Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will not happen this year, Walt Disney World announced this evening.
The annual Magic Kingdom after-hours event becomes the latest programming event canceled due to the pandemic. "We determined that many of its hallmarks – stage shows, parades and fireworks – are unable to take place in this new, unprecedented environment," Disney said of the event in a press release.
Scheduled to start on August 13, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was set to run 36 select nights through November 1. Tickets had gone on sale in February, and Disney said that it will be working on refunds in the coming weeks.
Walt Disney World also has canceled the Disney H2O Glow Nights event at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon for remainder of 2020. Disney said tonight that it has not yet made a decision about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which has not yet started selling tickets for this fall.
The resort also announced that it is going ahead with a modified version of its Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, kicking it off with the return of the park on July 15.
"A Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival" will run through the fall and feature "over 20" festival marketplaces spread out through the park. The event will feature topiaries and merchandise from the truncated Flower & Garden Festival from this spring, as well. However, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series has been canceled for this year.
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This decision would indicate that WDW expects to still be under reduced attendance requirements and mandatory social distancing procedures through the fall. Three of the biggest draws of MNSSHP are the Boo to You Parade, fireworks/projection show, and unique/rare character meet and greets, which just can't be pulled off under current conditions. If Disney can't provide those unique features, then there's really nothing that sets MNSSHP apart from a regular night in the Magic Kingdom.
However, I wouldn't be surprised if Disney does set aside some evenings for hard ticket After Hours events with even more limited attendance and shorter lines.
This stinks, but it was the right move under the circumstances.
I wonder how long it will take before Universal confirms HHN is cancelled as well. I know that they've been working on some houses already but that doesn't mean they won't cancel. We've definitely cancelled our trip this year since we don't want to fly or go to the US right now. It's selfish of me but I hope they do cancel because I hate the thought of missing a year. Especially since its the 30th anniversary.
HHN operates completely differently than Not So Scary. Not saying that Universal won't cancel, but Disney's big Halloween draws are attractions that require people to congregate.
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The selfish fool in me hopes this means that maybe we can get some late night hours back at the Magic Kingdom.
I know I shouldn't get my hopes up. I don't know why I keep doing it to myself.