Christmas time is the best time of the year.
Disney World is the most magical place on Earth.
So I'm sure you can imagine the combining those two things makes for one amazing time. And that is exactly why Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is a hot ticket at Disney World.
What exactly can you expect if you decide to join the fun at the Christmas party? Here is the map from the 2022 party to give you an idea of what to expect (we will update as soon as we have the 2023 map):
This is a hard ticketed event with prices starting at $159 for adults and $149 for kids, and going as high as $199. While you might be cringing at the idea of buying another Disney ticket, this event is held after the park closes. So you can plan to see lower crowds during this party. You'll be given a wristband (and Cast Members check guests throughout the night for those wristbands to make sure there are no party crashers).
We don't have a breakdown of price by date yet, but we know that tickets range from $159 to $199 for adults, and $149 to $189 for kids.
A discount of $10 per ticket is available for annual passholders and DVC owners.
| Party Date | Adult Price | Child Price |
| November 9, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 10, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 13, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 14, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 16, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 17, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 19, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 21, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 22, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 26, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 28, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| November 30, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 1, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 3, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 5, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 7, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 8, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 10, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 12, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 14, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 15, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 17, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
| December 19, 2023 | TBD | TBD |
|
December 21, 2023 |
TBD | TBD |
|
December 22, 2023 |
TBD | TBD |
Event Times
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place from 7:00 PM to midnight.
Ticket holders will be admitted to Magic Kingdom park as early as 4:00 PM on the valid date of their ticket––giving them even more time to enjoy some park favorites before the event begins! These date-specific event tickets do not require an additional theme park ticket or theme park reservation.
Discounts
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, valid for select event nights.
Every year I receive several emails and messages asking the best dates to attend. If you are considering attending, but want to go when there are lower crowds there are a few things you can look at.
The party will be held rain or shine. If it rains some of the events may be cancelled. If you don't want to buy a ticket ahead of time for fear it might rain, you can definitely wait and buy at the door. If you decide to do this, keep in mind that this party is extremely popular and many dates sell out.
In previous years I have advised people to wait to buy tickets, but now I tell people that if you know you want to go you should buy your tickets. More and more parties are selling out, and waiting could mean missing out.
The holiday season would not be complete without endless sweets. And you can definitely expect to find plenty of sweet treats at this party.
There are ENDLESS sweet treats, and many of them are complimentary. So be sure to bring your appetite.
Here is where free treats can be found at the 2022 party:
Some restaurants will be open during the party, but because this is a limited event I would highly recommend that you eat dinner before the party. Or grab a quick service meal. There is so much to see and do during the party, and there is no way to see and do it all. So if you are trying to add a sit down dinner, you wont have time to enjoy the rest of the party.
A few locations will be open for quick service dining during the party. This year Tortuga Tavern, Columbia Harbor House, Pinocchio Village Haus, Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe, and The Lunching Pad will be open for mobile ordering during the party.
This year there are five exclusive party snacks available for purchase only during the party.
First is the Once Upon a Christmas Tart. This treat is available at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Adventureland. It's a chocolate mousse on top of a chocolate and cranberry tart cake. I found this to be incredibly rich and incredibly delicious! It was by far my favorite treat from the party.
Next is the Holiday Dinner Dog which is available at Casey's Corner on Main Street USA. This snack is an all beef hot dog served with cranberry mustard, savory stuffing funnel cake, and cheese curds.
After a long day at the park it was determined that this treat really hit the spot!
Also at Casey's Corner is the Christmas Tree Cookie. While cute, I would suggest skipping this particular treat since there are endless free cookies to be found.
Next is the Sugar Plum Shake that can be found in Tomorrowland at Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies. This milkshake is spiced sugar plum soft serve topped with cherry syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles.
I found this milkshake to be quite good, but also extremely sweet. So if you are going to try this I would suggest having a friend ready to split it. I thought it was really tasty, but couldn't finish it on my own.
Lastly, the Christmas Wreath Doughnut that can be found at the snack cart on Main Street USA. This Doughnut is red velvet with green buttercream and holiday sprinkles. As a red velvet fan, I highly recommend this treat!
There are also dessert parties available during this event. While I love dessert parties, I don't necessarily recommend them during the Christmas Party. It is an extra ticket on top of the party ticket. You will receive fun desserts and a VIP viewing area for the fireworks show.
Since desserts are plenty (many of them free), and the fireworks show wont be as crowded as this is a limited ticket event, I don't think the dessert party is a great way to spend your time at the holiday party. But if the fireworks show is your #1 priority, I can see considering this option.
Several of the rides will have a holiday overlay added to them. The Tomorrowland Speedway will have thousands of lights and holiday decor. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor will have a Christmas twist to the show. Space Mountain will have holiday lights and music. And lastly, the Mad Tea Party will have four holiday light and music combinations during the ride.
During the party you wont have the option of using Genie+ or Lightning Lanes for rides, but the good news is that you probably wont need it. Because this is a hard ticketed event, the number of people in the parks will be limited. So wait times should be shorter than usual.
Keep in mind that regular park guests wont have to leave until 6pm. As long as they are in line for a ride by 6pm they can ride. So if you are looking for a shorter wait on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (or another ride that usually has long wait times) wait until a little later in the evening. The regular park guests will have left for the evening.
You can also hit rides while other people are watching the parade if you want to make sure you have short wait times.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party is an opportunity to meet characters that you wouldn't normally be able to meet. The most popular including Jack Skellington and also The Seven Dwarfs.
Here is a map showing where you can meet all of the characters this year:
The full list of characters include:
Main Street U.S.A
Adventureland
Storybook Circus
Frontierland
Fantasyland
Liberty Square
There are tons of characters to see and meet, but the waits can be long. If meeting characters is your priority I suggest either getting in line before the party even starts, or waiting until closer to the end of the party to grab a spot in line. The wait for characters can get up to 2 hours long, so if meeting characters is your #1 goal, you'll want to have a plan in place ahead of time.
The Christmas Party also offers several fun Magic Shots. If you have purchased Memory Maker, you may want to stop when you see the photographers around the parks.
Find the full list of Magic Shots here.
In addition to Magic Shots, you'll also find several photo boxes and back drops that you can stop in to take photos. Some will have photopass photographers stationed there to take photos. Others you will have to strike a pose and have a friend take your photo.
Either way, they are always a ton of fun!
This party offers a TON of entertainment. Here are the shows and events you can expect to see at the party:
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration
This show runs 4 times during the party. The show times are at 7:40pm, 9:25pm, 10:35pm, and 11:55pm.
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration is another show held at the castle. During this show you'll find Mickey and some of his classic friends leading you in Christmas carols and other fun songs. Even the evilest of Disney villains wouldn't be able to resist this heart warming holiday fun.
Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
Minnie Mouse will host the nighttime fireworks spectacular. This show happens at 10pm. The show will be centered around Christmas medleys of Joy to the World, Deck the Halls, Up on the House Top, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The show will end with an incredible holiday finale.
A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
This show happens 4 times during the Christmas party. The show times are 7:45pm, 8:35pm, 9:25pm, 10:45pm, and 11:35pm.
If you are looking for something a little more silly and offbeat you will love A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show. This show is held at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, and features characters like Stictch, Mike Wazowski, and Buzz Lightyear. This is a great show for the younger audience.
Dance Party at Club Tinsel
In Tomorrowland at Cosmic Rays you can hit the dance floor for a dance party that goes all evening. Characters will be dancing with you and your little ones. While you wont be able to get autographs, this is a great way for kids to meet characters if they are otherwise intimidated by standing in line and waiting for the meet and greet. You can also get some fun photos. This event runs from 7pm - 12am.
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Perhaps the most well known part of this party is Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. This parade has everything. From Mickey and Minnie, to gingerbread men, to a real snow fall.
If this parade is a high priority you may want to grab a spot early on Main Street USA. The parade happens twice a night at 8:30pm and again at 11pm.
The earlier parade is usually busier. So if you plan on staying the entire party you may want to hold off on seeing the first parade, and wait for the second to avoid some of the crowds.
Disney Junior Jingle Jam
Young partygoers can get their groove on with Disney Junior Characters!
In Storybook Circus, the Disney Junior Jingle Jam gives young partygoers the chance to get their groove on with favorite characters from popular Disney Junior shows. We spotted Goofy dressed as Santa, Fancy Nancy, and Vampirina.
Be sure to check the My Disney Experience app for the performance schedule.
If you are planning on attending this event, I suggest you have a plan in place before you arrive. There is a ton to see and do, and you simply wont be able to do it all in one night. So decide what your priorities are, and make a plan based on that.
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See you at the parks,
-Julie
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