Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party provides perfectly pixie dust powered holiday fun throughout November and December. For the final two months of the year, on select nights, Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom transforms into a winter wonderland of holiday excitement.
For five fun-filled hours exclusive entertainment, exciting experiences and festive foods fill the park with Christmas magic. Characters, decked in their Yuletide finest, greet guests and perform in seasonal shows during the after-hours adventure.
Seasonal Summary
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party spreads magical holiday cheer as only Disney can. This exclusive, separately ticketed enchanting event takes place select nights in November and December. While the party officially commences at 7:00 PM, ticket holders are allowed parky entry as early as 4:00 PM.
Enchanting Entertainment
Parades and firework displays have been the backbone of the Magic Kingdom’s entertainment roster since the park first opened in 1971. A pair of holiday-themed versions roll out annually for this special event.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Decked in holiday attire, favorite characters join colorful gingerbread men, enchanting elves, and toy soldiers for a magical march down Main Street. Festive floats and seasonal songs herald the arrival of Santa Claus.
Holiday Wishes
Digitally decorated with delightful December scenery, pyrotechnic paintings frame Cinderella’s Castle with festive fireworks. Timed to match merry music of the season, classic (and new) holiday carols conjure Christmas magic. Songs include:
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”
- “Jingle Bells”
- “O Christmas Tree”
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
- “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”
- “Sleigh Ride”
- “Spirit of the Season”
Seasonal Shows
Making merry is important business. Disney ensures that seasonal stage magic is on hand for Mickey’s party.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration has the fab five getting ready for the holidays. Very Merry Christmas Party guests are also invited to join in on the festivities. Dancing, caroling and even a chance of snow occur during the show.
Olaf, Kristoff, Anna and Elsa appear for A Frozen Holiday Wish. Witness Queen Elsa transform Cinderella’s Castle into a shimmering, ice covered winter wonder.
Haley Comet hosts a Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show. Futuristic festive fun ensues as Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, and Mike Wazowski are joined by “intergalactic dancers.” Modern musical interpretations of songs like “Jingle Bells,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” entice guests to sing and dance along to the fun.
Exclusive Experiences
Along with exciting entertainment, this Christmas party includes a few extra surprises.
Within Tomorrowland, at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Club Tinsel touts tunes for a Yuletide dance party. Holiday Characters have been known to make appearances.
Rare Character Meet and Greets offer opportunities to meet lesser seen animated celebrities. Throughout the park, famous faces make merry as they pose for pictures and sign autographs.
Amazing Attractions
As separate tickets are required for admission, there’s a good chance that attraction wait times might be significantly lower than during busy, “regular” holiday hours. This potentially offers opportunities to spend less time in line and visit favorite rides during the evening.
The exotic rivers of Earth are teeming with holiday cheer. World famous Jungle Cruise transforms into the “Jingle Cruise” just in time for Christmas. Gifted with groaners, Skippers spin seasonal stories and painful puns while pointing out festively festooned jungle scenes. Even the ride’s boats have been renamed for the holidays! This seasonal overlay is also available during regular park hours.
Fine Festive Food
Must-have munchies materialize at various locations around the Magic Kingdom. Main Street Bakery, Casey’s Corner, Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, Sleepy Hollow, Gaston’s Tavern, Storybook Treats, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, and several more areas offer event exclusive treats all night long.
In addition to including Christmas cookies and cocoa for the guests of this great holiday celebration, these exciting event extras as well as a trio of merry Magic Kingdom dining destinations deliver taste bud tempting treasures.
Delicious Dining Diversions
While Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party officially commences at 7:00 PM, guests can enter as early as 4:00 PM. A night of joyous festive fun requires finding fuel for the evening. In addition to walk-up dining, the Magic Kingdom keeps three of its most popular dining destinations open for the holiday party. Each restaurant serves from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM. Reservations are strongly suggested. These can be made online or by calling 407 WDW-DINE.
- Within the realm of Fantasyland’s recent expansion, Beast’s Castle houses one of the theme parks preferred places for pleasing the palate. Be Our Guest restaurant welcomes guests to enjoy French fare within its magical walls.
- Continuing castle couture, Cinderella’s Royal Table serves “a one of a kind fairytale feast” during event hours. Dine with royalty as Disney Princesses make appearances during dinner.
- Winnie the Pooh and pals prove to be perfect holiday guests during the delightful buffet served at the Crystal Palace.
Appetizing Add-ons
On top of the usual dining delights, Disney’s Christmastime exclusives add an extra layer of winter wonder during holiday party nights.
Festive Fireworks Dessert Parties
Tomorrowland Terrace and Plaza Garden offer exciting epicurean experiences and excellent views of nightly magic in the sky. Both locations offer delicious delights and special seating.
These seasonal special events are only offered select nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (check online for availability and booking). Guests enjoying this spectacular view and all of the magical munchies should check in prior to attending. Check in begins 90 minutes ahead of serving. All attending should arrive an hour before fireworks commence. Dessert party takes place regardless of delay or cancellation of the fireworks show. To book either exclusive event, enlist online or call the experts at Walt Disney World (407-939-3463).
At Tomorrowland Terrace, sparking cider, lemonade, specially prepared Christmas drinks, hot cocoa, coffee and tea accompany sweet treats.
“Before the fireworks, at a table decked with boughs of holly, discover a host of holiday-themed cupcakes and desserts prepared by our pastry chef, along with a bountiful buffet of sweet treats—like chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate mousse, ice cream, cheeses and fresh, seasonal fruits.” –Disney
Entry for this exclusive party event requires admission to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Admission for the Holiday Wishes Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace is $84 (adults) and $50 (children ages 3-9) plus tax.
Just off of Main Street, Plaza Garden also offers outstanding views of the fireworks and decadent desserts. With similar sweets to those offered at Tomorrowland Terrace, this event exclusive experience includes special Holiday Wishes viewing areas, sans seating.
Entry to the Holiday Wishes Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing costs $69 for adults and $41 for children (ages 3-9).
Late night Luxury
Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party provides perfect end of event enchantment. Available from 9:30 pm to 12:30 am on select nights of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, savory seasonal snacks and scrumptious sweets satisfy holiday hunger. In addition to enjoying the delightful décor and mouth-watering munchies, guests get reserved, outdoor, views for the 11pm arrival of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade!
Attendees will find festive foods featuring holiday hors d’oeuvres (including “Tony’s famous meatballs”), seasonal sweet treats, and delicious drinks (alcoholic and dry).
“Delight in specialty sips, light bites and irresistible sweets at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant before—and after—soaking up the sights and sounds of the holiday parade from a reserved viewing area” – Disney
Limited availability requires reservations (online or call 407-939-3463) at a cost $99 per person (regardless of age). Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party is only offered on select evenings of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and event admission is required. For those with daytime park tickets, check-in for happy holiday experience begins at 2pm at the restaurant’s podium.
Merry Merchandise
Merry memory making, collections of complimenting Christmastime merchandise magically materializes during party hours. Each year, event exclusive gear (with that year’s logo) arrives. This includes t-shirts, sweat shirts, lanyards, ornaments, and even special seasonal pop-corn buckets.
Disney also offers Holiday Photo Pass possibilities to capture magical moments during the party.
Holiday Helpers – Noteworthy news
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires separate Magic Kingdom park admission. As such daytime, “normal” operating hours mean the Magic Kingdom closes early on event evenings.
- While theme park hours mean early end of the day for “regular” ticketed guests, those enjoying the Christmas party may enter as early as 4pm (with a valid ticket, of course).
- Official Event hours are from 7pm to midnight during select nights in November and December (see website for details and tickets).
- While Central Florida is generally warmer than the rest of the United States, the region receives its share of cooler weather. On rare occasions, temperatures may dip into the teens and twenties. Also, due to conflicting cool and warm weather, rain (and even thunderstorms) often accompany arriving cool fronts. Check the weather and dress/plan accordingly.
- If possible, plan to attend earlier in the season, as event popularity and attendance may grow as Christmas day approaches.
- Holiday happenings take place throughout the Magic Kingdom all night long. Download a copy of the event map to help plan the evening’s excitement.
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party generally runs from early/mid-November to just before Christmas (when the parks at Walt Disney World Resort reach capacity). For example, in 2018 first night’s excitement emerged on November 8th; last date: December 21st.
- Tickets begin at $99 and can cost as much as $125 on more popular dates. Order online.
Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, already delightfully decorated for the Holidays, ensures child-like wonder for all who attend the Very Merry Christmas Party. This all ages, spellbinding seasonal soirée showcases the ultimate in Disney holiday entertainment and is a must experience for any fan of Walt Disney’s brand of adventure.
Source and images: Wikipedia, Disney.com, ITM Archives