Top 10 Things to Do at Mickey’s Christmas Party

If you’re heading to Walt Disney World to celebrate the holidays, you’re in for extra Christmas magic around every corner. But what about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Should you break the bank for this extra party ticket? To make your Holidays at Walt Disney World extra special? Here we share the Top 10 Things to Do at Mickey’s Christmas Party so you can make the most of this Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. 

Since ticket prices have increased every year, and you don’t necessarily need to be at this party to experience the Best Things for Christmas at Disney World, we figured we make this party easy! With jsut 10 things to make sure you do during your party time. And if this is your first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party then read up on everything you can do, see and eat as part of the event. Just check out our Beginners Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for all the details. Okay, let’s dive into the top 10 Things to do at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. 

Complimentary Cookies and Cocoa

While Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Top 10 comes with loads of perks, nothing beats free. Because at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you get complimentary select cookies and cocoa across Magic Kingdom park. True, you did pay for a ticket, but these are technically included. Available at select locations you can grab free cocoa and cookies as you make your way around the park. Each select location has a specialty cookie so you won’t be eating the same cookies all night. 

While we love FREE, know that getting all the free cocoas and cookies is not your mission here! So grab them while you’re heading from ride to ride, and be sure to enjoy the Christmas fun across the park along the way.

A Frozen Holiday Surprise 

Since Magic Kingdom is still open at 6:15 p.m., you will have the regular park-goer crowds to contend with for the early show. But, given that seeing the castle lit up before you start your journey around the park to various rides, lines, and snacks, is a nice way to start the evening, we highly recommend aiming for the early show. 

A Frozen Holiday Surprise includes Queen Elsa transforming Cinderella Castle into a magical scene filled with snow, as she readies the park for the party. Kristoff, Anna, and Olaf all join her in the journey to bring winter to Magic Kingdom for the night. This show can be seen during regular park hours and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at 8:15 PM.

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

Start, or end, your night at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party with this show on the Cinderella Castle Stage. Filled with music, fun, and Mickey and friends, you’ll kick off the night with a bang! Filled with performers, and characters joining in songs for the holiday season, this show helps get you into the mood and ready for the party night ahead. Be sure to check the party map for times, as the spots in front of the castle fill up fast! Our best advice here is to grab a spot just to the side of the castle. With great views, you have a better chance of seeing the performance without having to save your spot too far ahead of time. Time: 7:40 PM, 9:25 PM, 10:35 PM and 11:55 PM.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show 

As part of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you get to see a special Christmas-themed Fireworks show. This show is newer and features Minnie herself leading the festivities. Watch for holiday digital projections on the castle and a gorgeous 360° fireworks show filled with holiday colors and songs. Showtimes for these fireworks is at 10 PM

Our best tip for getting the best spot for fireworks at Magic Kingdom is to save your spot early! We most like the Hub Grass locations on either side of the castle. These spots are sometimes reserved for the fireworks dessert party guests, which requires an additional paid ticket. So, be sure to ask the cast members nearby these areas if they are free. While you don’t want to spend the whole evening waiting in a spot, you definitely should plan at least 30 minutes before showtime.

For us, the best location to watch the show is just close enough to see the projections, but far enough back to see the castle. Be aware of areas where someone may be able to stand in front of you last minute. Since this happens at almost every public gathering in the park, aim for areas near a railing, tables at Plaza Restaurant or Caseys, or a bridge spot. All these offer areas that are in good view of the castle.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

By far the biggest MUST-SEE of the evening is the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. This parade runs twice a night at 8:30 pm and 11 pm and features the song, “Once Upon a Christmastime.” This parade is filled with Mickey and Friends, the Princesses, favorite Disney characters, and of course Santa Claus himself. Main Street USA gets “snowfall” and beautiful lightning for the party, and that is best seen during the Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade. Parade Time: 8:30 PM and 11 PM

We recommend you aim to attend the 11 p.m. parade since the second parades are always less crowded. The best spot for the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is on the green by the Main Street Christmas Tree facing the Castle. This is by far the MOST popular spot to watch the parade, as it gives you the beautiful castle in the background. Another favorite spot is right in front of the train station, which allows you to see the parade as it turns the corner and comes straight at you!

Exclusive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snacks

A major perk of the party is getting access to the EXCLUSIVE Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snacks. From festive flavors to Christmas-designed treats, there are specialty snacks at a variety of counter-service restaurants throughout the park. The biggest draw for these specialty snacks is that you can’t get them in the parks unless you’re at the party. While there are many seasonal snacks across Walt Disney World, these exclusive snacks are usually top-notch. And do cost extra. They are not included in your party ticket cost, like the complimentary snacks. Check out all the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snacks.

Meet Disney Characters in Christmas Outfits

The main reason many attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is to see the characters in their Christmas outfits. Plus, this time of year brings out rare characters as well! Mickey and Minnie, Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, and even Scrooge McDuck as Ebenezer Scrooge sometimes make an appearance. If you’re looking for some special photo moments, be sure to make a plan ahead of time. Character lines can get long and knowing who is worth the wait makes planning your party night easier. there are 16 spots across Magic Kingdom to see characters dressed in their holiday best. Note that some character lines are available BEFORE the party time begins, so getting there early is key.   

• Jack Skellington & Sally/ Mickey Mouse | Town Square Theater
• Santa| Candy Cane Garden
• Nick & Judy | Tomorrowland
• Winnie the Pooh and Friends | The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Ariel & Eric | Across from Ariel’s Grotto
• Belle | Gaston’s Tavern
• The Seven Dwarfs | Pete’s Silly Sideshow
• Donald & Scrooge McDuck / Daisy & Minnie| Storybook Circus
• Santa Goofy | Storybook Circus
• Tweedledee and Tweedledum | Mad Tea Party
• Cinderella & Prince Charming / Elena | Princess Fairytale Hall
• Aurora & Prince Philip / Snow White & The Prince | near Pinocchio Village Haus
• Mary Poppins & Bert / Princess Tiana and Naveen | near Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
• Jasmine & Genie / Aladdin & Abu | The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Moana | The Enchanted Tiki Room
• Jack Sparrow/ Red | Pirates of the Caribbean

A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas

This popular stage show takes place over on the Tomorrowland Stage, just behind the PeopleMover line. Featuring Buzz Lightyear, Stitch, and Mike Wazowski, we’ve seen the Incredibles join in on this jam too. Singing Holiday songs, in festive variations, these Disney characters take to the stage for 15 minutes, 5 times during the Christmas Party. So be sure to stop when the time works for you. This is a fun show to watch and since so many cookie stops are in Tomorrowland an easy one to see. Showtime: 7:45 PM, 8:35 PM, 9:25 PM, 10:45 PM, 11:35 PM

Christmas Ride Overlays

Another exclusive as part of attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the chance to see some of the rides dressed up for the holidays! Tomorrowland Speedway, Space Mountain, and Mad Tea Party Cups all get a festive soundtrack. And you can get a front-row seat to Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor for the holiday version of the original.

And then, of course, you can also add Jingle Cruise to the list of rides. But, given that the Jingle Cruise is offered throughout the holiday season at Magic Kingdom, and you don’t need to be at the party to ride it, you may want to add that to another Magic Kingdom day instead. As a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Top 10 item, we recommend taking advantage of these special experiences on the rides during the party. 

Exclusive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Merchandise

And then of course one of the best things about going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is getting access to EXCLUSIVE merchandise only available at the party.  From apparel to special ears to mugs, there are things you simply cannot get if you don’t attend. Check out the Disney Christmas Merchandise at shopDisney.com for even more fun holiday things to add to your Disney Home this Christmas. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Top 10

In addition to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Top 10, you can also count on low ride waits at many of your favorite rides. While the entertainment, snacks, and characters are the headliners, if you’re looking for a way to maximize your Magic Kingdom park time, then a party ticket may be your best bet to get on the rides, without needing Disney Lightning Lane passes. Available not only at the party, Jingle Cruise and The Christmas Shoppe can add even more festive to your evening. Be sure to take some time to watch the snowfall on Main Street USA, this soapy snow flutters throughout the night on Main Street, much like it does on Sunset Boulevard for Christmas at Hollywood Studios.