The ONE Post You Need to Read If You’re Going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World

The holiday season has OFFICIALLY begun in Disney World!

We’re out on the first night of this year’s holiday happening– Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Magic Kingdom. On select nights throughout November and December, the park will be full of Holiday festivities — starting on November 9th. We couldn’t miss this epic event, so see everything we experienced on the first night of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in 2023!

The return of the seasonal Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World marks one of our favorite times to visit. It’s a fan-favorite event that builds year after year in popularity with delicious eats and drinks, exciting entertainment, exclusive party merchandise, and more.

This year’s party takes place on select nights from November 9th through December 22nd, 2023 — so let’s get started heading into the party and see what Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is all about!

Getting Started

If you’re looking to enter the party on just a special event ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’ll be able to enter the park starting at 4PM without needing a Park Pass Reservation. When we first arrived at Magic Kingdom, we saw some holly jolly CROWDS from the get-go.

Otherwise, if you’ve already entered Magic Kingdom earlier in the day on your day’s park admission (like we did), there are several places around the park where Cast Members will scan your park ticket and get your wristband fitted for you. We got ours just after 4PM.

You’ll also have first dibs at picking up a party map early if you’re already in the park! The map will be your guide to everything going on during the party from the food to the entertainment.

This is a map of Magic Kingdom with the addition of special offerings for the party, like the holiday ornament location on Main Street, U.S.A, cookie stops, character meet and greet locations, and dance parties.

When you pick up your map, you’ll also be given a special souvenir. It’s an ornament! Market Street is open until 8PM to pick up your ornament.

Here’s a glimpse at this year’s party ornament and map! #MVMCP pic.twitter.com/RK86EczPOB

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) November 9, 2023

Just outside of the entrance, you’ll see signs that the park will close to other visitors at 6PM, this means that anyone without a party ticket will need to make their way to the exit of the park.

The gates are open for party guests! Merry Christmas from Magic Kingdom! pic.twitter.com/Ef4cWKBu0P

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) November 9, 2023

By 4PM, the crowds were THICK with people flocking in for all the excitement. Here’s a look at the outside of the park.

If you get confused entering at the scan-in, look for the Cast Members holding the party signs that are directing traffic to scan in on those lines.

Once you’ve scanned in and fitted for your party wristband and map, you’ll be on your way to the fun!

Main Street USA vibes during MVMCP are immaculate! ✨? pic.twitter.com/C042APoLif

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) November 9, 2023

If you get confused about where partygoers need to go next versus the day traffic, look for the signs and Cast Members directing you through Main Street, U.S.A. They’ll also be available to tell you where the closest check-in for wristbands is in case you haven’t picked yours up yet.

Crowds

We already gave you a peek at what the crowds looked like to get into the park before the party, but there were a lot of people inside the park as well.

The parades and shows caused lots of crowding, however, this cleared up other spots like the popular Jack and Sally meet and greet and ride lines.

Overall, there is plenty of room to spread out. Here’s a look at Fantasyland about an hour before the party ended.

November 9th was sold out of tickets, so this is what you can expect if you’re there on a sold out night.

See what the crowds were like on a sold-out night at the party!

Food

What kind of party would it be if we didn’t start with the essentials — food! There are several exclusive snacks and drinks available at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You can find those offerings listed on the party map.

However, since those are exclusive to the party, we’ll be grabbing those later. There are a few snacks and treats to try out with a holiday theme that can be picked up during the park day like this Hot Cocoa Churro! 

Many of the treats are exclusive to the party, though.

We reviewed almost every treat exclusive to the party — check out our full review below!

We Tried 20 NEW Treats in Magic Kingdom — And We’d NEVER Buy These 4 Again

Throughout the party, Aloha Isle is open until 9 and Pecos Bill is open until 11, while other restaurants seem to have their regular hours. Of course, it’s not a holiday party without some treat stops.

Another cookie stop! Just look for the big candy canes! pic.twitter.com/FhieVt19F7

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) November 10, 2023

Each of the five stops has a different combination of treats — see the full breakdown of that here!

Ready for cookies and hot chocolate? There are multiple walk-up windows throughout the park to grab some for free! #MVMCP pic.twitter.com/hhhNlJ0en4

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) November 10, 2023

All you gotta do is check your map and look for the big candy canes when it comes to getting complimentary treats throughout the party!

Click here for a FULL list of food from the party!

Attraction Overlays

Even the most experienced park visitor just can’t seem to pass up an opportunity to ride the attractions with ride overlays during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Some of your favorite daytime attractions like Jingle Cruise, Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, and Mad Tea Party are transformed during the party nights for a unique experience.

The Magic Kingdom Rides That CHANGE During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Entertainment

Of course, one of the best parts about the parties is the entertainment. We got to see the Frozen Holiday Surprise show (which you can also see on non-party nights)…

…and even meet some characters like Jack and Sally! The line was very long at the beginning of the night reaching a 120-minute wait time, but we hopped in line and waited a short time during the parade. At the time, Sally wasn’t meeting with Jack!

We also got a surprise character — the Toy Soldiers! We typically only see these guys in the parade, but they were taking photos with guests near the beginning of the party!

Of course, there are plenty more that you can meet around the park.

Click here to see ALL the characters that you can meet at this year’s party! 

We also got to experience Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade…

…Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration on the castle stage…

…as well as Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show.

And now the finale! pic.twitter.com/LqKlcDiEfk

— AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) November 10, 2023

Merchandise

There is also party-specific merchandise in Magic Kingdom available for purchase during the event.

You’ll be able to collect yours at select locations around the park, like the Emporium. We got to see a lot of great merch! 

If you’re hoping to check it all out, just click the link below!

Click here to see all the merch! 

We also got to snag the new Mickey Toy Solider Popcorn Bucket! This is only available at the party.

If you want a holiday souvenir, you can find the Musical Popcorn Tin…

…and the Donald Christmas Tree Sipper in the parks all of the time! These may sell out, so if you see one, grab it while you can.

Those last two souvenirs surprised us by being released early in Magic Kingdom!

2 NEW Disney Holiday Souvenirs Just Arrived in Magic Kingdom EARLY!

Photo Ops

Several photo ops are stationed around the park for you to take festive photos!

Don’t forget about the special PhotoPass Magic Shots that will be available exclusively during the party! Just ask a PhotoPass photographer for your shots!

These special locations will also be noted on your party map.

Where to Take the BEST Photos at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World!

Be sure to stay tuned with us at AllEars as we continue to bring you updates from the first party of the year!

The BEST Disney Christmas Souvenirs Released So Far This Year

What are you looking forward to seeing most at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Tell us your favorites in the comments below!