Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) is happening at Magic Kingdom now through December 20th with select dates available to purchase. The DIS Unlimited team had the pleasure of attending the first night of the party and it exceeded all of our expectations! So much so, that we wish we were going again this season.
Just like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, there is SO much to do and the five hours of the party really isn’t enough time to experience it all. However, we did feel like the Christmas party was much more manageable and, of course, features better weather. We definitely recommend making MVMCP a priority during your holiday visit to Walt Disney World, and here’s what you should NOT miss during the event.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is one of the Magic Kingdom’s best parades. The classic Christmas elements like the toy soldiers, smell of Christmas cookies, and a soundtrack featuring songs like the “Nutcracker Suite” is the pinnacle of the holiday season. And with a runtime of 20 minutes, it’s well-worth the ticket to MVMCP. The 2024 parade seemed to be better than ever with perfect timing of the performers, refreshed floats, extra holiday scents, and a slightly updated soundtrack.
Getting a good spot for the parade is also important. Sitting on Main Street, U.S.A. is stunning from the glow of the garland and the Christmas tree, plus the addition of “snow” during the parade. These spots do fill up an hour plus before both showings of the parade at 8:30 pm and 11:00 pm. If you’re looking for a good viewing spot without having to wait for awhile, we would recommend watching from Frontierland like we did.
You’ll notice that Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show is not on our must-do list. And that’s not because we didn’t enjoy it and still think it’s worth doing. However, the parade is a bigger priority and one you want the best viewing spot possible for.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration takes place four times throughout the evening on the Castle Forecourt Stage. This show may be 8 years old but we still find it SO entertaining. It’s also an easy entertainment option that doesn’t require a large time commitment.
The show is of course hosted by Mickey and Minnie plus their pals Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto. Rare characters like Clarabelle even make appearances and the soundtrack is a blend of both of classic and modern Christmas songs. It put us in the holiday spirit and even made us laugh out loud several times.
Holiday Overlay Attractions
Specially-ticketed parties come with low attraction wait times. However, MVMCP is so special we do not recommend making attractions a priority during the party hours of 7:00 pm to midnight. The one exception would be the holiday overlay attractions exclusive to the Christmas party – especially Tomorrowland Speedway and Space Mountain. Space Mountain’s lighting package with over-the-top Christmas music will have you grinning ear to ear and is maybe the most fun we had all night! Plus with a wait time of 5 to 10 minutes towards the end of the night, you can’t go wrong.
Cookies, Cookies, and More Cookies
There’s only five cookie stops and they’re pretty spread out but you should still make it a priority to load up on as many as you can – bring an extra bag! This is the second year the cookies have been sponsored by Cheryl’s Cookies – if you’ve had a corporate cookie basket, you’ve likely had a Cheryl’s Cookie. They are soft, buttery, and oh-so-delicious. And since they’re pre-packaged, you can take them back to your resort or even back home with you to keep the festive celebration going.
Enjoy the Atmosphere
The feeling of being in the Magic Kingdom with glow of the Christmas lights, “snow” on Main Street, and festive music throughout the park is truly magical. The unique lighting packages on the different attractions and so many favorite Disney characters wearing their holiday wear makes the entire park feel like a completely different experience. We also had the best time stumbling upon Max and Santa Goofy dancing to Powerline’s “I 2 I” in Tomorrowland. Another great tip, is to sit in the rocking chairs in front of the Main Street Theater at the end of the party to really soak in the snow on Main Street.
We hope you’re attending the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or at least have plans to visit next year! We’ll be dreaming of Christmas at Magic Kingdom all season long. Be sure to read our full overview of MVMCP here!
Hannah Anderson is a Dreams Unlimited Travel Agent, DIS Contributor, former Disney Cast Member, and Orlando local. Mostly importantly, she is a mom and loves spending time in the Disney Parks each week with her family.
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