Hoppy holidays! One of our favorite events is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom Park. This separately ticketed event runs on select nights from Nov. 8 to Dec. 20, 2024. Enjoy festive decor, special entertainment, unique characters, holiday treats and even snow on Main Street, U.S.A.! With so much to do in a limited timeframe, we've created a park plan — divided into two versions for families and adults — for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2024 with the best strategies for maximizing your time.
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Overview of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Park Plan
We've made this list (and checked it twice) so you can have the best day ever at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! While we also have our full guide, we've created this separate post to break down our strategies for experiencing this seasonal event. The party runs from 7 p.m. to midnight, and you can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m. With the party ticket allowing eight hours total in the park, it can be almost an entire day in itself! There's a lot to do at these parties and those prime party hours will fly by, just like Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve.
We created this party park plan to help maximize your time and experience the lowest wait times. (We have park plans for a regular day at the theme parks as well!). This plan helps with the approximate order to follow, as well as general strategies.
Inclement weather or other unknowns can change the best laid-out plans, causing modifications, delays or cancellations for select offerings. In such cases, you must go with the flow and make the best out of it!
Overall, our best advice is to prioritize what's most important to YOU! Be sure to modify when needed to help align with your family's priorities. Without further ado, let's unwrap our Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party park plan! And as our gift to you, we've even got a version you can download and take with you to the party. Hoppy Holidays!
Arriving at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2024
FAMILIES & ADULTS
Arrive Early
With a party ticket, guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4 p.m., three hours before the party officially starts. Allow extra time for taking Disney transportation or parking at the Transportation & Ticket Center, and going through security and the entrance touchpoints. This first step is a crucial one, as you don't want to be wasting party time later trying to enter the park.
Grab Your Wristband
Once you arrive at the Magic Kingdom entrance, head to the specific touchpoints for party attendees. It's usually the touchpoints on the righthand side — keep an eye out for signage and cast member directions to be sure you're in the correct spot. Be prepared for long lines at the party touchpoints between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. as many guests try to enter the park at 4 p.m. (However, they're usually scarier than they look! We encountered a lengthy line but it only took us 12 minutes before we scanned in.)
If you’re already in the park before 4 p.m. as a daytime guest, go to a wristband distribution location between 4-7 p.m. so you can stay inside the park. Typically, there are wristband locations in Adventureland (across from Pirates of the Caribbean), Tomorrowland (across from Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor) and Fantasyland (in front of Mickey's PhilharMagic).
Last year, guests received a special party-exclusive ornament when walking through Market Street upon arrival or at a wristband distribution location inside the park. If it's raining, you may need to pick it up at Tomorrowland Terrace (rather than Market Street), which can be easy to miss. Market Street is only open until 8 p.m., so you'll need to grab it before then!
Pre-Party Time at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2024
FAMILIES & ADULTS
Identify Your Priorities
With so many special entertainment and activities to do in a limited time, it's important to identify your family's top priorities before the party starts. That could mean meeting Santa Claus, watching the parade or hopping on rides. You can get a lot done at the party, but it's hard to do it all, so be sure to personalize your plan to your group's wants.
Eat Dinner and Watch the "Frozen Holiday Surprise" Show
Take the extra time now to sit down and fuel up before the party starts. Because time is limited, we recommend a quick-service spot such as Casey's Corner or Cosmic Ray's. There will be plenty of sugary goodies to snack on during the party, so it's nice to have a hearty meal beforehand. We also recommend bringing your food with you in front of the castle to watch the "Frozen Holiday Surprise" show at 6:15 p.m. (there is a second showtime at 8:15 p.m. during the party, but we recommend the first one as a way to kick off the party).
Hit the Rides
Is your family focused on special entertainment, holiday treats and characters? This pre-party window is your time to hop on any rides. Not all rides and shows are open during the party (such as Mickey's PhilharMagic, Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, Tom Sawyer Island, Liberty Square Riverboat and the Enchanted Tiki Room), so make sure to prioritize any must-dos. Save any rides with special overlays for the party.
Visit Standard Characters
Certain characters wear the same outfit during the day and the party, so if you want to save meeting characters in their holiday best for the party, meet the characters with their regular outfits during this time. Select characters meet during the day but not during the party, so be sure to meet them before 6 p.m.
During Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2024
PARTY PLAN FOR FAMILIES
Prioritize Characters
If you must visit a certain character, such as Santa Claus, be sure to do so earlier in the night, as some may leave their location to be in the parade or their line may close 30 minutes before the party ends. Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally will typically have the longest wait times. Double-check with a cast member on estimated wait times.
Watch the First Parade in Town Square
For a viewing area in Main Street, U.S.A. with shorter notice, grab a spot for the 8:30 p.m. parade in front of the railroad station. The spots in front of the Christmas tree and along Main Street will fill up quickly, but we noticed Town Square still had some last-minute spaces about 15 minutes before the parade. Since the parade starts in Frontierland, it will not reach this area until after 8:45 p.m. Stick around afterward to see snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Another option is the second parade — viewing in Frontierland and Liberty Square will allow you to be done with the parade faster and have even more last-minute availability. Still, we especially love watching this parade on Main Street if possible.
Find a Spot for the Stage Show and Fireworks
Once the 8:30 p.m. parade is over, move as close as you can to Cinderella Castle to watch the stage show at 9:25 p.m., and to have a better view of the projections during the fireworks show. The fireworks (with castle projections) kick off at 10 p.m.
Get Your Wiggles Out
Dance the night away at Club Tinsel in Tomorrowland or with Disney Junior Pals at the Disney Junior Jingle Jam in Cosmic Ray's.
Go Hunting for Holiday Treats and Merch
Collect your complimentary cookies and holiday beverages at the holiday treat stations. Be sure to snag any party-exclusive specialty treats, as well. Opt to shop later in the night, so you're not carrying items around.
Circle Back to Characters and Sprinkle in Your Favorite Rides
With the remaining time left, catch any characters you may have missed. Also, go on your favorite rides — both of which have lower wait times as the night goes on.
Don't froget about the rides with special holiday overlays, some of which are party exclusives:
- Tomorrowland Speedway Race Through the Holidays
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Holiday Show
- Space Mountain - Holiday Run
- Mad Tea Party
- Jingle Cruise*
*Available during regular park hours, but may have lower waits during the party.
PARTY PLAN FOR ADULTS
Prioritize Characters
If you must visit a certain character, be sure to do so earlier in the night, as some may leave their location to be in the parade or their line may close 30 minutes before the party ends. Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally will typically have the longest wait times. Double-check with a cast member on estimated wait times.
Hit the Rides During the First Parade
Wait times for rides are low during the first parade, so take advantage of these short lines.
Don't froget about the rides with special holiday overlays, some of which are party exclusives:
- Tomorrowland Speedway Race Through the Holidays
- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor Holiday Show
- Space Mountain - Holiday Run
- Mad Tea Party
- Jingle Cruise*
*Available during regular park hours, but may have lower waits during the party.
Find a Spot for Fireworks
Head to the hub by 9:45 p.m. to get in place for Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime fireworks.
Go Hunting for Holiday Treats and Merch
Collect your complimentary cookies and holiday beverages at the holiday treat stations. Be sure to snag any party-exclusive specialty treats, as well. Opt to shop later in the night, so you're not carrying items around.
Watch the Second Parade in Town Square
For a viewing area in Main Street, U.S.A. with shorter notice, grab a spot for the 11 p.m. parade in front of the railroad station. Since the parade starts in Frontierland, it will not reach this area until after 11:15 p.m. Stick around afterward to see snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Another option is the second parade — viewing in Frontierland and Liberty Square will allow you to be done with the parade faster and have even more last-minute availability. Still, we especially love watching this parade on Main Street if possible.
Circle Back to Characters, Rides or Treats
With any remaining time left, catch any characters, rides or treat stations you may have missed.
Finish the Night with Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration
By watching the last stage show of the night (11:55 p.m.), you get to stay past the official party time to close out the park with Mickey and Minnie Mouse and their friends.
We hope this helps you plan your time at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2024! Let us know your strategies in the comments below!
Related: Our Guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
Hoppy planning!
