The holiday season officially kicked off at Magic Kingdom Park last Friday, with the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties!
In case you’re attending your first party this year, here are some tips on how you can make the merriest of the night!
It Requires a Separate Party Ticket
We get this question often, and yes, entry to the party requires a separate Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket (even if you’re visiting the park earlier in the day, the party requires a separate ticket). Here’s a tip – you may receive a discount on select party nights when you purchase tickets in advance. Buying tickets ahead of time is suggested, as some nights do sell out. Click here to learn more.
Your Party Ticket Allows Entry as Early as 4 p.m.
Get the biggest bang for your buck by using your party ticket to enter Magic Kingdom Park as early as 4 p.m. The holiday festivities don’t start until 7 p.m., so you could use this time to get through a few more attractions.
Grab a Special Event Map
The easiest way to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the holiday fun is to pick up a special event map on your way into the park. Special entertainment times, character greeting locations and more are listed there.
Wear “Glow With the Show” Ears
This year’s party entertainment will be enhanced for the first time with “Glow With the Show” ears. They’ll be used along with the Celebrate the Magic castle projection show and Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks. Ear hats can be purchased at locations throughout Magic Kingdom Park, or you can bring hats you previously purchased at other Disney Parks to wear – they will work.
Head to the Jingle Cruise
For the first time in park history, Jungle Cruise in Adventureland is undergoing a holiday transformation. Head to the attraction to see the skippers’ homemade holiday decor and hear their new seasonal jokes!
Meet Characters
Pick up an event map to keep tabs on special Disney character greeting opportunities throughout the park. And be on the lookout for Santa Claus in Town Square!
Don’t Forget the Free Cocoa & Cookies
Be sure to check out your event map for snack stations throughout the park that offer complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. Healthy options are available upon request.
Do you have a great tip to share about attending the party? Tell us in the “Comments” section below.
To learn more about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, read these posts below:
Comments
I was wondering when the dates are added for this years 2014 party events?
Also, we are coming back from the Disney Cruise on Nov 8, and would like to go if they have it that night. Any chance they have one that Saturday Night? In the past, they had it on Friday and not Saturday.
Thanks,
Sam
Do they have the party during Thanksgiving week at all usually?
Are all of the rides open throughout the whole night? I assume that fast passes aren’t available (they come in so handy in Fantasy Land). Is that right?
Hi, we can’t make the Party in 2013, but are planning ahead for 2014; any idea when the tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2014 are likely to be availbale to purchase? Thanks!
I would suggest doing as many of the attractions and rides that you want to do while the first parade is happening. Typically, that parade has the bigger crowd, so lines will be shorter at attractions. Then you can attend the second parade when others are at attractions; the 2nd one seems to have fewer people. It will be SUPER busy no matter when you attend the party, so be prepared to navigate through LOTS of people! Enjoy!
Is there any special handicapped accessible area to view the parade? I am afraid if we aren’t able to get a spot right in the front my daughter will not be able to see anything.
This is our first time attending MVMCP, and my kids are really excited. Do the special events continue even while the parades are going on? Is there a special place and time that the kids can meet Santa?
My daughter has a life-threatening allergy to all nuts. Do you know if the cookies and hot chocolate will be safe for her to eat? I just want to know in advance so I can prepare her one way or another. It’s our first party. Thanks!!
Are there 2 parades on 12/1, and if so what are their times? Trying to plan ahead!
Each Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features the holiday parade twice (weather permitting, of course). Those times are 8:15 & 10:30 p.m., stepping off in Frontierland.
Marlene – the healthier options are apple juice and apple slices, available at Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square.
now I am confused the answer to comment 13 says I only need the mvmcp ticket at 4:00 yet the web site says I need both a day pass and a mvmcp if I come at 4:00 how many tickets do I need?
Allen – Your Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket allows entry as early as 4 p.m. That’s all you need (unless you wanted to visit the park earlier in the day).
So much looking forward to my first MVMCP on Dec 1st. I have my FP+ rides all picked, and hopes that I’ll be in a good location at parade time after the Jingle Cruise. Even lucked out with a TT dessert party reservation, so I don’t know why I’m asking except that I’m curious: I see notations about healthier options at the hot chocolate and cookie distributions…do you know what that is?
Jennifer, what are the two parade times for 12/1 when I will be attending???
Times for every party night are 8:15 & 10:30 p.m., stepping off in Frontierland.
I just purchased tickets for this event for my family and I. If we only show up for the event at 7, so we only need the MVMCP tickets or do we also have to purchase park tickets?
No. Party tickets let you into the park as early as 4 p.m. The party festivities begin at 7.
hello! I’ll be visiting for the first time MVMCP in 3 weeks! Im confused about the 2 tickets. If I was to just buy the MVMCP ticket alone and go in the afternoon,is that valid? or is it a must to buy a regular admission ticket and use the MVMCP for the same day? I would rather buy the MVMCP alone and go in the afternoon and do something else in the morning 🙂
A regular admission ticket is good from park open – 7 p.m. The party “officially” starts at 7 p.m., so your party ticket lets you in a bit early and is good for 4 p.m.-midnight.
We attended this party last year for the first time. If you plan to watch the parade, line up VERY early if you want prime seating. If you don’t mind to stand behind someone else, which we did, we did other things through the park such as autographs and my son was able to go dancing with Goofy with hardly no crowd. We got back on the sidewalk at the bridge and were still able to see well enough. Now I’m jealous and want to be there! Have fun, everyone!
That’s a good tip, Susan. Also, the second run of the parade, which happens later in the night, has been a bit less crowded at the parties I’ve attended.
18 days today till we are in Disney World!!!! I Can’t wait! We’ll be attending Mickey’s Party on the 3rd Dec and I can’t wait to get our Glow with the Show ears. This is all so exciting!!!!
Have a great time, Ellen! Don’t forget about the complimentary cookies and cocoa!
Jennifer, I have a ticket for the party on 12/1. If I enter the park prior to 4 pm, do I have to leave and come back in again to use my party ticket??
If you have both a park ticket and an event ticket, you do NOT need to leave and re-enter. Simply exchange the party ticket at the main entrance for a party wristband (you can also do this at one of the satellite locations set up throughout the park for this).
Is there a chance that Disneyland will have the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Maybe Next year:)
I’m going to the party for the very first time for my 60th birthday on Dec. 19th. It was my oldest son’s idea, because I used to bring him there a lot when he was little!! I can’t wait, and I will be sure to buy those ears!
You’ll have an amazing time, Linda. Have a very happy birthday!
Hello. I will be attending this delightful party on Dec. 1st. I have a question. Is there a published time for the parade? I was wondering this because we are traveling with a child and would like to make her parade wait time as short as possible. I know we must arrive early to get a good spot for viewing, so one of the other family members will secure that location. Thank you for the “Tips for Beginners.”
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade actually steps off twice each party night (weather permitting, of course). Times are 8:15 & 10:30 p.m., stepping off in Frontierland.
I was there last year for the first time and this just makes me want to go back more than ever! Really wish I could be there for the Glow With the Show ears – that would be awesome especially since you can wear them at the Osborne Festival of Lights too. Anybody have any money they want to get rid of so I can go? :o)
Heading to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on December 20th and cannot wait to get there with my family. First time for us and cannot thank you enough for the quick hitters for rookies. Will any of the restaurants be open during the party, such as Be Our Guest?
Select dining locations do remain open for the party – a few do transition into cookie/cocoa treat distribution areas.
If you were already going to be at Magic Kingdom on a party day and have the separate event ticket, do you have to leave the park and come back or can you just spend the whole day there?
If you have BOTH a park ticket and an event ticket, you do not need to leave and re-enter. You do need to hand your party ticket in for a wristband, which you can do at the entrance or at a satellite location throughout the park (check w/a cast member for those locations when you’re in the park that day).
Made it to MNSSHP last year. This year it’s MVMCP! So excited, especially to experience snow on Main Street and the festive parade!
You’ll have a great time, Kim. Take tons of photos!
Only 28 more days!! I’ll be in the Magic Kingdom on my birthday and I don’t think I could be more excited!!! 🙂
That sounds like a great birthday plan! Have fun.
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