In Disney

Definitive Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2019

Out with Halloween and in with Christmas!! When it comes to celebrating the holidays, Disney likes to get the party started early – and between the fact that we’ve been celebrating Halloween since August and this unusually brisk weather, I am SO ready for the holidays. Not to mention that I love that guests that don’t have the option of visiting closer to the actual holiday can still get the full experience of it during their trip. There is truly no more beautiful time of year here than during the winter season and it makes my heart so happy that guests can see it from early November to early January.

All that said, true to form, Disney has swept through the parks overnight and replaced pumpkins with wreaths and candy canes in time for the very first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parties of the year. And, needless to say, I was there to get the scoop for you guys….

First things first: Here’s the current party brochure and map. Needless to say it’s subject to change – but this should pretty much be the setup for the 2019 MVMCP season.

As you can see, there’s a lot here – so let’s just dig in together and do our best to cover everything. If I miss anything that you want to know about, please let me know!!

Entertainment

Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration

This show happens on the castle stage 4 times during the evening (see the above information sheet for specifics) and it quite honestly knocks my socks off. It’s a mash up of a ton of great Christmas themed music with a character packed stage, great choreography, and an impressive laser display on the castle.

A Frozen Holiday Wish

We all know it. We all love it. The cast of Frozen’s shenanigans, ending in a gorgeous lighting of Cinderella Castle in all of her holiday glory. If you’re new to Christmas in the Magic Kingdom, don’t miss it – especially if you have kids in tow. It is the definition of Disney Magic.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade

There’s perhaps nothing more iconic Disney Christmas than the MVMCP parade in Magic Kingdom. When those toy soldiers come marching down the street at the end of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, it’s the holiday season.

The parade happens twice a night during the parties – first at 8:30 p.m. and again at 11 p.m. The first parade, as you might guess, tends to be much more crowded – so be sure to grab spots for that one somewhere along the parade route, which runs from Frontierland to Main Street (see the above map for the full route), well in advance. Or better yet, if you won’t be too tired, wait until the 11 p.m. running. You can get a great spot much more easily *and* can benefit from an otherwise pretty quiet Magic Kingdom.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show (New!)

For years I’ve warned people who are used to Happily Ever After that Holiday Wishes – the old Christmas Party firework display – was less pomp and more nostalgia. But this year – like at the Halloween party – Disney has finally updated its party fireworks to be in line with what current guests are used to seeing. Minnie’s firework spectacular takes place on party nights at 10p.m. You’ll find your best views on Main Street or the hub in front of the castle.

If you’d like to see them all here – check out my dear friend John (Panda) Saccheri’s video above. You can subscribe to him on YouTube at BigFatPanda.

Other Entertainment

There is so much else to see and do throughout Magic Kingdom during MVMCP this year.

Storybook Circus hosts a dance party called the Storybook Circus Disney Junior Jingle Jam for younger guests from 7pm – midnight.

On the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, you’ll find A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas, featuring some incredible singers and dancers, and The Edge Effect, a wonderful a cappella group. The two shows alternate throughout the evening.

And Cosmic Rays is taken over by Club Tinsel, where you can get your groove on with some reindeer and polar bears. It’s hilarious and definitely another don’t-miss-it spot.

PhotoPass

As usual, Disney brings out the fun with PhotoPass and Magic Shot opportunities throughout the park at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Your first stop will be in front of the train station after you tap in with your party ticket or Magic Band at the entrance. Here you can take some classic family shots and also grab some magic with a snow globe or mistletoe.

Then, regardless of when you come to the party, make it a point to walk through the side entrance along/behind Main Street. You’ll find the opening to it on the right after you pass Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Along that path you’ll have four(ish) PhotoPass opportunities, including some possible Magic Shots.

And then you’ll get a big Minnie sugar cookie on your way out.

Then you can loop back down Main Street and check out the entertainment and photo ops there before popping into the bakery (Starbucks) for some party treats. Your PhotoPass photographer might surprise you with an elf hat, huge candy cane, mistletoe, Santa Tink, or plate of cookies….

Throughout the park you’ll find a number of other picture spots. Perhaps best among them is the little surprise you’ll find at the Haunted Mansion.

(Shout out to my 6-year-old’s enthusiastic toe point…)

The popular lantern picture is back near the Tangled restrooms in Fantasyland. We’ll have to see if Tink’s lantern makes another appearance at the party this year.

And note that if you want to add a single day of Memory Maker to your ticket to take all of these memories home, you can stop by Town Square Theater and take advantage of this offer:

Food

As always, there are lots of treats to try at the party – some included in your ticket price as you wander the park, and some extra ones available for purchase.

The usual cookie stops are out in force. You’ll find the list of offerings on the above event guide under “Holiday Treats”. If you need a break with something savory, you’ll also find a free snowman soft pretzel over at Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland.

As for specialty items available for purchase, there are a number of listed items that are particular to the party:

You can find more of Magic Kingdom’s holiday goodies, both party exclusives and items that are available all day every day, on my friend Big Fat Panda’s video right here:

Characters

It’s always tough to do the characters when I’m running around trying to gather party info…but we did manage to pass a few along the way.

Minnie, Daisy, Scrooge McDuck, and Donald will be out and about in the Dumbo queue in Storybook Circus.
Pooh and Friends will be greeting friends in the 100 acre wood.
Aladdin and Abu will be meeting guests in Adventureland in their usual spot.
Moana will also be meeting guests in Adventureland near the Enchanted Tiki Room.
Snow White and The Prince and Aurora and Prince Phillip are meeting friends in Fantasyland near the arches.
Rumor has it that Belle will also be out and about in Fantasyland (perhaps near Gaston’s tavern?) in her winter finest.
And among other surprises…you might stumble on the Seven Dwarfs, Jack Skellington as Santy Claus with Sally, Mary Poppins and Burt, and Jack Sparrow….

Rides

I love that we’re seeing more holiday overlays on attractions than ever before this year.

You’ll find the usual fun at the Jingle Cruise version of Jungle Cruise.

As well as great overlays at the Mad Tea Party, Speedway, Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, and Space Mountain.

Merchandise

I’ve already shared out much of the holiday merchandise around Magic Kingdom right HERE – but you’ll find the full event collection at the Emporium, Big Top Souvenirs, and Star Traders. You’ll also find event pins and Magic Bands at the Frontier Trading Post and holiday decor at Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe.

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So that’s a wrap for now!! Needless to say this is all information taken from one of the very first parties. I’m sure that they’ll tweak things along the way, so please keep in mind that everything here is subject to change and always go in to have your own experience!!