Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

There are few spots in the world more magical during the holiday season than Disney parks.  At the Walt Disney World resort in Florida, each of the four themed parks are  transformed into holiday wonderlands.  None more so than the Magic Kingdom.  The moment you get off the monorail or ferry boat, you are immediately struck by the transformation of the entrance gates and train station to a holiday wonderland.  The traditional Mickey Mouse in the front garden made of flowers is now red for the season.  And this is before you even scan your Magic Band to get inside….

Once through the gates and under the tunnel, you are blown away by the decor that covers Main Street USA.  A giant Christmas tree is the centerpiece as you head down the street with shops covered in lights and wreaths.  As you make your way to the end of Main Street USA, you can see Cinderella’s Castle is completely covered in a blanket of holiday lights.  

As amazing as the Magic Kingdom looks in its holiday best, there is truly nothing more

magical during the holiday season than Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

If you don’t know what the Very Merry Christmas Party is all about, or if you’ve never attended in person, let us be your guide to this festive holiday event.  

When

During select Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights in November and December, the Magic Kingdom closes at 6:00PM for the special ticketed event.  The Christmas party requires a special ticket to attend.  You can begin entering the park at 4:00PM and you will be expected to show your wristband as you travel throughout the park so that cast members can verify that you are not a stowaway from the earlier park admission.  

The park closes at 12:00AM. 

Where

The Very Merry Christmas Party only takes place at the Magic Kingdom.  While other parks like Epcot host the Festival of the Holidays event, only the Magic Kingdom features the premiere Disney holiday event.  

Why you Should Go

First, and for park goers who hate crowds, the Christmas Party is a special event which means far fewer guests inside the park.  Rides such as Seven Dwarfs Mike Train, when tend to boast wait times in excess of 100 minutes, are usually only 30 or so minutes.   When we visited a few weeks ago, we walked into virtually every ride.  On more than one occasion, we were the only riders in a ride vehicle.  If you thought Pirates of the Caribbean had a creepy opening, do it on a boat entirely alone! 

Second, if tasty treats and goodies are your thing then Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is for YOU.  As you enter the park you are directed down a corridor right outside of Main Street USA where a photographer is there to take your picture in front of a special display at a Mickey sugar cookie is handed to you.  That is just one of many treats including snickerdoodle cookies, egg nog, slushees, and pretzels that are all included in your ticket price.  

Third, there are LOTS of character meet and greets.  Mickey and Minnie are in their holiday best.  Jack Sparrow is outside of Pirates of the Caribbean.  And my personal favorite, a rare Magic Kingdom encounter with Scrooge McDuck and his nephew Donald in New FantasyLand.  

Also, if you were not inclined to purchase the Photo Pass, make sure you budget for that as well.  With tons of photographers on site, special Disney holiday decorating, and fewer guests inside the park, you will want to take advantage of all of the photo opportunities.  

Finally, there are lots of special shows including an hourly castle show, a special fireworks display, and 2 parades.  

PRO TIP:  Go to the parade at 11:00PM parade.  Lots of people go to the 8:00PM parade and the ride times are ridiculously low especially for those rides like Seven Dwarfs and Peter Pan’s Flight which tend to have longer wait times.  

Here are just a few other tips to help make your trip more memorable:

If you are a Disney pin trader, there is a special Very Merry Christmas pin that is sold during the event.  You have to show your wristband in order to purchase.

There are NO fast passes during the party.  Honestly, you don’t need them - the longest we waited for a ride was 30 minutes. 

If you have small children, get to the parade site about an hour early to claim your spot.  It gets very crowded along Main Street USA.