View source for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

{{Short description|Annual event at the Magic Kingdom}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{advert|date=August 2018}}

{{Infobox attraction
| name                = Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party	
| image               = 
| imagedimensions     = 
| caption             = 
| location            = Magic Kingdom
| opened              = {{Start date and age|1983|}}<ref>[http://www.thisdayindisneyhistory.com/Dec16.html This Day in Disney History – December 16]</ref>
| closed              = 
| type                = Seasonal Event
| theme               = [[Christmas and holiday season]]
| custom_label_1      = Season
| custom_value_1      = November–December
| custom_label_2      = Owner
| custom_value_2      = [[Disney Parks, Experiences and Products|Disney Parks]]
| custom_label_3      = Website
| custom_value_3      = {{Official website|https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party}}
}}

'''Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party''' is a [[Walt Disney World]] event hosted at [[Magic Kingdom]] in [[Orlando, Florida]] on select evenings from 7:00 pm to midnight in November and December leading up to [[Christmas]]. It features several activities such as a parade, dance parties, character meet-and-greets, and complimentary treat stations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-08-05 |title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Disney World's Magic Kingdom {{!}} the disney food blog |url=https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/ |access-date=2024-07-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> 

==History==
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party debuted in 1983.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party – complete insider's guide |url=https://orlandoinformer.com/disney/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=Orlando Informer |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2014, the show A Frozen Holiday Wish replaced an earlier show that featured [[Cinderella (Disney character)|Cinderella]] and her [[List of Disney's Cinderella characters|Fairy Godmother]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Kenny the Pirate |title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Shows |date=6 June 2013 |url=http://kennythepirate.com/2013/06/06/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-shows/ |access-date=7 June 2014 |publisher=Kenny the Pirate}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2010-11-02 |title=A look at Walt Disney World's 2010 holiday season events |url=https://attractionsmagazine.com/a-look-at-walt-disney-worlds-2010-holiday-season-events/ |access-date=2023-01-13 |website=Attractions Magazine }}</ref>

The show on the stage in front of [[Cinderella Castle]] was ''Celebrate the Season'' until 2016, when it was replaced by ''Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show''.

From 2003 until November 8, 2019, a holiday edition of the [[Wishes (fireworks)|Wishes]] fireworks show, Holiday Wishes, occurred during the party.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Scott |title=Holiday Wishes Fireworks Show at the Magic Kingdom |date=26 November 2012 |url=http://orlandolocalguide.com/holiday-wishes/ |access-date=8 June 2014 |work=Orlando Local Guide}}</ref> It included a medley of the original Wishes soundtrack with some Christmas season songs mixed in. The show started with [[Tinker Bell]] flying over the castle with narration by [[Jiminy Cricket]]. In addition, a lighting display was projected onto the castle, illuminating it in green so that it resembled a Christmas tree, and featuring Santa Claus.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party did not take place in 2020 or 2021, because of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in California|COVID-19 pandemic]]. In 2021, a Very Merry After Hours Event was held in its place.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wdw-magazine.com/5-tips-for-2021-very-merriest-after-hours-at-the-magic-kingdom/ |title=5 Tips for 2021 Very Merriest After Hours at the Magic Kingdom |website=WDW Magazine |date=November 11, 2021 |type=Adults in Disney blog }}</ref> Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party returned in 2022, as part of Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary celebration,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web |first=Jenn |last=Marrazzo |url=https://www.wdw-magazine.com/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-2022-the-complete-guide/ |title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2022: The Complete Guide |website=WDW Magazine |date=November 22, 2022 }}</ref><ref name=fireworks/> and held in 2023, as part of The Walt Disney Company's 100th Anniversary celebration.<ref>{{cite web |first=Morgan |last=Flaherty |url=https://www.wdw-magazine.com/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/ |title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2023: A Complete Guide |website=WDW Magazine |date=July 7, 2023 }}</ref>

==Events and shows==
The event requires the purchasing of a separate ticket from the general admission ticket counter.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sehlinger |first1=Bob |title=The Unofficial Guide: Walt Disney World 2012 |last2=Testa |first2=Len |date=6 September 2011 |publisher=Wiley |isbn=9781118012338 |pages=43}}</ref>

=== Events ===

==== Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade ====
The parade proceeds down [[Main Street, USA]] twice each night.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> It features Disney characters including [[Mickey Mouse|Mickey]] and [[Minnie Mouse]] along with numerous others such as [[Mirabel Madrigal]] and [[Bruno Madrigal]] from [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]]' ''[[Encanto]]'', Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf from ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'', the [[Disney Princess|Disney Princesses]] and their princes, Marching Toy Soldiers, Dancing Reindeer, Gingerbread Men, and Ole Saint Nick.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bricker|first1=Tom|title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2014 Tips|url=http://www.disneytouristblog.com/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-review-tips/|website=Disney Tourist Blog|date=January 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232042/http://www.disneytouristblog.com/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-review-tips/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref>

==== Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks ====
[[Minnie Mouse]] hosts a firework display featuring Christmas carols such as "[[Deck the Halls]]" and "[[We Wish You a Merry Christmas]]".<ref name=fireworks>{{cite web |author=Sara |title=Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Returning to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party |website=Chip & Company |date=September 3, 2022 |url=https://chipandco.com/minnies-wonderful-christmastime-fireworks-returning-to-mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-493151/ }}</ref>

=== Shows ===

==== Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show ====
Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration show appears four times a night on the stage in front of Cinderella Castle. It stars classic [[Walt Disney Animation Studios]] and [[Pixar]] characters such as [[Mickey Mouse]], [[Minnie Mouse]], [[Pluto (Disney)|Pluto]], [[Goofy]], [[Donald Duck]], [[Daisy Duck]], [[Clarabelle Cow]], [[Woody (Toy Story)|Woody]], [[Jessie (Toy Story)|Jessie]], [[José Carioca]], [[Panchito Pistoles|Pachito Pistoles]] and [[Chip 'n' Dale]] dressed up in their Christmas outfits. In addition, live performers sing and dance to vintage holiday carols.

==== A Frozen Holiday Wish ====
From 2007 through 2019, Cinderella Castle was covered during November in roughly 200,000 [[LED lights]] to look as if it was covered in ice and snow, an effect called ''Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle''. At dusk, a short show featuring the characters from ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]'' took place in which [[Elsa (Frozen)|Elsa]] used her ice powers to frost over the castle. The show was viewable by all guests every night during the holiday season and was repeated during the limited-admission Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.<ref>{{cite web|last=Slater  |first=Shawn |title='A Frozen Holiday Wish' for Magic Kingdom Park|url=http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/10/a-frozen-holiday-wish-for-magic-kingdom-park/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030044124/http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/10/a-frozen-holiday-wish-for-magic-kingdom-park/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 30, 2014|website=Disney Parks Blog|date=October 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/gallery/07nov2014-mickey%27s-very-merry-christmas-party-2014-guide-map/22570.htm/|title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party guide map|website=WDWMagic.com|date=November 7, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110231539/http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/gallery/07nov2014-mickey%27s-very-merry-christmas-party-2014-guide-map/22570.htm|archive-date=10 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Dream Lights effect and show did not return in 2022, and in June 2023, Magic Kingdom announced new lighting and a replacement by a new show, Frozen Holiday Surprise, which will debut on November 7, 2023. as part of The Walt Disney Company's 100th Anniversary celebration.<ref>{{cite web |first=Shannen |last=Michaelsen |url=https://wdwnt.com/2023/06/frozen-holiday-surprise-featuring-new-cinderella-castle-holiday-lights-coming-to-mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/ |title='Frozen Holiday Surprise' Featuring New Cinderella Castle Holiday Projections Coming to Magic Kingdom |website=WDW News Today |date=June 15, 2023 }}</ref>

==== A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show ====
A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show is a 20-minute performance that takes place several times a night on the [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]] stage. It features [[Buzz Lightyear]] and [[Mike Wazowski]] teaching [[Stitch (Lilo & Stitch)|Stitch]] the meaning of Christmas before Buzz Lightyear laser blasts [[Santa Claus|Santa]] out of the sky.<ref>{{cite web|author=Kenny the Pirate|title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Shows|date=6 June 2013 |url=http://kennythepirate.com/2013/06/06/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-shows/|website=Kenny the Pirate.com|access-date=7 June 2014}}</ref>

==Rides and attractions==

=== Attractions ===
Some popular attractions are open throughout the party. In the past, this has included [[The Haunted Mansion]], [[Space Mountain]], and [[Buzz Lightyear attractions|Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin]]. Unlike [[Haunted Mansion Holiday]] and [[It's a Small World Holiday]] at [[Disneyland]], as well as seasonal celebrations at non-US Disney parks (Holiday Nightmare and Very Merry Holidays at [[Tokyo Disneyland]], Celebration at [[Disneyland Park (Paris)|Disneyland Paris]], Christmas at [[Hong Kong Disneyland]]), the open rides do not have a holiday overlay.<ref name="MFL">{{cite web |title=2014 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party |url=http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwparks/annual/mvmcp.shtml |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=Mouse for Less}}</ref>

===Jingle Cruise===
While not exclusive to the party, Jingle Cruise, which debuted in 2013, is limited to the Christmas season. The original [[Jungle Cruise]] ride is modified to include a Christmas theme throughout the queue, the boats' names are changed, and the skippers make holiday jokes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brigante |first1=Ricky |title=Jingle Cruise sails into Walt Disney World with jolly new jokes, few new decorations adorn holiday overlay |date=9 November 2013 |url=http://www.insidethemagic.net/2013/11/jingle-cruise-sails-into-walt-disney-world-with-jolly-new-jokes-few-new-decorations-adorn-holiday-overlay/ |access-date=8 June 2014 |publisher=Inside the Magic}}</ref>

=== Character meetups ===
Numerous characters appear throughout the [[Magic Kingdom]] to meet guests and pose for pictures. The characters are dressed in holiday themes exclusive to the Christmas season. Along with the regular characters who appear in the park, some rare characters, such as the seven dwarfs, make appearances for special events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noyes |first=Heather |date=2020-10-10 |title=Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Guide |url=https://wdwtravels.com/magic-kingdom/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/#What_Character_Meet_Greets_Are_At_Mickey8217s_Very_Merry_Christmas_Party |website=WDW Travels}}</ref>

There are also generally two character dance parties each night, where guests have an opportunity to dance with Disney characters like [[Sheriff Woody|Woody]], [[Jessie (Toy Story)|Jessie]], and [[Bullseye (Toy Story)|Bullseye]]. In the past, dance parties have been held in the Diamond Horseshoe and Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café.<ref name="MFL2">{{cite web |title=2014 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party |url=http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/wdwparks/annual/mvmcp.shtml |access-date=8 June 2014 |website=Mouse for Less}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-11-17 |title=2019 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party |url=https://wdwprepschool.com/disney-world-parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/ |access-date=2019-03-25 |website=WDW Prep School}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/magic-kingdom/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/}}
{{Magic Kingdom}}

[[Category:Events at Walt Disney World]]
[[Category:Walt Disney Parks and Resorts]]
[[Category:Magic Kingdom]]
[[Category:Christmas and holiday season parades]]
[[Category:Christmas in Florida]]
[[Category:Mickey Mouse]]