Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Is the Most Expensive Its EVER Been. Is It Actually Worth Going This Year?

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is back!

This after-hours party takes place in the Magic Kingdom on select nights from now until December 20th. The party includes specialty entertainment like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. There are also tons of character meet-and-greets, and the lines for attractions tend to be short since capacity is limited. You can even find exclusive Christmas ride overlays, holiday merchandise, and treats! This event is separate from park admission, and this year, we saw prices reach an all-time high. So, is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party still worth it? Here is what we thought!

 

Last year, tickets cost between $159 and $199 for adults. Just like a lot of prices at Disney World, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets increased from $169 to $219 a ticket. While there are a lot of added benefits to attending this Christmas party, like free Christmas cookies and holiday beverages, is the party really worth the large price tag?

We ended up attending the first and second nights of the party this year, and we had some thoughts. So, let’s start with the pros.

Pros of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024

The crowds were not too bad. As we mentioned, this party has limited capacity, which helps, but the party can still feel crowded in select areas of the park. However, this year, we did not feel overwhelmed by crowd sizes. 

We noticed many short lines for character meet-and-greets, which was so nice because we could meet all the characters while still having plenty of time to explore other parts of the party. 

We also felt like there was so much that you could do that we could not get it all done in one night! Between the specialty food, entertainment, and character meet and greets, it is easy to find things to fill up your night. Since there is so much to do, we recommend arriving at the Magic Kingdom by 4 PM to enjoy all that is included in your party ticket before the party officially starts at 7 PM.

This year, Santa’s Carnival was added, and we loved it. This area had fun games, elves on stilts, and a polar bear meet and greet. Plus, this was another area of the park where it snoaps (snow soap), so it was a real win for us!

During the party, you can ride both TRON Lightcyle / Run (which no longer uses a Virtual Queue) and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure stand-by during the party. This perk is a great way to ride two popular attractions with a lower wait time. Plus, you can ride them as many times as you would like!

Cons of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2024

While we found the overall crowds to be low, it was very crowded during Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, which is expected. We recommend going to the second parade for lower crowds. Don’t let the crowds scare you; this parade is a must-see!

The party has specialty food offerings, and we found them to be hit or miss. The savory food options, like those at Pinocchio Village House and Casey’s Corner, were big wins, while the items at Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Cafe and Sleepy Hollow were not our favorites.

MASSIVE REVIEW: EVERY Snack We Tried at the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom

We noticed that some specialty items are regular food offerings with a holiday twist, and we felt like they just did not work. Instead, we recommend going for the items that are new and not a twist on something that is offered during regular operating hours.

Don’t worry; there is no shortage of sweets, as you can get in line for as many free cookies and holiday beverages as you like. The cookies are pre-packed, making it easy to take leftovers home with you!

Overall

We were skeptical at first since, in past years, we felt the party had not exceeded our expectations, but this year we were far more impressed.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can stand alone as a Magic Kingdom park day, as the party ticket is comparable to a regular day ticket. You get eight hours in the Magic Kingdom, lower ride wait times, short lines for character meet and greets, specialty entertainment, and free cookies. You can use the start of your day relaxing at your resort before heading over to the party, which we also think shows the value of this specialty event. 

We will be trying out and exploring all the holiday happening around Disney World, so make sure to continue along with AllEars!

Why Disney Experts Go HERE Right at 4PM During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Are you going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year? Let us know in the comments!

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