PHOTOS: What Do the Crowds Look Like at the First Disney Very Merriest After Hours?

We’re at the first EVER Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours with our coziest sweaters ready to go!

It’s Santa!

There’s already been so much happening around the event with entertainment, treats, merchandise, ride overlays, and the like taking place during the holiday party. But, since Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours is different from the past Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, we wondered if the crowds would change too!

The After Hours event takes place between 9PM to 1AM, shortening the party hours that we’ve seen before. In the past, Disney World’s After Hours events have brought in less crowds that allow guests to have smaller wait times, fewer lines, and more. But, did Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours offer the same perks? Let’s take a look at the crowds!

It’s all lit up for the special occasion!

Right as we entered the park, we were met with busy crowds along Main Street U.S.A. Since party guests can enter Magic Kingdom at 7PM (two hours prior to the official start of the party), they’re able to catch a performance of Disney Enchantment along with all of Magic Kingdom’s day guests!

Disney Enchantment crowds!

Don’t let the initial crowding discourage you — many of these guests left after Disney Enchantment concluded!

Lots of friends watching the fireworks!

Once the party started, it was time to see what the after-hours crowds would REALLY look like! One of the most anticipated parts of Very Merriest After Hours was the brand new stage show, Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merry Memories. We caught an early performance and noticed some moderate crowds around the stage in front of Cinderella Castle.

Lots of guests wanted to catch an early performance of the new castle stage show!

After the stage show, guests made their way to the parade route to catch the first performance of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade!

Lots of guests waiting for the parade!

We were looking for a spot in the hub area, which is likely one of the more crowded areas along the parade route to look for a spot (especially for the first performance of the evening). Remember you can always catch the later parade and you’ll likely deal with less crowding!

The first parade of the night is usually much busier!

The crowds extended down Main Street U.S.A. — this is a great spot to watch the parade because of the snow!

Parade crowds

Here’s what Main Street looked like right after the parade!

It’s so magical!

When it came to wait times, things were looking pretty good! We spotted a 25 minute wait time for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

25 minutes isn’t bad for this one.

As we continue to make our way around Disney World for the holiday season, we’ll be sure to update you on everything you need to know! Stay tuned with AllEars for the latest Disney entertainment and news!

Click here to follow along during the first night of Very Merriest After Hours!

Will you be heading to Disney World for the holidays? Let us know in the comments below!

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Rachel Franko has been going to Disney Parks since she was a baby, and her love of Disney has only grown into a SLIGHT obsession since! She's been writing for AllEars since 2019 and loves sharing the magic with all the readers. When she's not writing, you can catch her heading to Disney and Universal Studios with a heart full of dreams and a backpack full of themed ears!

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