If there’s something Disney does well, it’s creating a magical experience. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the perfect way to combine Christmas cheer with Disney magic, making it the can’t-miss after-hours event of the season.

But with hours from 7 p.m. until midnight, is this a toddler-friendly event?

That’s what I set out to discover this year! I brought my 2-year-old to the very first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the season to see if she would enjoy it.

I was prepared for her to have an absolute meltdown with the late hours since we had already spent 2 full days at Disney World and she was definitely off her nap and sleep schedule. We also had an early flight the next morning, so that added to my apprehension.

But I had a hunch that despite all of the factors working against us she would love the magical Christmas celebration at Disney World, and spoiler alert: I was right.

We had the chance to see our favorite Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, take in the Disney World Christmas decorations, and eat some sweet holiday treats. 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! It truly is the most wonderful time of the year at the Disney Parks.

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What is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a specially ticketed after-hours event that takes place at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World on select nights in November and December. This jolly celebration features an exclusive stage show, a festive parade, fireworks, special characters, cookies and hot chocolate, and more!

The party runs from 7 p.m. until midnight, but ticket holders will be admitted to Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. This is a great opportunity to experience more rides at Magic Kingdom or meet some characters until the party starts.

Dates and Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Christmas Party runs on select dates between November and December. For 2022 the dates are as follows:

November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22

How much do tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party cost?

Entertainment at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Ticket prices vary between $149-$199 for adults, and $139-189 for kids (ages 3-9). If you’re visiting with a toddler under the age of 3 they get in for free! That’s part of the reasons we decided to visit with our 2-year-old.

This is a specially ticketed event, so you’ll need to purchase tickets separate from your regular park ticket. We decided to visit Epcot on the day of MVMCP, then head over to Magic Kingdom in the late afternoon to start enjoying the yuletide festivities.

There are discounts available for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members for select nights.

Check ticket prices and availability here.

While many of the dates are sold out already for this year’s party, if it sounds like an event you want to attend be sure to purchase your tickets early next year! If you already have a Disney trip booked during these dates, it’s worth checking the day of to see if there are any available tickets due to cancellations.

We booked our Very Merry Christmas tickets in mid-September of 2022 for the very first date (November 8th).

Entertainment at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

There’s so much to see and do at the Christmas Party in terms of entertainment that I almost felt like it wasn’t nearly enough time! I love soaking in the exclusive shows at this event because you can really feel the Disney magic coming alive.

The entire park, including the Cast Members, is buzzing with excitement. Since we got to attend the opening night, I heard from a few Cast Members that it was their first time seeing the shows and parades, too!

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is a stage show that takes place in front of Cinderella’s Castle featuring tons of Disney characters and a fun mix of festive tunes.

You’ll want to stake out your spot a little early since the best views are close to the castle, especially for little ones.

Showtimes are: 7:40 PM, 9:25 PM, 10:35 PM and 11:55 PM

Unfortunately for us, the first few shows were canceled due to rain, and we were only able to stay until about 9:30 p.m. in order to catch the shuttle back to our hotel, so we missed out on seeing this special show this year.

It was a combination of bad luck with the weather, and a very limited shuttle schedule for the hotel we chose to stay at. (We would have just called an Uber but the issue was finding one with a car seat, and we didn’t want to risk not being able to get one!).

The stage shows I’ve seen at past MVMCP celebrations have been top-notch, so I can only assume that this one is fantastic as well!

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

This special holiday parade was the highlight of our night! You’ll see the classic Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy dressed in their Christmas best, but you also get some special appearances from other characters, too!

We loved that Olaf and Elsa from Frozen were prominently featured since my toddler is in her Frozen era right now, but it’s also interesting to see Ralph and Vanellope from Wreck-It Ralph in the parade, too! They are certainly a rare sighting around the parks.

The music, dancing, and snow falling from Main Street USA are festive and fun, but Disney really likes to engage all of your senses. Several of the floats included signature scents, too! The float with Goofy is full of candy, and it smelled so sweet as it passed by!

Stay until the very end of the procession because your toddler will be so excited to see Santa Claus riding by!

Where is the best spot to view the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade?

Many will say that Main Street U.S.A. is the best viewing spot for the Christmas parade, and it is pretty incredible. You’ll have a view of Cinderella Castle, and you’ll get to watch the “snoap” (Disney’s version of snow) falling from the sky.

Another option is to watch the parade from where it starts in Frontierland. It’s not usually as crowded there, and it will be done much earlier.

Parade Times: 8:30 PM and 11:00 PM

Good to know if you’re viewing the parade with a toddler: The parade was delayed until 9 p.m. on the night we visited thanks to the rain. We caught a viewing spot between Main Street USA and the Castle, and the parade didn’t reach us until around 9:15.

That’s a long time to wait with a little one if you factor in saving your spot, then waiting for the parade to reach you, and then watching the 25-minute parade itself!

Plan ahead if you’ve got a toddler or young child in tow. Bring snacks and have some entertainment along. I recommend something like the light up bubble wands that are sold all around Disney.

Yes they are overpriced, and yes, they are kind of annoying for adults, but this thing kept our 2-year-old happy and entertained for the entire Christmas Party, even when we had to wait for long periods.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show

Enjoy a dashing display of pyrotechnics above the castle during Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show. Set to familiar festive tunes, this show combines fireworks with projections onto the castle.

It’s fun, and magical, and perfect for toddlers to enjoy. (Maybe bring a pair of noise canceling headphones for kids if your little one is sensitive to noise).

Fireworks Show Times: 10:00 PM

We, unfortunately, had to catch this show on our way out of the park, since we were rushing to catch our shuttle.

If your little one can’t make it until midnight, this is a perfect last stop before calling it a night. The best spots are at the end of Main Street USA, or even by the train station near the entrance of the park so you can make a quick exit as soon as the show is done.

Dance Parties

If your toddler is sick of being stuck in their stroller and needs to get some wiggles out, you can check out one of the two dance parties happening at the Christmas Party.

The one that would probably be of most interest to you would be the Disney Junior Jingle Jam in Storybook Circle featuring Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, the Lion Guard, and Doc McStuffins.

Entertainment times will be in the My Disney Experience App, so definitely head over to the back of Fantasyland to check out this holiday fun specifically for your youngest Disney fans.

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas

If your little one loves shows, definitely make some time for this performance put on by Mike Wazowski, Buzz Lightyear, and Stitch in Tomorrowland. There are holiday songs and dance performances, so it might be a fun spot to stop and rest while munching on some Christmas cookies and sipping your hot cocoa!

The Treats at MVMCP

Free Cookies and Hot Cocoa

One of the best parts about attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party with toddlers and little kids is that you can collect FREE cookies, hot chocolate, cider, and eggnog at certain restaurants around the park.

The pamphlet you receive when you enter the park will show you which restaurants have them, but you can also look around for the giant inflatable red and white striped markers around the park indicating that they are serving cookies.

The best part is that they are pre-packaged and unlimited, so you can always save some for later!

While Florida is typically still hot during the day in November and December, the nights can still get a bit chilly, so a nice warm hot chocolate, cider, or eggnog will warm you right up!

Specialty Food and Beverage

There are several seasonal holiday foods and beverages available around the park for extra purchase, such as the Sugar Plum Shake at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies, and the Fried Pork Tamale served “Christmas Style” with red and green enchilada sauce at Golden Oak Outpost if you’re looking for something a little more savory.

With all the free treats that are included, though, we didn’t bother looking for these items since my toddler was already hopped up on enough sugar.

The Characters

Keep your eyes peeled for Disney characters dressed in their holiday outfits, as well as characters you don’t typically see around the parks, such as the princes, the reindeer, and Jack Skellington (Sandy Claws).

My 2-year-old was not into character meet and greets this time around, so we didn’t make extra time for this aspect of the party, but if your slightly older toddlers or preschoolers are really into characters, definitely keep an eye out for this!

For my toddler, waving to the characters from afar during the parade was as much character interaction as she needed.

RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS

Several of the rides in Magic Kingdom get a little makeover just for the Christmas Party. Jungle Cruise is renamed Jingle Cruise and the ride and waiting area are staged with tons of Christmas decor while the skipper comes ready with tons of holiday-related jokes and puns.

The Mad Tea Party also has a Christmas overlay, Space Mountain plays Christmas music, and Tomorrowland Speedway and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor have holiday enhancements as well.

The rest of the rides are still open during the Disney World Christmas party, and while Genie+ isn’t available during the event, you can certainly take advantage of smaller crowds and shorter lines for popular rides!

Tips for Rides with Toddlers at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: My personal opinion? When visiting with a toddler, we wanted to pack in as many shows, parades, and cookies as we possibly could while she was awake. Many will advise you to attend the later parade for smaller crowds and get on popular rides during the first parade.

I wanted to make sure my 2-year-old was awake for the parade, so we definitely didn’t follow that advice. What would be ideal is if you kept your little one awake long enough for the shows and parades, and then got them to fall asleep in their stroller so you can other adults with you could go on rides that toddlers can’t go on later in the evening, such as Seven Dwarves Mine Train and Space Mountain using the rider switch program.

Special Disney Christmas Merchandise

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.

As I mentioned above, we shelled out the money for an overpriced bubble wand toward the beginning of the evening, and it truly kept my toddler entertained and happy for the entirety of the Christmas party. Even while we were huddled under a building during a massive downpour. Even while we waited 45 minutes for a parade.

Magical.

You’ll find other Christmas-themed merchandise inside the stores on Main Street, but I doubt your little one will be interested in doing any shopping. Plus, there are so many other fun things to fit in during MVMCP that merchandise can wait!

I’m so glad I decided to bring my toddler to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year, especially since she’s under 3 and still free! There is already so much magic at Disney World, and adding the enchantment of Christmas on top of that left us feeling holly and jolly.

Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party toddler-friendly? You bet! Kids of all ages will love the free cookies, the festive parade, the beautiful holiday decor on Main Street USA, and even the fake snow!

Tips for Visiting Christmas at Disney World

Aside from special events like Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the Christmas Season at Disney World. Even if you don't have a party ticket, you can still enjoy the holiday decorations in each of the parks!

Epcot at Christmas

Celebrate Christmas around the world with the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays! Between November 24 and December 30, 2023, you can walk around the world showcase to see how each country celebrates the holidays! The Holiday Cookie Stroll allows you to collect stamps for purchasing select sweet treats from the World Showcase in your festival passport.

A Candlelight Processional takes place each night of the festival, featuring a celebrity narrator telling the good news of Christmas, accompanied by an orchestra and choir!

Hollywood Studios at Christmas

While Magic Kingdom gets a lot of attention during this time of year, Hollywood Studios actually has a lot of exciting Christmas decorations, celebrations, and activities going on!

Disney's Hollywood Studios is now hosting its own specially ticketed nighttime party called Disney Jollywood Nights on select nights from November 11 to December 20, 2023.

You'll find old-fashioned Christmas decor on Hollywood and Sunset Boulevard, plus lots of toy-themed Christmas touches in Toy Story Land!

Seasonal entertainment includes A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration Holiday Show, the a capella group Sleigh performing on Center Stage, and Sunset Seasons Greetings on Hollywood Boulevard, a projection show on the street's billboards!

Animal Kingdom at Christmas Time

At Disney's Animal Kingdom you'll find a giant Christmas tree right at the entrance, special holiday touches in DinoLand and Discovery Island, and Diwali decor in Anandapur.

As for entertainment and character interactions, you'll find life-sized winter animal puppets on Discovery Island. Donald and Daisy host the Dino Bash in their holiday outfits, and the Tree of Life comes to life to tell holiday tales.

Disney Springs at Christmas

If you have an off day at Disney World, check out the themed Christmas trees around Disney Springs! You can follow the Christmas Tree Trail and participate in a scavenger hunt.

You can also meet Santa Claus at Disney Springs and try specialty food, beverages, and holiday treats at restaurants like Jock Lindsey's Holiday Bar!

Don't forget to check out the decorations at all of the Walt Disney World Resorts, too!

What's the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World Resort for Christmas?

We planned our visit for early November, and it was fun to be at the very first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party event, but we did catch the tail end of hurricane season, which meant that a lot of entertainment got canceled due to the rain.

We also noticed that the Christmas decorations were only up in Magic Kingdom, and the rest of the parks had not been decorated yet.

If you want the true holiday magic and festive decorations, I would highly recommend waiting until early December to visit! There may be long wait times, as this is a popular time of year to visit the parks, but you'll still have a magical time enjoying the special shows, parades, and events.

Christmas Week will certainly be one of the most crowded times to visit, but you can't beat the holiday spirit in the most magical place on earth!

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