Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Review

• Walt Disney World Holiday Highlights

December 2004 - by Kevin Klose

Being a Disney veteran of long standing (my first time was in December 1971), and now, being a resident of central Florida, I was pretty sure I had seen it all and done it all.

I have my Disney holiday traditions. I visit my favorite resorts to see their decorations. I visit the parks the week after Thanksgiving, when the crowds are manageable. I make my Christmas Eve Candle Light reservation the day they become available (ok…Bob really does this part). I am a “Disney – wise” kinda guy.

This was my thought process until last night. I went to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and my thoughts have changed. I had a terrific time at an event I had always scoffed at. Why did I need to pay another admission to go to something that I believed was available to me anyway? I’m an annual passholder….why should I pay more? Well, let me tell you….

Upon entering the park (Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, or MVMCP from now on, goers are allowed to enter the park beginning at 4:00pm.) you receive a wrist band which allows you to stay in the park after regular day guests must exit. Already, I’m feeling rather exclusive. While the party doesn’t officially start until 7:00pm, the Magic Kingdom starts to empty out and it’s great to be able to ride some of your favorites without the enormous lines. Several adults (you know who you are) were thrilled to ride Mr. Pooh’s Wild Adventure (wait…..that’s not right) with virtually no wait at all. To park regular’s, you know that’s a rarity.

I was directed, by friends, to the Galaxy Palace Theater (next to Buzz Lightyear) for the early show of Mickey’s Twas the Night Before Christmas. This is a live show, which is colorful, bold, brassy, loud holiday fun. It’s not a stodgy reading of the classic. The Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto…for the Disney impaired) are all present as well as Chip and Dale and one of the dancing reindeer from the parade (more later). There is also a troop of singing and dancing cast members and a very live band, which add a Vegas feel. It’s great fun. Go early, especially if you are traveling with a wheelchair, the theater fills quickly and the accessible seats are limited.

After the show, we grabbed a quick dinner and had enough time to find a spot to watch the MVMCP (if you don’t know what that means, you aren’t paying attention) Parade. There are two showings of the parade and the official buzz is that Parade Show Time is the BEST time to hit some of the more popular attractions. The early parade is much more crowded than the later parade, so this tip might work for you if you are planning to stay late.

We found a spot right by the Country Bear Jamboree to watch and luckily, the Diamond Horseshoe Review was one of the spots to get your complimentary cocoa and cookies. There are several spots throughout the park. It’s just getting cool in the evening here in Florida, so enjoying cocoa and cookies while we watched was a treat. I have to say, the MVMCP parade is among the very best of Disney’s holiday treats. All of your favorite characters are there. There are familiar Disney songs mixed with even more familiar holiday carols. And to top off the fun, Santa and Mrs. C. bring this beautiful parade to a close.

The parade finished with enough time to find a great spot to watch the holiday version of Wishes (fireworks show). We found a terrific spot next to the Crystal Palace and the First Aid station.

After the fireworks, there were members of the party that were ready to call it a night. It was almost 10:00pm and we had had a full night of great fun. The other half of the group was ready to still keep going. There is another parade and all of the attractions to hit. So we said our good nights and headed down Main Street, admiring the decorations as we left. Just magical.

Ok…so back to the beginning. Why should I pay an additional fee to go see something that I can see other times? Because you cant get this full experience other times. We saw a live show, saw the Christmas parade, had hot cocoa and cookies, watched Wishes and got to ride the great attractions with no wait, and we did all of this in the evening, when the Magic Kingdom’s holiday decorations are in full twinkle. And just so you know, we never even posed for our complimentary holiday family photo, which is included in your admission.

All in all, it was a great evening spent with family and friends and something I’m going to add to the list of holiday traditions. And I think that’s a bargain.

A Different take on Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

It’s been a few years since we’ve gone to MVMCP. With our tickets in hand; we went to the December 5 event.

We arrived around 3:30 and really enjoyed the “tween” time when they were ushering out non-ticket holders and before the event began. It was a great time to visit the attractions with no waits.

Around 6:15, we went to get our wristbands. There were Cast Members in front of the Plaza restaurant checking tickets and giving the bands out. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the schedule of events until then and missed the first performance of “The Night before Christmas” show.

We were hungry and had dinner at a much too busy Cosmic Ray’s. Only two sides were in operation, and it took awhile to get our food. This is a pet peeve of mine. Without fail during these special events (MNSSHP and MVMCP) they have limited food venues open and the staff is overwhelmed. It shouldn't take 20 minutes to get some chicken strips.

We decided to go to the 8:15 showing of “The Night Before Christmas.” Trouble is, everyone else had the same plan. We got there at 7:45 and it was SRO. Checking the schedule, the other performances would have meant missing either Wishes and/or the Parade, so we patiently stood and waited. (And to the lady who crawled up my back about 5 minutes before the show began, no I don’t think that there are any seats left and, in case you didn’t notice, the couple of hundred of us who were standing were not waiting for the train.)

After standing for the show, I absolutely needed to find a place to sit for Wishes. We did find a free spot on the left side of the garden in front of the castle. My feet were very grateful.

Unlike my colleague, I’ve been to MVMCP before and I expected some of the special holiday touches. In the past, they had a reindeer “fly” down instead of Tink. On this night, we saw neither. For the finale, they had some red and green fireworks “around” the park. While I do enjoy Wishes, I was expecting a few holiday enhancements and was a bit disappointed. 

Yes, they still have hot chocolate, but if you want to go waaaay back, there was a time when it was served in a large cup with Mickey shaped marshmallows on top. My kids loved this, as well as the Christmas shaped cookies with red and green sprinkles. While I still enjoy a cup of hot cocoa served by a smiling CM, I can’t help but think back to how it used to be. The plain round cookies are fine, but I miss the stars and bells.

On the flip side, I should mention that they used to close down everything before the event began. You could eat or shop, but they held everyone back from the "lands." It’s so nice that they now keep some attractions running during the transition.

We had our picture taken at the Timekeeper photo spot. There was a big line but they had a ton of photographers and it moved quickly. I don’t foresee this being our Christmas card. (With the unseasonably high temps, we were a bit wrinkled and sweaty.)

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade was just as magical as before. I absolutely love the Wooden Soldiers. It’s nice to see that they keep the “old” while adding the new characters that have come into our hearts since this parade began. I think this was the first time that I saw Ariel with "legs" as she went past in the carriage with Prince Eric.

Is it worth it? I still vote yes, but with realistic expectations.  The size of the crowd varies, and you have to adjust your plan of attack accordingly.  Still, I left with some much needed holiday spirit. When the day is done, that’s really what it’s all about.