Walt Disney World has a variety of fun events such as After Hours, Marathons and the H2Glow summer event at Typhoon Lagoon. Two of their most popular special events also happen to be two of my favorite!

Late August is the kickoff of party season at the Magic Kingdom!

The first party is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween, which runs on select nights from August to October. Next up is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

The parties are similar in many ways. Both require a separate ticket. Tickets vary in price based on which event you are attending and which night. The closer you get to the holiday, the higher the price. Because it is a separate ticketed item, that means smaller crowds for the night.

At both parties, you will have the opportunity to meet characters that are not normally out. That means villians at Halloween and Princes at Christmas…that’s right…princes! As you can see from the pictures belowthis is definitely a highlight of the events for me.

PRO TIP – If you have your heart set on seeing a specific character, line up early or wait until the end of the night. The wait times for the Seven Dwarfs and Jack Skellington in particular, reach 2 hours very quickly.

Be sure to try at least one of the amazing party treats! Just look at those cupcakes! Yum!

Lastly, at each event you can expect unique parades and entertainment, including shows at the castle and incredible themed fireworks – after all, what is the Magic Kingdom without fireworks?

So let’s look at each party a little closer. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween is full of spooktacular fun! Upon entry you are given a wristband to wear for the night, then you collect your trick-or-treat bag (that’s right, both kids and adults get to trick-or-treat through the Magic Kingdom) and you are off to the fun!

PRO TIP – Bring your own bag. The free ones are cute, but nowhere near big enough for the insane amount of candy you will get!

You are allowed to trick or treat at the same station as much as you would like. But save some of that candy for home because you do NOT want to miss the specialty treats. And for those of you on the dining plan, you can use a snack credit to try these.

This year’s specialty treats include Frozen Apple Cider, Headless Horseman Cheesecake, Chocolate Mickey Waffle Sundae, Cinnamon Donuts, Pumpkin Spice Soft Serve and the Maleficent Ice Cream Cone!

Be sure not to miss The Boo to You Parade and the Hocus Pocus Spectacular!

Hocus Pocus features the Sanderson Sisters and a host of other characters and is performed at the castle 3 times nightly.

The Boo to You parade is one of my absolute favorites! It kicks off with the headless horseman and features favorite characters in adorable costumes, plenty of villians, a group of Gravediggers doing really fun choreography with their shovels and Ghosts from the Haunted Mansion! It is a not to be missed!

Of course, the Christmas Party has its own signature parade and fun shows.

The Christmas Parade is so pretty and in addition to Mickey, Minnie & Friends, so many others join in the fun leading up to the FAMOUS wooden soldiers. Of course, Santa closes out the parade with his signature “Ho Ho Ho.”

Mickey’s Most Merry Christmas Celebration and A Frozen Holiday Wish take place center stage at Cinderella’s Castle. The highlight of the Frozen show is that it ends with Elsa lighting the castle. It is beyond beautiful and is sure to melt the hearts of Frozen fans young and old.

Here is the biggest difference between the two – Free food! While there is plenty of candy at the Halloween Party, when you visit the Christmas Party, you get unlimited holiday treats and beverages at a variety of locations. Everything from Eggnog with molasses cookies to sugar cookies and hot chocolate and a Mickey shaped soft pretzel and Snowcones.

Last tip – If you attend either party, be sure to leave space in your suitcase for the adorable specially themed merchandise! From ears and T-shirts to home decor and stuffed animals, there is bound to be a few things you will just have to have!

So tell me, have you been to either or both of these parties? Do you have a favorite?