Strategy & Tips for Watching Mickey's Boo-to-You Parade

We don’t just like the Boo-to-You Parade at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, we absolutely love it.

Not only is it packed with some of our favorite characters, amazing floats, and catchy tunes, there are also a couple of fun surprises in there, too!

If you are attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you definitely need to make watching the Boo-to-You Parade a top priority. The tips and strategies below will help ensure you get a great spot for viewing this fan-favorite parade.

Let’s go!

Boo-To-You and the Halloween Party

Mickey’s Boo-To-You Parade is one of the must-see entertainment offerings at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party.

This is an iconic parade, but the *only* way to see it is by attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP).

If you are new to MNSSP, we recommend checking out our Complete Guide. It will walk you through everything you need to know about the party including how to get tickets, dates, maps, and more.

What time is the Boo-to-You Parade?

The Boo-to-You parade is shown twice nightly at 9:15 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.

Tip: The first parade is typically busier than the 2nd parade. If the weather looks clear for the entire evening, watch the 2nd one for slightly fewer crowds.

What is the parade route?

Like the daytime Festival of Fantasy Parade at Magic Kingdom, the parade route for Boo-to-You goes from the back of the park in Frontierland, to the Hub in front of Cinderella Castle, and then down Main Street, U.S.A. before exiting near the Fire Station.

You can see the route on the map below.

MAP: Best Places To Watch the Boo-to-You Parade

The best place to watch the Boo-to-You Parade kind of depends on your goal:

Best for photos: At the end of Main Street, U.S.A. with Cinderella Castle in the background
Best for catching both Boo-to-You and the fireworks: In the Hub area (just make sure you have a clear view of the castle without being too close)
Best for lower crowds: Frontierland

Boo-to-You Parade Units (sections)

Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade is divided up into several different sections or units. Each unit has a theme and the characters, floats, and even music of that section match the theme.

Here are the units in the 2022 version of the Boo-to-You Parade:

Pre-Parade

Headless Horseman

Music: Flight of the Valkyries

Not to be missed, The Headless Horseman kicks off the parade in a creepy style. Because he is riding at a slow trot, by the time he gets to Main Street U.S.A. and the Town Square area, he will be several minutes ahead of the rest of the parade. Because of that, Disney fills in the gap in time while those guests wait for the rest of the parade with a little dance party.

Max Goof (Main Street U.S.A and Town Square areas only)

Music: Stand Out

Max Goof dressed as Powerline keeps the guests about midway down Main Street U.S.A. and in the Town Square entertained while they wait for the parade to make its way towards them.

This isn’t a full performance, but rather a little dance party with nearby kids being allowed to join in on the dancing.

Opening

Music: Boo-to-You Parade Theme

The opening unit of Mickey’s Boo-to-You parade includes a combination of the iconic sign being pushed by spooky Cast Members, a gazebo float, and lots of character pairs on foot.

Boo-to-You Sign

Walking

Pooh & Tigger
Snow White & Dopey
Goofy & Pluto
Aladdin & Jasmine
Alice & the Mad Hatter
Rapunzel & Flynn Rider

Gazebo float

Mickey & Minnie
Donald & Daisy

Pirates

Music: Yo Ho Pirate’s Palooza (a medley of the main Boo-to-You Parade Theme, A Pirates Life (Is a Wonderful Life) and Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirates Life for Me))

The Pirates Unit is a combination of pirates from Peter Pan and those from Pirates of the Caribbean. Kind of like a fever dream of swashbucklers.

Walking

Captain Hook
Mr. Smee
Wendy
Peter Pan
Lost Boys
misc. pirates

Treasure Chest Float

Tinker Bell

Pirate Ship Float

Captain Jack Sparrow
Captain Barbossa
misc. pirates

Haunted Mansion

Music: Haunted Mansion Soirée (a medley of the main Boo-to-You Parade theme and Grim Grinning Ghosts)

The Haunted Mansion unit is definitely one of the favorites of the entire parade. This is where you’ll find the famous gravediggers sparking the ground with their shovels, the waltzing ballroom dancers, and the newest addition – Constance Hatchaway “floating” down the path.

Walking

Gravediggers (dressed in the Haunted Mansion butler uniform) with shovels

Graveyard / Gravestone float

Small float with the same gravestones you see outside of Haunted Mansion

Walking

Ballroom dancers

Spectral Bride

Constance Hatchaway (not really a “float” – but she glides down the parade route while the ghost ballroom dances dance behind her)

Haunted Mansion float

Hitchhiking ghosts (Phineas, Ezra, and Gus)

Halloween Hoedown

Music: Halloween Hootenanny Hoedown (a medley of the main Boo-To-You Parade theme, Ghost Riders in the Sky, and Aaron Copeland’s “Hoedown” from Rodeo)

The Halloween Hoedown unit is about as different from the Haunted Mansion unit as you can get. This section draws its inspiration from Frontierland and includes hoedown dancers, a silo, and a couple of very fun characters.

Walking

Misc. hoedown dancers

Halloween Hoedown silo float

Clarabelle Cow

Walking

Chip ‘n’ Dale
Country Bears

Barn float

Clara Cluck

Tomorrowland

Music: a medley of the main Boo-to-You Parade theme, Monster Mash, and Witch Doctor

Little Green Men flying saucer float

Little Green Men

Walking

Tomorrowland/futuristic dancers

Moonscape float

Buzz Lightyear
Little Green Men (not animated)

Walking

Edna Mode
misc. dancers

Incredibles Floats (Sometimes they are in a car)

Mr. Incredible & Elastigirl

Trick or Treat

Music: Goofy’s Candy Hop (a medley of the main Boo-to-You Parade theme and Candy)

This section is what Halloween is all about: candy. Ok, maybe Halloween is about other things too (like the warm feeling you get when you scare your friends), but this unit, at least, is about candy and all things sweet.

Sugar Rush delivery truck

Wreck-it Ralph

Walking

Baton twirling Sugar Rush dancers

Candy making machine float

Vanellope von Schweetz

Villains-a-Go-Go

Yes, the villains can be a little scary, but the Villains-a-Go-Go unit is peppered with fun music that helps keep the “scary” away.

Music: A medley of Villains Ball and the main Boo-to-You Parade theme

Walking

3 hyenas from Lion King (Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed)
Queen of Hearts
Bowler Hat Guy
Cruella de Vil
Oogie Boogie
Dr. Facilier

Skeleton Band float

Skeleton band
Pain and Panic

Villain float

Maleficent
Jafar
Evil Queen

Boo-To-You Parade FAQs

What happens if it rains?

Unfortunately, rain is pretty common in Florida – even at night. If it is a light rain that looks to pass quickly, the parade may just be delayed.

The parade can also be edited to only have the floats (without the Headless Horseman or anyone walking on the wet/slick ground).

And, sadly, if the rain is relentless, the parade may also be cancelled.

Can you save spots?

While we don’t advocate for 1 group to save half of Main Street, we do think it is okay to save a spot or 2. Just don’t take up more space than you need, and be sure to clearly indicate the area you are reserving (a towel can work well for that).

Can I see the fireworks and the parade from the same spot?

Yes, you can. We’ve indicated on the map above our favorite place for that. But, there are several other spaces around the Hub that will give you a decent view. Just make sure you have a clear line of sight to Cinderella Castle – without being too close. If you are right up next to the castle, you won’t be able to see all the fireworks (but you will have a great view of the projections!).

Can I see the parade outside of MNSSHP?

Unfortunately, no. Unlike the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which runs during normal park hours after the final Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the year, the same doesn’t happen for Mickey’s Boo-to-You Parade. The only way to see it is to attend one of the parties.

Will the song ever leave my brain?

We are so very happy to report that NO, it will not. You will be shouting, “Boo. To. You! Happy Halloween!” for the rest of the year (at least) – and we aren’t sorry even one little bit about it.