Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
the date on the calendar might not reflect it, but it’s time to celebrate Christmas With Mickey & the Gang. It's a magical night of family-friendly Christmas festivities that include most of the park's attractions, an incredible Christmas parade, party-exclusive fireworks, special shows, discounted photos, and even complimentary cookies & hot cocoa! It even ‘snows’ on Main Street, U.S.A!
You can find the dates and prices of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on the Disney World website. Your Help Around the Mouse concierge planner will purchase your ticket and link it to your My Disney Experience on your behalf. A linked party ticket allows you to use your MagicBand for admission to the party.
Ticket prices are dependent on the date of the party. Many parties sell out. Party tickets are non refundable. Party tickets are completely separate from Theme Park tickets. This means that someone with a Base ticket (only one park per day) will be able to go to Epcot in the morning, and then use the party ticket to go the Party that evening.
Rarely is a party canceled do to weather. If you’re concerned, you can put off buying tickets until that last minute. But, Disney doesn’t give warning that a party is nearing a sell out. Make sure the party is not important to you if you take this approach.
A morning off, perhaps?
To help the little ones (and the big ones) prepare for the late night, try to relax at your resort or even take a nap in the afternoon before the party. Many suggest staying away from a park entirely that day. If you aren’t able to do this, do make sure you are back in your room for a break by 1:00. You are paying a lot of money for this event --- you don’t want to jeopardize your evening by wearing out your feet and your stamina before you even get there. You’ve been warned...
Arrival
Although the party officially begins at 7:00 pm, party guests are allowed through the gates at 4 p.m. If you call Disney information you may be told that guests cannot arrive until 7 p.m. But believe us -- you can show up with your park ticket earlier. Grab a party map at the entrance. As party time approaches, guests with a party ticket will obtain a wrist band from a Cast Member. Starting at 6pm, all guests without wrist bands will be gently asked to leave the park.
Dinner
Counter service is a good bet for a party night, as it allows you to get on with the business at hand.... The Party! However, if you wish to eat a Table Service meal, let’s make sure it’s an early reservation, say 4:00 or 4:30. This will allow you to be finish your meal and be ready to enjoy the festivities by 7:00.
There are snack locations open during the party if you need something beyond cookies and hot chocolate this evening.
Be sure to grab a special Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party map when you arrive so you know where all the points of interest are, including the character greeting locations throughout the park.
These special photos are very popular, and it is suggested you prioritize one or two, and get in line for your most important photo at 6:30. That way, when the character comes out at 7:00 you will be able to waste less actual "party time".
Not all attractions are open during the party, but most are. Know that once the party starts you will not be able to use any fast passes. But you shouldn’t need to; lines are generally minimal.
Do you really want to spend a big chunk of your evening riding rides -- something you could do on any day in Magic Kingdom? Or would you rather focus on taking part in the festivities that are only available during a party? This is a sincere question, and your answer will depend upon how much time you have in the Magic Kingdom during the rest of your vacation. If you have a few other days planned in the park, perhaps you may not need to focus on rides. But, if your park time is limited (or you just love the rides!), you may want to take advantage of the relatively low crowd level, and enjoy some attractions.
Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
Shown two times during the party at 8:30 and 11:00, this 30 minute parade is the same one that airs on ABC on Christmas morning... the one we all thought was ‘live’...
The second parade of the evening will be far less crowded than the first. If you can, visit the other areas during the first parade, see the fireworks, and then grab a preferred viewing spot for the second parade.
If you plan on attending the first parade, then do make sure you arrive in the Magic Kingdom at 5:00. Maximize attractions from 5 - 7, enjoy the party festivities from 7- 8:45, and then secure a parade viewing location. Otherwise, you will only have about 90 minutes of party time.
"Holiday Wishes - Celebrate the Spirit of the Season"
This specially themed Holiday fireworks display begins at 10:00 p.m., and features 360 degree fireworks at several points toward the end. Please try to avoid the entire Hub area for your fireworks viewing, as this is where most people will congregate. If the Crystal Palace is where you can pick up some hot chocolate, this area will be crowded as well. The Tomorrowland Bridge, The Rose Garden, TomorrowlandTerrace, or Main Street, U.S.A . are all better locations. And if you watch from Main Street, we suggest you couple it with a visit to the Big Man in Red himself. He can be found down near City Hall and most people don’t realize he’s there. You can see him before or immediately after the fireworks.
From everyone at HelpAroundtheMouse.com -- We hope this information, and all of our Help Around the Mouse Clue Ins, contributes to you having an even more magical Walt Disney World vacation! K