Tips For Attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World

One of my favorite holiday traditions is attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World. It’s up there with watching all of the Christmas episodes of ‘Friends’, and hunting down the best light displays my city has to offer.

In my opinion, it’s the perfect holiday event – filled with extra activities, festive atmosphere, hard to find Disney characters, and magical snow on Main Street U.S.A. Attending this years party? Good! You’re going to have the best time making memories. Below, we’re sharing some of our best tips for making the most of the party!

Don’t have your tickets yet? Be Our Guest Vacations is here and ready to help you plan the perfect evening, so you can focus on what’s important – creating holiday memories with the people that you love!  

Arrive Early

Even though the party officially kicks off at 7:00 PM, your event ticket allows you to enter the park as early as 4:00 PM! This means you get three extra hours to experience the park before the party-exclusive events start. We always use this time to eat an early dinner – you don’t want ot use time during the party sitting down for a meal, when there’s so much to do! If we have our heart set on seeing a certain popular character, such as Sandy Claws and Sally, who have been popular at previous parties, I highly suggest getting in line BEFORE the party starts! 

Prioritize Special Events

The event is filled with exclusive entertainment you won’t want to miss. Here are some must-dos:

• Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade: This iconic parade is the heart of the party! Expect to see Mickey and Minnie, toy soldiers, Disney Princesses, and Santa Claus himself parading down Main Street, surrounded by “snow.” There are two showings of the parade during the party, and if you don’t have to go home early for a child’s bedtime, I highly suggest seeing the second viewing. It’s a LOT less crowded and you won’t have to stake out a spot as early. While you can view the parade anywhere along the parade route, this is a parade that’s made to be seen on Main Street U.S.A, with the castle gleaming in the background, and snow falling. 
• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks: You simply cannot miss these spectacular fireworks lighting up the sky over Cinderella Castle. The holiday music paired with stunning visuals makes it extra magical. For the best viewing experience, try to snag a spot right in front of the castle. Or, for a more relaxed view, check out the bridge leading to Tomorrowland —it’s less crowded but still offers an excellent vantage point.
• Holiday Stage Shows: At the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage you’ll find special shows, such as Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration and Frozen Holiday Surprise. These are both FANTASTIC and shouldn’t be missed! Make sure you pick up a party map when you first enter the park that night, and you’ll be able to find all of the evenings showtimes!

Plan Your Character Meet-and-Greets

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a great time to meet your favorite Disney characters, all decked out in their holiday best. Be on the lookout for characters you don’t typically see, like Sandy Claws (Jack Skellington) from The Nightmare Before Christmas or Scrooge McDuck who have been at past parties. If meeting characters is a priority, head to these meet-and-greet locations early, as lines tend to get long quickly. I might be biased, but my favorite characters at the party tend to be The Country Bears, who in the past you can find roaming throughout the party. 

Snack Your Way Through the Party

One of the best parts of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the complimentary treats scattered throughout the park. You’ll find festive offerings like hot cocoa, eggnog, and various cookies (gingerbread, anyone?). You can collect these goodies at multiple locations, and they’re included with your event ticket.

But beyond the free treats, there are some exclusive, party-only snacks you absolutely need to try this year:

• Candy Cane Tart: Chocolate tart filled with peppermint ganache and topped with festive meringue. Located at Casey’s Corner. 
• Holiday Pot Roast Melt: Slow-cooked beef on thick toast with cheddar and provolone cheese and beef gravy. Located at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe.
• Sugar Cookie Hand Pie: Sugar cookie dough wrapped in a flaky crust. Located at The Friar’s Nook. 

Dress Festively, But Stay Comfortable

Getting into the holiday spirit with festive attire is part of the fun! You’ll see plenty of guests in Christmas sweaters, Santa hats, and even matching family outfits. Unfortunately, usually the weather doesn’t really feel like a winter wonderland in Florida, so I highly suggest wearing layers. I normally take a festive sweater for a photo op, and then take it off after!

Bonus Tip: Plan Your Exit

Want to avoid standing in a long line for the bus or the monorail? Try to stick around after the fireworks for a little while and let the crowds die down before making your way out of the park. I love to use this time to grab a late night snack, and take some photos in front of the castle or the Christmas tree, when the crowds are lighter.

Be Our Guest Vacations is full of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party experts – if it was possible to have a degree in all things Disney Holidays, we would. We’re here to make planning your Christmas getaway fun and stress free. And as always, our services are completely free to you!