Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Returns with a BOOOO!
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL — Here’s a deeper dive into today’s fresh-from-the-cauldron news on Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party—where everything you thought you knew just got a little spookier, a bit more stylish, and downright irresistible for the Disney adult with a dash of edge.
In short, Disney unveiled the 2025 dates for MNSSHP—August 15 through October 31—with select nights only; tickets go on sale May 15 for Resort guests and May 22 for everyone else. You’ll pay $119–$229 per ticket, with a $30 bump at the top tier versus last year. They also teased a radical character refresh—Jack Skellington now sports a fully articulated head, and Sally has ditched the blue eye circles for a subtler stitch look. And yes, your fave eerie entertainment is back, plus fresh frights: Boo-to-You Parade at 8:15 PM (and a late-night spin at 11:15 PM), Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular, the return of the Cadaver Dans, and even a “Zombies 4” dance party. Finally, expect a cascade of limited-edition merch, ghoulish eats, and specialty cocktails that’ll have your Instagram on fire
Dates & Ticket Sales: Plan Your Spooky Soirée
Disney confirmed Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will run from August 15 to October 31, 2025, on carefully curated night Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays in August; similar select dates in September with one Thursday; and a mix of Fridays, Saturdays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in October. Resort guests (including Walt Disney World and Swan & Dolphin hotels, plus Shades of Green) can snag tickets starting May 15, while general ticket sales begin May 22. Don’t dilly-dally—MNSSHP sell-outs are practically as legendary as the Headless Horseman himself.
Character Updates: New Faces (and Heads) in the Halls
Perhaps the most buzzworthy bombshell today was the new Jack Skellington look—a fully molded skull-head that actually smiles and opens its jaw, ditching the old half-mask for full-on Pumpkin King power. Sally’s makeover is subtle but impactful: gone are the sky-blue eye circles and cherry-red lipstick; now she rocks minimalist stitches and a dark lipliner, fitting for our gothic princess. These upgrades debut at MNSSHP and will likely haunt Disneyland Resort soon after. For the Disney adult who memorizes costume details, this is the kind of meticulous craftsmanship that separates casual fans from dyed-in-the-bat-cave superfans.
Entertainment Lineup: Spells, Songs & Processions
Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade
Returning at 8:15 PM, this toe-tapping procession of dancing ghosts, Disney royalty, and sinister villains remains a highlight—now with promises of rarer character appearances and perfectly timed lighting. There’s even an 11:15 PM encore for night owls and credentialed villains alike.
Hocus Pocus Villains Spelltacular
Your cult-favorite Sanderson Sisters crash the party once more, summoning a battalion of fan-favorite villains (think Cruella, Jafar, Hades) to add ingredients to their cauldron—with audience participation encouraged.
Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular
Jack Skellington narrates this pyro-projection fireworks extravaganza, where Cinderella Castle morphs into a jack-o’-lantern kingdom, and the skies ignite to the tune of “This Is Halloween”.
Fresh Additions: Zombies 4 Dance Party & Cadaver Dans
For the first time, a “Zombies 4” dance floor invites you to boogie among the undead, complete with glow-in-the-dark choreography. And yes, the ever-crooning Cadaver Dans are back, slicing through harmonies on the Rivers of America for a spine-tingling serenade.
More Than Just Candy: Food, Drinks & Merch Madness
Ghoulish Grub & Boo-ze
Chefs are brewing up a specialty Halloween menu—from black-violet cotton candy to “Poison Apple” cocktails that glow under black light. Look for limited-time “eat the rainbow” churros and steins of “Blood Orange” brew. Foodie Guides drop closer to event date.
Exclusive Keepsakes
Deck your shelves with pumpkins-in-moussé serving boards, glow-in-the-dark Loungefly backpacks, and Jack & Sally plush dolls sporting their snazzy new costumes. Early bird merch often vanishes faster than trick-or-treat candy—so be first in line at Ye Olde Holiday Shoppe.
Why the Disney Adult in You Should Care
If you’re the kind of fan who tracks Hidden Mickey placements like they’re stock tickers, these announcements are your adrenaline rush. Between the head-to-toe character updates, tier-ed ticket pricing (hello, date-night hacks), and adult-friendly offerings—think craft cocktails, luxe merch, and a midnight parade encore—MNSSHP is leaning into the “Disney grown-up” market harder than ever. This isn’t your parents’ chicken-n-waffles; it’s a full-blown Halloween takeover for niche fanatics craving next-level details.
Final Spooktacular Thoughts
Disney’s fresh MNSSHP announcements mix nostalgia with novelty—dates that span the height of Florida’s fall, tickets thirst-trapped to sell fast, and a character roster that’s never looked sharper. Whether you’re toting your kids in matching family tees or sneaking in an adults-only evening with a side of sinister cocktails, this year’s Not-So-Scary party promises to haunt your magical memories in the best way possible. Grab your (adult-approved) costume, plan that gallery shot in front of a neon-lit Cinderella Castle, and prepare for a Halloween night so epic even Oogie Boogie wouldn’t dare miss it.
So, Disney adult tribe: which spine-tingling enhancement has you buzzing? Are you more thrilled by the Jack Skellington glow-up, the Zombies dance floor, or the prospect of $229 for a night of magic that’ll outlast your soda-induced sugar rush? Let the countdown to ghost stories under the fireworks begin!
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Rogue Rick
EPCOT’s 2025 Food & Wine Festival Shorter Schedules—Smarter Bites
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL — Listen, I love Disney. I’m that adult. I collect posters, I have thoughts about the best fireworks viewing spots, and yes—I’ve rope dropped EPCOT for the express purpose of a margarita at Cava Del Tequila at 10AM, without shame. But let’s be honest: no one, and I mean no one, wants to be elbow-deep in fondue while their MagicBand is sticking to their wrist like melted Dole Whip.
That’s why I’m actually thrilled—giddy, even—about the changes Disney just dropped regarding the 2025 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. The new dates? Chef’s kiss. The updated offerings? Iconic. And the overall vibe? More focused, more festive, and honestly, more digestible in every sense of the word.
📅 Dates to Mark (and Circle, Highlight, and Maybe Tattoo): August 28 – November 22, 2025. Let’s start with the headline. The 2025 Food & Wine Festival will run from August 28 through November 22, clocking in at a clean, curated 90 days. That’s right, the days of a never-ending festival bleeding into EPCOT’s entire calendar year look to be over. And as much as my Disney-loving heart aches to see the festival’s start pushed out of July, let’s get real: this was the glow-up we all needed.
Because here’s the deal—eating a stew out of a bread bowl in the broiling Florida sun is not whimsical. It’s a survival challenge. The previous mid-July start dates were, quite frankly, an affront to cheese-lovers and sweaty humans everywhere. By kicking off in late August, we’re finally letting the spirit of fall catch up with the menu. Florida may still be 86° and 92% humidity in September, but at least there’s a chance you won’t pass out halfway through your Emile’s Fromage Montage.
🌍 35+ Global Marketplaces: Foodie Passport, Activated
This year, Disney’s promising over 35 Global Marketplaces across the park, and honestly, this is the heart of why we all keep coming back (and why our Chase Disney Visa bills keep growing). You get to sample dishes and drinks inspired by cuisines from around the world—without leaving the bubble.
What others might see as extra exciting this year? A clearer emphasis on diverse, inclusive offerings. We’re talking plant-based plates that aren’t just “here’s the mushroom dish,” plus more family-friendly options for the little Mouseketeers who might not vibe with kimchi just yet. The returning favorites are expected—looking at you, Canada Cheddar Cheese Soup—but I’m also hoping for new booths that reflect global street food trends, unexpected flavors, and maybe (please, Disney gods) something spicy enough to actually register on the Scoville scale.
Also, let’s be honest—35+ booths is just the right amount. Enough to spend a full day munching your way around the world, but not so many that you’re paralyzed by analysis and end up with four half-eaten plates and a sad, melty margarita.
🧀 Emile’s Fromage Montage: For the Love of Lactose
Let’s talk cheese. Because what is Food & Wine without a little dairy-fueled drama?
Emile’s Fromage Montage is back again in 2025, inviting guests to sample select cheese-forward dishes and collect stamps in your festival passport like the cultured little Remy you are. Five stamps gets you a prize, and listen—yes, the “prize” is usually a small dessert in a commemorative cup, but don’t act like you’re not proudly washing it out in the hotel sink so you can take it home.
This year’s cheesy contenders include:
Milled & Mulled Booth: Fall Fruit Cheesecake with Boursin® Fig & Balsamic Cheesecake, Pomegranates, and Candied Pecans—aka the lovechild of Thanksgiving and a charcuterie board.
Brazil Booth: The legendary Pão de Queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) that’s basically portable joy.
Greece Booth: Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey, which is somehow both savory and sweet and perfect.
I will happily waddle through World Showcase, dairy-drunk and unbothered, with my passport in hand and my arteries slightly alarmed. And with cooler weather in the air (thank you, shorter schedule), it’s finally possible to enjoy melty cheese dishes without becoming one yourself.
🐭 Remy’s Hide & Squeak: The Only Kind of Rodent Hunt I Support
Say what you will, but I stan a scavenger hunt—especially when it involves a tiny rat chef hiding across World Showcase.
Remy’s Hide & Squeak is one of those charming touches that turns a food festival into a full-day experience for all ages. For the uninitiated: you buy a little map, hunt for statues of Remy hiding near booths and pavilions, slap on your stickers like the proud adult child you are, and claim your prize. It’s adorable, interactive, and surprisingly competitive if you’ve got a group.
Plus, it keeps you moving between bites and gives kids something to do that doesn’t involve melting down over the lack of chicken nuggets in Belgium. Win-win.
🍷 Wine, Pairings & Perfect Pairing Tips
Let’s not forget the “Wine” part of Food & Wine. Disney hasn’t spilled all the tea (or rosé) just yet, but based on previous years, expect well-curated wine flights, beer samplers, and cocktails that range from mixology marvels to “it’s mostly juice, but it’s fun.”
Pro tip from someone who’s been burned: pace yourself. The festival is a marathon, not a sprint. Go in with a loose plan, share dishes where you can, and maybe (just maybe) skip the temptation to start with tequila in Mexico at 11:00 a.m.
That said, if they bring back the Apple Blossom Sky from Germany or that boozy passion fruit slush from France? I will not be held responsible for my choices.
✨ Final Thoughts: A Sharper, Smarter, More Delicious Festival
I’ll say it louder for the people in the back: shortening this festival was a great call. Quality over quantity, and vibes over volume. Starting in late August means you’re not immediately greeted with a sweat-stained lineup of soups, and ending before Thanksgiving keeps the holiday theming clean and focused.
Disney has clearly listened to feedback, refining the festival without dulling its magic. It’s still for the foodies, the Instagrammers, the stroller squads, and the annual passholder crew who have “Food & Wine Preview Day” marked in their calendar in ink. But it’s smarter now—more tailored, more thoughtful, and way more fun.
So whether you’re in it for the snacks, the scavenger hunts, or the soul-soothing power of sipping wine by the EPCOT fountain while a cover band belts out 90s bops—this year’s festival is set to be chef’s kiss perfect.
See you in World Showcase. I’ll be the one double-fisting cheese bread and chasing a rat around Morocco. As God and Walt intended.
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Rogue Rick
A New Frontier: Disneyland Abu Dhabi
ANAHEIM, CA — Okay, deep breath. Yesterday, The Walt Disney Company dropped a bombshell of an announcement: it’s officially building an all-new theme park and resort in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates—the first brand-new Disney park since Shanghai Disneyland opened in 2016 (yes, it's been that long). This one’s landing on Yas Island, already a hotspot thanks to Warner Bros. World, Ferrari World, and SeaWorld Abu Dhabi. And now... a whole new Disney resort is joining the party. Cue the excited screaming and the sudden urge to check flights to the UAE.
Dubbed (for now) “Disneyland Abu Dhabi,” this park will be a joint project with Miral, the powerhouse behind many of Yas Island’s immersive attractions. Miral will fund and operate the resort, while Disney brings the storytelling, the IP, and its Imagineering magic. So basically: Disney gets to expand without footing the construction bill. Smart business move? Absolutely. But I can’t help but feel some kind of way about it.
CEO Bob Iger called the resort “authentically Disney and distinctly Emirati,” which sounds like a fascinating combo, but also the same phrase he used to describe Shanghai. According to Disney, the park will weave in UAE culture and heritage while celebrating the timeless magic of Disney characters and stories. And judging from the concept art—hello, shimmering crystal-like castle!—we’re in for something visually spectacular and definitely not just a rehash of what we already have.
No detailed attraction list yet, but early buzz suggests a mix of classic Disney magic and new experiences inspired by the region’s culture, environment, and architecture. Honestly? That sounds amazing. Fresh IP, regional storytelling, and something totally unique in the Disney Parks lineup? Inject it straight into my veins. Fingers crossed for more Aladdin than just some flight carpet spinning ride.
Now, the launch party? Chef’s kiss. A drone show, landmark illuminations, fireworks, live music—the whole nine yards. Disney made it crystal clear: this isn’t just a new park. It’s a statement. A flex. A reminder that Disney still knows how to dream big on a global stage.
And hey—investors noticed. Disney’s stock shot up nearly 11% after the announcement. So while fans are processing their emotions (read: screaming into their popcorn buckets), Wall Street is clapping.
But here’s where the pixie dust gets a little cloudy.
As a huge Disney Parks fan— or as some call it Disney Adult, my heart shrugs a bit for the domestic parks (looking at you, Disneyland and Walt Disney World), this announcement is equal parts thrilling and frustrating. Yes, global expansion is awesome. Yes, a brand-new park is jaw-dropping. But… we really need this kind of bold energy and budget back home, too. The U.S. parks are magical, but let’s be honest—they’re starting to show their age. There’s only so much retheming and repurposing we can take before it feels like putting glitter on a cracked teacup. Yes I hear you yelling “They are expanding” but a land here or there every so often is not enough when those parks generate the domestic traffic they do.
We’ve heard about the “Beyond Big Thunder” plans in Florida and some intriguing ideas for Disneyland’s expansion—but at this point, concept art without concrete timelines feels like empty calories— cough cough Villiansland. We want full-blown expansion, not just makeovers and meet-and-greets. We want new lands, new rides, and that feeling we had when Galaxy’s Edge opened, and even that got cut out below our feet, that land over promised and under delivered with the experience. We want the dream here, too.
All that said—Disneyland Abu Dhabi is a huge move, and I’ll absolutely dreaming of the day I could possibly check that park off my list (projected 2030, but we all know how timelines work). I’m excited to see how Disney fuses Emirati culture with its iconic storytelling—and maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of a bigger wave of investment in Disney Parks worldwide. Fingers crossed.
✨ So what do you think, fellow Disney lovers? Will you be booking a trip to Yas Island? And more importantly… can we please get some of this tangible big park energy in Anaheim and Orlando, like, yesterday?
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Rogue Rick