Our 1-night itinerary for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party provides a step-by-step plan-of-attack for minimizing time ready in strains for character meet & greets, seeing Magic Kingdom’s fireworks, stage exhibits at Cinderella Castle and in Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, and avoiding crowds at Walt Disney World’s laborious ticket vacation season occasion.
For those that are unfamiliar with it, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) is held at Magic Kingdom on two-dozen evenings throughout the vacation season at Walt Disney World; it begins in early November and runs till the week earlier than Christmas. MVMCP is a limited-capacity, individually ticketed occasion that happens after hours, and options family-friendly enjoyable for company of all ages.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party provides a possibility to get pleasure from Magic Kingdom sights, character meet & greets, and limitless Christmas cookies and scorching cocoa. There’s additionally wonderful leisure: Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Stage Show, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show, and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. If you need the occasion information and our evaluation of whether or not it’s definitely worth the cash, see our Ultimate Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is an itinerary, centered solely on maximizing time on the occasion for attendees.
We’ve attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party a ton over time, together with two completely different nights in December 2022. Due to a scheduling battle, we couldn’t go collectively…which was lots much less enjoyable for us, however allowed us to check “competing” methods for approaching the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. (So our ‘pain’ is your ‘gain,’ to brighten a bit!)
From that, we found a few ideas & methods that labored higher than others…and a few that didn’t work properly in any respect. With that mentioned, our approaches didn’t differ significantly. We had already refined our Christmas occasion plan primarily based on experiences over the course of the previous decade.
To that time, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party doesn’t change a lot from 12 months to 12 months, and this 12 months’s incarnation of the occasion is nearly equivalent to the earlier model of the occasion that was final held in 2019 (MVMCP didn’t occur in 2020-2021). Accordingly, it’s extremely possible that the 2023 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can be considerably just like this 12 months’s occasion.
That’s doubly true since each date this 12 months bought out shortly, so Walt Disney World gained’t have a lot incentive to enhance or add new issues to the 2023 MVMCP to encourage longtime followers to purchase tickets once more. Suffice to say, we’ve put this MVMCP plan by its paces, and the itinerary holds up. With that out of the way in which, let’s begin the night at Magic Kingdom!
Eat Before You Arrive – Walt Disney World’s hottest park is arguably the weakest for meals. While there are some Magic Kingdom eating places we love, they’re principally desk service–and sometimes troublesome to do on the final minute. By distinction, there are numerous wonderful choices alongside the monorail loop and close by resort space. If you’re doing the Self-Guided Yuletide Tour to fill the half-day earlier than MVMCP, think about consuming a big late lunch at certainly one of these lodges.
Prior to the occasion, I used to be in Magic Kingdom all morning, making for barely completely different circumstances. I opted to stroll over to Disney’s Contemporary Resort at about 2:30 pm. I went to Steakhouse 71 and was instantly seated on the bar, the place I ordered the Stack Burger. (One of the Best Burgers at Walt Disney World.) My objective was a comparatively fast meal, and I used to be out and in of the Contemporary in beneath an hour. The identical may very well be achieved at most lounges within the space, together with Geyser Point (one other private favourite).
Arrive Early – Purchasing an occasion ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party provides you entry to Magic Kingdom for as much as 3 hours earlier than the occasion begins. MVMCP itself runs for five hours, with particular holiday-themed leisure, sights, character greetings, and extra.
With this in thoughts, we suggest planning to get to Magic Kingdom by 3:45 pm. If you have already got admission for this present day within the park, enter even earlier by the non-event turnstiles and get your wristband in Tomorrowland somewhat than the entrance of the park. This is important, as you’ll bypass an enormous crowd exterior the park and may have a head-start on attending to the primary (potential) cease.
We can not overstate how essential it’s to make each minute rely earlier than, throughout, and after the official begin of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Even with this Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party plan-of-attack, it’s unlikely that you simply’ll have the ability to do every part there throughout the occasion. There’s lots taking place throughout MVMCP, and just about every part has a line or wait time.
If you’ve solely attended the After Hours occasions, it’s additionally value understanding that MVMCP is basically completely different than these. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is just not a real “low crowds” occasion. While that was once the case, Walt Disney World raised the capability cap two years in the past when the occasion was final held.
To make sure, some areas of Magic Kingdom may have low crowds and most rides may have brief wait occasions throughout the coronary heart of the occasion, however different areas of the park can be packed, most characters have prolonged strains, and leisure viewing areas will be congested and chaotic. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Line Up For First Characters – Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally meet in Town Square Theater beginning someday between 4 and 5 pm, so line up for them by 4:30 pm for them (you’ll want a celebration wristband). This is probably the most sound technique until you need to wait till later within the night.
The draw back of doing this primary is that you’ll possible encounter the longest wait time of the night time (probably 90+ minutes) until your timing is superb and also you’re among the many first company in line. If that prolonged wait isn’t value it to you, get pleasure from some free time till about 6:15 pm. Consider doing Jingle Cruise or the photograph ops round Magic Kingdom (when you’re within the park all day, you positively ought to do these earlier than 4 pm).
If you didn’t heed our earlier recommendation, you’ll additionally need to eat an early dinner. Alternatively, think about subsisting on cookies and cocoa throughout the occasion (A+ method that I extremely suggest and embrace!).
Pooh’s Posse – Our favourite characters are in Storybook Circus, and we think about that to be the #1 must-do meet & greet throughout Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. There you’ll meet that are Scrooge McDuck & Donald Duck plus Daisy Duck & Minnie Mouse. This line varieties reverse the queue for Dumbo, with the meet & greet happening contained in the indoor queue.
However, this meet & greet does not appear to be beginning early, and we each seen a protracted line already at 6 pm. That means an hour-plus wait when all is claimed and carried out. Accordingly, we suggest queueing up for Winnie the Pooh and pals at round 6:00 pm. From what we skilled and noticed, these characters do begin assembly early–between round 6:20 and 6:40 pm. You ought to be out and in by 7:00 pm, give or take.
First Showtime – If you’re fast, you would possibly have time for yet one more character meet & greet in Fantasyland. Regardless, head to the entrance of Cinderella Castle by round 7:30 pm for to the 7:40 pm showtime of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration. It’s not essential to arrive far upfront–an ideal entrance and middle spot is just not vital, as we’ll be watching the present once more on the finish of the night time.
If you arrive a lot earlier and are taking a slower tempo to the occasion, think about getting a spot alongside the parade route behind the Partners (Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse) statue. You’ll have the ability to establish this circle the place the sunshine pavement ends. (Also, a variety of different company can be camped out alongside it.) If you present up at 7:30 pm as we suggest, this is not going to be an possibility.
NOTE: Camping out in the identical spot for the primary stage present by the fireworks (and even the stage present thereafter) is extremely in style amongst MVMCP company. However, we do NOT suggest this method, for causes mentioned beneath…
Cookie or Character Time – If you have been in a position to get a spot alongside the parade route up by Cinderella Castle throughout the first Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, you’ll skip this step. Don’t really feel dangerous–there are a few the explanation why this isn’t our suggestion. Frist, the realm immediately in entrance of Cinderella Castle isn’t one of the best Christmas parade spot, particularly for images or video. The lighting is tough, and spotlights flanking the citadel can create some hellacious flare and color-cast. Second, tenting out right here additionally means losing helpful occasion time.
Between the stage present ending and Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade beginning, you’ll have a while to seize cookies from Cosmic Ray’s (possibly having fun with the dance occasion for a bit, too) or meet one other character. Our suggestion for that is really heading to Town Square Theater, the place you’ll be able to knock out Mickey Mouse (figuratively), when you so need. Note that his wait time will nonetheless be elevated, nevertheless it’s a handy location.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Time (x1) – Given the wonderful lighting, ambiance, and SNOW on Main Street, it’s the greatest place from which to view the parade. Seriously, don’t hassle with Frontierland or Liberty Square.
The draw back to viewing from Main Street is that nearly everybody has the very same concept. The parade route alongside Main Street is packed an hour upfront many nights. So…why did we suggest killing extra time with cookies and characters?
Because Town Square is a completely completely different story for no matter purpose. See the photograph above? Stand in entrance of Town Square Theater and that’ll be your view. You’ll see Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade come across the nook and it’ll be basically coming straight in direction of you. The draw back isn’t any Cinderella Castle within the background, however the Christmas tree is a superb comfort prize.
Character or Cookie Time (x2) – In addition to this being the final part of the parade path to refill, the opposite big benefit you’ll have is simple and quick entry to Town Square Theater the place Mickey Mouse and Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws & Sally meet.
In our expertise, it is a nice time to fulfill Mickey Mouse–it’ll be a 10-15 minute wait. It’s a superb time to fulfill Sandy Claws & co–it’ll be a 30-45 minute wait, more than likely. However, these wait occasions assume you will be among the many first individuals into the road following the parade. That ought to be comparatively simple given your location, however when you’re gradual to get ‘packed up’ after the parade, it gained’t be potential. People flood into these meet & greet strains about 5 minutes after the parade passes.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks – This is the recently-added fireworks spectacular proven solely throughout Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties. It runs solely as soon as per night time, and isn’t to be missed. Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks thematically incorporates fireworks so that they match the accompanying tune lyrics.
In phrases of viewing the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, you’ll most likely need to choose a location with an unobstructed 180-degree view of Cinderella Castle. This means anyplace in the midst of Main Street is out, because the buildings to every facet of you’ll hinder your view.
We’ve seen the Christmas fireworks a number of occasions now, and I’m “over” being within the sea of individuals simply to have an important view of the perimeter pyro. As such, I do watch in direction of the tip of Main Street, which is blissfully uncrowded by comparability. However, that is a kind of ‘do as I say, not as I do’ conditions.
For Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, we’d extremely suggest the inexperienced areas in our Best Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing Locations. Additionally, the yellow areas which can be nearer to Cinderella Castle additionally work, however are barely much less fascinating.
See the Stage Show After Fireworks – If you managed a entrance and middle spot for the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, you would possibly need to stick round for the following efficiency of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, which begins shortly thereafter.
You may also head over to see A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, which might be our suggestion. There can be yet one more likelihood to see the Cinderella Castle stage present, so don’t fret when you skip this showtime. If you’re not involved with A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas is likely to be good to discover someplace past Main Street.
Finally, there’s one other wildcard right here, which is assembly Sandy Claws when you didn’t do this earlier and watching the fireworks from Main Street close to the Christmas tree. If you’re fast to get in line, this would be the shortest wait of your complete night time for Sandy Claws. We’ve waited 20-Half-hour. Don’t wait too lengthy, or the wait time will spike–and the road can be closed for the night time!
Fun on the Frontier – If you do decide in opposition to catching both stage present, we’d suggest heading over to Frontierland.
This is an effective time to catch a efficiency of the Reindeer Wranglers, clown round with the Country Bears, and benefit from the moody ambiance alongside the Rivers of America. You may also think about chopping over to Adventureland for meet & greets, or extra cookies now that these strains have died down.
Mickey’s TWICE Upon A Christmastime Parade – At this level, it’s most likely time to safe a spot for the second Christmas parade, if you wish to see it once more.
There are two choices right here. Since you’re already within the neighborhood, you’ll be able to merely keep on with Frontierland, close to the place the parade steps off. This goes to be the much less time intensive possibility, as you gained’t want to attend as lengthy for the parade to reach and can have the ability to go away instantly after it’s over.
Being fixated on images, we normally head again to Main Street. There’s one thing concerning the projections and moody lighting on Cinderella Castle that simply units the proper tone of the parade. My favourite spot is between the Emporium and flagpole, to the left of the Christmas tree statue. Unfortunately, this viewing space is commonly crowded, however even standing again in opposition to the rail behind the Christmas tree can given you a superb view. (I used to be within the third or 4th “row” again once I took the above photograph.)
Stage Show Send Off – Even although the second Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade steps off at 11 pm, it gained’t get to you on the finish of Main Street till 20 or so minutes later, and gained’t conclude till somewhat after 11:30 pm.
With that in thoughts, possibility #1 is completely reserving it over to catch the 11:35 pm displaying of A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas. This is what I did, and missed the primary tune in consequence (I transfer very quick). If you’re going to do that, catching the second parade from the Central Plaza close to Cinderella Castle (on the Tomorrowland facet) is the better method.
Option #2 is slowly making your means as much as Cinderella Castle and getting a spot for the 11:55 pm efficiency of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration. You may even go seize extra cookies earlier than doing this. (The objective ought to be stockpiling sufficient cookies to outlive till New Year’s Eve!)
Then there’s possibility #3, which is doing each. This is what I usually do, making it to Cinderella Castle earlier than the clock strikes midnight. Again, this technique requires transferring shortly. Perhaps not the perfect means of ending a protracted night at Magic Kingdom.
Get into the Spirit of the Season – You’ll have the ability to linger round Tomorrowland or Main Street for some time after Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party formally ends. This is a superb time to savor the festive ambiance, take images, or attempt to get some PhotoPass Christmas card images. Just bear in mind that the crowds are not low at first–on the contrary, Main Street is filled with individuals for a minimum of the primary Half-hour after the occasion ends.
Guests are usually cleared out of Tomorrowland earlier than 12:30 am, however Main Street normally takes longer–typically till 1 am. With a gradual trickle of company nonetheless exiting meet & greets lengthy after the occasion ends (and extra merch to be bought on Main Street), safety is in no rush to push individuals in direction of the exit.
Ultimately, you must have the ability to have an environment friendly night with loads of enjoyable and many leisure (maybe an excessive amount of) by following this Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party plan. We actually get pleasure from this particular occasion and have had a blast yearly we’ve carried out it up to now.
As you’ll be able to most likely inform by our preferences and suggestions, what we actually love is the party-specific leisure. There have been some nights after we’ve spent 4 out of 5 hours on Main Street, watching each Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parades, three performances of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, and the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks. For 95% of you, that’s overkill. However, the leisure is the center of the occasion, and what you’re paying the massive bucks for throughout the occasion.
Hopefully this Christmas Party plan introduced a barely extra balanced night, with time for character meet & greets, exploring the park, getting images, doing seasonal journey overlays, and having fun with the ambiance. Those of you who’re actually into rides would possibly discover there’s not a lot of that right here. If doing a couple of sights are high-priority, we’d suggest skipping the primary parade and solely seeing the second. In truth, you may most likely substitute every part between the primary stage present and parade with sights and have an excellent better-balanced plan for many who don’t need to see any occasion leisure greater than as soon as.
In the tip, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is extremely costly, however can provide a variety of bang to your buck in case you have a plan of assault. Go in with sensible expectations, however attempt to do as a lot as you’ll be able to–characters, the parade, fireworks, each stage exhibits. This itinerary also needs to show why we don’t suggest doing common sights throughout the Christmas Party. You gained’t have the time to do all of it! However, we additionally implore you to decelerate and benefit from the festive ambiance, because it’s really what makes the Christmas Party magical.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you attended this 12 months’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Which character meet & greets and different leisure are your prime priorities? Did you meet Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws, or was the road too lengthy for you? Do you disagree with something in our 1-night MVMCP plan? Planning on doing the occasion nearer to Christmas, or in 2023? Favorite characters you hope to see? Have your costume prepared for it? Already planning forward for the 2023 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Any questions? Hearing your suggestions–even if you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!