MNSSHP 2018: The Boo To You Parade (Viewed From The Hub)

In this post, we will continue with our coverage of the 2018 Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom. Previously, we looked at The Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular here. While we absolutely love that show, the real main event of Halloween party for us is the Boo To You Parade.

In our Why You Should Attend Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party post, we had this to say about Boo to You:

The parade is easily deserving of 2 viewings in the same evening, but realize that it will take quite the time commitment to if you choose to do so. For the first parade, your probably looking at setting up at least an hour before showtime to get a prime spot. Then even after the parade begins, it will still take another 15-20 minutes reach main street. If you are not too concerned about where you view the parade, spots can be found much easier in either Frontierland or Liberty Square closer to showtime. I’ve also had luck nabbing a spot right below the train station with only about 15 minutes until showtime.

The 2nd showing of the parade is much easier to find a spot for. The only downside here is that you are guaranteeing yourself one viewing, where as if you see the first parade and love it, you can always decide to watch the 2nd one as well. For most, seeing the parade once is enough and if that’s what you decide on ahead of time, I strongly suggest taking in the 2nd showing.

I attended the party on Sunday, Sept. 30 this year and watched both parade performances. Overall, crowds have been up for the Halloween parties this year but the night I attended was not bad. Typically, Tuesday nights are the slowest party nights, then Sundays and Thursdays, with Fridays as the busiest. The closer you get to Halloween, the more busy it will typically be as well. I got really lucky and was able to snag a spot right on the curb in the hub area just before 9:00.

Note, I wouldn’t count on getting lucky like this often. I lucked out when a Family got up and left right after the 8:35 showing of Hocus Pocus ended. Most families that are there for that showing will stay there for the parade as well.

I had planned to grab a last minute spot at the end of the parade route near the train station like in the photo above. I can usually grab a spot here close to showtime and then stake out my favorite spot (on the other side of town square with a straight on view of Main Street) well ahead of time for the 2nd show. When I saw the opening in the hub I jumped on it instead. This post will be looking at the parade from that spot, with a followup post covering the 2nd showing of the parade from a different location.

This parade is very difficult to photograph with low light and fast moving performers. This is particularly true for this location without having any of the Main Street ambient light to help out. Hopefully my photos here do the parade justice as there are many I wouldn’t typically consider keepers, but I wanted to include to show as much of the parade as possible. Let me know what you think of them in the comments below!

Without further ado, here is the 2018 Boo To You Parade, as seen from the hub near Cinderella Castle.

The Headless Horseman arrives at the hub about 15 minutes before the rest of the parade.

The the rest of the parade finally arrive, it starts out with some of my favorites. This includes Goofy, Tigger, Dopey and the Mad Hatter among others.

Disney’s two biggest power couples follow.

Mickey gets all the attention but Donald is tops in my book.

In previous years the Peter Pan gang as on the pirate ship. They were replaced this year by Pirates of the Caribbean (much like Let’s Watch… Fantasmic 2.0 at Disneyland. Peter, Tinkerbell, Wendy, Hook and Smee still all appear in the parade at least.

I think Barbossa has the most relaxing roll in the parade.

The Haunted Mansion segments are our favorites.

Both the grave diggers and the dancing ghosts are fantastic.

Always appreciate the Cast Members. They are the ones who bring all the “magic” together. Without their dedication, Disney would be no different than any other run of the mill theme park out there.