Penny J Pettigrew - December 7 and 11, 2003

We attended our first Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Sunday Dec 7 and had such a good time that we went again on Thursday Dec 11. It was a wonderful way to get the entire family into the holiday spirit and the hot chocolate was great on those cold (for Florida) winter nights! We took everyone's advice and waited until the second parade and were able to get a spot right in front of the castle both nights without arriving very early. The attendance seemed low as there were no waits for anything and we even got to stay on Astro Orbiter and ride it as many times as we wanted since there was no line. Of course, two people don't fit in an orbiter as easily as they used to when we were younger. ;-) This was also our first time seeing the new Wishes fireworks which made the nights extra magical. They are wonderful and will make any night feel special at the Magic Kingdom!

My only disappointment was when we were charged for parking even though we have annual passes. I had two different people working the parking booths, one of which was a supervisor, tell me that parking is not included for special events and that it is documented in my passholder's sleeve. I have gone through all the information I have and cannot find anything regarding parking during special events at all. All I can find is that the AP is not valid for entrance to a park during a special event. So, make sure to arrive early before they start charging AP holders for parking.

Shelley Davidson - December 5, 2003

We went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on Dec 5th and had a wonderful time. My 2 1/2 year old daughter did not want to leave and made it until midnight. We went on 6 rides, got our picture taken, took in 3 shows and saw the parade twice with no wait. We got right in front at the first parade and she got to touch many of the characters. The highlight was when Cinderella waved at her during the parade. Even though the event was sold out it was so uncrowded and we were able to get in an hour and 15 minutes early.

Jamie and Michael Viggiano - December 5, 2003

Hi....we just got back from DisneyWorld, Dec 5-8, 2003. We went to the MVMCP Dec 5 and it was sold out. It was amazing! We didn't wait on any lines at all. We felt like we were the only ones there! The hot chocolate and cookies were excellent! The parade and new Wishes firework show was so magical! The snow on Main Street is something we will never forget! I recommend going to the christmas party to everyone! Here is a tip: enter Magic Kingdom early, around 4 or 5 oclock and eat at Pecos Bills at 6oclock when they close the park. The party does not open til 7 so you will be the first people in the park. You will not have to wait to have your family picture taken (which was the only line by the way).

Tim Cutler - December 4, 2003

We had a chance to attend this years MVMCP on the 4th of December. The park allowed people to enter as early as 5:30 pm though the ticket stated 7:00 pm. Though they did let you into the parks early, they did not provide many of the services that make up the evening such as pictures and cocoa and cookies until it was almost 7:00. Most of the stores along Main Street closed for about 45 minutes from about 6:15 to 7:00 including the ice cream shop and the bakery.

Once the official start time arrived the park went into full swing. Someone said that the night was sold out and the crowds as you initially entered certainly supported that. Once you made your way off of Main street into the various ride areas I found the crowds very manageable and did not find the wait for many rides to be very long at all. After the first parade and the fireworks the crowds thinned out a lot. We were able to go on Buzz Lightyear 5 times in a row with only a 5 minute wait each time. Other less popular rides had no wait at all including the speedway which you could walk right up and get into a car from 10:00 pm on.

All in all it was a wonderful night. The 360 degree fireworks were amazing and the parade and various shows were very enjoyable as well. I would strongly recommend that people consider not using a park pass that day, rest by the pool and maybe even nap if possible and then take advantage of the full 5 hours to have a wonderful evening.

Lisa Dunn - December 4, 2003

Just went to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This was our first time to this event and it will be a new yearly tradition. Main street is beautifully decorated beyond imagination. The new "Wishes" fireworks are fabulous, especially the finale where you are encircled in fireworks. I was so excited to find out that the entire park was open (barring a few attractions) unlike an E-ticket night where Fantasyland and Mickey's Toon Town Fair is closed. And the characters were out in droves. We were so excited to have Cinderella, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Chip'n Dale all to ourselves in Mickey's Toon Town. We rode every great ride without any lines (even Mickey's Phiharmagic and Carousel of Progress were open). The longest lines were the ones for the family picture. This was so much fun and we would recommend it for everyone. I noticed that Fridays seem to sell out, but this was a Thursday night and it wasn't crowded at all. Great shows, great rides, great way to celebrate the holiday season!!

Elaine - December 2, 2003

What a blast! If you get a chance to attend, do so. Even though most days are festive at the Magic Kingdom the Christmas party atmosphere is very special. Snow on Main Street!!! Get your picture taken first (free). There are many locations available but the lines get longer as the night goes on. Enjoy all the hot chocolate and cookies that you like. Again, there are multiple locations for distributing goodies.

You don't have to leave the park. The park closes at 6 p.m. but if you're already in there you can get your bracelet and stay right there and enjoy the festivities. If you see a MVMCP souvenir that you like, buy it. They are only available during the party. We walked right on to any ride that we were interested in enjoying. Longest wait was about 5 minutes. Fireworks were incredible. Parade was spectacular.

We had a magical night that we will remember always.

Hollie Patrick - November 30, 2003

We just got back from a week of Disney and stayed at the Port Orleans Riverside (first time as a family to Disney). We attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on November 30 (the first night). The party was one of the most magical things that I have ever attended. All of the shows seemed to be starting a little late, which made it hard to hit all of them in one evening. Main street was beautiful as well as Cindarella's castle. A few tips below:

1) Be sure to watch the fireworks, they are even more beautiful than the normal "wishes" show.

2) Don't expect to ride a lot of rides if you want to attend all of the special Christmas shows.

3) Even though the party did not officially start until 7:00 pm, they were allowing you in starting a 6:00 pm and everyone wears a
wrist band to ride any rides you want for that extra hour.

4) All of the people leaving the park just left their strollers at the front and the Disney employees were allowing the party attendees to use them without cost.

It was a perfect way to end out first trip to Disney. Can't wait to go back.

Reader Comments from 2002