Last week I attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World's Magic Kingdom for the very first time -- not with my three kids and husband (or the cats), but with my good friend Loraine.
After reading this post, you'll learn everything you need to know about the party, including the dates, cost, what it includes, what characters are there, and what rides are open.
You'll also learn why I never attended the party until this year, whether or not I thought it was worth it, and what I liked and didn't like about the experience.
Mickey Very Merry Christmas Party Dates
The dates for 2019 are:
November:
8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22 and 24
December:
1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20 and 22
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Hours
MVMCP officially starts at 7pm, but you can enter the Magic Kingdom with a party ticket as early as 4pm.
In addition, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members can enter as early as 2pm, along with as many as 7 other guests who have party tickets.
How Much Does Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Cost?
Here are the 2019 ticket prices, which as you can see, vary according to date:
November 11, 12, 14, 17 & 21
Advance Purchase: $99 adult, $94 child (Ages 3-9)
Day of Purchase: $109 adult, $104 child
November 8, 15 & 22 and December 3, 5, 8, 10, 12 & 15
Advance Purchase: $109 adult, $104 child (Ages 3-9)
Day of Purchase: $119 adult, $114 child
November 24 and December 1, 6, 13 & 17
Advance Purchase: $115 adult, $110 child (Ages 3-9)
Day of Purchase: $125 adult, $120 child
December 19
Advance Purchase: $129 adult, $124 child (Ages 3-9)
Day of Purchase: $139 adult, $134 child
December 20 & 22
Advance Purchase and Day of Purchase: $139 adult, $134 child (Ages 3-9)
Annual Passholders can get $5 discount on the advance pricing listed.
Do You Need a Park Ticket to Go to Mickey's Christmas Party?
You do not need a regular park ticket if all you want to do is attend the party. This is our strategy. We're going to have a resort character breakfast that morning, do some resort-hopping, visit the pool, and then show up at the Magic Kingdom for the party around 4pm.
Some (most?) people have a regular park day and then just add the Christmas party at night. Personally, I can't justify spending that much money for a single day. Also, call me old and boring, but I would be exhausted and miserable being at the park from morning til midnight.
Either way, you do need a "special event ticket" to attend the Christmas party itself. The Magic Kingdom closes at 6:00pm for "normal people" who have only a regular park ticket, but who do not an additional ticket specifically for the party (which is usually us).
And yes, they do check if you're wearing a party wrist band. (I was asked twice during the party to show mine.) So no, you can't just hide in the crowds and hope no one notices that you're crashing the party.
You can add your MVMP Ticket to your MyDisneyExperience account and it will be on your MagicBand, so you don't need a paper ticket.
Do MVMP Tickets Sell Out?
They certainly can sell not, although not all of them do, so don't wait too long to get your tickets.
According to Touring Plans, last year the first party of the year sold out one day in advance, and 3 of the December parties sold out, between 1-6 days in advance.
Is MVMP Busy?
Other than the opening party or two, November parties are less crowded than December parties, and Tuesday parties are less crowded than other nights.
Touring Plans lists these as the 5 best party dates for 2019:
- Tuesday, November 19, 2019
- Sunday, November 17, 2019
- Tuesday, November 12, 2019
- Thursday, November 21, 2019
- Thursday, November 14, 2019
The worst 3 party dates for 2019 are expected to be:
- Sunday, November 24, 2019
- Sunday, December 01, 2019
- Sunday, December 22, 2019
These estimates are based only on attraction wait times -- not lines for character meet and greets.
I was actually a little nervous about the crowds based on what I had read. Not only were people were saying the crowds had been getting worse and worse over the last few years, but reports I read on the 2019 Not-So-Scary Halloween Party said that not only were the crowds awful, but the area around Main Street was downright unsafe, especially if you had small children.
So how was it?
We attended the Christmas Party on November 14, which as you can see above, was the "5th best date" in terms of crowds.
I thought the crowd level was ... fine. The lines for characters were pretty long. We waited in two lines that were each about 50 minutes long, which for me is an usually long time to wait for characters, but I know many Disney guests are willing to wait twice that long. I think if you plan to meet characters at MVMCP, waiting in line for a while is just going to be part of the experience.
The lines for rides were pretty good. I think we waited 25-30 to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (which was pretty cool in the dark, especially since the fireworks started going off just as we were reaching the top.)
I did not even try to attend the early parade (more about that in a minute), but we got a great spot at the 11pm parade without much effort.
Loraine was smart enough to realize that we could shoot into Town Square Theater and meet Mickey Mouse right after the parade finished, and the line there was both short and unrushed (and, interestingly, almost exclusively full of adults).
So ... to sum up, the crowds weren't heavy, but the lines for characters are not going to be "short" no matter who they are or what you do.
BUT I would expect that the people who are going during the week of Christmas will have a much different experience than we did.
Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Worth It?
When I was writing the draft of this article (and actually, before I even decided whether to buy tickets) I did some research asking that very question myself.
Reasons for "Yes"
You have to experience it at least once
The parade is amazing
We love Christmas, so for us it was fantastic
My kids enjoyed meeting all the characters
Reasons for "No"
Crowds are ridiculously huge
Lines for rides were longer than expected
"Free" refreshments are underwhelming
Families could use that money to do a lot more holiday-related activities
The Halloween party is better -- there is more to do, and more characters
Several people said the party isn't what it used to be. This comment from the Disboards is somewhat typical:
Years ago, it was definitely worth it but I believe that they sold a lot less tickets then and I felt it actually had more of a party type atmosphere.
We have gone in recent years, however, and it was very overcrowded; we experienced longer waits during the party than there were earlier that day. It was absolutely not worth it to us, the prices do not justify the experience, in our opinion.
The only things that we went for were the parade and the fireworks, otherwise we felt you could do everything else during regular park hours. And, if you think about it, even the fireworks can be seen from somewhere outside the park.
So did I think it was worth it?
Yes and no.
Yes in that I'm glad I went, I had a great time, and I felt like I got my money's worth.
The parade was great, I liked the special photo ops and meeting the characters in their Christmas outfits (especially since we had Disney Memory Maker), and it was fun to see guests dressed up in their Christmas pajamas and things.
No in that I have no regret that we didn't go earlier as a family, especially when the kids were little. I think most of my family members would have had little patience for standing in line for hours to meet characters, and the fireworks would have caused at least one of them (depending on what year it would have been) to scream bloody murder.
Also, it's the kind of thing where I could justify the cost for myself for one night, but for the price for a family of five ... mmm, no, I think our money was better spent over the years just getting a regular day ticket for the Magic Kingdom instead.
Would I go back? Maybe, but I tend to learn toward "no." Once was great. I don't particularly feel to need to do it again and again.
What is the Weather Like at Disney World at Christmas?
Some people (including us) have been taken be surprise to discover that Florida can get awfully cold in winter evenings. The average low temperatures are 58 for for November and 51 for December.
As funny as it may sound, I would recommend not only wearing long sleeves, but also bringing a lightweight, packable jacket, earmuffs and/or a fleece hat, and gloves.
GliderGloves Copper Infused Touch Screen Gloves
Winter Beanie Knit Hats for Men & WomenThick Warm Winter Beanie Hat Skully Knit Hats Ribbed Cap for Women= Women's Lightweight Water-Resistant Packable Hooded Puffer JacketFoldable Fleece Ear muffs
Of course, wearing some fun Christmas-y stuff is also a good idea.
Mickey Mouse Christmas Lights T-ShirtMinnie Mouse Christmas T ShirtChristmas Snowflake Reindeer Family Vacation ShirtsMickey Mouse Ears Headband (Red Green)
Also, keep in mind that the party will be held even if it rains, so be sure to have some disposable rain ponchos on hand so you don't risk getting drenched.
20 Pack of Family Rain Ponchos
What to Wear to Disney World in the Winter
What does Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Include?
Here's pretty much everything you get with your ticket that you wouldn't get with just a "normal day at Magic Kingdom."
After the list, I'll cover each one in detail.
- Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
- A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
- The Edge Effect
- Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
- Reindeer Wranglers
- Character Dance Parties
- Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
- Complimentary Refreshments
- Character Meet and Greets, some with rare characters and/or characters in holiday attire
In addition, there are 2 "parties within a party" that you can pay even more money for, if you enjoy spending as much money as possible:
- Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
- Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
The Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade is shown 2 times each night during the party, at 8:30pm and 11:00pm.
I had heard that the parade was really, really good, and it did not disappoint. It includes reindeer, gingerbread men, Disney characters in holiday outfits, marching toy soldiers, and, of course, Santa.
The parade begins in Frontierland and continues through Liberty Square, circles Central Plaza in front of Cinderella's Castle, then heads down Main Street. So if you decide to watch from Frontierland, make sure you don't arrive late.
Not surprisingly, the later parade is much less crowded than the first parade. If you choose to go to the earlier parade, you should get get a spot 45-60 minutes before the parade begins. The best place to watch is on Main Street. Not only is the ambiance the best there overall, but it includes fake snow.
We attended the 11pm parade and got a perfect spot, right at the rope, at the very end (beginning?) of Main Street, near the park entrance by Tony's Town Square Restaurant.
Video: Mickey's Once Upon a Time Christmas Parade
A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
This show takes place in, um .... Tomorrowland, on the Rockettower Stage between Space Mountain and the Carousel of Progress.
The show lasts for about 20 minutes and stars Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, and Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc, as well as several humans. I've heard it described as "goofy," "bizarre," and "silly," as well as "intended for people under the age of 8 years old."
I've never been above enjoying something intended for 8 year olds, (much to my teen children's embarrassment), so I had every intention of attending this one, but unfortunately the timing never worked out.
There are 5 nightly performances and it sounds like it's never too crowded, so that will make it easy.
Video -- Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
The Edge Effect
In between showings of A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, an a capella singing group called the Edge Effect appears on the same stage to sing Christmas music.
Again, I planned to catch this one but didn't go a good co-ordinating being in the right place at the right time.
If you're more organized than I was, a good strategy is to grab a couple cookies at Auntie Gravity's right after A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, then heading back to watch The Edge Effect.
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration
This show takes place on the Cinderella forecourt stage. The premise is that it’s days before Christmas, and Mickey is throwing a Christmas party at his house and inviting all of his friends.
Guests include Donald and Daisy, Clarabelle Cow, Goofy, Jessie and Woody, Peter Pan and Wendy, and many others.
The show includes dancing and singing and general holiday cheer. A close viewing spot is recommended.
Video -- Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
It was announced in June that the 2019 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party would replace the Holiday Wishes fireworks show with something new called Minnie's Wonderful Christastime Fireworks.
This new show will have medleys of songs like "Deck the Halls," "Joy to the World," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
Disney is advertising that these new fireworks “can be enjoyed across the park!” which suggests that, at least to some extent, you don't to get a "great viewing spot" to enjoy it. We discovered this to be true when we suddenly experienced a great show while we were in Fantasyland.
Reindeer Wranglers
The Reindeer Wranglers are a country music string group that perform Christmas-themed song parodies. For example, they sang "Hey, Santa Claus" to the tune of "Sweet Caroline" and had us all sing, "Ho ho ho!" at the part in that song where everybody always sings.
I heard that sometimes you can catch the Country Bears joining the Reindeer Wranglers, but we were not so lucky.
Video -- Reindeer Wranglers with the Country Bears
Character Dance Parties
Dance parties?!?
As Amy Poehler would say, "Yes, please!"
There are two of these:
- Junior Jingle Jam in Storybook Circus
- Club Tinsel in Tomorrowland’s Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Check the schedule, because the dance parties sometimes end before the entire Christmas party ends.
I did, in fact, duck into Club Tinsel, both to load up on cookies and hot chocolate and also to get some dancing in. After strutting my stuff to "The Cupid Shuffle" and "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and then decided we should probably move on to other things. (Plus I had to catch my breath.)
One thing that's understandable, but sort of a bummer, is that the bears and reindeer don't interact with you. I tried to make "eye contact" with them and sort of dance facing them, but they ignored me so blatantly that I'm guessing they're trained to do so.
Video: Dance Party at Club Tinsel
Complimentary Refreshments
My father would be quick to remind me (repeatedly) that the cookies at MVMCP are not "free," but rather about $20 each, depending on how many of them you eat.
Here are the free-but-not-really-free refreshments that are available at different locations, wherever you see a large, inflatable peppermint stick:
- Tortuga Tavern (Adventureland):
Snowman Soft Pretzel and Fanta - Jungle Cruise (Adventureland): Ginger Molasses Cookie
- Diamond Horseshoe (Frontierland):
Chocolate Chip Cookie and Eggnog - Miner's Cove (Frontierland): Peppermint Cookie
- Golden Oak Outpost (Frontierland): Snickerdoodle Cookie
- The Friar's Nook (Fantasyland):
Chocolate Chip Cookie - Storybook Circus Snacks Cart (Fantasyland):
Snowman Pretzel - Pinocchhio's Village Haus (Fantasyland):
Snickerdoodle Cookie, Hot Chocolate, and Fanta - Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café:
Peppermint Cookie, Hot Chocolate, and Apple Cider - Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland):
Ginger Molasses Cookie and Apple Cider
The cookies are wrapped, which I know some people were complaining about (they didn't used to be wrapped years ago).
However, I think it's great that's they're wrapped because:
- Unwrapped cookies + many strangers' hands = eww
- You can easily tuck it into you backpack for later
In addition to the free-not-free treats, there are also "Exclusive Treats" that you can pay extra for, like Red Velvet Mickey Waffles at Sleepy Hollow and Chocolate Yule Log at Pecos Bill.
In typical Disney fashion, there are alternative healthy and gluten-free options are available upon request.
Fireworks Holiday Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace
If you like the idea of spending even more money than you already did to attend MVMCP, you can also pay an extra $84 per adult and $50 for children ages 3-9 to attend this party-within-a-party.
The dessert party includes a fireworks viewing area and a buffet with desserts and non-alcoholic beverages. It does not include parade viewing.
I have no idea why someone would want to do this unless they have an unlimited vacation buffet and enjoy throwing their money around.
Tony’s Most Merriest Town Square Party
This is a similar idea, but a little more understandable (and, or course, more money).
For $99 per person, you can get reserved parade viewing for the 11pm parade and a buffet with savory appetizers, desserts, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. It runs til 12:30 am, later than the Christmas party itself.
I guess this might possibly be worth it if you plan on drinking yourself under the table, enjoy staying out late, and hate searching for a good parade-viewing spot. But then again, this is for the later parade, which is never terribly crowded anyway.
Either which way, this is certainly not something that I will ever be paying extra for.
What Rides Are Open During Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?
Most rides are open during the party. (In fact, it might be easier to have a list of which rides aren't open.)
Here's a list of what's available to ride:
Fantasyland
Prince Charming's Regal Carousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
It's a Small World
Princess Fairytale Hall
Mad Tea Party
Mickey's Philharmagic
The Barnstormer
Casey's Splash and Soak
Under the Sea
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Ariel's Grotto
Peter Pan's Flight
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Liberty Square
The Haunted Mansion
Frontierland
Splash Mountain
Country Bear Jamboree
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Adventureland
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Swiss Family Treehouse
Jungle Cruise
Photo courtesy of Brett at Disney Photo Snapper
Tomorrowland
Stitch's Great Escape
Buzz Lightyear's Ranger Spin
Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Astro Orbiter
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
These attractions had "special holiday enhancements" just for the Christmas parties:
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
- Space Mountain
- Mad Tea Party
Can You Use Fast Pass During the Party?
No.
But ...
Since you can arrive for the party at 4pm, you can get Fast Pass reservations from then until the party officially starts at 7pm.
What Characters Are At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
This character list was taken from the Disboards's Official MVMCP thread, which as of this writing has not been updated for 2019 yet, but is probably "mostly still true."
Main Street, U.S.A.
- Santa Claus at Town Square (Meets During the Day)
- Mickey Mouse (Christmas Outfit) at Town Square Theater
- Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally at Town Square Theater (Starts Meeting @ 4:30pm & Wristbands distributed in line if you're already in the park.)
Adventureland
- Captain Jack Sparrow
- Aladdin (Prince Ali) with Abu (Scarf)
- Jasmine with Genie
- Moana (Starts Meeting @ 5:45pm)
- Peter Pan (Scarf) - Roaming
Liberty Square
Fantasyland
- Tigger and Friends (Scarves) ---Near Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Starts Meeting @ 6:20pm)
- Ariel w/Prince Eric (Across from Ariel's Grotto)
- Princess Tiana w/Naveen and Rapunzel w/Flynn Ryder (Princess Fairytale Hall)
- Cinderella w/Prince Charming and Elena of Avalor (Princess Fairytale Hall)
- Aurora w/Prince Phillip and Snow White w/Prince (Near Princess Fairytale Hall) --- Line up at 6:30pm
- Belle
- Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum (Next to the Mad Tea Party) --- Started making an appearance w/o 12/3)
Frontierland
- The Country Bears
Storybook Circus
- Seven Dwarfs (Holiday Scarves) --- Very popular! Line up by 5pm to meet them. (Starts Meeting @ 6:15pm)
- Scrooge McDuck w/Donald (Lumberjack/Holiday Plaid Hat & Coat) --- Casey Jr.
- Minnie Mouse (Peppermint Dress) & Daisy Duck (Holiday Dress w/Snowflakes)
- Santa Goofy (Near Barnstormer)
- Timon, Doc McStuffins & Vampirina (Disney Junior Jingle Jam)
Tomorrowland
- Nick Wilde & Judy Hopps (Starts Meeting @ 6:15pm)
- Reindeer
- Polar Bears
Characters that are exclusive to MVMCP:
- Seven Dwarfs
- Sandy Claws
- Captain Jack Sparrow
- Nick & Judy
- Princes with their Princesses (Prince Charming, Prince Eric, Flynn Ryder, Prince Phillip & Prince)
- Moana
Characters at MVMCP that are normally hard to find:
- Abu
- Genie
- Bert
- Piglet
Is there a long wait for characters?
I heard the average wait time is 30-40 minutes, which is my experience was accurate ... well, closer to 45 minutes.
The Seven Dwarves and Jack & Sally are the most popular characters, with waits up to two hours long.
If meeting characters will be an important part of the evening for you, then look closely at the schedule and have a plan of attack. You could easily spend the entire party doing nothing but waiting on line for characters and still not get to see everybody.
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Now it's your turn.
Have you been to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party? If so, do you think it's worth it? Have crowds gotten worse over the years? What do you like best about the party? Let us know in the comments below!
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