Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a ticketed Christmas event held in the Magic Kingdom on select nights in November and December. Christmas is inarguably the most Magical time of year at Walt Disney World, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the most Christmas you can find in Walt Disney World, so the party is one of the flagship events on the Walt Disney World calendar.
In this post, we outline everything you need to know in anticipation of the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Dates and preliminary pricing (along with a few other details) for this year’s event have now been released. Once the party starts, we hope to have reports directly from the event! You can also click here to jump to the 2023 party dates and prices.
2024 dates and prices have not yet been announced. The first information on the 2024 edition of the party is expected in June.
2023 Party Dates and Pricing
The 2023 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was held on:
November: 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30
December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22
Ticket prices ranged from $159-$199 per person. Per Disney, “Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are limited and can be purchased online beginning July 6. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, and Shades of Green can begin purchasing tickets as early as June 29 on the Walt Disney World website.”
New for 2023 — TRON Using Virtual Queue
TRON uses a virtual queue for access during the event. There will be no standby line. Here’s the full details, from Disney:
An opportunity to request to join the virtual queue will be available at 6:00 PM for Guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Guests will need to use the My Disney Experience app to enter this attraction. A standby queue for this attraction will not be available during the event. Each Guest can request to enter this virtual queue no more than once per event.
This is only available for Guests on the day of the event they are attending, and their specific event tickets must be linked to their My Disney Experience account in order to join the virtual queue. Guests attending this special ticketed event do not need to be in Magic Kingdom park to request to join at the time the queue becomes available.
We had a small systems issue using the 6PM virtual queue. We had joined the virtual queue for the regular day earlier, but due to a glitch it wasn’t removed from Emily’s account when she tapped in. When I looked at the app at 6:01PM to try and join the party virtual queue, I first had to remove Emily from the earlier queue. Then I was able to add us to the virtual queue for the party. Unfortunately we weren’t called until 10:58PM, and we’d already left.
New for 2023 — Frozen Holiday Surprise
A new Frozen show, replacing “Frozen Holiday Wish” has debuted. Per Disney:
For the first time in forever, guests will be able to join Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the Snowgies in front of Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom for “Frozen Holiday Surprise,” a brand new “Frozen”-inspired entertainment experience that will illuminate the castle in a whole new way. This delightful new offering can be seen during regular park hours and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details on this exciting holiday addition.
This means the old “Dream Lights” (the white snow-themed lights that covered the castle, pictured elsewhere in this post) will not be returning, and you can instead expect a new projection-focused Frozen show.
What This Guide Covers
This guide is based on our experiences both this year (2023) and past years. This guide starts with the basics—how ticketed Disney World events work, dates, prices, buying tickets, and the official event guide map. Then we move onto the specifics of planning your visit to the party.
We offer two outlines of itineraries you might want to plan your party around before going into detail on everything that’s offered—entertainment, rides, characters, free treats, exclusive, food/merchandise, Magic Shots, and everything else!
We finish it up with our thoughts on the party.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates & Prices
We’ll begin with dates, prices, and some basics about ticketed events.
How Special Ticketed Events Like This Work
You might be confused about how these ticketed events work. Who needs a ticket? Why should I buy a ticket to this if I have one to the park already? And so on.
First, only people who hold tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are allowed in Magic Kingdom on party days after 7PM. Magic Kingdom technically closes to people without tickets to the event at 6PM. Tickets can be loaded onto your Magic Band through your My Disney Experience account just like other Walt Disney World tickets.
That means that even if you have park hopper tickets, tickets specifically for Magic Kingdom, or even a Walt Disney World annual pass, you won’t be allowed to be in the park after park close without a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Disney typically monitors these events using wristbands. If you’re already in the park because you had a park ticket for that day and you have a ticket for the special event, you’ll go to a designated wristband location to get your wristband.
This bring us to our second big point. Individuals who have tickets only for the party can enter the park as early as 4PM. Guests start queueing to enter even before that. If you’re wondering why someone would arrive early to “rope drop” a park that already has thousands of guests in it, the answer is (mostly) characters. Some of the most popular character greetings for party guests will have queues at 4PM, and if you want to be at the front of them, you have to be at the front of the check-in crowds at 4PM.
When you enter on your event ticket after 4PM, you’ll immediately be given a wristband. The party ends at midnight. Main Street’s stores usually remain open sometime thereafter, though you want to be careful relying on this.
We’ll cover more about the party specifically below, but suffice to say you cannot enjoy the party-specific activities, including food and merchandise, without this separate ticket.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023 Dates
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held on the following dates in 2023: November: 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30; December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22
Notably, there are fewer dates around Thanksgiving week and the party ends on December 22nd, three days before Christmas. Parties do sell out, so buy in advance!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Prices
Prices for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party range from $159 to $199 per person. The last two parties, on December 21 and 22, are expected to be the most expensive. Tickets are typically $10 more expensive at the gates, adding to the reasons you should buy online in advance.
Discounts are sometimes available for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.
The old “Dream Lights”, not returning 2023
Buying Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets
For the 2023 event, tickets went on sale June 29 for guests who have reservations at Disney hotels (along with Swan/Dolphin and Shades of Green) during the event. Tickets went on sale to everyone else July 6.
We buy our tickets through our travel agent, Lauren Quirk. You can also purchase tickets to the party through Disney World directly or through a trusted discount Disney World ticket seller like Undercover Tourist. So far, we haven’t seen discounts on these tickets, but it’s always worth comparing prices.
Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party good for little kids?
We have a separate post on visiting Disney World’s Holiday Parties with toddlers (definitely read it if this is on your mind), but the bottom line is that yes, kids big and small can have a great time at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Map & Times Guide (2023)
The map and times guide for the party are combined in a single brochure. Here’s a gallery of sections from the map:
Firework Dessert Party at Very Merry Christmas Party
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party is an event-within-an-event during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. To attend, you’ll need a ticket for the Christmas Party and a separate reservation for the dessert party.
While we’ve reviewed the regular Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party, we haven’t visited the dessert party at the Christmas Party and probably never will, simply because we don’t think it’s worth the party time. For more discussion of the Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party, we recommend WDW Prep School.
Are 2023 Very Merry Crowds Lower?
There was a ton of hype early on that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party crowds seemed lower for the first few events. I know some inquisitive minds will get into the weeds, constantly looking at every piece of data they can find to figure out if crowds are lower. I don’t think that’s necessary.
In our experience, crowds were not lower this year than they have been at any of the (several) parties we’ve gone to in past years. Waits for rides and lines for characters were exactly what I expected before any of this “low crowds” talk. But most importantly—I absolutely do not think you should expect lower crowds.
We had a rather mediocre experience this year, and I think the number one reason is that we’d heard crowds would be lower. Even knowing not to let that impact our expectations, it obviously always will. And it managed to impact our approach to the party a few times. The net result was more disappointment than in past years.
Plan for the worst (or in this case, the exact same thing as every previous year), hope for the best. If you go in with the mindset of low crowds and they aren’t low, you’ll be stuck running around baffled at high waits all night. If you go in with expectations of high crowds and they’re lower than expected, you’ll just get even more done than you expected.
MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY Suggested Itineraries
Before we get to the specifics of what’s included in the party, I want to offer two suggested itineraries. I’d prefer to save these for last, but there’s just too much to cover. The core of your itinerary is going to be the entertainment, which occurs on a fixed schedule. Around that, you’ll fit in characters and rides. Then in any remaining time, you’ll enjoy treats, atmosphere, and anything else.
Remember, if you have bedtimes to worry about, or if the weather forecast is bad, you won’t have as much flexibility. Don’t go into a party with a rainy forecast planning to save all the entertainment for the very end.
(Weather Note: “Bad” forecast is a broad term. In 2023, we visited on what was an overall rainy week. The forecast before and during our party was just clouds. The actual weather? A thick mist that resulted in about half the scheduled entertainment getting rained out or modified.)
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Late Entertainment Itinerary
This itinerary puts all your entertainment into a single block pretty late in the evening, giving you maximum flexibility to basically do whatever you want—characters, rides, snacks, etc.—from 4PM to 9PM.
4PM Enter Park, Queue for Jack and Sally Greeting
(Free Time)
6:15PM Queue for a ride with Overlay
6:15PM Alternatively, Frozen Holiday Surprise to leave Free Time until 9:30PM
(Free Time)
8:15PM Frozen Holiday Surprise
(Free Time)
9:30PM The Collective 5ive
10:00PM Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
10:35PM Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
11PM Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
(Free Time)
The downside to this approach is that if you really enjoy any of the entertainment you might have trouble fitting in a second showing (or, in the case of the parade, not have that option at all since you skipped the first showing). You’ll also be dealing with peak crowds at rides and characters. We do not recommend you plan on only watching the second parade if rain is in the forecast.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Early Entertainment Itinerary
This itinerary shifts your entertainment to be a bit earlier, including the first parade. The last item is the 10PM fireworks. This itinerary works better if your group doesn’t want to be up past midnight. It also easily allows you to catch two shows of anything you enjoy (except the fireworks, which are only one each night).
4PM Enter Park, Queue for Jack and Sally Greeting
(Free Time)
6:15PM Queue for a ride with Overlay
(Free Time)
7:40PM Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
8:15PM Frozen Holiday Surprise
8:30PM Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
9:30PM The Collective 5ive
10:00PM Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
(Free Time)
The downside to this approach is your “free time” blocks are all pretty short. This can make navigating 30-minute-plus waits for rides and characters pretty tricky, though you will have the shortest waits of the night once the fireworks are done.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Shows & Entertainment
Before we get to the shows and entertainment of the party, we want to highlight their importance. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is almost entirely driven by the stage shows, fireworks, and parade. To see every one of them, your schedule is going to be packed!
A Note On “Exclusive” Offerings
While we describe several “exclusive” offerings in this post, there is one exception—several of these shows are also performed the week of Christmas (after the parties have concluded) during regular park hours. The exact offerings vary by year.
Christmas Party Entertainment Schedule
Since you (probably) only have one night at the party, you’re going to need to make sure to plan your schedule wisely. Typically, you’re going to have a stretch were you just hop from show to show with maybe enough time for a snack break, but probably not character appearance or rides (you have to do those earlier or later).
Here is the full 2023 schedule, with our recommended viewings bolded:
Frozen Holiday Surprise — 6:15PM (before party), 8:15PM
Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade — 8:30PM, 11PM (plan to watch both)
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration — 7:40PM, 9:25PM, 10:35PM, 11:55PM
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show — 10PM (once per night, must watch)
The Collective 5ive — 7:40PM, 8:40PM, 9:30PM, 10:55PM, 11:40PM
I’ve bolded our suggested schedule, in accordance with the “late entertainment” itinerary given above. Most important is to remember that this skips the first viewing of the parade. If you might want to watch the parade twice, or if rain is in the forecast, you’ll want a schedule that includes the 8:30PM parade.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration (Castle Stage)
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is the main stage show of the evening, held in front of Cinderella Castle four times a night at 7:40PM, 9:25PM, 10:35PM, and 11:55PM.
Try not to wait for the last showing on this one, as you may want to watch it twice. The show is a standard castle show, with Mickey and friends getting together for some Christmas fun.
Frozen Holiday Surprise (Castle Stage Show)
A Frozen Holiday Surprise technically occurs once during the party, at 8:15PM. However, it also occurs before the party officially starts, usually at 6:15PM. This is after party guests are allowed in the park, making it a viable option if you can’t otherwise fit it into your night.
Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade (Parade)
The flagship parade of the party has occurs twice a night at 8:30PM and 11:00PM along the route from Frontierland and down Main Street U.S.A. We’re actually split on the parade, but we both agree that you should watch the 8:30PM parade in case you decide you want to see it twice.
(NOT IN 2023!) A Totally Tommorowland Christmas (tomorrowland Stage)
Unfortunately, the amazing “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” is not returning in 2023. I consider this a huge setback for the party, but who knows why they do the things they do.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks
Replacing Holiday Wishes since 2019 is Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. It’s a great show with some holiday classics, and in any case a must-see since it’s one of the big things you’re paying for.
Disney Junior Jingle Jam (Cosmic Ray’s, Dance Party)
Disney Junior Jingle Jam is a dance party held in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe from 7PM to 12AM. Kids will get to dance with some Disney characters, including Timon, Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, and Doc McStuffins.
This dance party was previously held in Storybook Circus, but moved to Cosmic Ray’s the year. It displaced Club Tinesel, which moved to the Tomorrowland stage.
Club Tinsel (Tomorrowland Stage, Dance Party)
Club Tinsel is a dance party held at the Tomorrowland Stage intermittently from 7PM to 12AM. It features Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and Chip ‘n’ Dale. The dance party occurs intermittently, sharing the stage with The Collective 5ive.
This dance party was formerly held in Cosmic Ray’s. It has been pushed to this stage, unfortunately bringing about the end of A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, which was an amazing show.
The Collective 5ive (Tomorrowland Stage, Boy Band)
The Collective 5ive comes to the Tomorrowland stage intermittently throughout the evening. They replace previous years’ Edge Effect.
Rides and Attractions During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has four party-exclusive attraction overlays in 2023: Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, and Space Mountain. Here they are in the order we recommend them…
Space Mountain
Space Mountain switches to holiday rock music along with getting red, green, and white strobing lights. This creates something of a “lights on” experience in the ride. It’s a must-do, in our opinion.
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Speedway basically has a Christmas music lights show added to it. If you’ve ever seen a lights show, you know what to expect. If coasters aren’t your thing, or even if you’re just a bit on the fence, I could easily see prioritizing this over Space Mountain. With its low height requirement, this is also a good option if you’re bringing a small child to the party.
(Bonus) PeopleMover
PeopleMover doesn’t actually get a party overlay, but it passes over Tomorrowland Speedway and through Space Mountain, which means you’ll get a look at the effects present in both of those. This is a great timesaver if you don’t have time (or even aren’t completely sold on) those two overlays.
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor holiday overlay is simply the same attraction you’re used to with holiday-centric jokes and other small holiday touches (like Roz in a holiday sweater). It’s fun if you have the time, but definitely not a must-do because it isn’t too different from the regular version.
Mad Tea Party
The Mad Tea Party overlay is simply Christmas music and lighting. You can just walk by the attraction to see it in action and decide if you want to ride it.
(Bonus) Jingle Cruise
Additionally, Jingle Cruise, a holiday version of Jungle Cruise operates during the party. That overlay is operational throughout the holiday season, not just at parties. So if you’re going to be at Magic Kingdom any other time during the Christmas season, you might want to plan to ride it then instead of wasting precious party time on it.
Beyond that, you can look at the map to see the Magic Kingdom rides expected to be open during the party. Because of the high price and many exclusive things during the party, we really don’t recommend planning to ride any rides other than those with unique overlays.
If you’re particularly interested in tackling rides with an event like this, you’d probably want to consider a trip during Magic Kingdom After Hours insetad.
Ride Strategy during the Christmas Party
Again, we don’t recommend any non-overlaid rides during the party. If we were going to make an exception, we’d say that it might make sense to ride a really popular ride like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Peter Pan’s Flight either right at 4PM or as your last thing of the night.
The ride overlays will start between 6PM and 7PM. Cast Members at the entrance to Space Mountain should be able to give you an idea of whether the overlay has started or when it will. For Tomorrowland Speedway and Mad Tea Party you can tell from the outside of the ride.
Visiting one of the overlays right when it begins is a fine use of time unless you’re prioritizing characters. Then, you can visit a second either right away or after you’ve enjoyed all the entertainment.
One recent visit I got in line for Space Mountain at 6:15PM. The ride finished its normal operations around 6:20PM, spent 10 minutes converting to the overlay, and started loading guests for the overlay at 6:32PM. I boarded at 6:39PM. Conversely, we also had to wait until right about 7PM for the Tomorrowland Speedway overlay to begin.
Finally, don’t worry about using Walt Disney World Genie+ during the party, the system is inactive during party hours.
PARTY-EXCLUSIVE CHARACTER GREETINGS
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers unique character greetings you can’t experience any other time of year at Disney World, even during Christmas outside of the party. Read more about meeting characters at Disney World here.
If characters are going to be a big part of your night, you must read the WDW Prep School guide to Characters at the Christmas Party. We’ll focus on the most important things to know, but they are a better resource for really strategizing how to meet the most popular characters.
Which Kinds Of Characters Are At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
The characters at the party range from characters you don’t usually see, like Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws, to mainstays like Mickey and Minnie in their Christmas finest, to greetings otherwise available during the day, like Mirabel. In 2023, there are 15 designated character stops on the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party map.
Character Wait Times & Strategy
Again, for in-depth party character analysis, read the WDW Prep School guide to Characters at the Christmas Party. We’re going to give our more basic analysis here.
You should expect character waits to range from 15 minutes to 45 minutes, though the most major greetings can see lines that reach 2 hours or longer. The line to meet Jack and Sally often closes well before the end of the party.
Our first recommendation is to get in line for Jack and Sally a close to 4PM as possible. This will allow you to meet them before the party starts, and ideally before any of the overlays might begin at 6PM. You might even find time to squeeze in another popular greetings, like Pooh & Friends, before 7PM.
Other than that, we recommend casually fitting in characters if you have time leftover outside the entertainment and ride overlays. After 10PM’s firework show, you’ll see most of these down under 15 minutes. The challenge of meeting characters after 10PM, though, is that several have to disappear for the 11PM parade.
You could easily meet any three characters by visiting one before the party starts, one right at the start, and one after 10PM. If you don’t care for any of the one’s starting early, you’ll be able to fit two in right at the start or after 10PM.
Free HOLIDAY TREATS DURING MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY
We loved the holiday treats at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party so much they actually made us pretty sick by the end of the night one year (in a good way).
Holiday Treats — Basics
In 2023, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party offers five treat stops across the park. The stops don't all have every treat. Instead, you’ll basically find a cookie and maybe a beverage (e.g. hot cocoa, eggnog) at each site. The sites are all marked with a candy-cane marker.
While these stops aren’t always the most organized, even on a sold out party day you’ll be in and out in under five minutes at worst. The locations for 2023 are:
Tortuga Tavern (Adventureland)
Columbia Harbour House (Liberty Square)
Pinocchio Village Haus (Fantasyland)
Cosmic Ray’s (Tomorrowland)
Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland)
The only location I want to specifically note is Cosmic Ray’s, which is also where the Club Tinsel dance party is hosted. This dance party is geared toward kids, so if you have little ones this might be a good spot to grab a treat
At most of them, you’ll just walk up to a counter or Cast Member, grab your free snack, and go. As with the treat stations at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, you can go through these stops as many times as you’d like.
Mouse Ear Memories has information on allergens at Mickey’s Very Merry Christas Party and being Gluten Free at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
Holiday Treats — Scheduling
You don’t need to prioritize the free treats, nor does it really make sense. With fewer stops than in the past, it now makes sense to at least be aware of where the stations are, but generally you’ll just want to stop in for 5 minutes, have a treat, and get on with your party.
You can also just go to the snack stops in between shows and start hoarding (or eating during shows). The cookies are packaged , which makes it a lot easier to take them home.
MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY MERCHANDISE & FOOD
Event-exclusive merchandise returned in 2023. You can find it at Emporium (Main Street) and Star Traders (Tomorrowland).
As for food, there are around a dozen party-exclusive snack items, along with other holiday items that are also available during regular Magic Kingdom hours. These are paid items, not the free cookies and beverages discussed earlier. The Disney Parks Blog Foodie Guide lists all these (search “only” to see the items exclusive to the party).
Because there are free treats readily available, we recommend just picking one or two of these to enjoy. I tried the Christmas Tree Cake from Casey’s Corner this year and enjoyed it. Casey’s is also conveniently located at the end of Main Street, which is good if you’re passing outside peak times, but not as convenient when everyone is in the area for the parade or fireworks.
Magic Shots
There are eight “Magic Shot” locations during the party where you can get special PhotoPass Magic Shots unique to the party. These are indicated on the map with a “Camera” icon, though one by Haunted Mansion seems not to be marked. You can read more about these over at Disney Food Blog.
Unfortunately, you’ll have to purchase Memory Maker or otherwise have access (like through an annual pass) to enjoy the photos. You can read more about these services in our Guide to PhotoPass and Memory Maker at Disney World.
Happenings Around The Party
Besides everything that is promoted on the website, parks blog, or guide map, there are plenty of smaller touches throughout the park. Over in Frontierland, you’ll find the Country Bears in Christmas gear and some performers singing some Christmas tunes.
When there isn’t any major entertainment ongoing, Cinderella Castle is lit with a rotating set of projections.
And throughout the night, Main Street, U.S.A. is lit with a variety of colors that change as Christmas songs play.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party - Conclusions
The best thing about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is that it will keep you busy. While you might have a bit of downtime early on—particularly if waiting in lines for characters or rides isn’t your thing—once the entertainment, treats, and ride overlays begin you should be able to keep pretty busy.
The party is definitely good if you’re looking to pack the maximum amount of Christmas into your Disney World vacation. While the offerings at the other parks, and Magic Kingdom during the day, are nice touches, it’s the party where the energy really reaches those holiday levels.
But it’s important to note the party generally isn’t as good if you’re looking just for extra hours at Magic Kingdom. Ride waits, particularly for the most popular rides, tend to be pretty long, and you’re not going to get maximum value attempting to squeeze rides in. Like we said above, that’s what Magic Kingdom After Hours is for.
That makes it tough to say whether the party is “worth it” because it’s even more subjective than something like After Hours that basically supplements your regular touring strategy. We definitely think Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is worth it, based on the fact that we go in just looking for that holiday jolt, something that the party delivers.
MICKEY’S Very Merry Christmas PARTY FAQ
We’ll close with some frequently asked questions that might not have fit neatly into the above guide…
What Time Can You Enter Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
As discussed above, the entry time for party guests is 4PM.
Does Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Sell Out?
Yes, the party does often sell out. Peak dates tend to be the first party, the last party, and weekends, but you should buy your ticket well in advance for any date.
Where Can You Eat At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
While it will vary year by year, the standard assortment of Magic Kingdom quick service restaurants (like Pecos Bill, Cosmic Ray’s, Casey’s) remain open during the party.
Can You Book Lightning Lanes During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
Genie+ is not available during the event.
Do They Kick You Out For Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
If you don’t have a ticket for the event you will be kicked out between 6PM and 7PM. You might be able to linger around the Main Street stores a bit after that, but not much.
Learn More About The Holidays at Walt Disney World
Want to learn more about Christmastime at Walt Disney World? For starters, we've got a Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World, which introduces you to everything you need to know.
Need more specifics? You'll want to read about the park that gets the most Magical decorations in our post on Christmas at Magic Kingdom. You'll also want to read about Flurry of Fun—the Christmas celebration at Hollywood Studios, the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, and the Holiday Celebrations at Animal Kingdom.
But the flagship event of the season is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party—and our guide has you covered with everything you need to know. Or check out the quick version in our 12 Tips for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Last but not least, let's not forget that the celebrations don't stop at the parks! You can visit our post on Christmas decorations at the Disney World hotels to see how even the hotels get into the spirit! Even Disney Springs gets in on the action, with bar overlays and an awesome Christmas Tree Trail! It’s a great time of year at Walt Disney World resort!
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way.
Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Don't forget to master your Disney World Genie+ and Lightning Lane strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Epcot Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, Animal Kingdom Genie+ and Lightning Lanes, and Hollywood Studios Genie+ and Lightning Lanes.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.