Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Note: Due to COVID-19, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is not happening this year. However, there is still plenty of Holiday Magic happening all around. Check here for updated information on Disney at Christmas for 2020.
If you visit the Magic Kingdom on select dates during November and December you won’t want to miss Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
I attended the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party with my family and it was the most memorable holiday experience I could imagine. We received complimentary admission for our review, but all opinions are our own. Last year’s party was packed and rainy! But even a sold-out and rainy party leaves plenty of room to still have fun.
It’s almost time to start booking your Walt Disney World trip for the 2020 Holiday Season. If you visit the Magic Kingdom on select dates during November and December you won’t want to miss Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a limited ticket event that takes place on nights when the park closes early to day-guests. You can enter the park as a party guest at 4:00 pm and the party officially begins at 7:00.
During the party, we enjoyed free snacks, entertainment, rare character meet and greets, and walk-on wait times for the attractions. We also got to see the new Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show.
Our Wonderful Night of Magic
There’s nothing like Main Street USA at Christmastime. When the giant Town Square tree is lit along with all the early 20th century inspired storefronts, you have magically whisked away into a holiday fantasy. At the end of the street, the towering castle lights up from top to bottom in shimmering blue light during the Frozen Holiday Wish ceremony.
And nothing can describe the magic of winter snow drifting over the crowd. Of course, it’s not real snow, but the soap-based substance is so carefully engineered it will make a believer out of you. The lights, the decorations, the entertainment and all of the exclusive seasonal treats helped make it the best Magic Kingdom experience ever.
Fastpass at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
The party is a limited ticket event, so most of the rides are very easy to get on without much of a wait. Since the party’s timeframe is significantly shorter than a full day, it’s nice that you can walk on many of the rides without the need for Fastpass.
Disney doesn’t offer Fastpass during the event, however, you can increase the length of your experience and use Fastpass if you arrive a few hours early as we did. We wanted to avoid some of the potential lines that could build up around the more popular attractions like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train because this is still one of the longest waits at Walt Disney World.
The Characters at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
It’s nice to be in the park before the official start time of the party because you can position yourself for an early meet and greet with your favorite characters when they come out for the evening. Character Locations are a big deal at MVMCP.
Photo Credit @Disney
Some of the longest lines in the park will be to meet Jack Skellington, Mickey, Santa, The Seven Dwarfs, etc. If character photos and meet and greets are important to you, then it’s good planning to be ready at one of these popular character spots as the clock approaches 7:00.
Watching the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
The centerpiece of MVMCP is arguably the parade. Up until the week of Christmas, the only way you can see the parade is if you go to this event. Then it becomes an experience for regular park guests for just a few days.
It’s a real treat to be able to watch this exclusive parade amid such a magical backdrop as Main Street USA, but you can find a viewing spot more easily in Frontierland.
Sheriff Woody from Toy Story – Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
The first parade is always the most packed, so if you don’t mind waiting for the second one, you can take advantage of thinned out crowds to ride some attractions.
Then watching the next parade becomes easier as well, because most of the guests have already seen it. Because of the potential storms coming through, Disney started the parade a little early during our visit.
The parade is full of fun and character with festive floats that conjure up so much holiday cheer. Of course, at the end of it, we get a special appearance from Santa Claus.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Entertainment
Low wait times and special character opportunities are huge selling points for MVMCP, but it’s also a night that is huge on entertainment. In such a short time, there are so many shows and experiences to enjoy, so it’s a good idea to plot out the time you plan to spend taking in these unique performances.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is a holiday tradition, Then there is a Totally Tomorrowland Christmas in… Tomorrowland. Club Tinsel, inspired by Prep and Landing (which we need more episodes of, Disney!), and it’s a great place to go with the kids and catch a bit of a rest.
The whole entertainment schedule culminates in a spectacular fireworks display. This was the inaugural year for Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show. The best place to experience the show is in the central plaza where you can get a good view of the castle and the sky above it. There is also a sweet spot about 3/4 of the way up Main Street where the road peaks, before a slight decline as it spills into the hub.
“Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” Photo Credit @ Disney – Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Complimentary Treats and Other Goodies
MVMCP is the place to be for holiday treats, but there is a bit of a conflict. On the one hand, there is so much new and seasonal snack and dessert food to try.
However, on the other hand, one of the perks of the event is the complimentary cookies and cocoa you can get at special locations all around the park.
It’s a good idea to have an early dinner/late lunch on the day you go to this event because you will want to have as many holiday sweets as you can during the party. For example, we stopped to have lunch in Disney Springs earlier in the day.
Related: Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Kitchen Restaurant in Disney Springs
If you need some savory to break it up, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe had an incredible carved turkey Sandwich, which was reason enough to head to Tomorrowland even without the entertainment offerings there.
The best way to wash it down is with a Christmas Cookie Milkshake from Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies. Another irresistible savory option is the breadstick antlers and beer cheese dip at Gaston’s Tavern.
Overall Thoughts
We had such an amazing holiday experience at the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and I strongly recommend you work it into your winter vacation plans, especially if you have never attended the event before.
Tips: Be prepared for the Florida rain, and make sure to pack umbrellas and ponchos. The party and fireworks still happen in the rain, unless it is lightning of course!
Have you made MVMCP a holiday tradition? what is your favorite thing to do at the event, or what do you look forward to doing for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2020?
Courtnee Collier says
Love this! Thank you Winona. 🙂