By- Jenny Wheeler
Attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (an additional ticketed event) at the Magical World of Disney is an experience that I highly recommend for families, kids, adults and friends alike. The festive atmosphere, enchanting decorations, and joyful celebrations make it a perfect holiday getaway for everyone. Imagine walking down Main Street U.S.A, adorned with shimmering lights and holiday decor, with your loved ones by your side. The sound of cheerful holiday music fills the air as you make your way to Cinderella Castle.
This past holiday season, I attended the event with both my family and on a girls trip with my friends. The special ticketed events offer exclusive access to attractions, entertainment, and character meet-and-greets, adding an extra layer of magic to your Disney experience. From the enchanting parade featuring beloved Disney characters in their holiday best to the spectacular fireworks display lighting up the night sky, every moment is filled with wonder and delight.
Typically, Disney allows guests to enter Magic Kingdom at 4:00 pm, even though the party doesn’t start until 7:00 pm. This is a great time to get your event wristband early, ride some attractions and enjoy the park ahead of the party. At the start of the party, Cast Members usher guests down a path, just beyond Tony’s Town Square. As you turn the corner, you are immediately overcome with the magic of the holidays. Make sure to get an event booklet and your complimentary ornament.
My experience with my family:
The cookie stops, rides and the parade were the main focus. The cookie stops are included in the event. There are locations all around Magic Kingdom for guests to enjoy a variety of cookies and a beverage. Some of the cookies available are gingerbread, sugar and snickerdoodle. The drinks are typically eggnog, hot chocolate or hot cider. My youngest was determined to visit EVERY stop!! The cookies are individually packaged, so you can always save them for later if you can’t eat all of them in one night!!
The Parade is incredible and (as long as weather permits) they have two per night. The first is the most crowded and has a lot of families and kids. This is the one we watched. If experiencing the “snow” on Main Street is important to you, you will want to get a spot very early. That wasn’t a need of ours so we lined up in Frontier Land (where the parade begins) about 20 minutes ahead of showtime and had a good spot. It is magical and should not be missed.
My kids also enjoyed the ride overlays, the Jingle Cruise is our favorite!! The rides with overlays and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train tend to have the longest wait times. The other attractions in the park have fairly low wait times!!
Rides with Overlays:
-Jungle Cruise becomes Jingle Cruise
-Space Mountain
-Tomorrowland Speedway
-Monsters Inc Laugh Floor
-Mad Tea Party
We also really enjoyed meeting the Seven Dwarfs, they were located at the back of Storybook Circus. The quoted wait time was more than the actual. We were told 50 minutes and the actual wait time was around 30 minutes.
I will note, my family and I ate an early dinner ‘Ohana ahead of time to make sure the kids were well fed ahead of our AMAZING night ahead.
My Experience with my friends:
A couple of weeks later, while on a girls trip with Svetlana and Megan from Straight Away Travel, we attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The sense of togetherness and joy that permeates the air at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is truly infectious. Sharing these magical moments with your friends creates bonds and memories that bring warmth to the heart and a smile to the face. Our inner kids at heart came out! Since we are all Disney pros (Straight Away Travel Advisors and Disney Enthusiasts) and know you cannot do everything in one night, we each suggested a couple of top priorities. We covered so much ground and experienced way more than we expected!
Since I did not see the stage show with my family, I really wanted to be sure to see it. Last year it encorporated songs from a Muppet Christmas Carol and I was tearing up! We also went to see the Seven Dwarfs, this time the wait time was more realistic and we waited about 45 minutes. We headed up to the front of the park during the first parade to see if Mary Poppins was meeting with a special friend (Bert or a Penguin). We were a bit early, when we noticed there was NO LINE for Jack and Sally at Town Hall, when usually this line can be hours long!!! We walked right in to meet them and were completely giddy!! Then as we left, Mary Poppins was out with her Penguin friend. As huge Disney fans, we were very excited to meet characters. We then met several princesses and princes dressed in their holiday best around FantasyLand. As we met characters, we participated in the cookie stroll. One of the things we wanted to do was the Rapunzel Lantern photos, but the line was always soooo long! Nearing the end of the evening we walked past and there were only 3 other people in line!!! We felt like we were having the best night, with one incredible experience after another!!
From the twinkling lights to the joyful laughter, from the enchanting shows to the delicious treats, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a holiday celebration like no other. As a travel agent, I can attest to the fact that this magical experience is not to be missed, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to embark on this festive journey with your loved ones. The party is typically held on certain nights from November to December. Please note, the park will close early to guests without tickets to this event. So, gather your family and friends, pack your holiday spirit, and get ready to make unforgettable memories at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Tickets to the event can and do sell out. Be sure to reach out to your Straight Away Travel Advisor to plan the perfect trip for you and book your party tickets!
The magic of Disney awaits, and I promise you, it will be a holiday celebration to remember for years to come.
2024 Dates will be released soon and we will share them here.
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