LIVE UPDATES: Come With Us to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom!

Merry Christmas from Disney World!

We’re at the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party of the year, and we’re inviting you to join us as we check out everything the party has to offer, including the FREE drinks and snacks, the characters you can meet, the entertainment, the exclusive merchandise, and more. So let’s party!

Note: We’ll continue updating this post throughout the evening, so keep checking back for updates!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a separately ticketed event that happens on select nights in Magic Kingdom from now through November 21st. The party officially starts at 7 PM, but if you have a party ticket, you can get into Magic Kingdom as early as 4 PM, which is what we did!

A party ticket doesn’t just get you into Magic Kingdom, though. You also get access to exclusive eats and drinks, entertainment, merchandise, character meet and greets, and more.

So let’s head on into the party and see and do EVERYTHING.

Getting Started

We started by arriving early to get into Magic Kingdom at 4 PM — always take advantage of that extra time in Magic Kingdom. We’re here to warn you, though, that this crowd is BRUTAL. You’re packed like sardines and have little to no access to water, except what you brought with you, and the Florida sun while you’re in your holiday gear can be exhausting.

In fact, this line may be one of the WORST ones you experience all night, so if you’re concerned about waiting in line before the park opens for partiers at 4 PM, it may be better to actually get to the park closer to 4:15 PM or so when the lines are already moving, but, of course, that means you won’t be one of the FIRST into the park — it’s up to you to decide which one is more important!

Once you scan into the park, you’ll get a special party wristband indicating that you have a ticket for the party (this is how Disney can easily keep the party and non-party guests separated).

If you’re already in Magic Kingdom, you can pick up a wristband at various locations around the park (just ask a Cast Member if you need help with that). Then, you’ll be directed to walk on Market St., separate from other Magic Kingdom guests, where you’ll see the first of the party entertainment!

Here, there was a festive DJ, giant gingerbread men to take photos with, as well as angels on stilts! This is also where you’ll pick up your free ornament and a free Mickey marshmallow treat.

Map

Whatever you do, be sure to pick up a party map as early as you can.

This map is your guide to everything you can see and do at the party, including what characters are meeting, what rides are open, what entertainment is happening (and when), where to get snacks, and more.

Even if you’ve been to Magic Kingdom countless times, or even the party numerous times, things change almost every year, so this map really is your key to making the best of your party night and ensuring you can do all you’re hoping to!

Photo Ops

One fun thing about the party is that special photo ops are set up throughout Magic Kingdom. Be sure to check these out if you get a chance.

Now, this year, we were told that most of the special photo ops are with PhotoPass photographers around the park rather than in stands like this. This is a bummer for many since you have to pay extra for those PhotoPass photos, even with a party ticket.

Merchandise

Want exclusive party merchandise? You’ll usually find it in Star Trader in Tomorrowland and the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. You’ll have a chance to buy exclusive spirit jerseys, pins, ornaments, mugs, and more. The items you can grab this year are:

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Ears — $36.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Loungefly Bag — $85

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Spirit Jersey — $79.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Mug — $19.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Picture Frame — $14.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party White T-Shirt — $34.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Ornament — $26.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Red T-Shirt — $34.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Passholder Exclusive Zip-Up Jacket — $69.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Long Sleeved Shirt — $44.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Passholder Exclusive Pin — $19.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Mickey and Minnie Pin — $19.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Mystery Pin Set — $34.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Gingerbread Men Chip ‘n Dale Pin — $22.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Reindeer Pin — $22.99

- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Toy Soldier Pin — $22.99

You can also grab the special Holiday Christmas Tree Truck Popcorn Bucket at select popcorn stands this year, which is only available for party guests!

These lines do get long, so you’ll want to get in line relatively early to snag one before they potentially run out for the night, or you waste party time adding it to your collection.

Food

You’ll need to stay fueled up for the evening’s festivities, and the good news is that you can get free cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider at various locations throughout Magic Kingdom! Be sure to check the party map for locations.

If you want to eat something a little more substantial, special food and drinks will also be available to buy during the party. These will also be listed in the party map. One of our favorite finds so far has been the Holiday Ravioli, which is available for $9.29. This is fried breaded ravioli with marinara sauce, basil pesto, parmesan, and parsley. These are a fantastic option for someone who didn’t eat before the party — they’re savory, breaded wonderfully, and the cheese inside we couldn’t get enough of.

Another great option, especially for those who are on the pickier side or who are looking for a good treat for kids, is the Santa Hat Brownie Sundae for $7.99. This is a brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, crushed peppermint, whipped cream, and a red velvet cone with a marshmallow pompom. The brownie is deliciously fudgy, the chocolate sauce pairs wonderfully, and while the cone is supposed to be red velvet flavored, we didn’t taste it much. Overall, it’s a good, safe treat that won’t let you down!

One that really shocked us was the Brr-Raspberry Slush for $6.79. This is a Fanta Blue Raspberry slushy with coconut cream, whipped cream, and sweet blue shredded coconut (Non-alcoholic).

This will be a big hit with kids, even those who may be adverse to coconut, because we found that the flavor went very well with the blue raspberry. However, anyone who wants something cold and sweet and loves blue raspberry will likely be a big fan.

Want to check out ALL our reviews from tonight? LOOK NO FURTHER to find a FULL list of all the snacks and treats available at the party this year!

Spoiler: We weren’t super impressed with this one

Entertainment

You’ll have a chance to check out all kinds of entertainment at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Our first show of the night was Frozen Holiday Surprise, which takes place multiple times a night during the party. It’s a super cute show that’s great for those who love Frozen or just want to get into the holiday spirit.

One of the most popular offerings of the night is Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade! There are two showings each night, and if you want lower crowds, we suggest the second one.

If you love those stage shows, you won’t want to miss Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration that happens multiple times a night! Kids of all ages will love it, and the adults will find it magical as well — we almost always find ourselves smiling wide during it.

For all the fireworks lovers out there, you can’t miss Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks! They’re beloved and return nearly every year for a reason — it’ll make you feel holly, jolly, and all the emotions that come along with the holiday season.

Around the park, you’ll also notice smaller dance parties going on, such as Club Tinsel over in Tomorrowland…

…as well as Disney Jr. Jingle Jam over in Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe — that one is especially great for kiddos to get their energy out!

The entertainment is a BIG part of the party, so if you want to ensure you’ve got a great spot for the parades, stage shows, and fireworks especially, you’ll want to grab a spot anywhere from 15-30 minutes early (and if it’s early on in the night closer to Christmas Day, potentially up to an hour early).

Characters

Don’t forget to make time for some special character meet and greets, too. You’ll have a chance to meet some of your favorite characters in their holiday outfits, as well as characters you can’t meet during the day, like Jack and Sally. When we first stepped into the park around 4:10 PM, their line was already at 60 minutes, but by 6:10 PM, it had dropped to 45 minutes!

But after waiting our turn, it was time to meet some of the most iconic characters at the party, and it was well worth it!

And of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas without meeting Santa Claus! The big man himself can be found in Storybook Circus.

Santa?

And finally, it wouldn’t be Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – or Christmas at the Magic Kingdom at all – without SNOAP! (AKA, the fake snow that turns Main Street into a winter wonderland).