Join Mickey for his Special Christmas Party!

When you need to dive head first into the spirit of the season in Orlando, there’s only one way to get the full festive flavour – it’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

In our last blog on Orlando at Christmas, we highlighted the amazing array of Holiday attractions and entertainment that you’ll find throughout Orlando, but in this edition we’re going to focus on one specific event that gets our full seal of approval for a thoroughly memorable family experience.

While the Magic Kingdom gets an extensive Christmas overhaul for this time of the year – basically now through to the end of December – it takes on extra Yuletide appeal with this separate ticket evening festivity that runs from 7pm-midnight on select nights (Nov 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29 and Dec 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20 and 22).

As a quick Xmas tip, while the Party itself only starts at 7pm, ticket holders can gain entry to the park from 4pm, so you can enjoy many of the usual rides and attractions for that three-hour period. Partygoers are given a special wristband on entry to show they can stay in the park after the official 6pm closing.

So, What exactly is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

In short, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (or MVMCP, as Disney goers know it) is a genuine party-themed occasion that offers seasonal overlays on several rides and attractions; complimentary sweet treats and drinks in the form of cookies, hot cocoa, eggnog and (alcohol-free) apple cider; event-only themed entertainment; new PhotoPass opportunities; and additional character meet-and-greets.

The crowds are also notably lower than during the day, so it means you can ride some of the attractions with shorter waits.

But really, MVMCP is all about the special live entertainment – highlighted by a superb fireworks show and suitably festive parade – and the Holiday treat stations, which you can visit as often as you like (although there is only a certain amount of cocoa, eggnog and cider you can drink!).

It all starts at park entry, where guests pick up their free gift (this year’s being a lovely Christmas tree ornament) on Market Street until 8pm. There is an additional complimentary souvenir when you leave, a Holiday-themed 50th anniversary celebration commemorative print.

Once inside the park, you are free to enjoy all the festive fun around the park, from the five treat stations to the rides, photo opportunities, character meet-and-greets and live entertainment.

For those who find cookies-and-cocoa isn’t enough sustenance, there is also speciality food and beverage on offer at many of the cafes and kiosks, including a hefty Holiday Dinner Dog at Casey’s Corner, a Sugar Plum Shake at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies and the delicious Once Upon A Christmas Tart (with chocolate and cranberry flavouring) at the Sunshine Tree Terrace.

When it Comes to the Rides With That Extra Yuletide Touch at Disney, Head for:

The Jungle Cruise in Adventureland, which is renamed the ‘Jingle Cruise’ for the festive period, and adds a wealth of delightfully homespun Christmas decorations to the boarding station and boats, as well as the ride itself.

Fantasyland’s Mad Tea Party, which gets a seasonal lighting package that adds a colourful boost to the usual whirling effect.

In Tomorrowland, Space Mountain also goes completely seasonal with its lighting set-up, along with the Tomorrowland Speedway, which adds even more lighting and decorations as guests are invited to “Race Through the Holidays.”

Finally, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor gets a whole new dialogue along with a wealth of Christmas décor and gags.

What about live Entertainment?

Then there’s all the dedicated MVMCP live entertainment, which is worth the entry price alone, as it really one-ups the daytime versions and adds extra family-friendly style.

First up is Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, a full stage show on the Castle Forecourt Stage four times each evening, featuring Mickey, Minnie and a host of their Disney character friends in a 20-minute musical extravaganza full of classic songs and whimsy.

Over at the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland you can catch A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas in the company of Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch, an 18-minute song-and-dance production that performs five times each evening.

There are two child-friendly dance parties that run right through until midnight. Club Tinsel takes place in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland with its own dedicated DJ, while the Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jingle Jam features Disney Junior characters.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show lights up the sky over Cinderella Castle with a 12-minute pyrotechnic and projection display, providing yet another example of Disney’s mastery of fireworks and including several eye-popping new special effects (we especially like the smiley-face firework!).

Our absolute favourite, though, is the twice-nightly Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, a character-filled 15-minute procession of dancers and floats that takes place to a constant steady “snowfall” along Main Street and Town Square. Stay for the second parade at 11pm and you will feel like Christmas has provided a true grand finale.

Children will also want to seek out the extra character meet-and-greets that can be found throughout the park, notably Jack Skellington and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas and those wacky Country Bears, as well as Santa himself in the Liberty Square gazebo.

For those with the Disney PhotoPass add-on of Memory Maker, there are a series of Holly Jolly Photos that add even more Holiday fun, both with magic shots and holiday props, plus new Step-In Photo Frames that offer iconic Christmas settings.

All in all, it adds up to a fabulous array of seasonal fun and excitement, and the only drawback is that there is a set attendance limit for each Party, and many sell out well in advance. So, if you’re in Orlando during this period, it’s essential to get your tickets asap to avoid missing out.

For more details, visit DisneyWorld.com.

PS: Check out our friends Veness Travel Media – authors of the essential Brit Guide to Orlando – who have a video of the special Christmas Parade on this link.

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