11 Tips to Enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2012 at the Magic Kingdom

I’ve been attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party almost every year for nearly 20 years now, and each year is at least a little different than the previous one. There is a lot to do and see, but it's not an inexpensive night out – prices top out at $67.95 for an adult ticket (see pricing chart below article).

I always try to get the most value for my entertainment dollar, and I wanted to share some tips on making it a great night for your family! We've attended three Parties this year, and it is very hard to see everything in one night.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Sign

Tip 1 – Buy Your Tickets in Advance. The Parties have been selling out this year, and same-day tickets are not guaranteed. The prices also are often a little less expensive than picking them up on the day of the Party.

 

Entrance to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Tip 2 – Make a Plan. It can be a loose itinerary, but decide what is important to you ahead of time. There are many characters to visit, along with shows, Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Holiday Wishes fireworks, dance parties and more!

Tip 3 – Arrive Early and Stay Late. Guests can enter into the Magic Kingdom with their Party ticket at 4 p.m., with the Party specific activities starting at 7 p.m. The first Parties of this year sold out, which I've never seen happen so early in the season – but if you stay past the fireworks, the Magic Kingdom will be much less crowded. Guests start leaving even before that! I am always surprised at how many families leave so early. If you think you can only handle half of a Party, I'd recommend a nap and then head over for the last half of the night. We had a media event for Gaylord Palms ICE! the night of our first Party, and arrived just before the fireworks started – and the sold-out Party never seemed busy to us.

Tip 4 – View the Second Parade. Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is a must-do at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and finding a spot to enjoy it from is much easier for the second parade viewing!  Our favorite spot is at Town Square's Christmas Tree Point, with the procession heading toward us down Main Street (and Cinderella Castle in view). Check out our video here ! We secure our location right after Holiday Wishes. However, if you'd like to see the parade quickly, Frontierland is your best bet. That is where Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade starts, and it will be over well before the first float arrives at Town Square.

Mickey and Minnie on Parade Float

Tip 5 – Find Favorite Characters! Mickey and Minnie, Phineas and Ferb, and Scrooge McDuck all greet you in their holiday finest. Duffy the Disney Bear always alluded us, but a guest favorite meet-and-greet was Cinderella with Prince Charming in Fantasyland, joined by the evil stepsisters and wicked stepmother. Santa Claus is also available, in Candy Cane Garden next to City Hall! You can enjoy some of our character videos here.

Scrooge McDuck

Phineas and Ferb

Cinderella

Tip 6 – Don't Miss Holiday Wishes – The Holiday Wishes fireworks show features 180 degree fireworks, and a lot of holiday colors and projections! Arrive early to also enjoy the new Celebrate the Magic show!

Holiday Wishes

Tip 7 – See Later Shows. The Celebrate the Season show and A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas are both extremely popular! Likely you'll be standing for both, and the later you can go, the better your chance at a good spot. It isn't necessary to be too close for Celebrate the Season, since the Castle Stage is so large – I like to be a bit further back, to take everything in.

 

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas

Tip 8  – Enjoy Holiday Treats! This year, there are two choices for cookies – chocolate chip and snickerdoodles (I call them sugar cookies, I don't actually know the difference!) The gluten-free cookie option was butterscotch the first night, but chocolate chip the other two nights (all gluten-free options are pre-packaged). And don't forget the apple slices, that is my favorite treat! Hot chocolate and apple juice are both available.

 

Jeff Enjoying Treats

Cookies and Hot Chocolate

Tip 9 – Treats are Available Late. The Tomorrowland Terrace is scheduled on the map to continue handing out goodies until 12:30 a.m. We found that the windows close a little earlier than that time, but it's nice to stop by just after the Party ends and hang out for a bit while the Magic Kingdom empties out.

Tip 10 – Shop Early. The stores don't stay open after the Party! There are some Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party exclusives, such as t-shirts and pins.

Tip 11 – Linger. Enjoy the decorations on Main Street and in Town Square until nearly 1am! Each land gets "swept" of guests much earlier, but you can linger a bit to view Cinderella Castle and the beauty of Main Street for a while longer. By about 1 a.m., the Magic Kingdom is fully empty of guests.

Tomorrowland Projections

 

Main Street for Christmas

There are a lot of wonderful projections around the park, as well as other entertainment offerings and meet-and-greets.  One of my favorite parts of Christmas at Walt Disney World is the "snow" on Main Street. It is actually soap bubbles, so you won't want to stick your tongue out – but it's beautiful to look at!

I hope these tips help you enjoy your time at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! I will be posting a link tomorrow with over 100 photos of the Party.

Ticket prices for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (you can purchase tickets here on the official Disney website).
Purchased in Advance:

November 9th, 12th, 15th, 25th, 27th, 29th and
December 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th, 11th, 16th and 18th

$58.95 plus tax, Ages 10+ and $53.95 Ages 3-9

Same Day Ticket Price:

November 9th – 30th and December 2nd – 20th, Ages 10+  $64.95 plus tax, Ages 3-9 $59.95 plus tax
December 21st: Ages 10+ $67.95 plus tax, Ages 3-9 $62.95 plus tax

Some dates offer Annual Passholder and DVC discounts.