36 Hours of Disney Magic: Our Family’s Whirlwind Trip to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
This September, my wife Ashley, our daughter Abigail (11), and I pulled off a whirlwind 36-hour Disney World trip that proved you don’t need a full week in Orlando to make magical memories. With a little planning, we fit in a resort stay, character dining, pool time, and an unforgettable night at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party all without missing work or school.
Monday Afternoon: Arrival and Dinner
We left Newark at 4:00 PM on Monday, which meant Ashley and I didn’t miss work and Abigail didn’t miss school. Once we landed in Orlando, we checked into Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Staying on property at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort was a smart choice. We knew this was the key to a stress-free trip, giving us seamless access to Disney transportation so we never lost a minute of our precious time. We help our clients find the perfect on-property resort to match their budget and priorities, making short trips like this a breeze.
Dinner that night was at Three Bridges Bar & Grill at Villa del Lago. The open-air dining over the lake was a relaxing way to kick off the trip. It felt like vacation the moment we sat down.
Tuesday Morning: Chef Mickey’s & Pool Time
The next morning started with breakfast at Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This was a big highlight for Abigail meeting Mickey, Minnie, and the rest of the gang while fueling up at a buffet loaded with options.
Instead of rushing into the parks afterward, we returned to Coronado Springs and spent the late morning at the pool. Abigail loved the waterslide while Ashley and I enjoyed downtime by the water. Saving our energy for the long night ahead was the right call.
Tuesday Afternoon: Early Entry to Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party allows guests to enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM. We arrived right at opening, grabbed our trick-or-treat bags, and stopped at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café for lunch.
With a few hours before the party officially started, we headed to Tomorrowland for rides. Carousel of Progress was a fun warm-up before tackling Tron Lightcycle / Run. The hype is real Tron was thrilling, immersive, and quickly became a family favorite.
Trick-or-Treating, Rides & Party Fun
Once the party began, we used the event guide to plan out trick-or-treat stops. Disney doesn’t hold back Abigail’s bags were overflowing by the end of the night.
Between candy stops, we rode nearly every major attraction with little to no wait. Even a typical Florida rain shower didn’t slow us down. We leaned into the party atmosphere, and it paid off we rode Tron two more times before the night ended.
The party vibe, unique Halloween overlays, and lower crowds made it one of the most enjoyable Magic Kingdom nights we’ve ever had.
Capturing the Magic
One of the best investments we made was adding Disney’s PhotoPass for the party. It gave us professional-quality ride photos, character meet-and-greets, and candid shots we wouldn’t have been able to capture ourselves. For a trip this short, PhotoPass was essential to preserving the memories.
Midnight Close and Smooth Departure
We stayed in the park until midnight, closing out the night on a high note. Thankfully, Disney’s bus system made it easy to get back to Coronado Springs without any stress.
The next morning, we had an early Lyft pick-up scheduled, which made for a seamless transfer to Orlando International’s Terminal C. Check-in was quick, our flight back to Newark was on time, and since we’d parked at the airport before leaving, the drive home was just as easy.
Final Thoughts
For us Miguel, Ashley, and Abigail this 36-hour sprint was proof that you don’t need a week at Disney to have a magical trip. With smart timing, staying on property, and focusing on highlights like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you can make unforgettable memories in just a couple of days.
If you’ve been putting off Disney because of time or cost, consider a short, focused trip. Sometimes all it takes is a little planning to create memories that last a lifetime.
✨ Ready to plan your own Disney getaway? Let us take care of the details. Email us at info@travelbytrinidad.com or visit travelbytrinidad.com to get started.
