If you are visiting Walt Disney World during the build up to the Holiday Season you may be thinking of buying tickets for MIckey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is a separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom so is it really worth buying a ticket to this Holiday celebration? Here you will find reviews,tips and photos to help you decide if Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is worth it for you and your family.
What is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
Christmas and the Holidays are a Magical time of the year at Walt Disney World. The decorations for Christmas go up just before Thanksgiving, and closer to Christmas there are special parades, celebrations and fireworks. It even snows on Main Street! But if you are visiting prior to December 20th 2010 when the special parades and fireworks start then you may want to think about buying a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Just don’t expect that a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party means that you will get on the rides at Magic Kingdom without standing in line. Whilst some nights the crowds may be light, on others you will find that you are still standing in line for a considerable time. Tickets are limited, but it is thought that the maximum is around 20,000 so that is still a lot of people to be sharing Magic Kingdom with! So don’t go expecting a short cut to the rides as you may be disappointed.
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
A special Christmas themed parade which features all your Disney character favorites. Even Santa Claus himself will appear! The parade is staged twice on each evening. It is often a good idea to go to the second parade. Why? Most people go to the first one so not only will the crowds watching be lighter, the lines for the attractions whilst the first parade is on should be lighter.
Magic Kingdom Cinderella Castle Dream Lights
The Magic Kingdom is lit up with an amazing display of Christmas lights. This really is a spectacle worth seeing, but is not exclusive to ticket holders because these lights can be seen by any visitor to Magic Kingdom in the evening. The Cinderella Castle is an amazing sight at any time of the year, but with over 200,000 LED lights decorating it then it is a truly spectacular sight!
Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season
A trip to Magic Kingdom is never complete without watching the fireworks and for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party you must see the special Holiday Wishes display. Based on the Wishes fireworks this of course has a Holiday theme with lots of Christmas music. If you want to stake out the best spots then you need to be there at least 30 minutes in advance depending on how large the crowds are on that day. It is certainly an experience worth waiting for.
Live Disney Character Stage Shows
These shows are specific Christmas. You can see Celebrate The Season which is staged in front of Cinderella’s Castle and Totally Tomorrowland Christmas show which is held in the Tomorrowland Theater.
One of my favorites is Belle’s Enchanted Christmas. This is a delightful story telling event held in Belle’s Fairytale Garden. It is a very small area and you do have to get there early to get seating. and see the show.
Character Greetings
This can be a good time to see characters – although on busy nights the lines can still be long. It can be a chance to see some characters who are often hard to find.
Complimentary Cookies and Hot Cocoa
Well of course they are not exactly free as you have just paid a lot of money for your ticket! But it is a nice way to get into the Christmas mood and also as it is often pretty cold in the evenings the hot chocolate can be very welcome. If you want a healthier alternative then apple slices and apple juice are also available.
Snow on Main Street, U.S.A.
Disney World is a place where everything is possible – it can even snow in Florida. My kids really love this as this is one of the only chances they get to see snow. Yes I know it isn’t real but that is the magic of Disney!
When is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
Here are the dates for 2010
November 8th
November 11th
November 12th
November 16th
November 18th
November 19th
November 28th
November 30th
December 2nd
December 3rd
December 5th
December 7th
December 9th
December 10th
December 12th
December 14th
December 16th
December 17th
December 19th
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts at 7pm and closes at midnight. Officially you can’t enter Magic Kingdom prior to 7pm with just the party ticket but some guests have reported in previous years that they have got in earlier than that. But don’t plan on it! You will be given a wristband to wear so that Cast Members know that you have a ticket to the Party. Those without a ticket will be asked to leave after 7pm.
Ticket Prices for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
ADVANCE PURCHASE: Adults: $57.46; Children 3-9 $51.07 (not available Dec 7, 10, 12 and 19th,)
DAY OF EVENT (IF AVAILABLE): Adults $63.85 Children 3-9 $57.46
ANNUAL PASSHOLDER AND DVC DISCOUNTS: Adults $53.20; Children 3-9 $46.81 available only for the following dates: Nov 8,11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28 and 30th; Dec 2, 3, 5 and 9th.
All prices include taxes.
So you will see that ticket prices do add up to quite a bit of money for a family. But it is a way to see the special Holiday celebrations and there is nothing quite like the way Disney celebrates!
Photos by Joe Penniston
Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando. In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.
meredith
Friday 3rd of December 2010
Does anyone know of where I might be able to get tickets for Dec 19th for Mickey's very merry christmas?
Disney Blog Carnival #12 - October 26, 2010 | DisMarks - Disney Social News
Monday 25th of October 2010
[...] EverythingMouse presents Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party [...]
Anita
Sunday 3rd of October 2010
Hello, Does it only snow on the nights with the Mickey Party?
Alison
Sunday 13th of November 2011
Yes you need to go either to the special events at Magic Kingdom in Christmas week or attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.