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Mickey’s Not So Scary during the 2000s

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party also continued to grow and evolve during the first decade of the new millennium. Yet Universal and Disney never competed head to head in terms of content or theme. It was like an unwritten, unspoken agreement between the two companies that each would focus on what it did best. For Universal, with a strong legacy of horror and a reputation for edginess, a legitimately frightening experience for teens and adults made perfect sense. But at Disney, family fun for all ages has always been the name of the game.

Disney surely took notice of the fact that Universal was regularly selling out its event. Universal’s ongoing success might have even been the tipping point for Disney to start expanding the number of nights for its party. But Disney made a commitment to providing a unique experience that was completely unlike Universal’s offering in any way.

One of Disney’s strongest selling points has always been its characters. Meet and greets have long been a potent draw, both at high dollar character meals and along the streets of each park. Yet the day to day meet and greets tend to focus on heroes, good guys, and princesses. So how could Disney be sure to draw more people in, selling tickets to their after-hours party? Easy. Unleash the villains! Along with rarer characters such as the Seven Dwarfs and Tarzan, the villains proved to be an irresistible draw.

The villains also gave Disney a great starting point for shaping their event. It is Halloween, and it is supposed to be spooky. But Disney’s vast film library provides plenty of spooky moments without the violence and gore that are ever present at Universal’s event. So Disney ramped up the atmospheric scares with a creepy parade that kicks off with the Headless Horseman, and a dynamic special fireworks presentation. Yet they knew exactly where to draw the line in creating an experience that is fun for adults without being too scary for kids.

The ability to dress up in costume also proved highly alluring. During normal operations, guests over the age of nine are forbidden to wear a costume to the parks. During Mickey’s Not So Scary, however, all bets are off. As long as the costume is family-friendly (not overly revealing or covered in gore), and those wearing Disney costumes do not sign autographs or pose with other guests (to avoid being mistaken for cast members), guests of all ages are encouraged to join in the fun. Coupled with trick or treating throughout the park, this gives adults the opportunity to relive their childhoods.

Disney’s potent blend worked extraordinarily well. The company continually added event nights through the first decade of the new millennium. From five nights in 2001, the event was up to 15 nights by 2005 and 23 nights by the end of the decade. It took a while, but Disney was finally rivaling Universal in the sheer number of available dates for its party.

Halloween in the 2010s

Image (c) Universal

The Halloween industry has continued to grow, and is showing no signs of abating. From home haunts to small commercial haunted houses to massive complexes with numerous haunted mazes, it seems like everyone is competing to have the scariest, most intense, highest tech haunt of all. Disney and Universal have used technology to ramp up their experiences, keeping them fresh and modern. Yet both companies have found the formula that works for them, and both are endlessly successful. Neither tries to be something it’s not, and both happily coexist.

For 2015, Universal Orlando is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Halloween Horror Nights in a huge way. Now featuring nine haunted houses and five street scare zones, the year’s event pays tribute to the most beloved characters, houses, and experiences of HHN history, while bringing plenty of new surprises. The total number of event nights is 30, stretching from September 18 through November 1.

Image (c) Disney

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party turns 21 this year, but Disney has not announced plans for a birthday celebration. Instead, the company is focused on tweaking and perfecting its unique experience. This year’s event features the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus in an all new stage show, along with the famed Boo to You parade and Happy Hallowishes fireworks spectacular. New castle projections, dance numbers, and other surprises blend with such beloved traditions as trick or treating for an experience that feels fresh, yet familiar. Those looking for a little something extra might enjoy the Happy Hallowishes Dessert Premium Package, which also provides special viewing for the parade and fireworks. The total number of event nights this year is 25, running from September 15 through November 1—which is five more nights than the Christmas Party that inspired the event! Clearly, Halloween is a profitable holiday.

The verdict

The Purge - Halloween Horror Nights 2014

Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando have always been in a peculiar competitive space. On one hand, they fight for tourist dollars and market share. On the other hand, the two resorts have carved out very different niches in terms of experiences. Yet the reality is that many, many people, both locals and tourists, actually visit both.

On a straight one-night comparison with no discounts, Disney’s event definitely has the edge. At Halloween Horror Nights, the price of a one-night undiscounted ticket is a shocking $101.99, while even on the most expensive nights, an undiscounted ticket to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is only $79. Of course, add-on tickets for those with daytime admission, annual pass holder tickets, Florida resident specials, and other discounts bring the price of both events down significantly.

However, Universal Orlando goes out of their way to build a community in a way that Disney does not. The Rush of Fear ticket, valid for all event nights during the first three weekends, is an excellent choice for those attending early in the run. The Halloween Horror Nights Frequent Fear pass includes all Sunday through Thursday event nights, while Frequent Fear Plus adds Fridays as well. Both the Rush of Fear and the Frequent Fear passes cost less than an undiscounted single night, while the Frequent Fear Plus costs just $9 more. And again, discounts bring those prices even lower.

Event pass holders tend to see each other over and over again, forming bonds and building a sort of family. The game within the event, Legendary Truth: The Collective, plays out over multiple nights throughout each year’s run, and the nature of the game forces pass holders to rely on each other to solve its mysteries. The fandom tends to come together online during the summer months, speculating and dreaming about what the year will hold, culminating in the slow release of official information from the company in the months preceding the event’s opening night. 

Disney does not offer any sort of multi-night option for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Some people do, of course, choose to visit on more than one night, but the sense of community is decidedly lacking. You are unlikely to see other event-goers again, and Disney does nothing in particular to encourage repeat attendance or build bonds between participants. This is not necessarily a detraction from the event itself, but it is a marked difference between the two.

Both events are extremely well-done, easily rising to the top of their respective genres. Halloween Horror Nights is intense and purposefully scary. It pushes the limits of good taste, and has been known to offend people. Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is pure Disney magic, with well-crafted, family-friendly experiences that are fun for all ages. If you have younger kids or are not into blood and gore, Disney is the obvious choice for you. If your family is filled with thrill seekers, adrenaline junkies, or horror film fans, Universal is the best choice. For everyone who falls somewhere in between, there is no reason not to take in both events. After all, you have nearly two months during which you can schedule your visits!

 
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