Disney Parks during the holidays are truly magical, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is one of the most thrilling events. This special occasion takes place on select nights each week in November and December, and it’s a must-visit for both adults and kids. To ensure a memorable experience, planning ahead and being aware of what to expect is crucial. We’ve compiled our top tips for attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, including key information on when and how to purchase tickets.
When is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024?
This year’s party dates are:
- November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 29
- December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20
Ticket prices range from $169 to $219. Passholders and DVC members can save $10 when they purchase tickets for the following party dates:
- November 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, and 22
- December 1, 3, and 5
What’s included in Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party includes special shows, a holiday parade, fireworks, character meet-and-greets in festive attire, complimentary treats like cookies and cocoa, and exclusive merchandise. Your party ticket also includes dance parties on the Rocketeer Plaza in Tomorrowland or with Disney Junior Characters in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.
Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party worth it?
Attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is definitely worth it for Disney enthusiasts. The special holiday shows, parades, fireworks, and character greetings create a magical atmosphere. The complimentary cookies and hot cocoa add to the festive cheer, making it a merry experience for all ages.
Tips for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
In the spirit of the season, we’ve gathered all the tips you’ll ever need to make the most out of your visit to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It’s one of our favorite special events at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The Christmas trees, the lights, the music, and even the smells signal that the holidays are upon us.
Keep this post at your fingertips when planning your trip! Purchasing your tickets early is crucial to ensure you don’t miss out on this festive event. They go on sale July 2 for guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels, and Shades of Green. General sales begin on July 10, so note the advance purchase window dates on your calendars and secure your spot for this magical event!
Purchase a Ticket
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is not your typical Disney visit. It’s a special event ticket or “hard ticket,” meaning it’s exclusive and not included with regular park tickets. This exclusivity adds to the excitement of the event. If you’re already in the Magic Kingdom on your party day, you don’t have to leave the park and return later.
Ticket prices vary by event date, so purchasing your tickets in advance during the designated window is crucial to ensure you can enjoy all your favorite attractions. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket on select event nights.
Pro Tip: Party guests can stay in Magic Kingdom Park all day if they have regular tickets and a Christmas party ticket. Just make sure to visit a Cast Member close to party time to receive your party wristband, or you risk being kindly escorted from the park when the party starts. Be sure to experience some classic Magic Kingdom attractions, including Pirates of the Caribbean, “it’s a small world,” Magic Carpets of Aladdin, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Save Regular Park Tickets for Another Day
Make wise use of other park tickets. Contrary to the last paragraph, I don’t think guests should visit the Magic Kingdom before their party. Park hopping tickets should be taken advantage of, but use them in other parks like Animal Kingdom or Epcot.
With a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket, guests can enter the Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. on the valid date of their ticket. With the party lasting until midnight, ticket holders have 8 hours of park time!
Don’t Make Genie+ Reservations
Don’t bother with Genie+ reservations. Fast Passes end on party day at 5 p.m., so there is really no need to make them anyway. Guests without a party ticket will begin leaving when the park closes at 6 p.m.
The party begins at 7 p.m., and guests without a party wristband will not be allowed on rides. This significantly reduces the wait time on rides throughout the evening.
Some Rides Have Festive Extras
Since party tickets are limited, wait times all over the park will be reduced. Popular rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Peter Pan’s Flight had as little as a 15-minute wait on our party night. Don’t forget to take a spin on the Mad Tea Party, which transforms into a wild and wacky tea party with festive lights and music for the holiday season. Other attractions with festive overlays include Space Mountain, Monster’s, Inc. Laugh Floor, Jungle Cruise, and Tomorrowland Speedway.
Popular attractions that will be open with little to no wait include Under the Sea-Journey of The Little Mermaid, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Haunted Mansion, and even TRON Lightcycle/Run. Tron and the new Tiana attraction may still use a virtual queue on party nights, so be aware of that as you make your plans.
Pro Tip: Stay as late as you can at the party. Between 11 pm and midnight, rides will have almost no wait!
Watch the Shows
There are several unique shows during the Christmas party, but only one has multiple viewings. The stage show, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration,” featuring Mickey Mouse and friends, plays several times throughout the night on the Cinderella Castle stage, full of holiday magic with dazzling castle projections, fireworks, and seasonal songs. The last two viewings of the show will be the least crowded.
“Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” happen each party night around the same time. New castle projections, fireworks, and music are sure to grab every guest’s attention at this show. Don’t miss the fireworks as they also only happen once per party!
Pro Tip: Don’t miss “A Frozen Holiday Surprise.” Elsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff turn the castle into a frozen wonderland with holiday magic, and it only happens once during the evening. Grab your spot before 8:15 pm to catch this holiday season surprise!
Enjoy Main Street U.S.A.
We typically avoid the Main Street area during visits to the Magic Kingdom, but not during the party. It “snows” during the party, which is an incredible sight to see in Florida! There’s also nothing like watching “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” in the middle of the park. Everyone is feeling the holiday spirit in the air, and the lighting is best for photos on Main Street.
Pro Tip: Stay late for the second viewing of the parade. It will be much less crowded and easier to see Mickey, Santa, and all your favorites marching down Main Street.
Shop Till You Drop for Merchandise
There is also exclusive party merchandise to be bought. Annual passholders will have merchandise available just for them, and there will most certainly be party-only spirit jerseys, trading pins, ornaments, and more. Partygoers can purchase merchandise at the Emporium on Main Street or Star Traders in Tomorrowland.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait to buy merchandise you like! It may be sold out before the end of the party, and once the party is over, your chance to purchase said items will be gone too!
Meet Special Characters
Take time to meet characters during the event. Just like the Halloween party, certain characters make an appearance only on party days. Take advantage of their special appearances! This will be the longest wait of the night. Be sure to grab a party map and times guide upon entering the party to find out when and where everyone meets.
Here’s a list of who and where you can meet, but note that all characters are subject to change:
- Adventureland: Moana, Aladdin, Abu, Jasmine, Genie, Captain Jack Sparrow, Peter Pan
- Frontierland: The Country Bears
- Liberty Square: Mary Poppins, Bert
- Fantasyland: All the princesses and their princes (Ariel, Eric, Cinderella, Prince Charming, etc.), Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet
- Storybook Circus: Donald, Scrooge McDuck, Seven Dwarfs, Daisy, Minnie Mouse, Timon, Santa Goofy
- Tomorrowland: Nick Wilde, Judy Hopps, Reindeer, Polar Bears
- Main Street/Town Square Theater: Santa Claus, Mickey, Jack Skellington (as “Sandy Claws”) and Sally
Eat Party Treats
In addition to special characters, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also has special treats! Complimentary cookies and milk (or hot chocolate or eggnog) are handed out at various stations throughout the park. Like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, the treats are free. There are also treats for purchase that are only available during party time.
Pro Tip: Use that guide map! It shows where the character meet-and-greets and treat stations are located, where the restaurants serving limited-edition party food are, and where they are available for purchase.
Extra Tips
Bonus tips! These are extra, random tips we wished we had known before the party:
- Bring a zip-top bag for all the free goodies! You can get as many cookies and treats as you like at each station.
- Purchase Memory Maker BEFORE your party. So many great photo opportunities during party night!
- Eat dinner, if you need to, during the first parade viewing. Dining locations are much less crowded during that time.
- Dance parties in Tomorrowland are fun, even if you just stop by for a little bit! Club Tinsel and Disney Junior Jingle Jam have lots of character interaction opportunities (just don’t expect autographs as they don’t sign any).
Other Disney World Christmas Events
Not sure if the event at Magic Kingdom is right for you? Consider visiting Hollywood Studios for Disney’s Jollywood Nights! This event is in its second year and seems to cater more to the adult crowd. There are no free treats at Jollywood Night events, but there are more unique character meets, shorter attraction waits, different shows, and food and drink for the 21 and older crowd.
I’m Sarah, and you’ve landed on my website, On the Road with Sarah. This is where I share travel stories, tips, and so much more!
