Now that you have your tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you need a plan! Having a strategy will help you enjoy the night and make the most out of your party ticket. A six-hour party sounds like plenty of time, but you’ll be surprised how quickly that time goes by once you’re there. These 8 tips will help make the most out of your party night without feeling rushed and help you create magical memories!

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Tip 1: Pick your top 3

Take time to look over the schedule of events for the party and create a list. Pick your top 3 things you really want to do during the party and build your plans for the night around them. Trust us, you’ll want to do everything on the schedule, but it’s just not possible. If you and your family decide what your most important 3 things are, you’ll be more likely to have a great night with realistic expectations.

Tip 2: Arrive early and use your 4 PM entry wisely

Make the most of your party night by arriving as early as possible. Party guests who have a ticket can enter the park as early as 4 PM. This will give you three hours to get things done before the party even starts. Be warned that the lines might be long at 4 PM, so be sure to get to the park by 3:30 PM.

Once you’re in the park, it’s a great time to grab something to eat so you don’t spend your party time sitting down for dinner. By having your dinner a little early, you should be hungry enough for some snacks once the party starts. One of our favorite places to grab a quick dinner before the party begins is Columbia Harbour House. There’s always plenty of seating and the food is really good! Pecos Bill’s is another favorite with delicious Mexican bowls and plenty of seating.

You can also mobile order your dinner before you get into the park, so you can head straight to the restaurant and pick up your meal. If you decide to book a dining reservation during the party, be sure to create a MouseDining Alert to tell you when a reservation is available!

Tip 3: Have a plan for rides and don’t miss the exclusive party holiday overlays

One of the nice perks of going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is that some ride lines are typically shorter than during the day. We’ve noticed that ride times are longer at the beginning of the night and slow down as the night goes on. Since you can get into the park before the party begins, I’d recommend trying to get on a few rides early.

If you decide to watch the later parade, use the 8:30 p.m. time slot to get on some of the more popular rides. We were able to get on the Jingle Cruise (the Christmas-themed Jungle Cruise ride) during the fireworks last year without any wait.

There are a few rides you’ll want to experience during the party because they have special holiday overlays you don’t want to miss. Below is a list of rides that feature holiday music, lights, or décor. Jingle Cruise is the only ride that has its overlay during the day as well.

• Tomorrowland Speedway: A “Race Through the Holidays” theme with lights and music
• Space Mountain: A holiday version
• Mad Tea Party: Holiday lights and music
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor: A seasonal show with holiday-themed jokes
• Jingle Cruise: A festive version of the Jungle Cruise

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Tip 4: Have a plan and give yourself extra time for the parade and fireworks

One of the highlights of the Christmas party is Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Each party night, there are two parade times: 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Before your party night, decide which one you’ll attend. Knowing which parade you’ll see helps you plan the rest of your night.

The 8:30 p.m. parade is usually busier than the later one; many families with younger children opt for this earlier time so they can return to their resort earlier. If you plan on staying until the party ends, we recommend waiting for the 11 p.m. parade. If having a great seat for the parade is important, plan to find your spot about an hour before it begins.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show starts at 10 p.m. Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, the holiday stage show at Cinderella Castle, has several showings. The first is at 7:40 p.m., which is perfect if you want to get your parade seat near the castle, watch the show, and then enjoy the 8:30 p.m. parade.

You may consider waiting for the second parade at 11 p.m. The parade begins in the back of the park in Frontierland before heading toward Cinderella Castle and down Main Street. One of our favorite spots to watch is in Frontierland; this way, you’re not waiting long for the parade to reach you. Once it’s done, you can head back to the rides.

Tip 5: Head to Main Street for the famous “Snoap”

Be sure to make it over to Main Street U.S.A. during the party so you can experience “snow” in Florida. The “snoap” usually falls on Main Street U.S.A. before and after the parade, and randomly throughout the party. It’s pretty magical.

Tip 6: Get your free cookies and cocoa

Don’t forget your party ticket includes free cookies, hot cocoa, or chilled apple cider. There are several places to grab these free treats, and many families stock up on cookies to bring home or enjoy during the rest of their trip. You might want to bring an extra bag to hold your goodies! Be sure to grab one or two cookies before heading to your parade spot so you can enjoy them while you wait. The lines for cookies and cocoa can get long early in the night, but they usually slow down after 9:30 p.m. There are allergy-safe cookies at each location that everyone can enjoy.

There are plenty of other exclusive treats you can enjoy during MVMCP, be sure to read our foodie guide to find out where all the best snacks are. 

Tip 7: Make your list (of characters) and check it twice

Meeting characters takes time. Some have fairly short lines, while popular ones like Jack and Sally might have waits as long as 90 minutes. Prioritize only a few must-do meet-and-greets.

The lines for popular characters like Jack and Sally, and Santa Goofy, can get very long! If you know you want to meet one of the most in-demand characters, consider getting in line as early as possible. Lines also tend to get lighter after the fireworks.

Keep in mind, during the parade and stage shows, character meet-and-greets pause for a short time since most of the characters are in the parade or on stage.

Tip 8: Take advantage of your free PhotoPass

PhotoPass is included in your ticket price, so be sure to take advantage of all the photographers throughout the park, especially at character meet-and-greet locations. You can also hand them your phone if you would prefer to take a photo on your own device.

Get some photos in front of the castle before you leave for the night. After midnight, the crowds thin out, and you can get some great castle shots.

Have the most magical time at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

With a little planning and realistic expectations, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can be one of the most magical nights of your trip. Use these tips to help you soak in the festive atmosphere, enjoy your favorite treats, and make lasting memories with your family before the night slips away.