Disney Parks dropped a spooky social media tease on April 26, 2026, signaling that Halfway to Halloween announcements are coming this week — and if past years are any guide, fans are about to get a flood of Halloween season news covering Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and more.
The tease came with an image of glowing Mickey Mouse playing cards on a candlelit table, surrounded by cobwebs, stacked books, and a lurking spider — and a message that read: “Well, well, well, what do we have here? A few ghoulish riddles are near. Check back tomorrow to see the cards and discover a clue for what awaits you this season.” The Walt Disney World and Disneyland social accounts added the hashtag #HalfwayToHalloween, and the Halloween countdown is officially on.
Here is everything we expect Disney to announce this week based on what Halfway to Halloween has delivered in years past.
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party 2026 Dates and Tickets
The biggest expected announcement from Walt Disney World is the official reveal of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party dates and ticket sale information for 2026. This is the centerpiece of Halfway to Halloween at Magic Kingdom almost every year. In 2024, Disney confirmed the party would kick off on Aug. 9 and run on select nights through Oct. 31, with tickets going on sale first to resort hotel guests before opening to the general public a week later.
As of now, Walt Disney World has not released official 2026 MNSSHP dates. Disney Tourist Blog has noted that last year’s party started a week later than historical norms and that 2026 timing is still an open question. Halfway to Halloween this week is the most likely moment for that information to land. If you are planning a fall trip to Magic Kingdom and want to attend the party, this is the week to watch closely — some nights sell out fast after the announcement.
Check our Magic Kingdom guide for everything you need to know about planning your visit around the Halloween season.
Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 at Disneyland — What We Already Know
Disneyland is a step ahead this year. Oogie Boogie Bash 2026 dates were already confirmed earlier this year, with the after-hours party at Disney California Adventure offering 33 nights this season — more than any previous year. The event runs on select dates from Aug. 18 through Oct. 31, 2026. Halfway to Halloween is the likely moment when ticket on-sale dates get confirmed and additional details drop, including entertainment lineups, exclusive merchandise, and food previews for the event.
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort begins Aug. 21, 2026, running through Oct. 31, with Plaza de la Familia extending through Nov. 2 in Disney California Adventure.
Disney Cruise Line: Halloween on the High Seas
Halfway to Halloween has also been the traditional moment for Disney Cruise Line to reveal details about Halloween on the High Seas sailings. In 2024, Mickey, Minnie, and Donald debuted new Halloween costumes for the celebration. Expect 2026 to follow a similar pattern — new character looks, confirmed sailing dates in September and October, and details about the Mickey’s Mouse-querade party experience onboard.
Halloween Merchandise Preview
A Halloween merchandise reveal is standard for Halfway to Halloween. Disney typically offers a sneak peek — a “shriek peek,” as they have called it — at new and returning Halloween collections coming to Disney Parks and shopDisney later in the season. In 2024, that included new Mickey Mouse pumpkin home décor, villain-themed apparel, and Haunted Mansion collection items.
Given FLN’s focus on Disney Consumer Products at retail, this is a section we will be covering closely. If Target, Amazon, and shopDisney drops land alongside the parks announcement, we will have that roundup ready. Follow our Disney Consumer Products coverage for all the retail news as it comes in.
International Parks and Beyond
Halfway to Halloween typically includes news from Hong Kong Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disney Resort as well. In 2024, Hong Kong Disneyland confirmed Halloween running Sept. 12 to Oct. 31, Disneyland Paris announced its Disney Halloween Festival from Oct. 1 to Nov. 3, and Tokyo Disney Resort revealed brand-new theming for its Halloween season running Oct. 1 to Nov. 7. Expect similar reveals this week.
Our Take
That teaser image is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Playing cards with Mickey silhouettes glowing on a candlelit table, a spider watching from the shadows, and a promise of riddles — Disney knows exactly how to get fans talking in late April. Halfway to Halloween has become its own event at this point, and Disney leans into that. Whether you are trying to book MNSSHP tickets the moment they go live or you are just here for the Halloween merchandise drop, this week is worth paying attention to. We will have every announcement covered as it happens.
Stay with Fantasy Land News all week for full coverage of every Halfway to Halloween 2026 reveal as Disney makes them official. And join the Realm at fantasylandnews.com/the-realm to get updates the moment they drop.
Disney Parks Teases Halfway to Halloween 2026 Announcements Coming This Week
