Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney World

Each year everyone’s favorite mouse throws the most epic Christmas Party at Disney World. It takes place in Magic Kingdom and runs from November 8 through December 21. Never is the park more magical than during the holiday season when it’s covered in wreaths, garland, lights, and bows. If you love Christmas and you love Disney, this is a no-brainer.

Of course, you can visit Disney World at Christmas during normal park hours, but this specially ticketed event takes place on select evenings throughout November and December and offers tons of extra goodies, live performances, and meet-and-greets.

It really is a celebration like no other, and I’m going to show you why you need to make a special trip just to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY AT DISNEY WORLD

THE DECORATIONS

There’s just something about seeing Disney in all its Christmas splendor. I spent a fair amount of time just wandering the park aimlessly - not trying to get to a ride, not looking for food, not heading to see a show - just admiring the decorations and the general vibe of Christmas spirit.

Mickey’s VMCP starts at 7, but attendees can enter the park as early as 4, which means you can catch the park right before the sun goes down. The Christmas lights are starting to come on, but it’s not yet pitch black out, and you can still see the small touches so typical of Disney.

THE TREATS

Disney always boasts the best sweets and treats, but you’ll go nuts for the free cookies and hot cocoa at the Very Merry Christmas Party. There are giant red and white striped markers around the park to indicate where they are giving out free holiday treats. Sometimes there’s a line, but it always goes quickly since everyone gets the same thing and it’s all pre-made.

The cookies come pre-packaged which I enjoyed because I wanted to save some for my kids the next day. Another option would be to stock up, then save the cookies to snack on while you’re saving a great spot for the parade or one of the many live shows.

Florida is usually pretty warm during the day, but you will get a few chilly nights throughout November and December, so the hot cocoa and eggnog are a nice way to keep your hands nice and toast while you walk around the park.

THE CHARACTERS

There are a few characters at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party that you don’t normally see around the park, like Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws, the princes, Scrooge McDuck, and even Santa Claus himself. You’ll also see the classic characters dressed in their holiday finest. If your kids are really into meet-and-greets, this is a great time to get photos with these rare characters.

MICKEY’S ONCE UPON A CHRISTMASTIME PARADE

Even as someone who is not a big fan of parades, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime had me smiling and dancing along with the music. I was there on a media visit, but the entire time I couldn’t help but think of how much my own kids would love each and ever float that came by.

Of course the cast from Frozen played a prominent role in the parade since they’re really in their element in the wintertime. I loved the float with all of the princesses coupled with their princes, and the dancing nutcrackers and reindeer were a hit with all the kids. Naturally Santa was the grand finale of the parade.

I easily found a spot at the last minute in Frontierland where the parade begins, but if you want a prime spot with the castle in the background, you’ll have to get to Main Street about 45 minutes before the parade begins. Look for the snow falling on Main Street and around the castle during the parade; it’s absolutely magical!

(The only downside of watching the parade in Frontierland was that the parade got done 20 minutes before it finished at the end of the route on Main Street, so I was kind of stuck on that side of the park until the parade was done.)

SHOWS AND ENTERTAINMENT

On the main stage in front of Cinderella’s Castle, you can find shows performing throughout the night. A Frozen Holiday Wish is a fun one if your kids are as obsessed with Anna and Elsa as mine are. I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped when I saw the castle dripping with icicles and lit up to look like an ice palace. Absolutely stunning.

This is also the spot where you’ll find Mickey and the gang performing Mickey’s Most Merriest Christmas Party, a show where Mickey invites all of his friends over to celebrate the holiday season. They sing Christmas carol new and old, some familiar, some not. You’ll even see the gang from Toy Story gracing the stage during this production, along with Snow White, Peter Pan, and Alice.

In Tomorrowland, check out the Rockettower Plaza Stage for A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas where Stitch is looking for Santa with Buzz Lightyear and Mike Wazowski. The Edge Effect, an a cappella singing group, also performs some Christmas songs on this stage.

Don’t forget about the dance parties going on throughout the night, too! Kids can dance the night away with Vampirina, Timon, and Doc McStuffins in the Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jingle Jam. Anyone can join in the fun at Club Tinsel, the dance party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.

The crown jewel of the entertainment at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the Holiday Wishes fireworks show which takes place every night at 10 p.m. The show is spectacular, the songs are moving, and it’s the perfect way to end your evening. (Unless you’re staying for the 11 p.m. parade to avoid the crowds!)

RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

There are still tons of rides and attractions open during MIckey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, often with shorter wait times than you’ll find during regular park hours. My favorite was the Jingle Cruise, a playful variation on the regular Jungle Cruise. The ride and waiting area were staged with tons of Christmas decor, and the skipper comes ready with tons of holiday-related jokes and puns.

If you happen to hear the Dapper Dans crooning while you’re strolling through the park, you absolutely must stop and listen. They are incredible performers, and funny to boot! Listening to them perform some of my favorite Christmas songs right there on Main Street in front of the towering Christmas tree made my heart swell with holiday cheer.

THE MERCHANDISE

You’ll find some merchandise exclusive to the Very Merry Christmas Party at the Emporium on Main Street, including T-shirts (and a T-shirt specifically for Annual Passholders), an adorable hot cocoa mug with a ceramic whipped cream top, special trading pins, and Magic Bands specific to the holiday party.

On carts around the park you’ll find plenty of fun and festive merchandise, too! Think blinking light necklaces, Mickey Santa hats, bubble wands, and tote bags. Honestly, what could get you more in the Christmas spirit than walking through Main Street in all of its holiday decor wearing flashing Christmas lights and a Santa hat with Mickey ears?

I loved the opportunity to see Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and felt like it was a great way to enjoy Disney in an entirely different light. If you’re at all considering it, I would encourage you to go. Your kids will find it magical and memorable, and you’ll leave loving Christmas and Disney more than you ever thought possible.

Remember this is a specially ticketed event, and tickets start at $99. It’s not cheap, but you can really pack a lot into your evening, especially since you’re allowed to enter the park 3 hours before the Christmas Party even begins.

Have you been to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? What was your favorite part?