The holiday season is the most magical time of year at Walt Disney World. In true Disney style, all the parks and resorts get a sprinkling of pixie dust and are transformed into a winter wonderland delight. To go along with their other holiday festivities, the Magic Kingdom also hosts a separately ticketed event, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This event is similar to Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party but instead, it is Christmas themed.
What is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
This is a special separately ticketed event held in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World on select nights. For 2023, the party will be held:
- November: 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30
- December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22
The exclusive party festivities begin at 7 pm and end at midnight. If you have an event ticket you can enter the Magic Kingdom as early as 4 pm and enjoy the park before everything gets started. You do NOT need a regular park ticket to visit the Magic Kingdom on this day if you have a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ticket and arrive at 4 pm or later. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets range from $159 – $199 per person (up $10 from last year), if available, beware that some nights sell out so get your tickets early.
Suggested Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Touring Plan
We suggest arriving if possible right when you are allowed at 4 pm as this gives you plenty of time to get past security into the park and banded for the event. The first stop you should make is to head to your choice dinner location, if you haven't already eaten! If the streets are too packed to walk anywhere try cutting through the stores on Main Street and eating somewhere in the back of the park, like Peco's Bills Tall Tale Inn or Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe!
After dinner, get those rides in until it's time for Fireworks. Just like Haunted Mansion is a must-do for the Halloween party we think Jingle Cruise is a Christmas party must-do. Of course, stopping along the way for cookies and cocoa (free!) to refuel isn't a bad idea either. The great thing about attending these parties is the ride times are crazy low so you don't even have to worry about a Fastpass (which are not available after 7 pm on event days). If you are looking forward to seeing the stage show or one of the Tomorrowland shows I would recommend also fitting it in during this time.
Around 30 minutes prior to the show should be plenty of time to stake out your perfect spot to view the fireworks in the hub. The best locations are actually a little further back right around Casey's Corner. Once the fireworks are done head on down to Main Street and get a spot for the second showing of the parade!
When the parade is over you will notice there is a mass exodus from the park. This is when we recommend squeezing in any last-minute rides you may have missed, say Seven Dwarfs Mine Train? The later at night it is, the shorter the wait time you will find at the busy attractions.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Map
When you arrive at the party maps for the event are handed as soon as you get through the ticket turnstiles. If you check in for the event inside the parks, maps are handed out there as well.
Mickey's Christmas Party Entertainment
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
This parade steals the spotlight of the party! Running at 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm you will want to make sure to add at least one of these showings to your list. It stuns young and old alike with its sights and smells. The iconic scenes include a lot of recognizable sights if you watch Disney's ABC Christmas Parade. Marching toy soldiers, reindeer, gingerbread men, classic Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, and Santa Claus all are found in this parade.
Note that this parade is available to watch during regular park hours starting December 22nd and lasting through the end of the year. Of course, this is the MOST busiest time of the year at Disney World you will be fighting to watch the parade with heavy park crowds and paying a premium for a ticket.
Parade Tip: See the second showing of the parade for lighter crowds and enjoy even lighter wait times for other activities. The best spot for this parade is on Main Street. The ice castle makes it a pictures perfect viewing spot for the parade.
Frozen Holiday Surprise
For the first time in forever, guests will be able to join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom for “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” a brand new “Frozen”-inspired entertainment experience that will illuminate the castle in a whole new way. This delightful new offering can be seen during regular park hours and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas is a cute show featuring none other than Stitch, Monsters Inc. characters and Buzz. You can catch this show at 7:45, 8:35, 9:25, 10:45 and 11:35 pm on the stage between Space Mountain and The Carousel of Progress. It lasts about 20 minutes and is great to catch at least once!
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration
Mickey Mouse and his pals invite their friends over for a Christmas party filled with holiday music, seasonal festivities, and fun!
Character Dance Parties
Throughout the whole evening of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party, the Club Tinsel dance party takes place continuously at Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland. Just like it sounds it's basically a giant dance party to blow off steam and dance the night away with your favorite Disney characters.
There is also a Disney Junior Jingle Jam that takes place i