The tree is up. The wreaths are hung. The Christmas spirit has taken over the Magic Kingdom, and you have approximately five hours to soak it all in. How do you make the most of it? Equally as important as knowing what you shouldn’t miss, it is helpful to also know what you should. We’ve provided a list to help you decide how to get the most out of your visit to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.
AVOID BUYING SNACKS
One of the perks of attending this special ticket event is the gift of snacks. There are numerous stops that provide free apple juice, apple slices, cookies, and hot chocolate. With these at your disposal, there is no need to dole out extra cash for those little pick-me-ups. You may be surprised how much churros and popcorn buckets cost; however, if you can content yourself with snickerdoodles and cocoa, it won’t be of any concern at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Look for the big, inflated candy canes when your tummy gets grumbly. That’s where you’ll find the free goodies.
AVOID OVER-INDULGING
The free snacks are unlimited, but that doesn’t mean you should binge. The sugar content in the cocoa and cookies is incredibly high. It definitely has the ability to pick you up. Unfortunately, it is also capable of dropping you hard. This is especially true for little ones who are already out past their bedtime. If you opt for multiple cookie stops, it’s smart to spread out the visits. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid the dehydration effect from high levels of sugar in your bloodstream.
AVOID PROCRASTINATING
Sometimes it is more time-efficient to put off an attraction until later in the evening. Typically attractions have peak times, and if you can avoid them during those periods, quite a bit of time can be saved. This is not necessarily the case with character meet and greets which normally have a steady demand throughout the evening. With these we have an “early bird gets the worm” type of scenario.
Once characters show up, it is common for the lines to build quickly without subsiding. As the hours of the evening pass, the lines will often grow worse. For the characters in highest demand, it is possible to lose two hours waiting. For this reason, it’s best to get in line as soon as you possibly can even if this means queuing up before the official hours of the party. This way you can beat some of the crowd and use the saved time for other exclusive party events.
AVOID B-LIST BUSYNESS
There are certain things that you shouldn’t miss because they are the things that define this event. The castle lighting, the parade, the fireworks…all are somewhat critical for having the quintessential experience at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Then there are the b-list shows and dance parties that are not as important when time is short.
The smaller stage shows are there to entertain, and they definitely do that. The dance parties exist as a venue for expending energy, and it serves that purpose. In spite of their virtues though, both of these things should be first on the chopping block when time is running out. Would it be fun to watch Stitch sing a few bars of “Deck the Halls”? Of course, but everything is relative. If you are forced to choose between A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas show and anything else in the park, choosing the other activity is almost always going to have the bigger payoff.
AVOID THE FIRST PARADE
The best tip we can give you is to avoid the first parade of the evening. Not only do the crowds make it harder to view but it also requires you to stake out a spot long before the parade starts. This can eat away at your inventory of minutes.
Disney knows that the parade is one of the most popular events of the evening, so it has two runs each night. The smarter plan is to wait for the second parade. Use the earlier part of the evening for character meets, rides, and maybe even shows. After the fireworks, the park empties out quite a bit as the stroller community calls it a night and retreats to their resorts. This makes the second parade’s audience less dense. In turn, the parade is easier to view and less of a time investment is required for staking out a spot.
A little bit of knowledge will always help you navigate an event like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party more efficiently. It’s nearly impossible to cover it all, and tough decisions have to be made occasionally. Having a good understanding of what is a “must do” and what isn’t gives you a leg up as you rock around that Christmas tree.
