Our 17 Tips to Enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2017 at the Magic Kingdom
Hi everyone!
We were at the first and third Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party nights for 2017. Each year brings a few changes, I have been posting about the Party for 11 years now and attending for over 20 years. Compared to last year, there aren’t too many differences for 2017 – but there are a few. And small changes lead to big changes through the years. Here are our tips for 2017, along with our Mousesteps Weekly YouTube Show #247 talking all about the two Party nights we attended with more tips and an overview. There are some photos and other videos scattered through this article as well.
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1 – Arrive early – Guests can arrive on their Party ticket starting at 4:00 p.m and I always recommend that. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a premium priced event, and it allows for 8+ hours of entertainment including pre-Party hours. New last year was a bypass for the first Party treat and some photo opportunities, and that is back again this year. The bypass generally closes around the time of the last day guests visiting the park.
Main Street bypass.
2 – Make a plan – I always say that you can’t see it all. Between Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Holiday Wishes, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, character meet and greets and other activities and treats and rides…it’s a lot to try to pack into 5+ hours. Decide what is most important for your evening ahead of time. We met several guests that scheduled two Party nights on our advice so they could see everything at a relaxed pace. While two isn’t necessary, it does help if you want to meet characters and see all the shows.
3 – Pick up your Sorcerer’s of the Magic Kingdom souvenir Party card – Stop by the Main Street Fire Station starting at 4:00 p.m. and pick up your free card! This year’s card is Carousel of Progress themed.
4 – Meet special Disney characters prior to the Party kickoff – The Seven Dwarfs started meeting at 6:15pm and we were told Moana is early as well this year (this is her first time meeting at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party). Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws did not start meeting early on the first Party night, that could change – he often has. Check with a Cast Member for the few popular meet and greets on the day of your Party.
6 – Enjoy different treats this year – My overall longtime favorite treat of apple slices was elimated this year, but there are about seven stations for 2017 – six on the map, Pinocchio’s isn’t listed – to pick up treats from, and each is different. If you are wanting the classic snickerdoodle and hot chocolate, you can find those at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. Pinocchio’s has a variety of treats in one place, 4 cookies including a snickerdoodle – it seems to be most of the cookies served around the park in one place. Tortuga Tavern has a soft pretzel and sno-cone, the pretzel was served warm and is my new favorite treat. Also new this year is at The Friar’s Nook, which serves a sparkling apple cider and Dove chocolates. I thought from the map that the Dove chocolate would be a drink, but they are chocolates to go with the cider. There were two different sparkling ciders on the second night, and it is a nice option. Nestle Nesquik is served in a bottle near Pete’s Silly Sideshow with a peppermint crunch cookie. So that is a rundown on some of the treats, last year was the first year that Disney expanded the options.
Ginger-molasses cookies and Eggnog.
Sparkling cider and Dove chocolates.
7 – See “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” – This newest Cinderella Castle stage show replaced Celebrate the Season last year. Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration became an instant classic, with a LOT of different characters and fun music. The projections on Cinderella Castle during the show is stunning too, I like to watch the show from a little further back so I can take it all in.
8 – Meet Talking Mickey in his holiday costume – Talking Mickey meets at Town Square Theater, and is dressed in his holiday best! He may even tell you a joke.
Our video with Talking Mickey.
9 – Meet other characters in their holiday costumes – Not all characters meeting are in any sort of costume, and often the costume is a scarf (Pooh characters, Genie, etc.). But there are others who are in full Christmas outfits, including Minnie, Daisy and Donald.
11 – View the second parade if weather permits – The second parade is almost always less busy than the first, except if it rains during the evening – and if that happens, the second parade can be busier. But generally, a lot of guests leave before the second parade starts (so many guests leave after fireworks), so it allows a little more breathing room for parade viewing during the second.
Our video of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
Dance with a reindeer at Club Tinsel!
16 – Stay late – I know it isn’t always easy, this is a busy time of year and it’s hard for me to push my Magic Kingdom visit until 1:00 a.m. But the last hour of the Party from 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. is the least busy time of the night. Many guests leave after fireworks, some even after the first parade. The last Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration starts at almost midnight, and you can see that and then enjoy PhotoPass photos and the decorated Main Street for another hour or so. And while I am talking PhotoPass….
Tomorrowland projections.
17 – Find the PhotoPass phographers with Magic Shots – I can’t help with this one, we didn’t do any of these. But there are some special photos to be found!
Magic Kingdom Train Station at Night.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be held on:
November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26 and 28
December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 and 22
Tickets can be purchased on the official Walt Disney World website.