Disney World Very Merry Christmas Party Easy Wdw 2017

During the holidays, the biggest specially ticketed event is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP), which takes place on select evenings at Magic Kingdom in November and December.

The party features exclusive holiday entertainment, "snow" falling on Main Street, complimentary treats, special character meet and greets, the chance to see Santa Claus, and so much more.

Let's dive into the details…

Will MVMCP be back for 2022?

Great news!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is returning to Magic Kingdom in 2022.

After a nearly 3 year absence, one of our *most* favorite events of the year is coming back in full force, including the return of nearly all of our most favorite parts.

When is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?

The Christmas season at Disney World is a bit shorter than the Halloween one, but you'll still have lots of chances to check the party out.

2022 MVMCP Dates

Party dates for 2022 are:

• November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
• December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22

Will more parties be added?

While it is not totally uncommon for Disney to add additional Halloween parties, they don't usually do the same for the Christmas parties.

Which parties are the least crowded?

We love a good party, but we'd be lying if we didn't say that there is a difference between a party that is sold out and one that isn't.

Unfortunately, we can't predict the future, but there are definitely some parties that will have a higher likelihood of selling out than others. Now, we don't guarantee that these absolutely will sell out, and we also don't guarantee that others won't, but these are the first ones that we think might:

• The first (and sometimes the second) party of the year
• The parties closest to Thanksgiving
• The last (and sometimes the second to last) party of the year
• And finally, in general, weekend parties tend to be busier than weekday ones, so if you have a choice, go with a weekday.

How much do tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party cost?

Ticket prices for MVMCP range from $149-$199 (plus tax) for adults and $139-$189 (plus tax) for children.

Remember, this is a special event with its own ticket.

And, if you're wondering which parties Disney thinks will be more popular, the proof is in the price. The higher the price, the higher the chance it will be more popular, too.

MVMCP Date	Ticket Price – Ages 10 and Up (Excludes Tax)	Ticket Price – Ages 3-9 (Excludes Tax)
Tuesday, November 8	$159	$149
Thursday, November 10	$149	$139
Friday, November 11	$159	$149
Monday, November 14	$149	$139
Tuesday, November 15	$149	$139
Thursday, November 17	$149	$139
Friday, November 18	$159	$149
Sunday, November 20	$179	$169
Tuesday, November 22	$179	$169
Sunday, November 27	$169	$159
Tuesday, November 29	$169	$159
Thursday, December 1	$169	$159
Friday, December 2	$169	$159
Sunday, December 4	$169	$159
Tuesday, December 6	$169	$159
Thursday, December 8	$169	$159
Friday, December 9	$179	$169
Sunday, December 11	$179	$169
Tuesday, December 13	$179	$169
Thursday, December 15	$179	$169
Friday, December 16	$179	$169
Sunday, December 18	$179	$169
Tuesday, December 20	$199	$189
Thursday, December 22	$199	$189

Are there discounts available?

Disney used to offer advance ticket sale discounts, but those don't appear to be a thing in 2022. Instead, the only way to save is with an Annual Pass or DVC Discount.

Annual Passholder and Disney Vacation Club discounts

On select nights, guests that are Annual Passholders or DVC (Disney Vacation Club) owners can save $10 dollars on their tickets.

When do Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party tickets go on sale?

Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, including Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green, can begin purchasing tickets as early as June 30.

Tickets may be purchased online or by calling 407-939-4240 (beginning at 7 am).

Guests not staying onsite can purchase tickets via the phone number and link above beginning July 7.

Tickets are limited and may not be available for purchase on the day of the event (or earlier).

In 2022, much like what we saw for the Halloween Party, we expect that tickets for onsite guests will open up at Midnight Eastern Standard Time for online purchases.

Be warned that technical glitches are common and things have been known to open up sooner and later than that. Last year, many people waited on hold for hours and hours and recently guests trying to snag a spot in the popular runDisney WDW Marathon had similar issues.

We don't say that to scare you, but to prepare you.

Tickets are non-refundable,even if there's bad weather.

For this reason, we used to advise people to wait to get their party tickets until they got to Disney World, so they see how the weather was going to be.

However,many party dates sold out in the last couple of years, so now we suggest buying them ahead of time if you're pretty certain you want to attend.

Historical dates for MVMCP ticket sales

• 2019 – April 8, 2019
• 2020 – Party temporarily suspended (tickets never went on sale)
• 2021 – (Very Merriest) – August 20, 2021
• 2022 – June 30 (onsite guests) & July 7 (everyone else)

Party dates that have sold out

You can definitely plan on some parties selling out, so if you really want to go, we recommend purchasing your tickets early.

In 2022 the dates that have sold out were:

• TBD

In 2019 the dates that have sold out were:

• November 8, 2019 (sold out on Oct. 12)
• November 24, 2019 (sold out on Nov. 3)
• December 1, 2019 (sold out on Nov. 29)
• December 3, 2019 (sold out on Nov. 29)
• December 5, 2019 (sold out on Dec. 3)
• December 6, 2019 (sold out on Dec. 6)
• December 8, 2019 (sold out on Dec. 8)
• December 10, 2019 (sold out on Dec. 10)
• December 13, 2019 (sold out on Dec. 12)
• December 15, 2019 (sold out on Dec. 3)
• December 22, 2019 (sold out on Nov. 8)

In 2018 the dates that sold out were:

• November 8, 2018 (sold out on Nov. 8)
• November 9, 2018 (sold out on Nov. 9)
• November 25, 2018 (sold out on Nov. 24)
• December 16, 2018 (sold out on Dec. 9)
• December 21, 2018 (sold out on Dec. 19)

Do I need a Park Pass Reservation for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?

No Park Pass Reservation is needed if you plan on only attending the party.

If, however, you plan to arrive to Magic Kingdom before 4 pm, you will need a regular theme park ticket and Park Pass reservation.

Important: Those with MVMCP tickets do not have to purchase additional day theme park tickets or make theme park reservations in order to enter Magic Kingdom on their designated party day. But, remember, you can only enter as early as 4 p.m. If you want to visit Magic Kingdom prior to that time, you must have valid theme park admission and park reservations.

Additionally, if you intend to go to a park other than Magic Kingdom before the party, you do not need a Park Hopper ticket if you plan to arrive at 4:00 pm or later.

MVMCP Start Time

The party events begin at 7 p.m. and end at midnight.

People with event tickets can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. to enjoy the park in its "regular" state before the party officially kicks off at 7 p.m.

DVC members enter as early as 2:00 (unconfirmed for 2022)

DVC members and their guests can usually enter Magic Kingdom with just an MVMCP ticket starting at 2 p.m., which is 2 hours earlier than everybody else.

Simply present your valid Disney Vacation Club Membership Card and your event ticket at the main entrance to take advantage of this benefit.

The benefit is valid for the Member and up to 7 guests with tickets to this event (a total of 8 people).

In addition, DVC members get a discount on select party nights.

MVMCP Map

Here's the map for the 2019 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. We will update with the 2022 map as soon as it becomes available.

Click to view the full-sized PDF.

Can you see the Christmas parade and fireworks without going to a party?

Yes, you can – but only if you visit Magic Kingdom after the final party of the year.

In fact, after the last party you can typically see all of these events daily (without a party ticket):

• Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime parade
• Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration
• A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas
• The Reindeer Wranglers
• Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

In addition, the attractions with special overlays (Tomorrowland Speedway, Space Mountain, Mad Tea Party, and Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor) are also usually available.

And while this isn't confirmed yet for 2022, we expect it to be similar for guests visiting after the final party on December 22.

Christmas Party Genie+ and Lightning Lane Selections

While this hasn't been confirmed yet for 2022, we don't expect Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane (pay-to-ride) Selections to be an option once the party officially begins at 7 p.m.

However, if it works like the old FastPass+ system, if you have a valid theme park ticket you should be able to get Genie+ and ILLs for 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. if you plan to arrive in that timeframe.

What takes place during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Now that we've got through all of that, let's dive into the fun stuff!

Keep in mind that any show times mentioned are based on 2019 information, and while we know what to expect in 2022, we won't be able to confirm show times until closer to the first party.

Wristbands

Since the park is open only for party guests, those attending will need to get special wristbands.

Typically, wristbands can be picked up at several locations. In the past, those locations have been:

• the front of the park (as you enter)
• inside the Chamber of Commerce building on Main Street
• near Buzz Lightyear
• outside of Mickey's Philharmagic
• Guest Relations window in Liberty Square
• near Tortuga Tavern

We will update with the locations for 2022 later this year.

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

This magical parade takes place twice nightly at 8:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Marching toy soldiers, reindeer, gingerbread men, classic characters dressed in their holiday best, and Santa Claus himself appear in this super fun parade.

Did we mention that this parade also smells? It does! The floats are equipped with special devices that make them smell like all your favorite holiday scents.

We truly love this parade with all our hearts.

Parade tip: See the second showing of the parade for lighter crowds (plus you can spend time doing other things during the first parade).

Where is the best place to watch the Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade?

Looking for the best spot to watch the parade? Secure a spot on Main Street toward the front of the park.

Viewing from there provides the best ambiance: the brightly-lit castle as a backdrop, the storefronts decorated for the holidays, and snow falling overhead. It is just perfect. Perfect. Perfect. Perfect.

Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

What would a party be without fireworks?

Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks features a combination of projections and fireworks.

These are a definite "must do" in our book!

Where is the best place to watch Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks?

When the Hub areas are closed for dessert parties or VIP viewing, the best views to see both the projections and fireworks are near Casey's Corner.

Closer to the castle will be better for projections, but it will greatly limit your view of the fireworks.

Conversely, further down Main Street will be good for fireworks, just know the further you go, the more difficult it is to see the projections.

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show

Shown nightly at 7:45 p.m., 8:35 p.m., 9:25 p.m., 10:45 p.m., and 11:35 p.m. on the stage between Space Mountain and The Carousel of Progress, this funny show lasts for about 20 minutes and includes Stitch, characters from Monsters, Inc., Buzz, and others.

Character Dance Party at Club Tinsel

Throughout the evening, the Club Tinsel dance party continuously takes place at Cosmic Ray's in Tomorrowland.

For people who like characters, this is a fun way to interact with the polar bears and reindeer.

They won't be signing autographs, but they are an absolute riot to see up close. LOOK AT THAT FACE!

Disney Junior Jingle Jam

This dance party in the Storybook Circus section features favorite characters and usually includes Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins, and Timon.

They won't be able to sign autographs, but it's an opportunity to have fun with them.

Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration

Shown 4 times per night (expect times to be around 7:40 p.m., 9:25 p.m., 10:30 p.m., and 11:55 p.m.), this fun stage show includes lots of classic Disney characters.

Like all stage shows, the best views are up close.

The Reindeer Wranglers

This fun and festive musical act usually performs at 7:15 p.m., 8:05 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m., 11:45 p.m.

Catch them when you're in Frontierland.

Meet and greet opportunities with Disney characters

This is the one piece of info that Disney isn't clear about. In fact, they are almost frustratingly vague.

In the "Before Times", the unique character meet and greet opportunities were one of the most popular pieces of the parties, with many people attending just for the chance to meet Jack and Sally or for a pic of them with all of the Seven Dwarfs together.

However, as of right now, all Disney has said regarding characters at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is this:

"Snap a pic with Disney pals who are out celebrating the season. As you explore Magic Kingdom park, be on the lookout for Disney Characters decked out in their holiday best."

See what we mean? Frustratingly vague.

We will probably get a good idea on what to expect for the Christmas Party in August by the time the first Halloween takes place.

Until then, we are going to keep the historical character information below intact in hopes that we will see something similar for 2022. Fingers crossed!

Historical Character Information

None of this is confirmed for 2022, but we will update this section as soon as we hear more!

Throughout the entire party, there are opportunities to meet with lots of different characters.

Most (but not all) of the characters are unique. They are only available during the party, and oftentimes you'll find that they are paired up in fun combinations (like the princesses with their princes) and/or they are in super cute holiday attire.

You probably won't be able to meet all the characters in 1 evening, so you'll definitely want to prioritize who you'll meet by what is most important for you.

• ¹ in holiday attire
• ² available to meet outside of the party
• ³ exclusive characters, character combos, or character outfits that are very popular, plan to line up before the party or for shortest lines after the party starts, go during the fireworks and parades or in the final hour.
• ⁴ at a dance party (doesn't sign autographs)

These are the characters that were available in 2019. Here's hoping many of them return in 2022!

Adventureland

• Moana³ – at the Enchanted Tiki Room
• Captain Jack Sparrow² – at the stage outside of Pirates of the Caribbean (you can meet during the day)
• Aladdin with Abu¹ – at the Agrabah Bazaar, this pair swaps sets with Jasmine and Genie
• Jasmine with Genie¹ – at the Agrabah Bazaar, this pair swaps sets with Aladdin and Abu
• Peter Pan¹ – roaming throughout Adventureland

Fantasyland

• Donald & Scrooge McDuck¹ – inside Dumbo
• Daisy & Minnie¹ – inside Dumbo
• Vampirina, Doc Mcstuffins, & Fancy Nancy⁴ – Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jingle Jam in Storybook Circus next to Pete's Silly Sideshow
• Santa Goofy¹ – between Barnstormer and Dumbo
• Seven Dwarfs ³ – Storybook Circus inside Pete's Silly Side Show
• Belle – Fantasyland near Bonjour! Village Gifts (which is across from Gaston's)
• Ariel and Prince Eric³ – across from the Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Cinderella and Prince Charming³ – inside Princess Fairytale Hall (meets with Elena of Avalor)
• Elena of Avalor² – inside Princess Fairytale Hall (meets with Cinderella and Prince Charming)
• Tiana and Naveen³ – inside Princess Fairytale Hall (Meets with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider)
• Rapunzel and Flynn Rider³ – inside Princess Fairytale Hall (meets with Tiana and Prince Naveen)
• Snow White and her prince³ – along the New Fantasyland wall near the Pinocchio Village Haus restrooms
• Aurora and Prince Phillip³ – along the New Fantasyland wall near the Pinocchio Village Haus restrooms
• Tigger and Friends¹ – near Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Liberty Square

• Mary Poppins & Bert³ – in the Gazebo behind Ye Olde Christmas Shop (no PhotoPass photographer here)

Main Street U.S.A. and Town Square

• Santa Claus³ – near City Hall. Doesn't meet during the parades. Consider watching the parade from the front of Magic Kingdom and heading over to meet Santa right after.
• Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally¹ – inside Town Square Theater. People start lining up as early as 2:00. Jack and Sally start meeting at 4:30. Last hour of the party will usually give you the shortest waits.
• Mickey Mouse¹ – inside Town Square Theater

Tomorrowland

• Nick Wilde & Judy Hopps³ – near Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
• Reindeer and Polar Bears⁴ – inside Cosmic Ray's

Frontierland

• Big Al, Liverlips, Shaker and Wendell (Country Bears)¹ – near Country Bear Jamboree

My Disney Experience

Nearly all the character locations will be available in the My Disney Experience app, and in general, Disney does a good job indicating the correct locations.

However, there are a few where the locations are a bit off. So if you go to where the app says and don't find a character there, ask a nearby Cast Member for assistance.

Many Magic Kingdom attractions will be open

Not all of the rides and shows are normally open during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, but many will, and with minimal wait times.

Please note that Genie+ and Individual Lighting Lane probably won't be available during the party (and for most attractions, it's not needed anyway).

Here are the attractions that are normally available during party hours:

• Adventureland – Pirates of the Caribbean, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Swiss Family Treehouse, and Jingle Cruise
• Frontierland – Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Country Bear Jamboree
• Liberty Square – The Haunted Mansion
• Fantasyland – Princess Fairytale Hall, Peter Pan's Flight, Prince Charming Regal Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mickey's Philharmagic, it's a small world, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Barnstormer, Mad Tea Party, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Tomorrowland – Astro Orbiter, Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Tomorrowland Speedway
• Main Street U.S.A – Characters at the Town Square Theater

Attractions with festive overlays

In addition to generally shorter lines, a few of the attractions will have special holiday-themed overlays.

Here are the ones that are often available:

• Jungle Cruse – for the holiday season, the Jungle Cruise transforms into the "Jingle Cruise". It is often popular during the party because it's Christmas-themed, but it will be the same ride outside the party. If there's a long line, consider catching it on a regular Magic Kingdom day.

• Mad Tea Party – the attraction "becomes a wild and wacky Christmas party, as you spin your teacups to one of four new holiday combos of lights and music."

• Tomorrowland Speedway – where "you'll find yourself cruising a festive freeway filled with thousands of lights and stylized décor."

• Space Mountain – Holiday Run!! launches you on an adventure through the cosmos, filled with interstellar lighting and high-energy holiday tunes.

• Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor – is filling their laugh canisters with some holiday cheer at their "Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Holiday Show" for everyone visiting the Monster World during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

Photo opportunities (2022 info not available yet)

Like with Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, you'll find exclusive PhotoPass opportunities at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, too.

PhotoPass photographers will take special photos during the party, and when you see some of the pics afterward, you'll find something magically inserted into the photo.

These are called Magic Shots.

Both Memory Maker One Day and regular Memory Maker include all of the photos and Magic Shots that are taken at the party.

Here are some PhotoPass pics you may find during the party. We will update with the 2022 list as soon as it is available:

• Take a pic in front of the park, right after entering the turnstiles
• Take a picture on Market Street (Main Street bypass)
• Pose in front of the Christmas tree at the front of the park
• Find a photographer on Main Street and tell them you'd like to do all of the Magic Shots. They'll pose you in various ways to make sure you get several of the special options.
• Find the Tink lantern in Fantasyland. Head toward Enchanted Tales with Belle, but just before you get there, you should see the Tink lantern photo op on the left.
• Find other random photographers throughout the night as you come across them.

You may even get this video when you meet Santa.

And you can also find props (above) to pose with during the party.

Shopping for event merchandise (2022 merchandise not released yet)

During the party, in addition to all the regular holiday merchandise, there's usually exclusive merchandise available to purchase.

The following is what guests could buy during the 2019 party and we will update with the 2022 collection as soon as it is released.

• Emporium (Main Street) – event t-shirts, pins, ornament, and MagicBand
• Big Top Souvenirs (Storybook Circus in Fantasyland) – event t-shirts, pins, ornament, and MagicBand

• Mickey's Star Traders (Tomorrowland) – event t-shirts, logo pin, ornaments
• Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe (Liberty Square) – select merchandise and trading pins

• Frontier Trading Post (Frontierland) – trading pins

Dining and food options (2022 info not available yet)

Feeling hungry? Here's what you'll typically be able to get at the party. We will update with 2022 information as soon as we get all the details.

Free party snacks

One of the best parts about the Christmas party is the included treats that you can pick up throughout the park.

In 2019, complimentary treats were available at these locations:

• Market Street (Main Street U.S.A. bypass) – Welcome holiday treat

Adventureland

• Jingle Cruise (Adventureland) – Ginger Molasses Cookie
• Tortuga Tavern (Adventureland) – Snowman Soft Pretzel & Fanta

Tomorrowland

• The Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland) – Ginger Molasses Cookie & Apple Cider
• Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe (Tomorrowland) – Peppermint Cookie & Hot Chocolate, and Apple Cider

Frontierland

• Golden Oak Outpost (Frontierland) – Snickerdoodle Cookie
• Miner's Cove (Frontierland) – Peppermint Cookie

Liberty Square

• The Diamond Horsehoe (Liberty Square) – Chocolate Chip Cookie & Eggnog

Fantasyland

• Pinocchio Village Haus (Fantasyland) – Snickerdoodle Cookie & Fanta, and Hot Chocolate
• The Friar's Nook (Fantasyland) – Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Storybook Snack Cart (Fantasyland) – Snowman Pretzel

What if I have a food allergy?

Traveling with somebody with a food allergy?

Disney notes that "Alternative healthy and gluten-free options are available upon request," and, of course, menu offerings are subject to change or availability.

Restaurants

Though you should probably be careful about spending too much of your party time eating, some Quick Service and Table Service restaurants are available during the party.

Table Service restaurants available for 2019 included Be Our Guest, Cinderella's Royal Table, The Plaza, and Crystal Palace.

In 2019, you could book these online via the MVMCP dining page.

Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended, but we don't recommend you spend party time dining at one of these restaurants.

Special MVMCP holiday treats & snacks

In addition to the free treats available, you can also purchase fun holiday selections throughout the park. Here's what we saw in 2019 (2022 info to come!):

Some of these treats are available outside the party as well (we've noted those below):

• Main Street Bakery (Main Street) –  Olaf's Frozen Hot Chocolate Cake (available all day), Holiday Mickey Cinnamon Roll (available all day)

Some dining locations remain open for the party:

• Main Street – Casey's Corner, Main Street Bakery, Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, The Crystal Palace* (until 8 p.m.)
• Adventureland – Aloha Isle
• Frontierland – Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe and Golden Oak Outpost (both until 8 p.m.)
• Liberty Square – Sleepy Hollow, Liberty Square Market (until 9 p.m.), Columbia Harbor House (until 8 p.m.)
• Fantasyland – Storybook Treats, Gaston's Tavern (until 10 p.m.), Cinderella's Royal Table* (until 10 p.m.), Be Our Guest* (until 10 pm)
• Tomorrowland – Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies, The Lunching Pad

Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party worth it?

For about $150-plus, you get up to 8 hours in the park with an exclusive parade and fireworks, special character interactions, low wait times on rides, and complimentary treats.

We happen to love the Christmas party and do think it's worth it for most people, although due to the late hours, we don't suggest it for most families with young children who would struggle to stay up that late.

That said, the party is worth it for groups that can stay up late, especially if you consider that you can think of your party ticket as your park ticket for the day but with special entertainment and shorter waits for rides.

For instance, if you plan to be in the Disney World theme parks for 7 days, you could purchase 6-day park tickets (instead of 7-day tickets) and then purchase tickets to the party.

On the party day, you could skip going into a park that morning and use the first part of the day to rest or visit Disney Springs, and then use your party ticket to get into Magic Kingdom at 4 p.m.

It's also worth it for people who will really enjoy party-exclusive offerings – exclusive characters, Christmas-themed fireworks, stage shows, and more.

Christmas parties are often crowded, you won't be able to do everything (pick and choose what's most important to you), and simply enjoy the party if you do decide to attend.

Tips and a sample MVMCP touring plan

These were our recommendations in the past, and we expect them to be similar in 2022.

Keep in mind that you will not be able to do everything, so you'll have to prioritize what's most important to you.

You'll have 5 hours, so be sure to use your time wisely.

Things you should do:

• Watch the parade, but wait until the second one, since it's less busy (and you can do other things during the first one).
• See the fireworks.
• Attend the shows – they are exclusive to this party and can't be seen any other time of year.
• Meet characters that are important to you.

Things you should not spend time doing:

• Eating – you can get treats at many locations, and there are some restaurants open, but don't spend too much time on that. Be sure to eat before the events begin so you can spend your time doing other things.
• Doing things that are not exclusive to this party, which includes meeting some characters and riding rides. If you're attending on a busy night, focus on the exclusive things as opposed to things you could ride during the day. If you're attending on a less busy night, the short lines for rides are a lot of fun to take advantage of.

Here's a sample touring plan for the party:

Before 6:00 pm (Note: These characters are not confirmed for 2022)

• Some of the most popular characters begin meeting before the official party start time:
  • Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally – you can line up as early as 2 pm, and the pair typically starts meeting guests at 4:30 pm. If your goal is to save party time, try to get in line as close to 2 as possible. If your goal is the shortest wait, get into line during the last hour of the evening when waits drop down to around 60 minutes.
  • Seven Dwarfs – lines typically start forming around 5:00, and they start meeting guests at 6:15
  • Moana – usually starts meeting at 5:45. Get in line around 5:00. Or wait until after fireworks when waits are much shorter.
• If a ride on the Jingle Cruise is a must-do, try to ride it before the party starts.

6:00 – 7:00 pm (Note: These characters are not confirmed for 2022)

• Want to meet the princesses w/their princes? Get in line by 6:30.
• Some characters (like Winnie the Pooh and Friends) will start meeting around 6:30

Rest of the evening

• Go on some rides, pick up some complimentary treats, attend the dance party or watch The Edge Effect
• Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration at 9:25 p.m.
• Fireworks at 10 p.m.
• Parade at 11 p.m.
• Rides, cookies, character dance party
• Character meets (popular characters often have shorter lines at the end of the night)

Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party like Very Merriest?

Yes and no.

Very Merriest definitely found a lot of its inspiration from the Christmas party. However, they are 2 very different events.

After Hours events are typically centered on being able to ride lots of rides with little to no waits, while the draw for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is holiday-specific entertainment offerings (like Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime parade, fireworks, and lots of character meet opportunities).

So, although Very Merriest had some Christmas Party favorites like the parade and fireworks, the fact is that Very Merriest was a lot more like an After Hours event than Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

If you've never attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and you're wondering how they compare, check out the chart below:

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Very Merriest After Hours comparison

wdt_ID	How do they compare?	Disney Very Merriest After Hours	Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
1	Ticket Price	$169-$249 (plus tax) for everyone (adults & kids)	$105-$155 (plus tax) for adults and $100-$150 (plus tax) for children
2	Official event start & end times	9:00 pm to 1:00 am	7:00 pm to 12:00 am
3	What time can you enter the park?	7:00 pm	4:00 pm (DVC members could enter at 2 pm)
4	Total number of event hours	4 hours	5 hours
5	Crowd levels?	Limited	Often very busy
6	Complimentary snacks?	Yes - bottled beverages, popcorn, & ice cream bars	Yes - unlimited cookies (different flavors) and beverages (like hot chocolate)
7	Seasonal decorations?	Yes	Yes
8	Are costumes allowed?	No, but holiday attire welcomed	No, but holiday attire welcomed
9	Live entertainment?	Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey & Minnie's Very Merry Memories stage show, Reindeer Wranglers, 1 dance party	Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration stage show, Reindeer Wranglers, Dream Lights, A Frozen Holiday Wish, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show, 2 dance parties
10	Attraction enhancements?	Yes - Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (seasonal jokes & design), Jungle Cruise (Jingle Cruise theme; also available during daytime hours)	Yes - Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (seasonal jokes & design), Jungle Cruise (Jingle Cruise theme; also available during daytime hours), Mad Tea Party (spin to special lights & music), Space Mountain (lighting & holiday tunes), Tomorrolwand Speedway (decorat
11	Number of attractions open?	24	26
12	Character meet & greet opportunities?	8 places where you can see characters, but no meet & greets	Yes - lots, including rare characters like Jack Skellington (as Sandy Claws) and Sally, and 7 Dwarfs
13	PhotoPass & Magic Shots?	Yes	Yes
	How do they compare?	Disney Very Merriest After Hours	Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Will the Castle Dream Lights and A Frozen Holiday Wish return in 2022?

Important: Dream Lights haven't donned Cinderella Castle for the past several years. We aren't sure if or when they will return. It seems likely Dream Lights could be resurrected after the 50th anniversary. Our guess is that the current 50th decor on the castle gets in the way of the Dream Lights.

Historical Information

Because we are nothing if not hopeful, we're keeping the 2019 Dream Lights information below:

Not only does the castle look different during the holidays, but there's a little ceremony that precedes the lighting of the castle.

From early November to early January, Queen Elsa from Frozen appears twice each evening to get the Castle Dream Lights lit up for the night in a 7-minute show called "A Frozen Holiday Wish."

You can expect this to take place at 6:15 and 8:15 p.m.

Disney often doesn't communicate the details of this show clearly, perhaps because they want people to think this is only part of the Christmas party, but guests are allowed to stick around to watch the 6:15 p.m. showing of A Frozen Holiday Wish even though the park closes at 6 p.m. and the party doesn't begin until 7 p.m.

Tip: The best place to watch the stage show is close to the stage.

If you want to view the whole castle better, it's best to stand back a little bit further.

Show up about 30 minutes beforehand to make sure you get a good spot to watch.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Dessert Party Options (Not Confirmed for 2022)

The most recent MVMCP had a couple of special events that were available for an extra cost. We don't have any word if they will return for 2022, but in case they do, we are leaving these here for reference.

Party within a party? Yep!

Disney gives you options to book even more things once you're inside the Christmas party.

These options provide treats and viewing areas for nighttime entertainment.

Fireworks Holiday Dessert Parties

These dessert parties provide a holiday-themed version of the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Parties.

There are 2 versions – 1 with viewing from Tomorrowland Terrace and 1 with viewing from the nearby garden area.

Both provide dining from Tomorrowland Terrace.

This is not something that we generally recommend because it takes so much time out of the party, and you should be able to find a spot to view the fireworks easily. Still, it might be a nice add-on for people looking to do something a little different during their trip.

Option 1: Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party with Plaza Garden Viewing

Cost: $69/adult, $41/child age 3-9 (that is in addition to the price of your Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ticket)
Time: 8:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
How to book: Book online or by calling 407-939-3463

Option 2: Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party at Tomorrowland Terrace

Cost: $84/adult, $50/child age 3-9 (that is in addition to the price of your Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ticket)
Time: 8:30 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.
How to book: Book online or by calling 407-939-3463

Tony's Most Merriest Town Square Party

This fun come-and-go holiday experience debuted in 2018 and is returning in 2019.

This is an event that guests can pop in and out of as they wish.

Guests dine on sweet and savory treats, along with both unlimited alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (as well as a festive holiday atmosphere that runs until 12:30 a.m., which is after MVMCP has ended).

There's a PhotoPass photographer at the party…

And, the best part is that included with the price to this "party within a party" is access to a special reserved area to watch Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

Pic taken from reserved parade viewing area…

Cost: $99/person (that is in addition to the price of your Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party ticket)
Time: 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m.
How to book: Book online or by calling 407-939-3463

Comparing dessert parties

Trying to decide which party to book?

We don't think you need to do any, but we definitely think the Tony's Town Square option offers the best bang for the buck.

With unlimited food and alcohol, along with prime viewing for the parade, it's the best choice.

Click to view larger version of graphic.

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This party is just 1 of many things happening at Disney World in November and December. For the full list of events, see our guide to Disney World during the holidays.

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Source: https://wdwprepschool.com/disney-world-parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/

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