Summary
Hoppy holidays! One of the best parts of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is meeting all of the special characters — including Santa Claus himself! This separately ticketed event at Magic Kingdom Park is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. The exclusive entertainment and character greetings are some of our favorite reasons to attend the seasonal party — most characters are rarely seen or wearing their holiday best. We've updated this guide with all the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party characters for 2022, including where to find them, what kind of line to expect and our top tips.
Overview of Characters at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
There are more than 25 characters that meet throughout the park during the party. The official party map provides a symbol indicating where there is a character meet-and-greet, but not which character you'll encounter there. The My Disney Experience app will show the characters under the map function, but the information is only available during a party. To help with planning ahead, we've separated the characters by land below.
In general, when we refer to wait times — low means less than 30 minutes of waiting, medium means about 30 to 60 minutes and long means more than an hour. These are approximate and can vary for each party, but we wanted to give you an idea of which characters have more popular lines.
We've also compiled these very merry greetings into an infographic to take with you to the party for quick reference. Have fun jingling and mingling!
Characters on Main Street, U.S.A.
Mickey Mouse
Starting off with the host of the party, Mickey Mouse is modeling his fancy holiday suit, which is exclusive to the event. He meets at his regular location at Town Square Theater. (During regular park hours, he greets guests in his 50th-anniversary EARidescent outfit). Once the party starts at 7 p.m., he then meets in his dapper green suit and red bowtie. Both the meet-and-greet and queue are entirely inside (making it a plus if you experience bad weather).
Mickey's wait is low to medium most of the night, often about 30 minutes. We recommend meeting him during the first parade or toward the end of the night for the shortest waits.
Jack Skellington and Sally
Also in Town Square Theater are some of the most popular characters at the party — Jack Skellington and Sally. This "Nightmare Before Christmas" duo is exclusive to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Jack is dressed as Sandy Claws for this party. Both the meet-and-greet and queue for Jack and Sally are entirely inside.
Their line can get very long with an average wait time of 90 minutes to two hours. They typically begin greeting around 4:30 p.m. and you can enter the line around 4 p.m. with a wristband. If meeting them is a priority, we recommend using the pre-party time to meet them so no actual party time is taken away — in fact, the earlier the better because the line builds quickly. Otherwise, the line will be a bit shorter in the second half of the party (try to go during the parade for less waiting). Note that they may cut the line off to new guests toward the end of the night, so try not to wait too long to hop over.
Characters in Adventureland
Jasmine and Genie
You've never had a friend like me with the delightful pair of Genie and Jasmine. While this duo also meets during Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, this time around Genie sports a festive scarf for the occasion. They meet across from the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. Jasmine meets in the same location during the day with Aladdin, though meeting Genie is rare. (During normal park hours, Aladdin, Jasmine and the Genie all make appearances in the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, as well.)
Jasmine and Genie alternate with Aladdin and Abu with one queue, so the characters will switch on and off.
Aladdin and Abu
Also in Adventureland is the fun duo of Aladdin and Abu! Abu is sporting a festive scarf while Aladdin is in his Prince Ali royal attire. They meet across from The Magic Carpets of Aladdin ride. Aladdin and Jasmine meet at this same location during regular hours, but Abu is quite rare (as is Aladdin's outfit) and is usually only seen at these parties. The line is partially covered and the meet-and-greet is an open-air covering.
They alternate with Jasmine and the Genie and there is one line for both pairs, so you'll want to time it with their set times. We recommend getting in line when the opposite pair is meeting so you have a better chance of them switching over.
Moana
Make way, make way! Our favorite wayfinder, Moana, has returned to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Moana greets guests in the Enchanted Tiki Room queue, which is covered. Moana does not meet regularly so she is quite a rare character! If a priority, be sure to allow at least an hour of waiting. We went during the first parade and waited about 35 minutes.
Jack Sparrow
Across from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, you'll find Jack Sparrow himself! He meets at this same location during regular park hours in the same outfit. We recommend meeting him during the day and saving party time for the exclusive characters.
Characters in Liberty Square
Santa Claus
Look, it's Kris Kringle himself!
Lily was extra excited to chat with Santa Claus during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. He greets guests one-on-one at the gazebo in Liberty Square (just behind Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe). The queue is outside while the meet-and-greet is under the covered gazebo. There is a festive backdrop with presents under the tree!
While Santa meets during the majority of the party, he makes a special appearance in Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime parade, so he will not meet during that time.
Santa makes lots of magical appearances during the holidays — be sure to check out our guide to the holidays at Walt Disney World for all of the jolly details!
Characters in Fantasyland
Ariel and Eric
Prince Eric and Princess Ariel are greeting royal guests across from the Under the Sea~ Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction in Fantasyland. We rarely see Ariel in her teal dress and Eric is extremely rare (princes, in general, are very rare), so we love seeing these two together. Plus, Ariel's Grotto is still closed so this is currently the only way to meet Ariel in the parks.
With the popularity and rarity of this couple, be sure to plan earlier in the night if a priority for your family. Their meet-and-greet and queue are entirely outside.
Rapunzel and Flynn Rider
"Tangled" is one of my favorite Disney movies so you bet I made sure to meet Rapunzel and Flynn together! The rare princes join their princesses in Princess Fairytale Hall for this festive event. Flynn tried to work the smolder on me and it almost worked (sorry Leap ... ).
With the rarity of the princes, be sure to allow a lot of time to meet this adorable couple. Thankfully they are in the same room as Tiana and Naveen, so you get four characters in one! Wait times are often longer in the first two hours of the party, but can significantly drop off in the second half, making for almost no wait at all!
Tiana and Naveen
We frogs are equally excited about the fabulous "The Princess and the Frog" couple, Tiana and Naveen! Their dashingly green winter formal outfits match perfectly and you'll certainly have a swinging good time with this fun duo. They meet in Princess Fairytale Hall next to Rapunzel and Flynn, so you'll see all of them after waiting in one line!
Cinderella and Prince Charming
On the other side of Princess Fairytale Hall, Cinderella meets with the rarely-seen Prince Charming. This charmingly sweet couple is looking quite official with the prince's iconic white suit and Cinderella in her winter version of her blue dress. Waits will be shorter in the second half of the party.
Elena
Elena of Avalor continues her regular greeting at Princess Fairytale Hall throughout the party. She is in the same room as Cinderella and Prince Charming. If meeting Prince Charming is a must, be sure to visit during the party, otherwise, we recommend meeting Elena and Cinderella during regular party hours.
Snow White and Her Prince
Over by the castle wall near Pinocchio Village Haus, you'll find the original royal couple, Snow White and her prince. While you can meet Snow White throughout the day in Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, her prince is very rare and typically only available at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. They are in the same line as Aurora and Prince Phillip.
Aurora and Prince Phillip
You can also meet Aurora and Prince Phillip from "Sleeping Beauty" by the castle wall. Aurora meets regularly at EPCOT, but Phillip rarely makes appearances. They share a queue with Snow White and Her Prince.
Belle
Belle continues her regular meet-and-greet at Maurice's Cottage. She wears the winter version of her outfit with a blue cloak over her blue village dress. She meets during the day in the same location and at EPCOT in France. Since this is not a rare character, we suggest meeting her during regular hours.
Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and Tigger
Our favorite One Hundred Acre Woods friends are looking absolutely precious in their holiday scarves. Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore greet guests next to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction (you can meet Pooh and Tigger in that same location during regular park hours). The quartet is fairly exclusive and only can be seen together at Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party, Very Merry or at The Crystal Palace character dining.
These characters are also very popular. Expect to wait close to an hour or more for this popular crew. They may start meeting a little before the party starts, usually around 6:30 p.m. Their queue is outside while the meet-and-greet is covered.
Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum
The matching yellow-and-red duo from "Alice in Wonderland" greets guests in front of Mad Tea Party. They are very rare and exclusive to the Halloween and Christmas parties.
Characters in Storybook Circus
Goofy
"Santa" Goofy meets outside in front of The Barnstormer. If there is inclement weather, Goofy may head inside by the Disney Junior Jingle Jam dance party. Goofy is at most of the parks during regular park hours (in various outfits), though this outfit is exclusive to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Goofy's wait time is low to medium and especially drops off in the second half of the party.
Minnie Mouse
Only at Storybook Circus can you see Minnie Mouse in her fashionable festive outfit! She meets in the play area of the Dumbo queue — both the queue and meet-and-greet are entirely inside. You can meet Minnie in all four parks during regular park hours (in various outfits), though this outfit is exclusive to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
There is one queue for Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Scrooge so this line can be a medium wait, but you get to meet all four characters at once!
Daisy Duck
The fashionista diva herself, Daisy Duck, also meets in the Dumbo queue. The queue and meet-and-greet are entirely inside. You can see Daisy at most of the parks during regular park hours (in various outfits), though this outfit is exclusive to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.
Sometimes Minnie and Daisy meet together, making for an extra great interaction, while other times they meet individually. Either way, you'll only have to wait in one line for all four, which can make it worth the wait, especially for fans of the Fab Five.
Donald Duck
Our number one star Donald Duck also meets in the Dumbo queue. You can see Donald at most of the parks during regular park hours (in various outfits), though this outfit is exclusive to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Depending on the character line-up at the time, Donald may meet together with Scrooge.
Scrooge McDuck
Donald's Uncle Scrooge McDuck is visiting for the holidays! He is in the same line in the Dumbo queue as Donald, Minnie and Daisy. Scrooge is fairly rare, usually only seen at special events or at Animal Kingdom. You'll find Storybook Circus with extremely low crowds in the second half of the night, so this can be a great time to meet Minnie, Daisy, Donald and Scrooge McDuck!
Other Character Experiences at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
You won't want to miss Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime parade! Witness dancing nutcrackers, gingerbread men, reindeer and the big man himself — Santa — as they join your favorite Disney characters for a gorgeous parade complete with scented floats.
Country Bears
In Frontierland, you'll find the Country Bears roaming in front of the Country Bear Jamboree at select times. Prepare your dance moves with Big Al, Liverlips, Shaker and Wendell. Due to their location, they will not be out close to or during the parade.
Disney Junior Jingle Jam
Younger tadpoles will love the Disney Junior Jam, featuring some of Lily's Disney Channel faves, from 7 p.m. to midnight in Storybook Circus. You might see characters such as Vampirina, Fancy Nancy, Doc McStuffins and even Timon (note that the characters will rotate in and out). Lily adores this dance party, and it's a perfect way to see her favorite characters in a low-key way. It also has low crowds most of the time so it's easy to get individual interactions.
Club Tinsel Dance Party
Dance the night away with a live DJ and holiday friends at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café from 7 p.m. to midnight. Polar bears, reindeer and elves groove with your tadpoles to fun musical hits. We love mingling with the iconic parade reindeer!
Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
This holiday castle stage show features lots of fun characters! Mickey and Minnie are hosting a holiday party with festive songs. You'll see characters including Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Clarabelle Cow, Woody, Jessie and more! With multiple showtimes, you'll have plenty of chances to catch this fun and festive show.
“A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” Show
Taking place periodically on the Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland, A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas show features characters such as Stitch, Buzz Lightyear and Mike Wazowski.
Tips for Meeting Characters at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
We have some additional tips for meeting characters at the party:
- Check the My Disney Experience app for character set times. This will help you plan out when to arrive. We suggest arriving just prior to the character set time to maximize your time, as lines can get extra long once people spot the character. Note that some characters don't meet during the parades, like the "Aladdin" characters.
- That said, some characters continue to greet guests during the parade, and that can be a great time to visit, especially Jack and Sally!
- Have kiddos that are nervous to meet characters? Check out our guide to characters at Disney World for extra tips on interacting with characters (plus a list of all character locations during regular park hours).
- Be sure to prioritize which characters you'll want to meet. There are only so many hours in the party and time will pass quickly, especially if you're also trying to see the trifecta of main entertainment — the parade, stage show and fireworks.
- If a priority, we recommend using some of the pre-party time to meet regular characters that will not be at the party, such as Merida or Peter Pan.
Which Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party characters are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: Our Guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Hoppy planning!
