My Magical Night at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

There’s truly nothing like the holidays at Walt Disney World and last year I was able to experience a Very Merry Cruise on the Disney Dream and this year was my first time going to a holiday party, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has also become one of my favorite ways to kick off the season. This special-ticketed event transforms Magic Kingdom into a sparkling, snow-dusted wonderland, and on my most recent trip, I couldn’t wait to jump right into the magic.

Arriving Early & Joining the Line

If you’ve ever been to a Disney After Hours event, you know that the excitement builds long before the party officially starts. We arrived early, and I’m so glad we did! The line to get in forms quickly! Guests are eager, the energy is high, and Cast Members are already greeting everyone with that trademark holiday cheer.

Once the gates opened, we were welcomed with festive music and the scent of Main Street popcorn mingling with the crisp holiday “snow” drifting down. There’s truly no feeling like stepping onto Main Street, U.S.A. when it’s dressed for Christmas.

A Special Ornament to Start the Night

One of my favorite touches each year was receiving the exclusive ornament given to party guests. It’s such a fun little keepsake and a perfect way to remember the experience. This year’s design was adorable, a vintage red truck with Mickey, Pluto, and a tree in back, and of course, it will find its place on my tree as soon as I get it up.

Enjoying Shorter Ride Wait Times

One of the biggest perks of the party is the shorter wait times for many attractions. With attendance capped and so much entertainment pulling guests in different directions, we were able to hop on some of the most popular rides, including TRON, with little wait times.

Holiday Ride Overlays 

Another highlight is experiencing attractions with their holiday overlays. Jungle Cruise transforms into the pun-filled Jingle Cruise, Space Mountain adds vibrant holiday lights and music, and Mad Tea Party spins in a whirl of colorful Christmas hues. These overlays make familiar rides feel brand new.

Special Holiday Foods & The Cookie Crawl

Holiday snacks are always a major highlight for me. Throughout the park, you’ll find exclusive party-only treats, gingerbread milkshakes, peppermint sundaes, cookie-butter churros, themed cupcakes and rice krispie treats, and more. Whether you love peppermint, chocolate, or savory holiday flavors, there’s something for everyone.

And you cannot attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party without participating in the famous cookie crawl, and this truly was the highlight of the night. Throughout the park, treat stations offer cookies, cocoa, and other seasonal goodies included with your ticket. Each stop features a different treat, from gingerbread and caramel pretzel, to a snowman soft pretzel. It’s a festive, and delicious, way to explore the park between attractions.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

No Christmas celebration at Magic Kingdom is complete without the iconic Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. It’s a must-see! From toy soldiers marching perfectly in sync, to gingerbread men and Santa’s reindeer dancing, to beloved Disney characters in their holiday best, the parade is pure joy.

And of course, Santa Claus closes it out with a wave and a booming “Merry Christmas!” as snow falls gently along Main Street. The parade starts in Frontierland, and has less people then main street, but truly best views in my opinion are in front of the castle or on Main Street where the lighting is a little better.

Character Sightings & Meet and Greets

At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, guests can meet a variety of special holiday characters that you won’t typically find during a regular park day. Some favorites include:

• Santa Claus, meeting guests in his classic North Pole attire.

• Mickey & Minnie in their Christmas outfits, perfect for festive photos.

• Scrooge McDuck, a rare and highly sought-after holiday meet-and-greet.

• Jack Skellington as “Sandy Claws,” dressed in his red suit for a unique Nightmare Before Christmas twist.

• Princesses with their princes, a treat since many of the princes rarely meet in the parks.

  
  

These special characters, and their festive costumes, are part of what makes the party feel so unique and magical. 

Had Hoped for a Gingerbread Crawl… Almost!

We had high hopes of completing the gingerbread crawl at the monorail resorts before the party, but we were just a bit early in the season. Only the display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort had been completed, but it was absolutely worth the stop.

This year’s gingerbread Cinderella’s Castle was stunning, with intricate icing details and charming chocolate touches. Even though the full crawl wasn’t ready, the Contemporary’s display alone sprinkled a little extra pixie dust on our evening.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party remains one of the most enchanting experiences at Walt Disney World. From the treats to the parades, the shorter ride waits to the festive overlays, it’s the perfect way to usher in the holiday season. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, this event always manages to make you feel like a kid on Christmas morning!

If you’d like help planning your own holiday Disney itinerary whether it be on land or sea, visit www.thepixieplanner.com/blog1 or reach out to your favorite Pixie Planner to request your free quote today!

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