Cruella de Vil and Mother Gothel Greet Guests at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party Entrance

In recent years, we’ve seen more and more roaming villains at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Two of those villains rotate the party’s exclusive Market Place Entrance until about 7:30 p.m. One of those villains is Cruella de Vil of 101 Dalmatians and the live-action Cruella. The other is Mother Gothel, Rapunzel’s captor from Disney’s animated film, Tangled.

Both villains are exceptionally rare; however, you can see Cruella in the stage show: Villains Unfairly Ever After at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We would consider Mother Gothel even more rare. This is the first time we’ve personally seen her make an appearance at Walt Disney World. Both villains also make appearances in this year’s Boo To You Parade.

As far as stopping for a quick hello and photo, you’ll want to do so earlier rather than later. We’ve attended two parties to date, and both times we found that they were rotating the Market Street entrance. In most cases, you’ll be automatically directed through the exclusive party entrance when you first arrive at Magic Kingdom. You’ll enter the park on the right side near Town Square. Here, cast members will automatically direct all party-goers to the right. The Omnibus is parked out front with a directional sign pointing guests to the party.

Update: This character meet-and-greet was available at the 2025 party. We’ll update it if and when we know of their return in 2026.

the Omnibus greets guests and acts as a directional for the Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom

cast members ushering guests into the Market Street Welcome at Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

As you walk through the party entrance, you’ll see a few Halloween statues, some mysterious fog, and a DJ spinning spooky tunes. You’ll continue ahead, where cast members are handing out trick-or-treat bags and a complimentary regular-size package of M&Ms.

a statue of Minnie with a pumpkin with fog around it

a DJ spinning tunes on a giant pumpkin at the Halloween Party entrance

holding a trick or treat bag and M&M's up in front of Cinderella Castle

Once you get the party favors, you’ll see either Cruella or Mother Gothel up ahead. They are poised on a moving staircase that elevates them above the crowd. We just happened upon Cruella at the first party we attended. Then, it worked out that we saw Mother Gothel at the second party.

Cruella poses for a frightful photo at the party's entrance.

If you would like to see them both, you might have to walk through a couple of times. You’ll want to remember that this exclusive entrance closes by 8:00 p.m. We were also told that the characters usually wrap up here by about 7:30 p.m.

For more on planning your time at the party, see our overview of what to do at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Check back with Resorts Gal for more planning details!

In the Comments

Have you ever met Cruella and/or Mother Gothel? Let us know below in the comments.