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Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2016

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The holiday season at Walt Disney World is already underway and you have plenty of choices on how to celebrate. If you plan to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, you need to be prepared for an evening like no other. It’s the Magic Kingdom, dialed up to 11.

The party includes joyful music, a shimmering Cinderella Castle, characters in their festive finery and the Magic Kingdom decked out and even more magical for merry-making guests of all ages. Disney princes join princesses at Princess Fairytale Hall. Guests can meet Nick and Judy from “Zootopia” in Tomorrowland. The special party – complete with cookies, cocoa and snow flurries – begins at 7 p.m., after regular park hours.

Dates for this year are:

Nov. 7,8,10,11, 13, 15, 18, 27, 29

Dec. 1,2,4,6,8,9,11,13,15,16,18, 22

The earlier evenings are always the least crowded, midweek events typically have the lightest attendance. Prices for tickets vary depending on the dates and if you purchase in advance.

Although the party doesn’t start until 7pm, your ticket will gain you access to the Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm. You can schedule fastpass for between 4 and 7pm, but there is no fastpass during the party.

Some of the major events at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:

All new! Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration: New to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Mickey and his pals host some of their friends for an unforgettable Christmas soiree filled with medleys of delightful classic and contemporary holiday songs, and magical holiday projections on Cinderella Castle building to a sensational, snowy finale. (Also available Dec. 23 – 31 during regular park operating hours).

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade: The enchanting holiday parade during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party transforms Main Street, U.S.A. Santa Claus, gingerbread men, elves, reindeer, toy soldiers and other friends from the North Pole join Mickey and his pals. Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf from “Frozen” join in the fun.

A Frozen Holiday Wish (Castle Dream Lights): This season, the wintry wonder and magic of Disney’s blockbuster “Frozen” enchants park guests as Queen Elsa transforms Cinderella Castle into a glimmering, shimmering ice palace for the holidays.

Holiday Wishes – Celebrate the Spirit of the Season: The night sky bursts with color high above Cinderella Castle with a holiday fireworks spectacular

There is also other entertainment in and around the park. Usually there’s a concert and/or dance party in Tomorrowland. There are extra characters out and about throughout the park. You’ll also have access to a select group of attractions and dining throughout the night.

More details on this as the actual program is released closer to the first night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Some general tips for the evening:

  • Watch the second parade, it will be less busy and you can get a lot done during the first one.
  • Don’t miss the fireworks. Generall best viewed from between the end of Main Street and the Partners Statue.
  • Enjoy the dance partys and shows. The season is all about the job and there’s a lot of joy in both.
  • If you want to get in the more popular characters. Pick the one you absolutely have to see and line up for it before the event starts. Last year Jack and Sally from the Nightmare Before Christmas actually started seeing guests before the technical start of the event
  • Eat dinner before the event. Dining opportunities are limited once the event starts so lines can get lone. Eat dinner early to avoid missing a lot of the party just trying to get food.

What are your tips to enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

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6 thoughts on “Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2016”

  1. we did this on our visit in 2012 and to be perfectly honest it was a complete waste of money: why this is a “special” ticket is beyond me, all you get is a “parade”

  2. We did it once….it is very pricey and not that much extra you can’t see or do another night. Yes, you get hot cocoa and cookies if you stand on a long line…..but there are fireworks other nights, too….parades other times….this was the one and only time that I felt “ripped-off” by anything involving Disney.

  3. I went last year and it was absolutely magical. I cannot wait to do it again and as my tickets are for the 10th, I’m expecting very light crowds and all the more joy! :D

  4. Well, I am still debating if I’m going this year, because last year was very disappointing. I mean, paying $80+ and get a plain boring sugar cookie was just awful. It tasted gross; worst than those free ones you get at Publix. There was nothing Christmas related in that cookie. It wasn’t a snickerdoodle cookie or a ginger bread cookie…there wasn’t even a decoration on it…just a rip off.

    The parade is wonderful, but having that “dessert party” occupy the area around the tree is not OK. Not having access to the train station is not OK.

    Basically, the offerings against the cost to attend, especially for pass holders, are disproportional. If someone isn’t a pass holder, and they just randomly come then great, but when you’re an AP, to be charged for this on top of the pass it’s ridiculous. They don’t do anything special enough and worthy of $80+ bucks.

    We went to the Halloween Party 4 times; both this year and last year, because it is the BEST party on that property, but the Christmas party is a total disappointment.

  5. One of the cast members at reservations suggested we come hungry because of all of the free food. But. We should eat before we come instead? Thank you.

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