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The holidays at Walt Disney World Resort are always magical. There’s something so special about seeing Christmas decorations throughout the theme parks and resort hotels.
And if you want the ultimate Christmas experience at Disney World this year, you should attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!
This is a nighttime event held on select nights at Magic Kingdom in November and December. You can enjoy special holiday entertainment, Christmas themed fireworks, character greetings, an amazing Christmas parade, and more.
In this complete travel guide, you’ll find out what you need to know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. And that includes how to save money with discounted event tickets!
What Days are Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
First things first, let’s see when the Christmas Party is actually held! And we’ll also look at the best times to go (including when it’s the cheapest).
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023 Dates
Mickey’s Christmas Party takes place between 7:00 PM and midnight on the following nights:
- Thursday, November 9
- Friday, November 10
- Monday, November 13
- Tuesday, November 14
- Thursday, November 16
- Friday, November 17
- Sunday, November 19
- Tuesday, November 21
- Sunday, November 26
- Tuesday, November 28
- Thursday, November 30
- Friday, December 1
- Sunday, December 3
- Tuesday, December 5
- Thursday, December 7
- Friday, December 8
- Sunday, December 10
- Tuesday, December 12
- Thursday, December 14
- Friday, December 15
- Sunday, December 17
- Tuesday, December 19
- Thursday, December 21
- Friday, December 22
Although the party does not officially begin until 7:00 PM, if you have a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can enter Magic Kingdom starting at 4:00 PM. You can do this even if you didn’t have a park reservation or park ticket for that day.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Ticket Prices
Party ticket prices vary depending on date. Basically, the more popular the date it is, the more the ticket costs. In general, the closer you get to Christmas (or Thanksgiving), the more it’s going to cost. Fridays are also sometimes more expensive than weekdays earlier in the week.
Here’s how much the tickets cost by date.
Adults (10 years & Up) – $159 / Kids (3 – 9 years) – $149
- November 13
- November 14
- November 16
Adults (10 years & Up) – $169 / Kids (3 – 9 years) – $159
- November 9
- November 10
- November 17
Adults (10 years & Up) – $179 / Kids (3 – 9 years) – $169
- November 26
- November 28
- November 30
- December 1
- December 3
- December 5
- December 7
Adults (10 years & Up) – $189 / Kids (3 – 9 years) – $179
- November 19
- November 21
- November 22
- December 8
- December 10
- December 12
- December 14
- December 15
- December 17
Adults (10 years & Up) – $199 / Kids (3 – 9 years) – $189
- December 19
- December 21
- December 22
Luckily, we know of a great way to save money on your tickets, and that’s by going through Undercover Tourist. If you use this link, you can get an automatic discount and save up to $9 per ticket, compared to the adult ticket price at the gate. (Disney Vacation Club members and Annual Passholders can also get a discount by going through the Disney World website.)
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Shows & Entertainment
At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, there is no shortage of entertainment options! Let’s go over the options of what you can see and where you can see it.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
This Christmas parade is full of favorite holiday characters (like toy soldiers, dancing reindeer, and Santa Claus) as well as Disney characters (like Disney princesses, Toy Story characters, and the Seven Dwarfs). Here is a video from the parade in 2019:
The parade generally happens twice a night, at 8:30 PM and again at 11:00 PM. Crowds for the second parade are generally a little less crowded. If you are a big fan of parades in general, consider watching the first parade. You’ll then have the option of getting to see it a second time later that night if you love it.
The parade route includes Frontierland, Liberty Square and Main Street, USA. Viewing areas are generally marked off, and you can always ask a cast member (aka Disney Parks employee) if you’re not sure. Be aware that you cannot sit directly in front of a trash can – sometimes those seem like available seats, but a cast member will eventually tell you to move before the parade starts.
The crowds for the parade in Frontierland tend to be a little lighter than in front of Cinderella Castle or Main Street USA.
You can find out more about the Disney World Christmas parade here.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
Fireworks at the Magic Kingdom are always special, but this holiday fireworks show is particularly delightful!
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks is both impressive and heartwarming. You’ll see beautiful fireworks and fun projections, set to popular Christmas carols like “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Deck the Halls.” And as the name of the show suggests, it’s all hosted by Minnie Mouse.
You can see this fireworks show at 10:00 PM.
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
Dancing, singing, Disney characters, and of course Christmas melodies help make this high energy stage show so much fun! You can catch Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration on the stage directly in front of Cinderella Castle. Please note that there are no chairs, benches or bleachers directly in front of this stage.
The showtimes for this production are 7:40 PM, 9:25 PM, 10:35 PM, and 11:55 PM.
Here’s a video from the fun castle show in 2023:
Frozen Holiday Surprise
Elsa, Olaf, Anna, Kristoff and friends decorate Cinderella Castle in this dazzling new 7 minute long show. This takes place each day at 6:15 PM, but there’s also an extra performance during the Christmas Party at 8:15 PM.
The Collective 5ive
Enjoy live holiday music from this boy band at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland.
Club Tinsel
All these great performances may make you want to start dancing yourself! If so, head over to Club Tinsel. This is a dance party held at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland.
Disney Junior Jingle Jam
Here’s another dance party, perfect for little ones. At the Disney Junior Jingle Jam, you can dance with favorite Disney Junior characters from shows like Doc McStuffins, The Lion Guard, Fancy Nancy, and Vampirina. The party takes place inside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland.
Rides at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Clearly, there are a lot of entertainment options during the Christmas Party! But for many, a trip to Disney World just wouldn’t feel right without riding some favorite attractions.
Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to Magic Kingdom rides during the party. Let’s take a look at what will be open – and which rides will have a special holiday twist!
What Rides are Open During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
The following attractions will be open during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Haunted Mansion
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
- “it’s a small world”
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Prince Charming Regal Carousel
- Tomorrowland Speedway
- The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
- Astro Orbiter
- Mad Tea Party
- The Barnstormer
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
- Swiss Family Treehouse
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
- Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
- Jungle Cruise (more about this later!)
- Space Mountain (again, more about this later)
Please note that this list is subject to change, per Disney World.
Also, for the Tron coaster, you’ll need to use a virtual queue, as there will not be any standby lines for the ride. You can enter the virtual queue starting at 6:00 PM the day of your Christmas Party. You’ll only be able to join the virtual queue once during the Party.
Which rides will have a Christmas overlay?
Two attractions will have a special holiday overlay for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. And those rides are:
Jingle Cruise
Your skipper will share some fun holiday puns during the holiday version of this classic Jungle Cruise ride. And you’ll even notice some special visual holiday additions throughout the ride!
Please note that the Jingle Cruise is very popular, but you cannot use Genie Plus during the Christmas Party. You may end up spending quite a bit of time in line, as in our experience it often has one of the longest lines of the whole party.
If you are going to be at the Magic Kingdom on another day during your trip (or earlier that day, before the party starts), consider riding the Jingle Cruise then. You may also want to get Genie Plus for that part of your trip to avoid the lines.
If the Christmas Party is the only time you’ll be at Magic Kingdom during your trip and the Jingle Cruise is a priority, then riding later in the evening (when the crowds are more likely to have thinned out) or during the parade or fireworks can help you reduce the time you have to wait in line.
Space Mountain
During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, this indoor roller coaster becomes Space Mountain – Holiday Run!! Enjoy the fun thrills you would during the day, but with some energetic holiday songs!
Disney Christmas Party Food
You’ll be able to buy some delicious holiday treats at some of the restaurants at Magic Kingdom! Click here to check out our guide to 2023’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party snacks. And note that we were able to purchase a party exclusive treat between 6:00 and 7:00 PM, even though the party didn’t technically start until 7:00 PM.
Want to save money on something sweet? You’ll be happy to know that you can also get cookies and cocoa/beverages – included in the price of your party ticket! These are available at designated locations through the theme park:
- Tortuga Tavern (Adventureland) – Buttercream Frosted Gingerbread Cookie
- Columbia Harbour House (Liberty Square) – Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie
- Pinocchio Village Haus (Fantasyland) – Red Velvet Cake Cookie
- Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe (Tomorrowland) – Snickerdoodle Cookie
- The Lunching Pad (Tomorrowland) – Buttercream Frosted Green Sprinkle Cut-out Cookie
As you can see, they come individually wrapped, so you can take them home (or back to your hotel) and eat them later if you’d like:
And you can request an allergy-friendly cookie if needed.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party FAQ
Do you need a park ticket for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?
No, you do NOT need a park ticket for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. All you need is a party ticket – not a park ticket or park reservation. You only need a park ticket and park reservation if you want to enter Magic Kingdom earlier than 4:00 PM. (Remember, the party starts at 7:00 PM, but party guests can enter the park up to 3 hours early.)
Should I enter the park early (at 4:00 PM) before the party?
If you don’t have park tickets for the same day as your party, then entering early is a good idea. While you can’t watch shows, get cookies and cocoa, or enjoy the other official party festivities, it will give you the opportunity to enjoy the park decorations at a more leisurely pace. It’s also a great time to get in some rides, especially any rides that may not be running during the party.
For example, Carousel of Progress may not be running during the party. It’s also a longer ride, which means it takes more time away from you enjoying other party features. So if you’d like to ride this attraction that night, doing so between 4:00 and 7:00 PM is a good option.
Another reason to enter the park before 7:00 PM is that the entrance can get pretty crowded around 7:00 PM. Even if you don’t arrive right at 4:00 PM, you won’t have to deal with as many other people entering the park if you get there well before 7:00 PM.
Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party the same event as the one held in 2021?
No. In 2021, the holiday event was called Disney Very Merriest After Hours. While similar to the Christmas party, it was technically an After Hours Event. It had fewer entertainment options than the usual party (due to the pandemic) but did include some free food and drinks (like popcorn and soda). This year’s event in 2023 does not include free popcorn or soda.
Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party worth it?
Yes, this special holiday event is worth it!
Obviously, the answer to this question depends on the person. Disney World is certainly not lacking in ways for you to spend your money. But if you’re like me and you LOVE both Christmas and Disney, this event is so memorable and definitely worth the cost. This is mainly due to the entertainment options (the parade is my favorite, currently followed by the fireworks show).
If you’re on the fence about whether or not it’s worth it for you or your family, then check out 85 reasons why Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is worth the price.
However, it is possible that it might not be worth it for you, depending on your preferences.
Are you considering going to the Christmas Party simply to enjoy rides with less crowds and you don’t really care about the entertainment or Christmas elements? You might want to consider staying onsite so you can take advantage of early entry in the mornings. This gives you an extra 30 minutes in all 4 parks (Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot and Animal Kingdom) before the park opens. And it’s free – it’s a perk of staying at an onsite Disney World hotel.
And if you stay at a Disney World deluxe resort, you may be able to enjoy Extended Evening Theme Park Hours for free. Currently, guests can enjoy a couple of extra hours at Epcot on Monday nights and Magic Kingdom on Wednesday nights. The schedule is currently only listed partway through August, so keep checking back to see dates and times for November and December.
More Disney Christmas Ideas
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World during the Christmas season, the following are great ideas for other things to do on your trip – and what to buy before you go, as well!
Christmas in Orlando
The following are great ideas for other things to do and places to stay in Orlando, Florida during a Christmas season trip.
- Hollywood Studios at Christmas (with Video Tour)
- Animal Kingdom at Christmas (with Video Tour)
- Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail (with Video)
- Disney’s Beach Club Gingerbread Carousel & Christmas Decor (with Video)
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Gingerbread House (with Video)
- Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort Christmas Guide
- SeaWorld Orlando Christmas Guide (with Videos)
- Universal Orlando Christmas Guide (with Video)
Disney Christmas Items to Buy
These fun items are both Disney and Christmas themed! They’d be great to wear to the Christmas Party or take on your trip. Make sure to order them now so you can find the products you love (and for a good price!).
- 25 Best Disney Christmas Backpacks
- 50 Best Disney Christmas Sweaters for Adults
- 15 Best Disney Christmas Sweater for Toddlers
- 20 Best Disney Christmas Pajamas for the Family
- 40 Best Disney Christmas Pajamas for Toddlers
- 25 Best Disney Christmas Nightgowns
- 100 Best Disney Christmas Facemasks
- 50 Best Disney Christmas Phone Cases
Jollywood Nights
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is no longer the only after-hours holiday party! at the Walt Disney World Resort! This year, Disney is debuting a new party at Hollywood Studios called Jollywood Nights! You can read more about it in our Jollywood Nights Guide.
