At this year's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) we really got a lesson on how to go with the flow while in Disney World, rather than sticking to a perfectly formulated plan. We had a great time at the party, but our order of events definitely did not go exactly as planned. Thankfully, we were able to adjust as we went and ended up getting to do everything we wanted to do. It was a very magical night and as I have always said, I absolutely think that attending MVMCP is worth it!
MVMCP is an after hours party in Magic Kingdom from 7:00pm-midnight, on select nights in November and December. Party guests get to enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00pm on the day of their party. Tickets range from $170 to $220 per person, depending on the night you go. Obviously tickets closer to Christmas will be more expensive than early November tickets.
We arrived at Magic Kingdom at 3:45pm via the monorail, and there was already a huge crowd gathered in the "pen" outside the front gates. There was not a line per se, just a mass of people waiting to be allowed into the park. We joined the pen, probably behind at least 200 people. While passing by the park earlier in the day on the monorail, we saw people joining the pen as early at 2:00pm, so unless you plan on spending your entire afternoon waiting in front of Magic Kingdom, there really is no avoiding the crowd. It moved fairly quickly once party guests were starting to be admitted into the park, and we were inside by 4:05pm at the latest.
Upon entering Magic Kingdom, party guests were given a special wristband that proved you were allowed to be at the party. For the first hour or so of the party, cast members were constantly checking to make sure you had one. Then, party guests were directed to the right alleyway, next to Town Square Theater, where we received 1 free party ornament per person. These were very cute and better than the ones we received 2 years ago.
As planned, we immediately headed towards the rides that did not have a holiday overlay during the party hours. That worked out perfectly and it was practically a walk on for Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain, and Pirates.
At this point, it was a little after 5:00pm, and we headed towards Main Street to check out the party exclusive merchandise sold at The Emporium. This was actually pretty intense. When you entered The Emporium, there was a special line to get into in order to enter the party exclusive section. You were able to buy the party merchandise before the party start time of 7:00pm so long as you had a party wristband on. Once inside the exclusive section, people were quite literally snatching up items and there was a bit of pushing. The merchandise is all first come, first serve so once it is gone there is no more to choose from. I was happy to get the spirit jersey I had my heart set on, as well as the party mug.
After securing my party merchandise, we headed out to Main Street to take some holiday photos. A pro tip- the Disney photographers will also take photos on your phone. They come out essentially as good as the professional photos, and are free to keep rather than paying $16 per photo to download off of the app.
As it got dark outside, it started to become even more festive on Main Street. Christmas lights, along with Mickey shaped wreaths and holiday decorations made Magic Kingdom feel extra magical. As 7:00pm approached, even the Castle became lit up for the Holidays, and took on a new display that only party guests got to appreciate. Walking along Main Street, soaking in the festive atmosphere and listening to Christmas carols being piped in was one of my favorite parts of the party.
After taking pictures on Main Street it was a little after 6:30, and party exclusives would not actually begin until 7:00pm. We used the last 30 minutes to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train which only had a 25 minute wait, as opposed to the normal hour plus wait. That is another great part of attending a party, in that lines for rides are always much shorter than during the day.
Then, it was officially 7:00 and MVMCP had begun. First, we did the Monster's Inc. holiday overlay show. This was cute and funny, but not too different from the normal daytime show. The differences were the inclusion of several holiday themed jokes, and the characters were wearing holiday outfits. After the show we made our way to Cosmic Rays for our first party exclusive snack of the night.
At Cosmic Rays, we split the Holiday burger and the peppermint eclair. The Holiday burger was very good- a turkey burger topped with provolone, stuffing, and cranberry chutney. It had good flavor and I would have it again. The peppermint eclair was just okay. It was slightly mushy, and the peppermint filing was not as vibrant as I would have liked.
At this point in the night, we had to start getting flexible. I had come into the party with a planned schedule so that we could knock out everything we wanted to do. It became clear that this was not a normal party night and we would have to make decisions on the spot. It had always been the plan the watch the first parade and save rides and character meet and greets for the end of the party. However, as we found our spot to watch the 8:30 parade, it began to sprinkle. It was not a heavy rain, but it was enough to delay the parade. We had to think fast on the best way to use the party time. Most guests remained in their parade spots, waiting for the rain to pass and for the parade to happen. However, we made the split decision to go meet Mickey, since we saw it was currently only a 5 minute wait (due to everyone outside waiting for the parade). We made our way down Main Street to the Town Square Theater and practically had a walk in to meet Mickey.
I am so happy we got to do this. Mickey was the one character I wanted to make a point to meet during MVMCP, due to the fact that he was wearing a Christmas outfit exclusive to only the party. This particular meet and greet is so fun, because he is interacting only with your group and you can take the time you want. The photographer will not only take professional photos, but also takes as many photos as you want on your phone.
As we exited the meet and greet, I immediately knew we had made the right choice. People were still waiting for the parade and it was still delayed. We laughed at them and immediately headed over to Space Mountain to do the holiday overlay. We later found out that the first parade ended up being cancelled entirely, and those poor people wasted who knows how many hours just waiting there.
The Space Mountain holiday overlay was a lot of fun and featured techno Christmas music and snowflake lighting around the track. It was very odd to ride Space Mountain and be able to see the tracks. I found myself ducking quite a few times! We also noticed that your car passes by other cars on the tracks, which we had never realized before.
Upon exiting Space Mountain, I had my favorite experience of MVMCP. I got to meet my favorite Disney character Judy Hopps, who was dancing with the crowd at one of the dance parties in Tomorrowland. I snapped a couple photos of her and we interacted for a minute or so. Definitely made my night!
Then, we made our way around Magic Kingdom to cookie locations to grab some free cookies and hot chocolate. The frosted gingerbread cookie found at Gaston's Tavern was the best cookie by far.
Next, it was time for our next party exclusive snack. We stopped by Sleepy Hollow and got the orange chicken tenders, which were very good. It was a large portion and was enough to satisfy you. We ate these while getting into a firework viewing spot for the 10:00pm show. There was not much of a crowd (as opposed to the packed Happily Ever After the night prior) and we were able to snag a viewing spot right up front by the Castle. I think that was the best firework viewing spot I've ever had. A pro tip as to the MVMCP fireworks- you really do not need to hold your viewing spot for hours like you might have to for the parade. We walked right up about 5 minutes before the firework display and had an amazing view. Don't waste party time standing around. Any spot in front of the castle or in the top part of Main Street will offer a wonderful view of the show.
The firework show was very entertaining. Be warned- it is very different from Happily Ever After, in that there are no character displays or Disney music. Instead, the show features Christmas carols, with the fireworks and lights displays on the Castle being coordinated to the carols. It is beautiful and enjoyable in its own way and I highly recommend watching it if you are a guest at MVMCP. I believe it was essentially the same fireworks display as 2 years ago, so I do not think it changes each year.
After the fireworks, we headed down Main Street to find a parade viewing spot for the 11:00pm parade. This would typically be the second parade of the night, but for our party it was the only parade of the night due to the 8:30 parade being cancelled due to weather. I really hoped that families had got up and enjoyed the party and did not just sit planted in their spot for the entire party.
For the parade, you are guaranteed to not have a spot right on the curb if you show up 30 minutes prior to the parade. People are crazy and will begin holding parade spot 1.5 to 2 hours before the parade. I personally am not willing to waste that much party time, so we show up a respective 20-30 minutes prior to. With that time frame, we are usually able to get a 2nd row viewing spot and if you are careful about standing behind a stroller, there is usually not anything blocking your view.
The parade was fantastic and the perfect way to end our party night. It is definitely my favorite part of MVMCP. I love that the characters are all dressed in festive outfits and dancing to Christmas carols. The parade also features a lot of characters that are not often seen, as well as special Christmas characters like gingerbread men, toy soldiers, reindeer, and Santa. It is so much fun and I do not think anyone attending MVMCP should miss the parade.
We had such a great time at MVMCP 2024! There is something truly magical about celebrating the holidays in Magic Kingdom, and Disney really knows how to through a party. As always, there is too much to do and no one could possibly do everything at the party in one night. The important thing to do is pick the handful of things that are the most important to you, and focus on getting those done. Anything extra that fits into your night is just icing on top. I highly recommend that every Disney fan attend MVMCP at least once (if you go once you will almost definitely want to go back again). What a magical, happy night we had!
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