The only time of the year when Mickey Mouse and Santa Claus combine forces
Ho, ho, ho! Christmas has come to Walt Disney World, and of course, this special event takes place in Magic Kingdom, where the magic definitely happens (it’s in the name, after all). Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (let’s call it MVMCP for short) is a separately ticketed event that runs from 7pm to midnight, though ticket holders can enter the park as early as 4 pm.
Yes, that means you have eight hours to explore the park in festive fashion, eat as many gingerbread cookies as you can, and spread some pixie dust with Mickey and friends. MVMCP runs from early November to late December, and ticket prices vary by date. Early November tends to be the cheapest, starting at $179, while late December dates can cost up to $219.
In many ways, the Christmas party is similar to Disney After Hours, and you’ll have exclusive access to the park during set hours for a smaller group of guests. The upside is access to special events, live entertainment, and an exclusive holiday parade. The downside? It’s typically way more crowded than Disney After Hours, making rides like TRON Lightcycle Run or Tiana’s Bayou Adventure still have long queues until around 10:30pm.
What we like about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
I mean, it’s Christmas in Walt Disney World. That should already be two thumbs up, right?
Okay, the best thing about celebrating Christmas with Mickey is that he brings a lot of new experiences to Magic Kingdom. There’s a festive parade featuring Disney characters and Santa, a new fireworks show, special meet-and-greets, and dance parties scattered throughout the park. The specific shows change each year, but you can usually count on at least one new parade and one new fireworks display, which are often considered the stars of the night.
Magic Kingdom also looks incredible, with holiday decorations everywhere and even “snow” falling along Main Street from time to time. On top of that, some rides like Space Mountain and Jungle Cruise get Christmas overlays, which means changes to lighting, music, and even animatronics… yes, Santa hats and mistletoe for everyone!
If you’re a fan of rides (I mean, who isn’t), you can skip some of the special events and focus on popular attractions like TRON Lightcycle Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Most rides remain open after the park officially closes and the Christmas event begins. You’ll typically see shorter wait times than during regular hours, just not quite as low as what you’d get during After Hours at Magic Kingdom. Another great perk: there are complimentary food and beverage stations around the park where you can grab cookies, coca-cola and even hot chocolate.
There’s also a nice selection of meet-and-greets, including Mickey and friends in classic Santa costumes, as well as some rare character sightings that don’t appear outside the event. One example is Jack Skellington, who is extremely popular, and some lines to snap a picture with him can take more than an hour.
What We Don’t Like About Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
One of the main drawbacks of MVMCP is its high cost. In fact, ticket prices have risen steadily each year and have skyrocketed in the last two years. Paying more than $200 for 8 hours in a theme park might feel too steep for some, especially considering it’s also more crowded than Disney After Hours AND you need to buy tickets for your kids. So, if you're coming for the rides only, it might backfire. You’ll need a strategy (and a party) that prioritizes the special events while also enjoying some of the most popular attractions.
Crowds can also be an issue, especially in December. Main Street tends to get very busy, particularly around the parade and fireworks show. This can be even more problematic for families with children, as your kids will likely be tired late into the night, and you'll still have to navigate through crowds, which can be a bummer.
Aside from these problems, there’s not much wrong with MVMCP. You get 8 hours in the theme park, which is actually a bit more time than Disney After Hours offers. However, the park isn’t as empty as during After Hours events.
My recommendation? If you’re all about the rides or it’s your first time at Magic Kingdom, go for a regular ticket. If you want to experience another side of Magic Kingdom, love Christmas, and enjoy special parades and shows, give Christmas with Mickey a try. You won’t be disappointed.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party FAQ
How much is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?]
Prices for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party vary by date, typically ranging from $179 to $229 per guest.
Where does Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party take place?
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party takes place at Magic Kingdom.
How long does Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party last?
The event runs from 7pm to midnight, but guests with a valid ticket can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4pm.
What’s new at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?
The main highlights of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party include a new parade, a new fireworks show, exclusive meet-and-greets, special merchandise, dance parties, and complimentary snacks and beverages.
