Top tips for visiting Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

The holidays are just around the corner and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is back to celebrate!

mickey's very merry christmas party park entrance
Photos by Jacqueline Dole

By Jacqueline Dole

This separately-ticketed event is running on select nights from November 9-December 22, 2023, at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. The party includes exclusive treats, a special parade and fireworks show, holiday ride overlays, and more.

Here are some tips on how to have the best time if you’re planning to head to the event this year:

Arrive early. You can get into the Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. with your Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket. Sometimes the characters start greeting early, and you can also get a spot for the new Frozen Holiday Surprise.

Be sure to chat with a cast member, and do some research online about all the offerings during the party. The map will indicate where a Photopass Magic Shot is located, but it won’t state what the actual shot will be. For example, if you’re a Haunted Mansion fan, be sure to head to the attraction in Liberty Square for a fantastic shot. A little research ahead of time – or spending a couple minutes talking to a cast member about available options – can ensure you don’t miss out on something important or waste time during party hours trying to figure out where you want to go.

mickey's very merry christmas party map

If you want to meet the characters, get in line early! These lines get super long and you don’t want to miss out on the fireworks, parade, or stage show if you can help it. 

Plan to see the first stage show and first parade. That way, if inclement weather rolls through you’ve already seen them. There is a rainy-day parade, but it’s a very short cavalcade and isn’t nearly as exciting as the full show. But if the first parade is crowded, the second parade is usually less.

christmas projection cinderella castle
Christmas projection on Cinderella Castle.

If you utilize Disability Access Service*, there are a couple of areas for parade and fireworks viewing so be sure to check in with a cast member.

Be sure to have your notifications on My Disney Experience so that you know about any weather-related updates. Fireworks, parades, and stage shows can be delayed due to bad weather, and this is the best way to find out when they’ll be happening so that you don’t miss out.

Prioritize rides with holiday overlays during the party. These are indicated on the map with a special symbol, and the overlays aren’t available during regular park hours. Space Mountain, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Mad Tea Party all have special holiday elements. Jungle Cruise – themed as Jingle Cruise — does as well, however it’s in full holiday mode during regular park hours as well. 

Space Mountain Holiday Overlay for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - Magic Kingdom

Bring a bag for cookies. Towards the end of the evening, cast members will start to hand out handfuls of cookies, which are prepackaged and easy to save for later. 

Paid-for party treat

Do not miss out on the fireworks. No matter what your plan is, this should be a priority. There is only one firework show each night and it is a truly great show. Make a plan to be near Cinderella Castle anywhere from 30-10 minutes before the show starts to be sure you have a good spot to watch. 

Here’s a guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party that Disney put out this year:

*Disability Access Service (DAS) is a program offered by Walt Disney World to assist guests who may have difficulty waiting in an extended queue. This service is administered by Cast Members at Guest Services in the parks or via preregistration online via the Walt Disney World website.

If you have any tips for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, be sure to let us know below.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom
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