Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

The holiday season officially kicks off tomorrow at the Walt Disney World Resort with the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Today, we’re sharing our favorite tips for making the most of this much-loved seasonal event. But first, some basic information:

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a hard-ticket event at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park, beginning at 7pm on select evenings in November and December. On party nights, Magic Kingdom closes at 6pm and only guests with party tickets will be admitted after this time. Day guests without party tickets are welcome to linger in stores and restaurants until 7pm, but they will not be allowed on attractions after 6pm. And after 7pm, all guests without party tickets will be escorted to the exits.

Tickets start at $89 per adult and $84 per child ages 3-9 and can be purchased online through your My Disney Experience account (click here) or by calling 407-939-7679. Party guests get to enjoy a Christmas-themed parade, a special holiday fireworks show, entertainment throughout the evening, meet-and-greets with rare characters, a castle lighting exclusive to party guests, and complimentary cookies/beverages at several locations throughout Magic Kingdom. Plus snow on Main Street (yes, SNOW on MAIN STREET!).

Once you've purchased your party tickets, there are a few things you should know that will help you enjoy the party to its fullest. Here are some of our favorite tips:

Tip #1: Arrive Early

While the party doesn't officially begin until 7pm, party guests are welcome to enter the

park anytime after 4pm. Arriving early allows you to settle in, grab a bite to eat before the party starts, and get in line for some of those popular rare character meet-and-greets if you're interested. PLUS, while no FastPasses are distributed during the actual party, you may be able to make some for the pre-party hours of 4"00pm-6:30pm. Whether or not you can do this depends on several factors (which My Disney Experience account you've linked your party tickets to, whether or not you've visited a different park earlier in the day, etc). Feel free to e-mail us to discuss your specific situation.

Tip #2: Stay Late

Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is one of the highlights of the party, and it runs twice nightly: once at 8:30pm and once at 11:00pm. The first parade is usually very crowded and requires a super-early stakeout for a good spot. On the other hand, the second parade is lightly attended, as many families leave after the 10:00pm fireworks show. If you can hang in there until the second parade, it'll be much easier to find a spot.

Tip #3: Enjoy The Attractions

Parties are a GREAT time to enjoy your favorite attractions with minimal waits. Even headliners like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train see typical wait times cut in half during parties. This is especially true if you hop in line during that first parade.

Tip #4: Take It Easy During The Day

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is five hours of jam-packed holiday fun from 7pm-midnight. To really get the most out of it, you'll want to try to stay until the end. The best way to do this, in our experience, is to take it easy during the day. One of our favorite ways to spend a party day is to begin with a mid-late morning character breakfast, then wear the kids out at the pool until early afternoon. After that, it's back to our resort for a power nap before the party. On a related note, we try not to plan an early morning for the next day either.

Tip #5: Consider a Fireworks Dessert Package

If staking out a spot for the fireworks doesn't sound like a fun way to spend your party evening, consider adding a Dessert Package. These packages are an extra cost above and beyond the Christmas Party...but they come with reserved seating for the fireworks. We like the Dessert Package that comes with Garden Plaza Viewing best. Click here to book online,

Meredith McCutcheon: Owner and Disney Specialist

Ph: 313-600-1585

E-mail: disneymadeeasy@yahoo.com