It’s often difficult to find Halloween activities for the youngest members of your household. While Halloween is often a time of fun and excitement, some children find the plethora of haunted houses and ghoulishly made-up people to be a bit frightening.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, an annual event at the Magic Kingdom Park in Orlando, Florida, was designed with children and families in mind, but the fun and excitement doesn’t stop there!

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

Mickey and the gang start celebrating Halloween pretty early. On specific dates through September and early November, guests are encouraged to wear their most creative Halloween costumes. They’ll have the opportunity to trick-or-treat throughout the park, watch the “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, watch the incredible Happy HallowWishes fireworks show, and explore special areas of the park that have been transformed specifically for the occasion.

Keep your eyes peeled for your favorite Disney characters – if you can recognize them, that is. Even Mickey Mouse and the gang will be dressed up for Halloween. Sadly, admission to the Halloween party itself isn’t included in your regular Magic Kingdom admission price. You’ll have to purchase Not-So-Scary party tickets in advance (ranging between $43 and $64 depending on the dates you visit) but we guarantee the happily-not-terrified look on your child’s face will be well worth the price.

Haunted Pirates Cruise

The Haunted Pirates Cruise is one of the newest additions to Disney’s Halloween itinerary. The cruise is held on specific dates throughout the second half of October and is specifically designed for guests ages 5-12.

Watch as your children are transformed into little pirates. Every guest son the “cruise” will get a set of Pirate Mickey Mouse ears, a pirate name tag complete with a new pirate name, and a photograph of his adventures. The cruise, which embarks at 8:15pm and returns at 10pm, will give your kids the opportunity to hear scary ghost stories and see the Happy HalloWishes fireworks.

This particular adventure isn’t really scary but is better suited to children who don’t spook easily. Make sure you get your tickets well in advance. The cruise, which leaves from the Polynesian Resort and sails around its marinas, can sell out rather quickly.

Halloween at the Animal Kingdom

Head on over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom anytime between October 28^th and 31^st. All of the characters at Camp Mickey will be dressed in their hottest Halloween garb and everyone who visits will receive special treats.

If you visit on October 31^st, Halloween Day, you’ll be in for a few extra special surprises as well. On Halloween the folks at Rafiki’s Planet Watch will be hosting an extra special celebration complete with a bag of treats, pumpkin decorating, special removable tattoos, and some special guest appearances. Admission to this celebration is included with your regular Animal Kingdom admission.

Trick or Treating in Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney will come to life on October 30^th and 31^st for a special, free trick-or-treating event (not part of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party). Between the hours of 5pm and 9pm, visitors will be allowed to dress in their Halloween costumes and trick or treat at specific locations throughout the downtown area.

There will, of course, be more than trick-or-treating to enjoy, though. There will be several storytelling hours, magicians, and comedians throughout the downtown area and if you listen carefully you might even find a DJ spinning some wicked dance tunes near the Fountain Stage.

Halloween in Disney’s Resorts

Disney Halloween celebrations aren’t limited to the parks alone. If you look carefully you may find special events happening at some of the most popular Disney resorts as well. In the past we’ve found special events at the Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Sarasota Springs, Animal Kingdom Lodge, All Stars, and Port Orleans resorts. Keep your eyes peeled for special pumpkin carvings, contests, dance-offs, candy apple treats, face painting, and lots of other family-friendly fun.

Halloween can be spooky and fun without being scary. Let your friends in Disney show you how to make the most out of what can, for some young ones, be a potentially frightening evening. Book your favorite Orlando hotels, pack your Halloween costume, and prepare to party with Mickey and the gang!