Special Events at Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom)

Photo: lebeauleblog

Depending on the time of year you travel to Walt Disney World, your trip may coincide with a "hard ticket" event, meaning you have to have an actual ticket specifically purchased for the event in order to get into the park, and you cannot use your Magic Bands, Park Hoppers, or Annual Passes to do so.

These "hard ticket" events are called Special Events on the WDW site.  You can purchase your tickets directly from the official WDW site: disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets/events/, or even through one of several third party vendors if you're particularly adventurous.  

I would highly recommend going directly through the WDW site to ensure you are getting a "real" ticket, and not one that has been re-sold and may not be valid for you.  It would be a shame to get to the park on the day of the event and find out that either your tickets are not good for the event, or that the park is SOLD OUT because of the Special Event, and your family will not be able to attend.  That would be a real bummer, especially if there are little kids - or adults - in your party who were really looking forward to something.  

On these Special Event nights, the Magic Kingdom is actually closed to ALL other guests, even those staying at Disney Resorts.  If you are already in the Magic Kingdom prior to the Special Event, you will have to return to the front of the park prior to the Special Event in order to get a special wrHere's a list of the biggest Special Events that Disney World has every year that require a "hard ticket":

Night of Joy (September) - Christian bands performing on two nights, in the Magic Kingdom.  Cost: $65.00 + tax per person.

Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, or MNSSHP (September-November 1) - 7 pm until midnight on select nights (check the WDW calendar).  Candy, special performances, the Disney villains, a special parade with a ghostly Halloween theme, and extreme fireworks are the benefits of having a ticket to this event.  Oh, and much shorter lines for the rides and attractions.  This year will mark the first time I've attended this event, and I am very excited! The closer you get to Halloween, the quicker the tickets may sell out.  Cost: $63.00 - $68.00 + tax per person.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (November-December) - As with MNSSHP above, these tickets are available for select nights only, and the closer you get to Christmas, the tickets will be harder to get.  Christmas is a very popular time for families to visit the parks.  There are special fireworks displays, and Elsa from Frozen lights Cinderella's castle each night.  That is sure to set the little girls off on a scream fest!  Cost: $69.00 - $74.00 + tax per person.

So check the website for these events, and book your tickets early to make sure you get your first choice.