Here’s Your 5 Must-Dos for Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom

in Reviews, Walt Disney World

Mickey Mouse Parade at Disney World

Credit: Rain Blanken

If you’ve ever spent a birthday at Walt Disney World, you know that it means an entire day of cast members and characters wishing you “Happy Birthday!”. Now is your chance to pay Mickey back for all that special attention as you celebrate his and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at the Magic Kingdom.

I went on opening weekend to visit these 90-year-old mice and figure out how to get the most of the party. Here’s your must-dos for the birthday party:

1. Arrange to Meet the Birthday Mice

Mickey Birthday Party Guest Book
Birthday Party invitations at Mickey’s and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom. Photo: Rain Blanken

Mickey and Minnie will be welcoming guests at the Town Square Theater while dressed in their birthday best. Due to the special outfits, birthday setting and celebration buzz, everyone wants a photo with the birthday couple, so be sure to grab a Fast Pass in advance.

When you enter the theater, hang a right to pick up your birthday invitation. This is a cute little memory book piece, but it also gives you a handy list of must-dos at the Magic Kingdom and comes with three special stickers. Be sure to sign the guest book… now is your chance to tell Mickey and Minnie all feels.

2. Here’s Your Best View for the Mouskedance It Parade

Mickey Mouse Parade at Disney World
Mickey was surely looking right at me during the Move it! Shake it! Mouskedance It! Parade. Photo: Rain Blanken

The “Move it! Shake it! Mouskedance It!” parade floats will start at the front of Main Street, but will continue to make their way to the circular road in front of the castle. Here they’ll party down on their own for a few songs, but soon it will be time for you to join in the fun. Guest will be invited into the streets to dance with their favorite characters.

Mickey and Minnie will stop right in front of the castle, so if you’re looking for a view of the birthday pair, that’s where you’ll want to set up shop. This is also the float that features the parade singers.

The secondary characters on each float will get down to dance with the crowd. The main character will remain partying up top.

Here’s your guide to where your favorite characters will be:

  • Clarabelle’s Float: Horace Horsecollar and Clarice, stops on the northwest side of the circle.
  • Donald’s Float: Jose and Panchito, stops on the southwest side of the circle.
  • Daisy’s Float: Chip and Dale, stops on northeast side of the circle.
  • Goofy’s Float: Pluto and Max stops on southeast side of the circle.

After the street party, you’ll be asked to retreat back to the sidewalks so the floats can get moving again. You’ll move on to enjoy the rest of your day, with the “Get Your Ears On” song firmly stuck in your head. Typical parade times are 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 5:45 p.m., but check your daily Times Guide on your visit.

3. Keep Your Eyes Peeled for These Rare Characters

Rare Characters Magic Kingdom
Do you recognize these guys? They are among rare characters who have gathered to celebrate with Mickey and Minnie.

At the front of Main Street, you’re likely to see some familiar faces that you didn’t expect. From about 11:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. each day, these rare characters have been seen visiting the Magic Kingdom to celebrate:

  • Remy and Emile (Ratatouille)
  • Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps (Zootopia)
  • Robin Hood and Little John
  • Prince John and Friar Tuck (Robin Hood)
  • Gideon and Foulfellow (Pinocchio)
  • Chicken Little and Abby Mallard (Chicken Little)
  • Phineas and Ferb

There will be a Photopass photographer at each Town Square surprise character greeting. Specific characters are not detailed in the daily Times Guide, but for overall times, look for “Disney Friends Visit town Square”.

4. This is the Can’t-Miss Birthday Snack

Now and Forever Slush Magic Kingdom
Better than LaFou’s Brew? The Now and Forever Slush is just perfect for the occasion. Photo: Rain Blanken

If there’s one place that knows how to mix a drink that could unseat butterbeer from its lofty wizard throne, it’s Gaston’s Tavern. The home of La Fou’s brew is at it again, and this time in celebration of Mickey and Minnie.

Make a toast to the birthday couple with sparkling cider, a white chocolate-dipped strawberry and a sweet chocolate bite. At $4.99, this is a cute drink to share with a friend.

If you’re in the mood for something more hearty, head over to Cosmic Ray’s in Tomorrowland for the new Mickey Burger. This burger combines mac & cheese, spicy red cheese dust, American cheese, and cheese sauce piled on top of bacon and a beef patty. Not how I pictured Mickey’s favorite burger toppings, but mice do love cheese, after all.

Magic Kingdom Mickey Sipper
This Mickey Sipper is cute, but doesn’t hold a lot. Credit: Disney

But the best snack to buy during the celebration? A water. This Mickey Sipper is absolutely adorable but doesn’t hold very much liquid (almost half a bottle of water). To get it at it’s cheapest, $9.99, order it with just plain water instead of the $3.99 upcharge for what would be a small amount of tea or soda.

5. Get a Lil’ Something for Yourself

Surprise Birthday Celebration Magic Kingdom
The new Mickey design dominates the available merch at Mickey’s and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration. Photo: Rain Blanken

Of course, there are special souvenir offerings available during the party. These designs were made just for the 90th birthday celebration, so if you’re looking for a memento for this year’s trip, I suggest these cuter styles over the typical “2019” merchandise.

The birthday merch includes colorful “Wonderbread”-style polka dots and the new animated Mickey Mouse. This is likely a good segway for the opening of Mickey’s Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios, timed to open after the celebration at Magic Kingdom comes to an end.

Are you heading to Mickey and Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom? Tag us on Instagram in your photos (@itmnews) to show us your favorite party moments and we may even share your memories on our story.

Rain (@rainlovesdisney) is a Senior Editor at The Penny Hoarder by day, and a Disney fanatic by every other hour available. She is a former Disney Vacation Planner and current DVC Member. Rain can be found at Walt Disney World trying to coax Mickey into riding Splash Mountain with her and asking Minnie for style tips.

in Reviews, Walt Disney World

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