A special time to visit Walt Disney World is during its celebration of the holidays. The theme parks and resorts are decorated to the nines with twinkling lights, festive greenery, and stunning ornaments.
One place that stands out during the holidays is Magic Kingdom Park, especially during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Held on select nights from early November through a few days before Christmas, guests with Very Merry Party tickets can arrive starting at 4 pm, even though the party doesn't officially launch until 7 pm. Guests who aren't wearing the distinctive Very Merry wristband can expect to be escorted out of the park before the party kicks off. Access to Magic Kingdom attractions as well as photo opportunities with characters are included with the party ticket. There are also cookie and cocoa spots offering complimentary drinks and snacks to enjoy while the party is going on.
Party guests wanting to experience the attractions can do so. Some rides even have festive holiday overlays. The following rides are open for guests at the 2023 Very Merry Party:
Frontierland: Big Thunder Mountain.
Adventureland: Jingle Cruise (featuring a holiday overlay), the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Swiss Family Treehouse.
Fantasyland: "its a small world," Peter Pan's Flight, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Mad Tea Party (you spin to a holiday song), Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Storybook Circus: The Barnstormer, Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Liberty Square: Haunted Mansion.
Tomorrowland: Astro Orbiter, Space Mountain - Holiday Run (holiday overlay), Tomorrowland Speedway Race through the Holidays (holiday overlay), Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (holiday overlay), Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and TRON Lightcycle / Run (virtual queue).
During the party, there is a fireworks show with Cinderella's Castle as the backdrop. In 2023, Minnie Mouse hosted the "Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show." As fireworks fill the air, guests can listen to some of their favorite holiday carols. The fireworks are shown once each Party night.
Another favorite feature during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is the "Once Upon a Christmastime Parade." Guests line the parade path as they look out for characters to spread cheer and goodwill. The parade winds through Frontierland, Liberty Square, and Main Street, U.S.A. One of my favorite parts of the parade is watching the Marching Band of Toy Soldiers. The parade is offered twice each night. Tip: the second parade is usually less crowded.
Stage shows are another must-see during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Over at Cinderella Castle, there is a Yuletide stage show starring the Big Cheese and his friends. Performers entertain with dancing and song while Disney characters in holiday garb spread joy. "Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration" is offered four times during the Party. Another show is called the "Frozen Holiday Surprise." Offered twice on Party nights, the show brings Olaf and more than a hundred of his Snowgie siblings along with Kristoff, Anna, and Elsa to decorate the castle for the festivities. The show ends with Elsa transforming Cinderella Castle into a glittery crystallized palace.
You can also put on your dancing shoes at the Merry Party. Guests can groove to the music over at Club Tinsel, which is located inside Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. A DJ hosts the dance party, so guests can enjoy the merriment while snacking on some holiday treats. Over at Storybook Circus, guests can participate in the Disney Junior Jingle Jam! The young and the young-at-heart can rock out with Disney Junior characters including Doc McStuffins, Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, and the Lion Guard. Goofy in Santa Claus attire can also be spotted at the Jingle Jam!
Character meet and greets decked out in holiday garb happen throughout the Park during the Party. The Party map guests receive show spots to find the characters, and you can also look up the information in your My Disney Experience app. In 2023, characters at the Party include:
Main Street, U.S.A: Jack Skellington and Sally, Mickey Mouse, Mary Poppins, Toy Soldiers.
Storybook Circus: Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Santa Goofy, Seven Dwarfs, Scrooge McDuck.
Adventureland: Aladdin, Jasmine, Abu and Genie, Captain Jack Sparrow, Stitch, Peter Pan.
Frontierland: Tiana and Naveen, Country Bears.
Liberty Square: Santa!
Fantasyland: Alice and the White Rabbit, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Ariel and Price Eric, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Cinderella and Prince Charming, Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, Aurora and Prince Phillip, Belle, Mirabel, Snow White and the Prince.
And if all this isn't magical enough, snow falls on Main Street, U.S.A. intermittently throughout the night. To remember the party, guests can pick up exclusive party merchandise at the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A., or Star Traders in Tomorrowland. Guests are also given a complimentary ornament when they exit the party.
Global Wishes highly recommends Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. If you need our assistance booking the Party in future years, do give us a shout-out.
Comments