Kingdom is mostly a dry park.
- Boat transportation can be relaxing and recharging. Just being on the water helps.
Blue Launch boat crawl
Route: Magic Kingdom Resort area with stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort (in that order typically)
Time required: 2–3 hours
(depending on how long you stay at each stop)
Operating hours: 3 p.m.–10:45 p.m.
An introvert’s guide to 2023 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Introversion Insight:
Put an introvert in a new, busy, and extroverted environment. How do they fare? It’s natural for them to be quiet, introspective, intimidated, and maybe even a little self-conscious. But with some planning and knowing what to expect (and knowing they’re doing something they’ll enjoy), they can have a pleasant experience.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom. Your ticket grants you eight hours inside the park (five hours of actual party time), with all kinds of seasonal offerings:
- trick-or-treating in Halloween costumes
- entertainment including fireworks, a parade, a stage show, live music, and dance parties
- characters
- attractions
- food and beverages
- merchandise
- photo opportunities
This introvert’s guide to 2023 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will prepare you for the event so you’ll know what to expect, how to deal with the crowds, and how to get the most out of the event.
How it works
Pick your night
The event takes place on select nights from August 11 through November 1, 2023.
I used to recommend the earlier parties in August and September because they were less crowded; however, it seems like party nights sell out no matter what now. I now recommend picking a night in October. You’ll have less rain and cooler temps, and it will feel more festive the closer you get to Halloween.
Buy your ticket
Prices range from $109 to $199 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $99 to $189 for children (ages 3 to 9), depending on the night.
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket on select nights.
Tickets can be purchased online and in the My Disney Experience app. They’ll link with your account so you can use your MagicBand or MagicMobile to get into the park.
(If you don’t want to use a MagicBand or MagicMobile, you’ll need to go to a ticket window where they’ll issue a physical card to you. The purchase confirmation email with barcode can’t be used to get into the park.)
Note: At the time of this writing, all nights are sold out except November 1.
On a related note, you don’t need to make a park pass reservation for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Check in
Event hours go from 7 p.m. until midnight. But your ticket actually gets you into Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m., so you have eight hours in the park.
Check-in takes place at the park’s main entrance on the right side. This area is typically roped off from the left side where guests with regular park tickets may enter until the party officially begins.
In my experience, guests start to queue up around 3 p.m. So that you can be at the front of this long line of people, I would be at the gate at this time. If you don’t get there early, I’d let the rush subside and be at the gate around 5 p.m.
A Cast Member will place a wristband on you. Throughout the night you may be asked to show your wristband to go on rides or enter lands. You’ll also receive your trick-or-treat bag and event map.
If you’re already in the park because you’re using a regular park ticket or Annual Pass, you can visit a wristband distribution location inside the park to check in and receive your wristband:
- Tortuga Tavern (Adventureland)
- Fantasy Faire (Fantasyland)
- across from Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (Tomorrowland)
In my experience, Cast Members at these locations start distributing wristbands at 3:45 p.m. You’ll start to see lines form around 3:15 p.m.–3:30 p.m. Tip: Wait to check in until at least 4:15 p.m. The line should dissipate by then, and you’ll be able to check in right away.
Have a plan
Introverts are planners, so you’re probably already thinking (and overthinking) about what you want to do during the event. You definitely want to have a plan because five hours of party time is not enough time to do it all. We’ll go over all the party offerings so you can prioritize your list and know what’s best for you as a D•Introvert.
At the very least, I recommend you include these three offerings on your list and in this order:
- 10:15 p.m. – Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular (fireworks show)
- 10:45 p.m. – Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (stage show)
- 11:15 p.m. – Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade
I realize all three may be difficult for introverts. They all involve being in the midst of a crowd. But here’s what to do. Get over to this area by 10 p.m. (marked below):
I like this area because you have a railing (and flower bed) behind you instead of people. This way you’re only surrounded by people in front of you. You may feel more comfortable since you are looking out at the crowd instead of being in the middle of it—and you have the added benefit of leaning against the railing if your feet are tired (which they probably will be).
The other nice thing is you can park yourself here for the fireworks, stage show, and parade. No need to fight the crowds more than once. Grab a snack and settle in!
Note: You may catch the tail end of the 9:15 parade, depending on when you make your way to the area.
Generally speaking, you’ll find the park to be a little less crowded between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. After that point, it really starts to fill in. You’ll find a reprieve again, though, in the last hour from 11 p.m. until midnight, as people filter out after the fireworks.
Do you like to dress up? This is your chance. Also know, though, that if dressing up is not your thing, you won’t be the outsider. Many guests just opt for a Halloween shirt.
Trick-or-Treat Locations
Locations are marked on your map. You can also find them in the My Disney Experience app. You can easily pull up the locations by searching treat (see below).
Even without the map, you can easily stumble upon the locations by looking for the lit-up, inflatable markers (see below).
You’ll find no shortage of candy during the party, but I did notice Cast Members this year are using small scoops instead of their hands to pass out candy. Depending on the scoop, you may receive fewer pieces of candy than when they used to give out handfuls. I also think the trick-or-treat lines are a little slower this year, perhaps because the Cast Member is trying to get a decent scoop of candy. (The candy seems to slide out of the slick scoop. Can you tell I’ve put way too much thought into this?!)
Lucky for you, you have lots of locations to visit.
Main Street, U.S.A.
- Market Street Welcome (only until 8 p.m.)
Adventureland
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
You’ll walk through the attraction. It’s not operating during the party.
- Tortuga Tavern
Frontierland
- Tom Sawyer Island Dock
- Country Bear Jamboree
You’ll walk through the attraction. It’s not operating during the party.
Liberty Square
- Columbia Harbour House
Fantasyland
- Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Tip: Trick-or-treating goes straight through this attraction. Instead of collecting your candy and leaving out the back, relax and sit down in the air-conditioned theater. It’s the perfect place to recharge. While I was there, they were playing The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
- Pinocchio Village Haus
- Gaston’s Tavern (tends to be quieter)
- Ariel’s Grotto
Tomorrowland
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
You’ll walk through the attraction. It’s not operating during the party.
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
You’ll walk through the attraction. It is operating during the party with a “Halloween twist.” As you may know, you might receive unwanted attention in this attraction with its audience participation element. Even with the special party version, I’d skip and walk straight through after getting your candy.
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- TRON Lightcycle / Run (tends to be quieter)
Note: If you have a food allergy, you can pick up a teal-colored treat bag from a Cast Member at any treat location. When you trick-or-treat, they’ll notice your teal bag and give you a token. When you’re all done, you’ll redeem these tokens at one of the two Allergy-Friendly Centers—Chamber of Commerce or Liberty Square Ticket Center—for your treats.
Entertainment
Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular (stage show)
- Castle Forecourt Stage
- August/September: 8:35 p.m., 10:45 p.m., and midnight
- October/November: 7:40 p.m., 8:35 p.m., 10:45 p.m., and midnight
Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade
- begins in Frontierland (see map for full route)
- 9:15 p.m.
- 11:15 p.m.
Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular (fireworks show)
- skies above Cinderella Castle
- 10:15 p.m.
The Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet
- Frontierland
- 7 p.m.–10:50 p.m. (intermittently)
Rusty Cutlass (pirate band)
- Adventureland
- 7:15 p.m.–11:50 p.m. (intermittently)
Disney Junior Jam (dance party)
- Tomorrowland – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- 7 p.m.–midnight
Zom-Beatz Bash (dance party)
- Tomorrowland – Rockettower Plaza Stage
- 7 p.m.–midnight
The two dance parties may be intense for your introverted little ones. Disney Junior Jam is in more of a confined indoor space. whereas Zom-Beatz Bash is outside.
Characters
Most character encounters happen in traditional meet-and-greet locations where you seek them out, but a few characters are free roaming (noted below). Make note if you’re concerned about a potential surprise interaction.
Main Street, U.S.A.
- Sally & Jack Skellington – Town Square Theater
- Mickey Mouse – Town Square Theater
Adventureland
- Abu and Aladdin – Agrabah Bazaar
- Genie and Jasmine – Agrabah Bazaar
- Jafar – near The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Captain Jack Sparrow – near Pirates of the Caribbean
- Powerline Max – across from Pirates of the Caribbean (pop-up dance party)
Frontierland
- Country Bears – near Country Bear Jamboree (roaming)
Liberty Square
- Madame Carlotta, Madame Renatta, and Broome the Butler – The Haunted Mansion
Fantasyland
- Ariel and Prince Eric – near Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Belle – near Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Tigger, Pooh, Piglet, and Eeyore – near The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Alice and Mad Hatter – Mad Tea Party
- Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum – Mad Tea Party
- Queen of Hearts – Mad Tea Party
- Cinderella – Princess Fairytale Hall
- Elena – Princess Fairytale Hall
- Tiana – Princess Fairytale Hall
- Rapunzel – Princess Fairytale Hall
- Drizella and Anastasia – throughout land (roaming)
Storybook Circus
- Seven Dwarfs – Pete’s Silly Sideshow
- Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Donald Duck – Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Goofy – The Barnstormer
Tomorrowland
- Stitch – the old Stitch’s Great Escape! (near entrance to land)
- Timon – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Vampirina – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Doc McStuffins – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Fancy Nancy – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (dance party)
- Powerline Max – Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café and Rockettower Plaza Stage (pop-up dance party)
Attractions
With everything else going on during the party, you’ll find attraction wait times to be lower than a regular park day. That also means the surrounding areas may be less crowded.
Below are the attractions open during the event, including three that have a “Halloween twist” (noted as special party version).
Adventureland
- Jungle Cruise
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Swiss Family Treehouse
Frontierland
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Liberty Square
- Haunted Mansion
Note: Because this attraction has characters in its queue during the party, you may find it more crowded with longer wait times.
Fantasyland
- Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
- “it’s a small world”
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Mad Tea Party (special party version)
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Storybook Circus
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- The Barnstormer
Tomorrowland
- Astro Orbiter
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (special party version)
- Space Mountain (special party version)
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
TRON Lightcycle / Run
TRON Lightcycle / Run is only available through a virtual queue during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. You can request to join the queue at 6 p.m. in the My Disney Experience app, and you do not need to be inside the park to join.
Specialty Food and Beverages
Don’t forget to try some themed food and beverages! Some items below are available throughout the season (August 11 through November 1), while others are only available during the party (noted as party exclusive).
If you’re a foodie, keep this in mind as you’re looking for snacks between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. (not party exclusive) and then again from 7 p.m. until midnight (party exclusive).
Note: Normally, my top introvert-friendly food tip is to mobile order your food; however, mobile order is not available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.
Disney's Not-So-Spooky Spectacular Dessert Party
For a separate price—$114 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $69 for children (ages 3 to 9)—you can attend a dessert party, which includes desserts, drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic), and a spot in a reserved fireworks viewing area.
For other separately ticketed events, I might recommend the dessert party. But for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, I would skip it. It takes precious time out of your night, and although the reserved fireworks viewing area is nice, I’ve always been able to find a decent spot on my own.
Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
- Apple Fritter Milkshake: Salted caramel milkshake topped with green apple whipped cream and an apple fritter
Cheshire Café
- MMMummy Treat: Flaky pastry filled with chocolate-hazelnut filling and topped with white icing stripes and sugar eyes
- Queen of Hearts Slushy: Frozen cherry slushy drizzled with black cherry purée and topped with whipped cream and a crown-shaped chocolate piece
- Witches’ Cold Brew: French Vanilla Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew topped with pumpkin-spiced foam and Halloween sprinkles
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café
- Terrifyin’ Twice-Spiced Chicken Sandwich: Spicy fried chicken breast dipped in hot honey and topped with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño poppers, and bacon (party exclusive)
- The Snarling Sub: Meatball sub with spicy marinara, pesto, and pearl mozzarella “teeth” served on a black roll (party exclusive)
- Zombie Fingers: Almond cookie fingers, Key lime pie white chocolate ganache, salted caramel crisp pearls, and sugar eyes (party exclusive)
- River Styx Elixir: Kiwi lemonade with luster dust (party exclusive)
The Friar’s Nook
- Pain and Panic Brat: Bratwurst, sweet and spicy onion relish, and sriracha mustard (party exclusive)
- Pain and Panic Loaded Tots: Tots topped with sweet and spicy onion relish, sriracha mustard, and crumbled bratwurst (party exclusive)
- Buffalo Chicken Hand Pie: Hand pie with spicy ranch drizzle and blue cheese powder (party exclusive)
Golden Oak Outpost
- Tombstone Tart: Flaky pastry filled with strawberry-jalapeño jam and topped with sprinkles and sugar spiders
- Loaded Sweet Potato Fries: Sweet potato fries tossed in cinnamon sugar and topped with marshmallow cream, butterscotch chips, and toffee pieces (party exclusive)
Main Street Bakery
- Mickey-shaped Cinnamon Roll: Mickey-shaped cinnamon roll topped with orange frosting and sprinkles
- Minnie-shaped Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin coffee mousse topped with a white chocolate candy corn bow (party exclusive)
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café
- Cajun Burger: Cajun-spiced all-beef patty topped with fried green tomato, Cajun Andouille dip, and Creole remoulade served on a black bun (party exclusive)
- Bowl of Bones: Bone-in piggy wings fried with fresh jalapeños tossed in Coca-Cola Cherry barbecue sauce (party exclusive)
- Candy Corn Milkshake: Sweet corn soft-serve topped with whipped cream and sweet potato corn bread nuggets (party exclusive)
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Apple Fritter Sundae: Apple fritters topped with choice of ice cream, whipped cream, and sprinkles (party exclusive)
- Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich: Cookies topped with sprinkles with choice of ice cream
Sleepy Hollow
- Char Siu Chicken Wings: Whole chicken wings glazed in char siu and topped with chili threads and garlic (party exclusive)
- Headless Horseman Cupcake: Spicy cheese-flavored cupcake with lime filling topped with cream cheese buttercream, spicy cheese-flavored snacks, and a chocolate piece (party exclusive)
- Cinnamon Funnel Cake: Funnel cake topped with pumpkin ice cream, drizzled with pumpkin spiced caramel and topped with butterscotch chips (party exclusive)
Storybook Treats
- Hades Cone: DOLE Whip mango and habanero soft-serve topped with blue raspberry shell and chili-lime seasoning (party exclusive)
Sunshine Tree Terrace
- Tropical Graveyard: Mango mousse and sour tropical gelatin topped with cookie crumbles, gummy worm, sprinkles, and a tombstone chocolate piece (party exclusive)
Churro cart near Cinderella Castle
- Not-So-Poison Apple Churro: Churro rolled in green apple sugar, topped with SNICKERS bar pieces and drizzled with caramel sauce
- Jack Pop: Chocolate fudge brownie with marshmallow filling and topped with a Jack chocolate piece (party exclusive)
- Sally Pop: Yellow pop with raspberry filling topped with a Sally chocolate piece (party exclusive)
Outdoor vending cart near The Haunted Mansion
- Skull Brownie: Mexican-spiced chocolate brownie with dulce de leche filling and sugar eyes (party exclusive)
This was a surprise hit for me! If you like cinnamon candy and brownies, you’ll love it.
Merchandise
You can purchase party-specific merchandise from Star Traders in Tomorrowland and Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A.
Photo opportunities
PhotoPass
You can get your picture taken by PhotoPass photographers with Magic Shots and Halloween props (see map for locations). Be aware this may require you to make poses or hold props in front of the photographer. Awkward.
Photo frames
You can take your picture inside interactive photo frames that recreate scenes from various Disney stories (see map for locations).
Tips for a highly sensitive Disney introvert
Introversion Insight:
Not all introverts are highly sensitive. They may just have a hard time with social stimuli. But some introverts do share similarities with highly sensitive people. These individuals process social, physical, and emotional stimuli deeply.
Emotions can run high at Disney Parks, good and bad. If you’re a sensitive D•Introvert, you’re feeling all the feels. You have the ability to recognize and understand emotions. You really should see it as a superpower, but sometimes it can weigh you down.
Let’s talk about situations you might find yourself in while on your Disney Parks vacation, along with ways to manage them.
“Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills”
Disney has set the bar on guest service, so when they fall short, it’s noticeable. Nine times out of ten you’ll encounter friendly and helpful Cast Members, but it’s possible you might interact with one on an off day.
(Side note: Some of the EPCOT festival booths are operated by a third party, and I’ve noticed some of those Cast Members are not the friendliest.)
If you’re like me, a sour interaction will haunt you for the rest of your park day. Like Beverly, it will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Part of you is thinking about how you could have responded to the Cast Member. Part of you feels chastised in a way. And another part of you is formulating the email you’ll write when you get home.
It’s easier said than done, but don’t let it consume you. Try to be present. If you find yourself ruminating, focus on what’s physically around you: landscaping, buildings, food, or the smile on your partner’s face. I like to get out of my mind and think of the bigger picture. Think of all the positive interactions you’ve had. That one sour interaction doesn’t have to affect your entire vacation.
“You idiots! You fools! You imbeciles!”
If you’ve been to a Disney Park before, you may have witnessed a family in full meltdown mode. And it’s not necessarily because they’re all introverts who have been overstimulated. The crowds, lines, heat, and stress can be intense for anyone.
Emotions may run high, and harsh words may be said. Like the grumpy Cast Member interaction, your instinct might be to brood over a loved one’s hurtful comments. You feel things deeply, to the point where you might think it would be best to just go back to the Resort. That is always an option, but I’d say most of the time, try and brush it off. Know that this person still loves you just as much as they did before the hurtful comments. Clear the air by going on a thrill ride.
“Oh, d-d-dear”
Is Piglet your spirit animal? I can relate to Piglet. I worry. I overthink. I have anxiety. But that all magically goes away when you enter a Disney Park, right? Not exactly. You might be stressing over getting to your next Lightning Lane or dining reservation on time. Maybe it’s finding the stroller parking, exiting an attraction, and then discovering your stroller has been moved. Little things like these might affect you more than other people.
And that’s okay. We learn to manage like we do outside the parks, but one thing that may help is preparation. Being prepared for different park scenarios can give you a lot of peace of mind. My top three suggestions? Read up on park procedures, know the lay of the land, and become familiar with the My Disney Experience app.
“Welcome to Sunnyside, folks”
Sometimes plans change. One minute you’re in the attic, the next you’re at Sunnyside Daycare. Introverts tend to be planners, so I’m guessing you’ve created a well-thought-out and detailed plan for your Disney Parks vacation. Nice work, pal. But how flexible is it? Or should I say how flexible are you?
You might experience a ride going down, a torrential downpour, or a sudden headache. The people in your party may just want to go with the flow and not follow your elaborate plan. I think there are some compromises to be made. Know you can’t do it all. It’s possible you’ll come back for another visit. But as corny as it sounds, I think it’s important to remain proud of your planning. You put a lot of effort into it. You researched everything so now, even if you don’t follow the plan, you can serve as your travel party’s expert.
How to survive as an introvert at Walt Disney World
Introversion Insight:
A crowded, lively place is exciting and energizing for some. But for introverts, it can be exhausting. These places actually drain an introvert’s mental energy. This is why conserving and recharging our energy is key.
Disney Parks are busy, crowded places. They can be physically exhausting, but let’s not forget about how mentally exhausting they can be for introverts. Here are some tips for preventing an introvert hangover.
Lay low on the first day
Disney’s Animal Kingdom promotes a message of conservation. What they don’t promote is conserving your energy before you even step foot in a park. But in all seriousness, take it easy on your arrival day. Definitely don’t hit up a park on your first day. Travel days are hard enough. This is the perfect time to charge your social battery for what’s to come.
Ease into it. Ever notice how slow and deliberate you are in life? Keep it up, even when you’re full-on excited to explore the parks. You’ll prevent an early burnout.
Become a photographer
Offer to be the photographer for the group. If you’re the one taking the picture, you’re not in the spotlight. It’s a way to regulate how much attention is on you—or in other words—how much stimulation you receive. The more stimulation received the faster you’ll deplete your social battery.
As you’re walking around the park, watching a parade, and taking in the sights, you can distance yourself from the action by placing a camera between you and the environment. It’s good to be present, of course, but your camera can act as a buffer.
Have an exit strategy
Because introverts tend to be planners, you’ve probably mapped out each day of your Disney Parks vacation. Might I suggest a bit of flexibility? You may go into a park day thinking you’ll be there from open to close, but your social battery may not last.
I like to have an exit strategy in place before entering the park. Here’s an example: “We will leave the park for a midday break at 2 p.m.” If you get to that point and feel like you need a break, do it. If you’re feeling fine, feel free to stay longer. But deciding this up front may help if you’re concerned about how long you can handle the parks.
Know your escape route
Speaking of an exit strategy, do you know all your transportation options if you want to take a break from the parks? A midday break is easiest when you stay on property since you can use Disney’s various modes of transportation. But it can get complicated when you realize they have buses, boats, monorails, and gondolas. Here are your Walt Disney World transportation options from each park to each resort:
You’re going to have a great time!
How to watch Magic Kingdom fireworks without crowds
Introversion Insight:
A lot of people don’t like crowded places, but for introverts, they can be overstimulating. Way too many strangers in one place. Our brains actually process our environment differently than someone who’s more extroverted. Crowds wear us down quickly.
Magic Kingdom offers a nighttime spectacular like no other. I consider it a can’t-miss fireworks show. And with the return of fan-favorite Happily Ever After, it’s popular—and crowded. If you want a good view of the castle and fireworks, you’ll have to stand shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of strangers near the hub area. It’s intense. And then the mass exodus after the fireworks is an adventure. But I have a solution for you!
Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert parties
For a price, you can secure yourself a reserved viewing area for the fireworks. Oh, and you also get desserts and drinks—including beer and wine (hey, liquid extroversion!). You have three party options:
- Pre-Party: Enjoy your desserts and drinks before the fireworks and then move to your fireworks viewing area.
- Seats & Sweets: Enjoy your desserts and drinks before the fireworks and then stay seated to view the fireworks.
- Post-Party: Enjoy the fireworks from your viewing area and then move to the dessert party location after the fireworks.
I think the post-party is the best option for introverts, so I’m going to focus solely on this option. Let’s go over how it works so you can feel prepared and then explain why it’s worth it for introverts.
Book your post-party
You can reserve this Enchanting Extra up to 60 days in advance online. On “slower” nights, they may accept walk-up reservations. The price for the post-party is $99 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $59 for children (ages 3 to 9). Tax is included in those prices. Gratuity is not included or required. Unfortunately, discounts are not offered on Magic Kingdom fireworks dessert parties. There’s a 7-day cancellation policy. If you cancel within 7 days, the fee is the full party price. Separate theme park admission and park pass reservation are required.
Note: The party will show up as a dining reservation in the My Disney Experience app (not a separate ticket).
Check in to your post-party
You’ll check in at the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant 60 minutes before Happily Ever After. Your reservation in the app should display this check-in time. You’ll see three podiums set up throughout the restaurant, one for each party check-in: Pre-Party, Seats & Sweets, and Post-Party. (On my night it was the one closest to the hub area.) Look for the sign that says “Post-Party Check-In.” They may ask to see your ID and then attach a wristband.
Tip: Check in 90 minutes before if you want the very first pick of where you’ll stand in the reserved viewing area.
Head to your viewing area
Your reserved viewing area is Plaza Garden East. The entrance is on the right side.
The party does guarantee this reserved area but not a specific spot. For the best fireworks view, you may want to be on the far left side of the garden. But keep in mind—when the fireworks end, everyone will be exiting on the right side and heading to the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant for the dessert party. So if you’re on the right side, you’re one of the first to exit the viewing area and line up for the party.
Which is most important to you? The best fireworks view or first in line for the party?
You can bring food and drink into the reserved viewing area, and if you checked in 60–90 minutes before Happily Ever After, you’ll have some time to kill. I recommend grabbing something and having a picnic on the hub grass. (Casey’s Corner is the closest quick-service restaurant that has mobile order.) The party has mostly sweets, so this is your chance to have something savory.
You can sit on the hub grass until Happily Ever After starts. You’ll find people will start standing up 10 or so minutes before showtime.
Enjoy the dessert post-party
Once Happily Ever After is over, you’ll head back to Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant and check in again. You’ll be taken to your reserved table. It’s now time to enjoy the unlimited desserts and drinks!
Everything is set up buffet style. Lines will form as people fill in. There are two separate buffet lines (left and right sides). They each have mostly the same options; however, I noticed a couple differences so you may want to visit both sides.
You have an impressive spread. Here are your drink choices:
- Veramonte Chardonnay
- Zolo Malbec (and sometimes Signature Red Blend)
- Saracco Moscato d’Asti
- Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Brut
- Bud Light Lager
- Blue Moon Belgian White Ale
- Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider (nonalcoholic)
- Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea
- Minute Maid Premium Lemonade
- Strawberry Lemonade
- POG Juice
- Joffrey’s Coffee (regular and decaf)
- Twinings Hot Teas
- Milk
- Water
Note: You can have two alcoholic drinks at a time (per person) on your table.
Here are your food choices:
- Chocolate Silk Pie (chocolate tart shell, chocolate filling, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings)
- Cookies ‘n Cream Cheesecake Mousse
- Chilling Chamber Pop (chocolate crumbs, white buttercream, and chocolate popping candy)
- Chocolate-Covered Strawberry
- Tres Leches
- Devil’s Chocolate Pudding (chocolate filling, crumble brownie, and milk chocolate whipped cream)
- Firehouse Doughnuts (ricotta doughnuts rolled in cinnamon-sugar served with strawberry topping)
- Butterscotch Pudding
- Pistachio Crunch Bar
- Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Sugar Cookie
- Caramel Apple Crepe (with toasted pecans and sweet cream)
- Celebration Cupcake
- Birthday Cupcake
- Assorted Fruits
- Assorted Cheeses
- Assorted Breads (plain and olive)
There’s even a table set up where you can decorate cookies with icing.
The party lasts more or less an hour. On my night, the buffet shut down at 10:45. (Fireworks were at 9:20, which lasted about 20 minutes. By the time everyone got settled in at the party, it was around 9:45.)
Why it’s worth it for introverts
The Magic Kingdom dessert post-party is an enjoyable experience for all, but there are specific reasons why I think it’s worth it for introverts.
- No camping out for a fireworks spot: If you want a good spot for Happily Ever After, you’ll have to fight the crowds and claim your spot early. You’ll then find yourself shoulder to shoulder with hundreds of guests (who may be hot, sweaty, and tired).
With the post-party, you’ll still be standing next to others, but you’ll find the viewing area is much less crowded and reserved, just waiting for you when you're ready.
- Calling first dibs in the reserved viewing area: With the post-party, you can enter the reserved area before any of the pre-party guests. These guests are enjoying their dessert and drinks while you snag your spot for the fireworks. You’ll be all settled in by the time they join you.
There’s something reassuring about being in a space before the masses arrive. I bet you arrive early to events at home and work. You’ve learned you’re more comfortable when others join you in your space instead of you inserting yourself into an existing crowd. The same holds true at the dessert party.
- Enjoying the party pressure-free: If you do the pre-party, you might feel rushed to finish your desserts and drinks so that you can get to the viewing area and stake out your spot.
With the post-party, the party feels much more relaxed. You’re on a high after seeing Happily Ever After. You can take your time and enjoy it. It’s (quite literally) a nice nightcap to your evening.
- Drinking liquid extroversion: An extroverted place like Walt Disney World can be uncomfortable for an introvert. Adult beverages may help so that you can relax and enjoy the experience more, so I’m awfully glad the dessert party offers us some options.
Also, it’s kind of a bizarre, unique feeling to be drinking alcohol out on a terrace in the middle of Magic Kingdom. Cheers!
- Bypassing the park exit crowd: As soon as the fireworks are over, you’ll find yourself in a mass exodus of people trying to leave the park. The fun’s not over when you exit, though, because then you’re faced with lines waiting for the ferryboat, monorail, or bus.
But if you do the post-party, you can relax at the party, enjoying dessert and drinks, while everyone else is making a mad dash. Once the party concludes, you can casually browse the shops on Main Street, U.S.A., and eventually leave the park with a smaller crowd.
Planning a solo Disney Parks trip as an introvert
Introversion Insight:
Put an introvert in a new, busy, and extroverted environment. How do they fare? It’s natural for them to be quiet, introspective, intimidated, and maybe even a little self-conscious. But with some planning and knowing what to expect (and knowing they’re doing something they’ll enjoy), they can have a pleasant experience.
Whether you’re in the area for work, can’t get others to come with you (losers!), or you just need a Disney Parks fix, a solo trip may be a good option. As an introvert, you might think a solo trip is perfect. You can be by yourself (albeit with thousands of other guests). But I found the opposite to be true at first. It was challenging! Here are some things I wish I would have considered.
Knowing yourself
Are you an independent, self-confident person? If you’re used to running around town by yourself in your day-to-day life, a solo park visit may come more naturally for you. But I think for some, it can be intimidating.
Consider how comfortable you are in your own skin because when you’re by yourself—at least for me—there’s a degree of self-consciousness. I don’t typically wear Mickey ears in the parks, but if I did, I might feel insecure about wearing them if it’s just me. I’d want to be with a group where we’re all wearing ears.
And depending on the person, you might all of a sudden be insecure about how you walk or talk. I’m pretty sure the odds of tripping over your own feet are greater when you’re solo! That’s just how it works. But I do become hyper-aware of those things when it’s just me. So then it can be harder to live in the moment and enjoy the parks because I’m overanalyzing. Of course, I’ve gotten better the more visits I’ve made, and everyone is different, right? We all have different levels of confidence and images of ourselves.
But you really do learn about yourself. You figure out your level of comfort in different situations. I think you can grow as an adult. I don’t think we ever stop maturing. You end up navigating airports, transportation, hotels, and the parks all on your own. And for me, it forces me to act like an extrovert. It’s good practice for the noisy extroverted world we live in outside the parks.
I sometimes rely on my spouse to hold up a conversation or let them guide a social interaction, so when I’m solo, this is my chance. I talk to more people. I sometimes find Cast Members are more talkative to you as well if they notice you’re solo.
You also might feel a sense of freedom. I think when you live in a certain place for a while and interact with your same social circle, you get stuck in your ways. You act a certain way around these people. So when you take that solo trip, I feel like you can let loose a bit more.
Navigating the parks
You create your schedule. If you want to stare at all the signs in Africa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a half hour, you can. PS: This is something I’ve done, and it’s glorious—so many small details in those signs. But you decide how early you arrive and how late you stay. You also decide when you need a break to go back to the Resort midday. With a group, you’re at the whim of others in your party.
You don’t have to do rides or attractions you don’t like. And on the flip side, you can do the rides or attractions you like, the ones you can’t get your spouse to go on or experience. When I’m with my spouse, we don’t usually stop to enjoy the parades or the streetmosphere performers. But I can easily do that when it’s just me.
You might use those single rider queues. Normally when I’m with a group or even just my spouse, we’ll still ride together and not do single rider. But when you’re solo, you can take advantage of it, which means a shorter wait for the ride, of course, but also less time awkwardly standing in the long regular line with other groups surrounding you.
For me, it could also mean doing rides or attractions I’ve experienced before because I’m familiar with them. The newness of the solo situation may seem overwhelming, so visiting those places I’m already comfortable with can be reassuring.
You can go at your own pace. If you typically get slowed down by a group of people, this is your chance to get your steps in and walk at your normal fast pace. For me, though, it means I can go at a more leisurely pace. I can take in the sights and stop wherever I want. Disney Parks are known for their attention to detail, so I can really spend time noticing those details and spotting hidden Mickeys. As silly as it sounds, I find myself daydreaming a bit more. It’s definitely a more relaxed experience once you get used to it.
One of my goals in life is to avoid crowds whenever possible, and this includes at the parks. What’s nice about a solo trip is you can steer clear of the crowds. You might normally go with someone who only watches the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the crowded hub area. Great view but it’s also very people-y. So when it’s just you, you can opt for a less crowded fireworks spot and be okay with it.
But let’s not forget—everything is now on you to figure out (no pressure!). You don’t have that support of a small group or significant other who would normally act as that buffer where they’re normally the one to talk to Cast Members.
When I get up to the boarding area for a ride, for example, I don’t typically tell the Cast Member how large my party is because I let someone else go in front of me. They more or less lead the way, and I get to tag along. I tend to do that as we’re walking around the parks too. If we hit a bottleneck of people, my spouse is usually leading the way and breaking through the crowd so I don’t have to. Little things like that are now left up to you as a solo traveler.
Eating solo
What’s nice about a solo Disney Parks trip is you can eat whatever and wherever you want. You don’t have to compromise based on what the group wants.
But we should mention eating alone. Are you comfortable eating alone in a public place? This is something that’s a little awkward for me for some reason. And it’s amplified in a sit-down, table-service restaurant. Quick-service restaurants aren’t as bad.
At a table-service restaurant, I feel like all eyes are on me. I start wondering what the other guests are thinking about this guy eating by himself. And a small part of me feels guilty about taking up a table when a server could have a larger group and receive a larger tip. So when I’m on a solo trip, I don’t do table-service restaurants. It’s just quick-service restaurants or snack carts. (I will make an exception for Nomad Lounge because I love that place so much.) But for most meals as a solo traveler, I’ll typically grab it and go and eat while I’m walking around. I won’t always sit down in the seating area of the quick-service restaurant.
Fighting the loneliness
It can be lonely. You’re still creating memories with the parks, but they’re not shared memories with loved ones. I’m a nostalgic person, so I’m always reminiscing about past trips I went on with friends and family. It’s nice to have that connection. So you might miss that connection. But one thing that may help is sharing your solo trip as you’re going along on social media. So even though you’re by yourself, you’ll still feel connected to those in your social media circle.
Packing your essentials
Logistically, remember to pack what you think you’ll need. I’m the type of person who dislikes carrying anything when I’m at the parks. It’s just easier and less stressful for me when navigating the logistics of rides. So If I’m by myself, I don’t have that spouse who brought everything I might need in a bag. I have to remember what to pack and what I’ll use to haul it around with.
Relaxing with some liquid courage
I jokingly refer to alcohol and coffee as my liquid extroversion or liquid courage. But I really do think there’s some truth there. As you might expect, it helps me loosen up, and it gets me out of my head. Introverts tend to spend a lot of time thinking—and overthinking—life. I’ll sometimes say something to a Cast Member and then an hour later I’ll be analyzing what I said, wondering if what I said made sense or if it was really funny or not. So liquid extroversion helps me relax and be present while at the parks, especially if I’m there by myself.
Realizing you’re not the only one
Vacationing solo may not be as common on a non-Disney vacation, but you’ll be surprised by how many solo travelers you’ll see at the parks. You won’t be the only one! That should give you some reassurance.
You’re going to have a great time. You’re going to a Disney Park after all. I’ll fully admit it was weird—at first—to visit the parks by myself. It’s a different park experience, but I think if you can keep these things in mind, you’ll feel prepared and excited about your upcoming solo trip.
Furthering the discussion
I sat down with Matthew of the Imagination Skyway podcast, and we chatted all about solo trips to Walt Disney World. (It was a very non-introvert thing for me to do. Hello, anxiety. But it was a lot of fun too.) I invite you to listen to that episode (and go easy on me) if you’d like more tips on solo visits to Walt Disney World.
An introvert’s guide to TRON: Lightcycle / Run
Introversion Insight:
Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. They like knowing how to do things, especially around other people.
Warning: Potential SPOILERS ahead! It’s in our nature as introverts to know what to expect, so let’s do our TRON homework.
Welcome, users, to the digital frontier(land)!
This guide will help you prepare for your Lightcycle race across the Grid (a.k.a. Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom Park). We’ll mention all those things that are important to introverts: the queue, the boarding process—including the new ride lockers—the amount of thrill, the music, and the details.
Queue
Let’s talk logistics. The queue and boarding process matters. We’ve all been on that ride where we’ve felt like cattle being corralled from one room to the next. I’m happy to report TRON: Lightcycle / Run has very little of that. Much of the queue is actually outside. Part of it is shaded under the large canopy, a small part has umbrellas, and a good chunk of it is in the sun. (Don't forget your water and sunscreen!) There’s not much to look at besides the Lightcycles when they race by on the outdoor track.
Tip: At night, the canopy lights up. I’d recommend riding at night, if possible, by purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane and picking a time in the evening.
You’ll find an organized single-file entry into the show building itself. The queue continues this way, so you won’t have people trying to get in front of you and breaking up your party.
You then reach the preshow room—the only preshow room I might add. It’s a small and intimate room, which means not as many people will be corralled in there with you. And the preshow is short, so you don’t have to spend too much time with them.
One cluster moment for the ride is exiting the preshow room. A door on the right will magically open when the preshow ends, and people will funnel out.
Tip: Either stand on the right side so you’re one of the first people to exit, or linger back and let everyone else exit the room before you.
Lockers
TRON Lightcycle / Run is the first Disney Parks attraction to use ride lockers. And you’ll need to use them for anything larger than a cell phone. The ride vehicle has a compartment for small items only, like a cell phone, wallet, or glasses.
You’ll walk up to a room full of lockers. Find one that’s lit up and tap your MagicBand or park ticket admission card. (MagicMobile on your phone won’t work.) The door will open, you’ll place your items inside, and shut the door. It locks itself and can only be reopened when exiting with your MagicBand or park ticket admission card. Make note of your locker number.
If you don’t have a MagicBand or park ticket admission card, you can ask a Cast Member for a locker card.
Here’s another potential cluster moment as people crowd around to find a locker. There are plenty of lockers, though, so feel free to walk farther into the room and pick a locker on that end. And the room itself is nice and spacious. (Note: It’s possible Cast Members may direct you to a locker or locker section.)
Tip: Don’t worry if you forget your locker number. When you exit the ride, there’s a kiosk where you can tap your MagicBand or park ticket admission card to retrieve your locker number.
Boarding process
It’s time to race against some Programs. When you approach the Lightcycles, you’ll notice loading instructions for A and B, with corresponding letters on the floor. Person A will walk around the Lightcycles and board their Lightcycle from the left side. Person B will walk straight out and board their Lightcycle from the right side.
Note: The side of the Lightcycle you board is reversed if you're boarding on the other track of the loading area. Arrows on the floor will guide you regardless of the track you're sent to.
You hop on the ride vehicle like you would a bike. (If you’ve been on Avatar Flight of Passage, it’s similar.) Lean all the way forward so your chest is against the vehicle. Grab the handles in front of you and pull back to lock them in place. You’ll feel the back restraint behind you.
Race
And you’re off! The ride is fast near the beginning, so be prepared. But as it goes on, I think the thrill level is manageable. Your forward position on the ride vehicle is unique and adds to the Lightcycle effect, but I also found it to be awkward. I had a hard time relaxing in that position, and the handlebars rubbed against the palms of my hands to where they were sore in the end. (What? I guess I have soft hands, haha.)
Because of your position, it’s awkward if you try to raise your arms like you normally would on a roller coaster, so it’s best to keep your hands on the handlebars. You may also want to look around you as you’re racing, but it’s most comfortable for your head and neck if you look forward. The ride is quite short, so you won’t be in this position for long.
Music
D•Introverts tend to connect with an attraction because of the music. TRON Lightcycle / Run has recognizable background music from the TRON: Legacy movie but in a subtler way. The vibe is there, but I didn’t feel like I was stepping straight into the End of Line nightclub. But maybe that’s part of what’s missing, which leads me to…
Details
The dark ride itself has lights and screens to simulate the race, but the queue inside and out is fairly plain, except for the actual loading area. Overall, the attraction has a clean, sleek design that is TRON-esque, but it feels empty. I would have liked more nods to the movie, more details to look at while waiting, and more Daft Punk.
All that to say, I do enjoy this attraction. And from an introvert’s perspective, its organized queue and boarding process, the music, and the level of thrill make it a worthy new addition to your Magic Kingdom day.
I hope you feel more prepared after reading this guide. Let me know if you have questions.
END OF LINE
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Opening date: April 4, 2023
Location: Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom Park
Height: 48 inches or taller
How to ride: Virtual queue or Individual Lightning Lane (no standby)
Five things introverts should do before their Disney Parks vacation
Introversion Insight:
Introverts are planners. They want to be prepared for what the world has in store for them. They like clear expectations. Let’s avoid surprises at all costs, please. They like knowing how to do things, especially around other people.
Planning ahead offers introverts peace of mind, especially when we’re navigating a busy theme park. Whether you’re an introvert, or you’ll be traveling with introverts, do these five things before leaving.
Download and learn the mobile app
We are in the age of apps—and Disney Parks are no exception. Walt Disney World Resort’s app is called My Disney Experience. Disneyland Resort’s app is just called Disneyland. (They have separate apps, but you use the same Disney account login.)
You can still find physical guidemaps at the parks, but the apps have maps plus a lot more.
- Dining reservations
- Mobile food orders
- PhotoPass photos
- Wait times
- Show times
Download, log in, and learn the app before leaving home. It is mostly user friendly, but there’s something that happens to my brain when I’m hot, tired, and surrounded by people. I feel this invisible pressure that makes it harder for me to focus on a task—in this case the park’s app. Anybody else?
If you plan on using Genie+ during your trip, brush up on this relatively new service. It’s a beast in and of itself.
Study the park maps
Speaking of maps, you can find interactive maps within the app. You can also download PDFs online. Vacations can be fun but stressful if you don’t know where you’re going, and the parks are big. Spend some time reviewing the maps before leaving to get the lay of the land. You’ll also save yourself some time.
Figure out transportation
On a related note, how do you get from point A to point B on the map? Transportation may not be as overwhelming at Disneyland Resort since destinations are closer together, but Walt Disney World Resort is another story. It’s like a mini-city with buses, monorails, boats, and gondolas.
Spend some time mapping out where you’ll be going and how you’ll be getting there. Tip: Use the Get Directions feature in the My Disney Experience app. Just pull up a location, tap Get Directions, and enter where you want to go.
Build table-service restaurants into schedule
Make some table-service restaurant reservations. After a while, you may get sick of quick-service food, but maybe more importantly, table-service restaurants are more introvert friendly. They allow you to slow down. They often have a more relaxing atmosphere.
And one huge perk? They seat you so you don’t have to hunt for a table. (Does your anxiety go through the roof when you’re wandering through a crowded restaurant with a tray full of food, trying to find an empty and clean table? No, just me?!)
Request an extra PTO day
For me, my PTO days are precious, but I always try to request one extra PTO day at the end of my vacation time. Why do this? It gives you a whole day at home to decompress, recharge, and settle back into your normal routine—not to mention time for laundry. Going from an action-packed Disney Parks vacation straight into (most likely) an action-packed workday can be tough for introverts. Build in that buffer.
Good luck planning, D•Introverts! You’re going to have a great time. Let me know if you have any questions.