Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney World

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My husband and I were celebrating our 25th anniversary with a trip to Disney World (it’s where we spent our honeymoon).  I noticed the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was being held nearly every night we had planned to go to the parks.  We decided instead of heading to the Magic Kingdom in the morning and then having to leave at 7pm we would give the Christmas Party a try, and were so glad we did.  I was concerned the party would be aimed more for “kids only” but that wasn’t the case.  I’m sharing a few tips and highlights of the party for you.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is held at the Magic Kingdom and starts at 7pm and lasts until midnight.  You may enter the park at 4:00 pm, 3 hours before the official party start time.  The party is scheduled for select nights during November and December at Walt Disney World.  As you can see some party nights are more expensive than others, the nights with higher prices are the nights that Disney assumes will be the more popular. The difference is pricing on each day is adults vs. kids.

On nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party guests who did not buy special party tickets will have to leave the Magic Kingdom at 7pm.  I was wondering how they could tell who had party tickets and who didn’t, my question was answered when we were given a wristband to wear.

Fast Pass+ is not available during party. However if you haven’t visited a different park on the day you plan to attend the party, you can use your ticket to schedule Fast Pass+ for the hours between 4-7pm.  In all honestly, the Fast Pass+ system is not necessary during the party because the stand-by lines for the rides are usually fairly short (I assume them will be longer the closer we get to Christmas).  During the party we attended most rides only had a 5 minute wait time, with a few of the popular rides claiming a wait time of 30 minutes (Peter Pan & Seven Dwarf Mine Ride). We got in line for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride with a posted wait time of 30 minutes and we only had to wait 15 minutes.  Check out the 10 minute wait time for Space Mountain, that never happens!  It was fabulous!

One of the fun things about the party is they offer free cookies and drinks at several locations around the park. To find the freebies, just look for the large Peppermint Stick.

Here are the cookies and drinks offered last year:

• Hot Chocolate and Snickerdoodle Cookie ~ Tortuga Tavern (Adventureland)
• Eggnog and Gingersnap Molasses Cookie ~ Heritage House (Liberty Square)
• Snow Cone and Snowman Sugar Cookie ~ The Friar’s Nook (Fantasyland)
• Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Bark Cookie ~ The Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland) My personal fave!
• Spiced Apple Cider and Snowman Sugar Cookie ~ Pete’s Silly SideShow (Fantasyland)

Allergy-friendly and alternative healthy options are available upon request.  Offerings are subject to change.

Special Holiday Treats ~ You can enjoy special holiday treats at select locations.   I really wanted that Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundae, but after all the FREE cookies and drinks there was no way I could eat anything else.

• Main Street Bakery – Frozen Snowflake Cupcake, Peppermint Cupcakes, Holiday Cookies
• Plaza Ice Cream Parlor – Peppermint Hot Fudge Sundae
• Gaston’s Tavern – Holiday Tree Cupcakes
• Sleepy Hollow – Pumpkin Waffle Sundae (these were popular)

The party contains special entertainment you will only find during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party.

Disney Character Appearances ~ There are lots of chances for photo ops with characters like the Seven Dwarfs and more.  This is one area where the lines can get long, you may need to pick your favorite characters from the list and just focus on those.

A Frozen Holiday Wish ~ Queen Elsa uses her powers to make the castle sparkle.  This show happens at 8:15 pm.   It was gorgeous seeing the castle add dark and then lit up.  I wouldn’t miss this one!

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas! ~ It was a cute show, but I wouldn’t call it a “must see”.   Stitch makes an appearance for those of you that are fans.  This performance happens five times throughout the night.

Voice Play ~ Watch an a cappella holiday concert with VoicePlay.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade ~ I might get boo’d for this one, but if you are childless (like we were) you could actually skip this parade and use the time to ride the more popular rides.   We watched part of the parade but then decided to use this time to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train that we couldn’t get a FastPass+ for the last 3 times we’ve visited Disney World.  Little ones will probably really enjoy the parade (some adults too).  I am told I should have waited to see the toy soldiers because they are the best part.  I’m also told is is best to view this parade from main street, and I will agree with that I think it would have been way more magical with Main Street and the Cinderella Castle as a backdrop.  The parade happens twice at 8:30 and 11:00 pm.

Holiday Wishes – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season – This is the fireworks show that begins at 10:00 pm.  I wouldn’t miss it!  We found a spot about 10 minutes before the show started and had a great viewing area (you will probably have to find a spot earlier if you plan to attend the party in December)

At the end of the evening they magically make it snow on Main Street.   I loved this!   I thought it was the perfect end to a perfect evening.

My thoughts: Should you spend the extra money and attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?  100% YES!!!  We had 3 days at Disney World and the time we spent at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was our favorite day by far.   We have been visiting Disneyland & Disney World regularly for over 8 years and we have NEVER attended one of the special parties (Halloween, Christmas, etc) and now I am a convert.   I loved the magical feel and the lower crowds.

A few tips:

• Eat before you come so you can focus on the fun, or make your reservations or dinner plans between 4-7 pm.
• We didn’t spend any time before the party in the Parks.  I think it made a big difference coming the party “fresh”. we weren’t already worn out from the day.  We spent the morning checking out the new downtown area Disney Springs.  In my opinion it was a perfect way to to the party.
• If possible visit Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party in November when crowds are lighter.
• Don’t forget, you can enter the Magic Kingdom at 4 pm the evening of your party.
• The party happens rain or shine and tickets are not refundable, so keep that in mind.   Some people like to wait to buy their tickets until the day of the party, but then you also run the chance of it being sold out on popular party days.
• Check the event schedule when you enter the park so you can make a plan.  You don’t want to miss the Frozen Holiday Wish because you were waiting for the 8:30 start time for A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas.
• Consider skipping the 8:30 parade and watch it at 11pm instead.  It will be less crowded.

I’d love you hear your thoughts, do you enjoy the special ticketed events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? What’s your favorite part? (please don’t say watching the parade on Main Street, you’ll make me feel bad for missing it). : )