Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023 Complete Guide

2024-01-23T11:03:13-05:00

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the very veriest, merry merriest event of the Holiday Season. This special ticketed event at Magic Kingdom runs on 25 select nights, starting on November 9th and ending on December 22nd 2023.

Mickey and all his favorite friends will be at the party: Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto and Daisy, all wearing their festive finest.

With a fireworks extravaganza, the ultimate Disney parade, magical shows and dance parties, this party is the most magical of them all.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas 2023 Party Dates & Prices

  • November: 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 26, 28, 30 
  • December: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22

Tickets range in price from $159 to $199 per ticket, plus tax for aged 10 and up, and $149 to $189 per ticket, plus tax for children aged 3-9.

Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket on select party dates.

Do keep in mind ticket prices are non refundable, even for bad weather. Many nights will sell out completely, do book well in advance.

Your ticket gives you access to Magic Kingdom from 4pm onwards and the party officially starts at 7pm.

Purchase tickets online or call the Disney Reservation Center on 407-939-1872.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Events

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

A live stage show that brings Mickey and pals and a whole crew of colorful characters together for a Holiday soiree. Sing along to classic and contemporary Holiday tunes and watch in wonder as the castle transforms to an ever-changing magical backdrop.

Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration

Festive is the order of the day and this show oozes with seasonal fun and frolics.

If you want to see the actual characters and actors you will need to be fairly close to the stage. However, the music and castle projections make it just as enjoyable if you can’t get close enough.

The show is held on Castle Forecourt Stage several times on each party night. Check event guide when you arrive for updated times.

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Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade

The Parade to end all parades. Don’t miss this under any circumstances!

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade starts off from Frontierland. The parade is usually held twice a night at 8.30pm and 11.00pm. Times may change though, so be sure to check updated times on the event guide as soon as you arrive.

Once Upon A Christmastime Parade

The parade is crammed with favorite characters dressed in Holiday finery and accompanied by a whole host of Christmas friends. The music is magical, the characters colorful and the floats enchanting.

The marching Toy Soldiers are a personal favorite of ours. The sounds of the marching stomping feet just adds something extra special.

The second parade is usually quieter than the first, as many families with smaller children head home after the fireworks. If you don’t want to watch it twice, you can take the opportunity to meet characters, see other shows or take advantage of shorter ride lines during the first parade.

Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at MVMCP


Parade Viewing Tip:
Watching Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade from Main Street USA makes it so much more magical.
The snow, lighting and atmosphere puts the icing on the Christmas cake, so it’s well worth staking out a spot early. It also gives you Cinderella Castle as the backdrop to make your pictures even better. Try to stand somewhere between the buildings on Main Street USA. People will start saving spots at least an hour prior to the parade, especially for the early show.


Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

This spectacular fireworks extravaganza will thrill all ages. Absolutely do NOT miss this for anything!

Minnie Mouse is the host of this fireworks extravaganza. The dazzling fireworks are bigger, better, wider, louder and longer. Splashes of Christmas color fill the skies with exploding presents. Plus the festive fireworks feature family favorite tunes such as Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

The fireworks are usually shown at 10pm, but as with all events, check the event guide when you arrive at the party for any changes.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Parties

Dessert parties are available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023 which give you reserved fireworks viewing and delicious seasonal treats. There are two options – Plaza Garden Viewing and Tomorrowland Terrace. Both options include a range of holiday treats prepared by Disney chefs, plus a selection of beverages.

  • Tomorrowland Terrace
    Check in an hour before the fireworks, enjoy your food and beverages, then watch the fireworks from the comfort of your seat on the terrace of Tomorrowland Terrace.
    Cost: $119 f0r ages 10 and over, $75 for ages 3-9. See full details.
  • Plaza Garden Viewing
    Check in 1.5 hours before the fireworks to enjoy a selection of desserts and beverages at Tomorrowland Terrace. Then be escorted to a prime standing location in the East Plaza Garden for priority viewing of the fireworks.
    Cost: $109 for 10 and over, $59 for guests aged 3-9. See full details.

Whether these upgrades are worth it financially or time-wise is for you alone to decide. Neither viewing location is considered a ‘prime viewing spot’, but are both reasonable locations from where to watch the fireworks without the hassle of having to stake out a spot.

Another thing to consider is time management – there’s lots to do throughout the whole party night with characters, attractions, shows, parades and complimentary cookies, time can be limited as it is. Spending 1-2 hours on desserts could have an affect on other things you wanted to do.

With that said, if the perfect views aren’t as important as a dazzling array of delicious seasonal treats and a selection of beverages, and you don’t mind spending an hour taking a break from the party while munching, then it could just be the ticket for you.

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Mickey’s Very Merry Dance Parties

No party would be complete without a dance party! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has two.

Disney Junior Jingle Jam

Storybook Circus is host to this party. Dance the night away with Vamparina and a whole host of characters.

Club Tinsel

Over at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, you can dance the night away with a host of holiday  characters and awesome Christmas dance music.


Mickey’s Very Merry Character Meet & Greets

There are usually rare characters making appearances at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Hopefully you’ll see the Seven Dwarfs and Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Character Meets

Many of the characters are dressed in Holiday finery, which can make very special pictures.

Seven Dwarfs MVMCP Meet & Greet


Complimentary Cookies, Cocoa & Sweet Treats

A delight of complimentary sweet treats are available and unlimited throughout the party night. There are different drinks and specialty treats on offer at several locations during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

And always a friendly face to hand them over!

There are allergy and healthy options available on request, so just ask at any cookie station for nut free, gluten free or sugar free options.

Party Cookie Stations

Santa’s helpers have been busy with the Disney foodie team this year too and have helped create lots of seasonal treats exclusively for the merriest party of the year.

These treats were all exclusive to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party in 2022. We’ll update as soon as the 2023 treats are released.

  • Main Street Bakery
    Mickey Mousse Ornament Treat: Gingerbread mousse with crispy center and a spiced almond cake with brownie crumble
  • Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
    Peppermint Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae: Peppermint ice cream, hot fudge, and candy cane pieces served on a brownie
    Candy Cane Hot Cocoa: Hot chocolate with peppermint ice cream, whipped cream, and candy cane pieces
  • Sleepy Hollow Refreshments
    Funnel Cake Sundae: Peppermint ice cream, M&M’S chocolate candies, and hot fudge served on funnel cake
    Sandy Claws Peppermint Mousse Treat: White chocolate peppermint mousse with a chocolate fudge center, chocolate Santa hat, and Jack Skellington face

Party Treats 2022

  • Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
    Sugar Plum Shake: Spiced sugar plum soft-serve topped with cherry syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles
  • Casey’s Corner
    Christmas Tree Cake: Red velvet brownie cheesecake with eggnog buttercream and spiced caramel topped with mini sugar Christmas lights
  • Cool Ship
    Polar Bear Claw: Chocolate hazelnut pastry with white and dark chocolate
  • The Friar’s Nook
    Curry Brat Tots: Tots topped with chopped bratwurst, curry ketchup, and apple slaw
    Tinker Bell Cream Puff: Cream puff and compressed carrot cake topped with spiced cream cheese icing, spiced walnuts and chocolate wings
  • Apple Cider Float: Apple cider topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with cinnamon
  • Sunshine Tree Terrace
    Once Upon a Christmastime Tart: Chocolate and cranberry tart with chocolate Mickey ears

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Treats 2022

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Mickey’s Very Merry PhotoPass & Magic Shots

Photopass Photographers will be at every location to snap your memories, plus at other locations throughout the park all night.


Attractions Open During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Several iconic Magic Kingdom attractions will be open throughout the party.

Frontierland

Fantasyland

Liberty Square

Tomorrowland


Tips for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

#1 Arrive Early
Even though Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party doesn’t start until 7pm, your ticket gives you access from 4pm. Go early and meet characters, do some rides, do some shopping and make the most of the extra 3 hours.

#2 Stay Late
The party doesn’t finish until midnight. If you don’t have kids, or if the kids can last, stay as late as possible to enjoy a quieter experience. The later parade is always a little quieter so it’s easier to get a great position. The last show of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration is usually held at 11.55pm, so you can stay to watch that with a lot fewer people in front of you.

#3 Have A Plan
To make sure you fit in all the shows and events, you’ll need to study the various times and have a timescale planned out. In between the shows and parades you can meet characters, do some rides (with less lines than normal) and enjoy the park and atmosphere.

#4 Pack Your Patience
Although it’s limited entry during party nights and rides will have shorter lines, It’s still going to be busy. Even more so if you are visiting on peak dates. Make sure you pack plenty of patience and just enjoy the magical Holiday atmosphere.

#5 Eat Early
You don’t want to pay a small fortune for a Party Ticket and waste precious time sitting down for dinner. Eat before you go to the park and top up on snacks during the night if you feel hungry. There’s way too much fun to be had to waste time on eating! If you can’t last that long without dining, consider eating between 4pm to 7pm before the actual Party events start.

#6 Have a Rest Day
If you plan to head to the Party at 4pm, don’t forget it lasts until midnight so it could be an 8 hour stint. Spend the day relaxing so your energy levels are fully charged for the evening ahead.

#7 Dress in Layers
It’s winter in Florida too, some nights can get chilly (or even downright cold!) Make sure you pack a jacket or sweater to keep you warm just in case. If the kids are using a stroller, take a blanket for them to snuggle under.

#8 Pack A Poncho
Although it’s not officially rainy season, we do still get rain in the winter months. As long as you have poncho’s with you, you’re good to go. You can purchase them in the parks, but they will be cheaper in the stores like Walmart, Target and Publix. If you’re staying in one of our vacation homes, you’ll find ponchos in the closets. No need to buy any!

#9 Remember Where You Park
Take an image with your phone where you park and at what section. Remembering where you parked after 8 hours of partying might not be so easy! You can also use the Car Locator on the Disney App to remember where you parked.

#10 Pack Some Power
Make sure you have spare batteries/charger for your camera, video or phone. You can also purchase portable charging systems located throughout Walt Disney World.  For $30, you will receive a fully charged portable battery with cables that fit most Apple and Android devices. When the battery runs down you can either recharge it again, or swap it for a fully charged battery free of charge.

#11 Ditch Your Camera and Enjoy The Moment
Although you will be sorely tempted to record every moment of the parades and fireworks, put your phone or camera away and enjoy! Or capture the faces of your family instead. There are literally hundreds and hundreds of professionally shot videos on YouTube, filmed in high quality with professional equipment by professional photographers who have staked out the perfect spot hours before. Watch those on YouTube instead of missing out on seeing it for yourself. Unless you’re a pro, your shakey footage with heads bobbing in front of you will be no comparison to the footage shot by the pros!

#12 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Elements for FREE!
The last Party is on December 22nd 2023. If you are visiting from December 23rd, you’ll have all the main elements of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party thrown in for free.


So there you have it. All our tips for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Now go party and make happy! Maybe we’ll see you there 🙂

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12 Comments

  1. Leslie October 25, 2022 at 12:30 pm - Reply

    We have regular tickets for Dec 22. If we need to get out of the park before Mickey’s Merry Christmas thing starts, will we still see any fireworks or light show on the castle?

    • Orlando Insider Vacations October 25, 2022 at 12:49 pm - Reply

      Hi Leslie,
      Unfortunately no, you won’t be able to see fireworks on December 22nd as they are on later in the evening after Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party has started.
      They don’t really have a light show on Cinderella Castle now, although they do have rotating holiday projections that usually start around dusk, so you should be able to see those before you leave.
      December 22nd is the last party night, so from December 23rd all the party main events (parade and fireworks) will be shown as part of the regular holiday entertainment if you can change your date by a day?

  2. Brittany November 20, 2019 at 11:36 am - Reply

    So if the shows will be shown between 12/23-12/31, what’s the advantage to purchasing a ticket for 12/22? What’s the difference?

    • Orlando Insider Vacations November 21, 2019 at 11:40 am - Reply

      Hi Brittany
      If all you wanted to see was the parade, stage show and fireworks, then there’s no difference. But there are a lot more elements included in the party nights that won’t be available on other dates.

  3. Eneida Reyna October 20, 2017 at 1:42 am - Reply

    Hi! We have booked for frc 23rd. But im afraid im not going to see all this party of the 22nd on the week im staying. Or are the events going to be showed? Example the parades and the light show. I dont know if i shuld get one more day or move my stays..Help

    • Orlando Insider Vacations October 20, 2017 at 8:22 am - Reply

      A lot of the events from Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be shown after the last party night of December 22nd. Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Season, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, A Frozen Holiday Wish and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will all be shown from December 23rd to 31st.

  4. Michele October 15, 2017 at 12:03 am - Reply

    Are the PhotoPass photographers there during the Very Merry Christmas Party? I usually get the Memory Maker but not sure if it applies during the Christmas party.

    • Orlando Insider Vacations October 15, 2017 at 6:38 pm - Reply

      Hi Michele,
      Yes, they are available during the Party and they also usually have animated shots that are ONLY available during MVMCP.

      To give you an idea, here’s a list of the special animated shots that were available last year:

      Entrance of Magic Kingdom Park, where a few jubilant favorites from “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” welcome you to the celebration.

      Your favorite fashionable fairy is ready for the most wonderful time of the year. With a little yuletide pixie dust, she can appear in your photo on Main Street, U.S.A. during the party.

      A few of the toy soldiers from “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” are marching through the winter wonderland in your photo at Magic Kingdom Park when you visit a photographer on Main Street, U.S.A during the party. You’ll receive a Magic Shot and an Animated Magic Shot.

  5. Alicia Alferness October 9, 2017 at 7:55 pm - Reply

    Do you have to purchase park tickets PLUS Mickey’s very magic Christmas party tickets, or could we only purchase the party tickets and not enter the park until 4 pm. I have heard both, and the Disney website doesn’t really specify.
    Thanks

    • Orlando Insider Vacations October 9, 2017 at 10:00 pm - Reply

      Your ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will give you access to the Magic Kingdom from 4pm onwards, so you do not need to purchase a park ticket if you plan to go at 4pm.

      If you want to enter Magic Kingdom earlier than 4pm, you will need to purchase a regular park ticket also.

  6. Orlando Insider Vacations September 23, 2017 at 10:34 pm - Reply

    Hi Barb,
    Your ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party gives you access to Magic Kingdom from 4pm onwards. On entry, you will be given a wrist band to wear to show you have a Party ticket. All guests without wrist band or ticket must leave the park by 7pm. All shows and events from 7pm onwards are only viewable by those guests who have a ticket.

  7. Barb September 23, 2017 at 1:34 pm - Reply

    I’m confused. If shows are as early as 8:30, wouldn’t I be able to see everything without a ticket? What is the ticket actually paying for?

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