The holiday season is upon us which means it’s almost time for a new nighttime party in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom: Disney Very Merriest After Hours!
Today, we’re breaking down everything about the event so you can decide whether or not this event is worth it (and what your alternative is).
Everything You Need to Know About Very Merriest After Hours
Very Merriest After Hours is the new After Hours party to celebrate the holidays at Magic Kingdom! The event takes place on 24 nights from November 8th through December 21st from 9PM to 1AM. More specifically, these are the nights of the party:
- November: 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30
- December: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21
Prices for the event range from $169 to $229 (plus tax) for most nights, while tickets on December 19th and 21st are $249 (plus tax) per person. Many nights are completely sold out, so despite the high price, plenty of guests have purchased tickets to this after-dark event.
With the purchase of your Very Merriest After Hours ticket, you’ll not only get to be inside the park after hours and enjoy festive decorations, you’ll also be able to ride 20 attractions with lower wait times including Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Space Mountain!
One of the big highlights of the event, however, is the entertainment! You’ll be able to enjoy TWO fireworks shows: first, an exclusive showing of Disney Enchantment and then Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. You’ll also be able to catch a new stage show called Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merriest Memories!
Along with stage shows and fireworks, guests will get to see Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, as well as the Club Tinsel dance party show in Tomorrowland and musical performances by the Reindeer Wranglers in Frontierland.
You’ll also get free snacks like ice cream novelties, popcorn, select seasonal treats, and bottled beverages; fake snowfall; exclusive Magic Shots; and the chance to see the characters in their holiday best!
Is it Worth It?
Compared to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’re getting fewer shows and festivities for a higher price point with Very Merriest After Hours. Overall, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party had more shows, more perks, more hours, and exclusive merchandise.
Compared to Magic Kingdom’s After Hours Boo Bash, however, this party offers much more. Very Merriest After Hours offers fireworks, a parade, and ride overlays, things which Boo Bash didn’t have!
Alternate Holiday Events
If you’re looking for an alternative to Very Merriest After Hours, how about the Festival of the Holidays? First off, it’s included in the price of your ticket to EPCOT for the day. There’s a TON of food booths, entertainment from international holiday storytellers, and other fun festivities like the cookie stroll!
This can be a more cost-effective option for some people because instead of paying a flat fee, you can pay for food from the festival’s booths and enjoy entertainment that’s free with the cost of park admission.
On top of that, you can enjoy the return of Candlelight Processional, a live show featuring a celebrity host and a choir and orchestra! You can also book a dining package where you can get a dining reservation and tickets to the show.
We’re always keeping up with the latest Disney news, so stay tuned here for more!
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What do you think about Disney World’s new holiday event? Let us know in the comments!
You say what it offers and alternatives, but don’t say if it’s worth it.
Normally I’d say that these “events” are not worth it. But, looking at what a “normal” day at the park costs now with admission and Genie+ I actually think this works. Even at the high of $229, I get admission at 7, the event is 9pm-1am. So I get 5-7 hours with lower crowds, no extra money for shorter lines and an exclusive parade. And I’d probably get to ride more than 2 “normal” days for less money.