My 16 Tips to Enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023 at the Magic Kingdom
Hi everyone!
We attended the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for 2023 and have tickets as well for an upcoming party. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023 is very similar to other years with the exception of the loss of my favorite show – “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” – and some other smaller modifications. But we had a great time and look forward to our December party. I posted 16 tips below, along with our show and accompanying videos. (Check out our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2023 YouTube playlist!)
First, here is our Mousesteps Weekly YouTube Show #492 with an overview of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for 2023.
Now, here are my 16 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tips for 2023!
1 – Plan ahead –There is quite a bit to see and do during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, including “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade”, “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show”, a stage show, characters, ride overlays and more. It is good to have a plan before heading to the party to help experience all you can. I used to recommend two parties, but prices are higher and with the loss of “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas”, I am less likely to do that now. You still can’t do it all in one night, but you might do all you want to.
Snow (snoap) on Main Street U.S.A.
2 – Arrive early – Guests can arrive at 4:00 p.m. on a party ticket. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party does not officially start until 7:00 p.m., but there are some characters available to meet early, first photo locations and a special ornament! The Market Street location is even more festive this year, with a Toy Soldier meet and greet, DJ, photo ops and more!
Toy soldier meet at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
3 – Meet characters such as Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws with Sally and the Seven Dwarfs – Jack Skellington is back as Sandy Claws and he meets with Sally in Town Square Theater. They start meeting early, just after 4:00 p.m.. This is my favorite meet and greet at the party and it is always popular! Jack and Sally don’t sign autographs, but they do have a souvenir autograph card – autograph cards are all refreshed this year. The Seven Dwarfs are back after a number of years away. The Seven Dwarfs and Winnie the Pooh characters also start meeting a little early.
Video of our meet with Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally
Jack and Sally autograph card at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – all cards are refreshed for 2023!
4 – Watch the new “Frozen Holiday Surprise” – Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf are in this new (short) show at Cinderella Castle that culminates in projections. Unfortunately, the Cinderella Castle Dreamlights have not returned so this isn’t nearly as impressive as the sparkling, shimmering Cinderella Castle used to be during the holiday season. It plays twice per night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, once exclusively at the party.
Video with “Frozen Holiday Surprise” show highlights
5 – Decide where to watch “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” – This festive parade may look best on Main Street U.S.A. We usually are in Town Square with the Christmas tree as a great backdrop. But the parade is fastest if you watch it in Frontierland – it takes at least 15 minutes to get to Town Square. The Kringle Krew entertains guests before the parade on Main Street U.S.A. and Town Square, and there is also fun to be had in Frontierland.
Our video of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade 2023
6 – Stop for included treats – There are multiple locations in the Magic Kingdom for cookies, with an accompanying drink (hot chocolate, apple cider, eggnog). The choices seem about the same as last year, including a gluten free cookie option.
Treats are available at Cosmic Ray’s and other Magic Kingdom locations
One of the cookie options is a snickerdoodle
7 –Watch the last Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration show – The last Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration show starts at 11:55 p.m., so it doesn’t take up any real party time and is much less crowded than earlier in the evening. That said, if it’s a must-do for you, I recommend watching it earlier in the evening as well (in case there are any issues with the last show, including rain).
Our video of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration 2023
8 – Ride the Jingle Cruise – This is not a party exclusive, so you can enjoy it anytime during your holiday visit. This is the holiday version of the Jungle Cruise and you may even want to ride it both during the day and after dark.
Our video of the Jingle Cruise 2023
9 – Enjoy other ride overlays – Back in 2019, new ride overlays debuted for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. My favorite is the Tomorrowland Speedway, with decorations and holiday music throughout. Space Mountain, the Mad Tea Party and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor all have holiday twists as well. And I always recommend riding the People Mover, which offers great views of the Tomorrowland Speedway overlay and inside Space Mountain. It is like having another attraction overlay.
The Mad Tea Party has a holiday twist
10 – Check out other entertainment – There are dance parties, including Club Tinsel at the Rockettower Plaza Stage (where “A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” used to be). The Reindeer Wranglers are back in Frontierland as well, and of course characters and more.
Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde dance with elves at Club Tinsel
11 – Enjoy attractions with shorter wait times – One thing I look forward to during our second Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party night is riding more attractions with short or non-existent wait times. I did ride Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and People Mover with no wait during the first party and we will spend more time on attractions in December.
Pirates of the Caribbean was a walk-on
12 – Purchase specialty treats and food – Some treats and other food items are available to purchase only during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. We did not pick any up, the cookies were plenty for us this time. But many guests do like to try something created especially for the party.
13 – Purchase event specific merchandise – There is a modest amount of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party merchandise this year to choose from, including apparel and at least one pin.
14 – Stop for PhotoPass Magic Shots – We didn’t do this yet for 2023, but I will post one after our next party. There are always some fun options!
15 – Stay until the event ends – There are guests who leave after the first “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade” and also after “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show”. It is much less crowded by the end of the night.
16 – Have fun! Jeff and I have both been attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for almost 30 years and it is a favorite event of ours each year.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates for 2023:
- 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
Disney hosted us for the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, we have tickets on our own for a future party in December. We attend the event every year.