When I signed up to run Lumiere’s Challenge as part of runDisney’s Wine & Dine race series during Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, I didn’t know I’d be in for an extra treat! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was scheduled to debut our final night in Disney World! Never having been, and unsure how quickly tickets would sell out, my friend Tiffany and I purchased our tickets almost as soon as they were available!
Our plan for the party was simple. We wanted to experience all the things that were specific to party night-particularly the hard to find characters and the special shows. We weren’t planning on riding any rides, as we had devoted an entire day to Magic Kingdom two days before. Our Bucket List included a picture with the Seven Dwarfs, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and Holiday Wishes.
Park Entry
Though the Christmas Party officially starts at 7:00, guests with tickets are allowed to enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00. It was easy to spot the party-goers…lots of red and green holiday themed outfits, Santa hats, and festive ears! We were happily surprised to be allowed in about ten minutes before 4:00, and were promptly given a special wristband to wear showing we were attending the party.
Once in the Town Center, we were ushered to a special entrance to the right of the Le Chapeau shop. There was a Photopass photographer and some special photo opportunities…and the first treats of the evening-a big, green Christmas Tree cookie and hot chocolate!
Party Perks-What We Knew and What We Didn’t
We knew that party admission meant that we would get access to special characters that were either considered rare or in special holiday attire. In the past, the biggest draws have included the Seven Dwarfs and all the Princes meeting with their Princesses. There were usually some “surprise” characters, as well.
The interesting thing is, the actual character meet-and-greet schedules are not only not announced beforehand, but are not even available once the party begins! From the brochure, “(Special Disney) Characters will be meeting Guests Intermittently throughout the event. Appearances may differ from event operating hours. Look on the map for character locations.” We got our information from one of our favorite sources-Kenny the Pirate. His Character Locator app http://www.characerlocator.com is genius…but there are no guarantees as the first party night is a lot of speculation!
Snack Stops-New for 2016!
In past years, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party goers had enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate. This year, some fun changes were made that added some variety. Five different Holiday Treat Locations were set up around the Park, each featuring a different treat and beverage! Locations were posted in the party guide, but the menu was not.
In addition to hot cocoa, you could also get eggnog, spiced apple cider and even blue raspberry snow cones! Cookies included Snickerdoodle, Ginger Molasses, Peppermint Bark, Snowman Sugar cookies, an allergy friendly Chocolate Chip cookie and the Green Christmas Tree cookies we were offered upon entrance. (Though subsequent party-goers say jumbo Snowman Sugar cookies are now offered there!)
Had we known, we would have loved to visit ALL the treat locations! For the cost of the evening and the limited hours you are there, it’s curious why Disney chooses not to publish their MVMCP menus and meet and greets. I know us Type A Planners would really appreciate it! LOL!
Character Bucket List
As I shared, our priority was characters…the rarer, the better! Seven Dwarfs were at the top of both of our lists, but I also wanted to see Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws. Tiffany wanted to see Gaston at his final scheduled meet of the day during regular park hours. We agreed to split up-I’d wait for Jack, then meet her in line for the Dwarfs. After all, based on the Halloween parties, Jack would be out nice and early @5:15!
After waiting for an hour and a half to meet Sandy Claws, with no line movement or confirmation from Cast Members that he would be coming out anytime soon, I got a call from Tiffany. They were setting up for the Seven Dwarfs! I quickly (and reluctantly!) said good-bye to my new friends in line for the last few hours, Brittany and Brittany, and dashed over to Fantasyland.
I got into line just as they were walked out, and everyone broke into spontaneous cheers and clapping! It was so exciting! As the fourth family in line, it went very quickly from there-a solo pose for each of us, and one together!
We walked back towards Sleepy Hollow restaurant, where we planned to eat. Out of curiosity, we stopped to see how the two Brittanys were making out in the Sandy Claws line. Jack had still not been brought out, and the girls graciously invited us to rejoin them back in line. In fairness to the others, we asked the surrounding people if they were okay with this, and then decided to take a group photo as to not press our good fortune!
One of the biggest and unannounced surprises was a Zootopia meet-and-greet! Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps were meeting guests in Tomorrowland by Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. They didn’t sign autographs but did hand out a badge-shaped collector card with both names on it. They had a cute little schtick and a long line, but thankfully it moved quickly.
You can see Donald Duck in a lot of places…but how often do you get to see McScrooge Duck?? I was so excited for this rare character! As I left Tomorrowland they were meeting with guests by Pete’s Silly Sideshow. I loved their cold weather attire-especially Donald’s plaid!
It was so late by the time I got to Fairytale Hall that they really had no business letting me in! When I asked if the princesses were still meeting (I believe it was about 11:45 at that point) the Cast Members looked at each other and kind of shrugged me in. I was THE last person admitted…which meant that at one point I was the only guest in the room with Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Tiana and Naveen! (I am so mad at myself for not thinking to ask for a special picture with all four characters!)
You might think that the characters would be going through the motions at this point, but you wouldn’t be more wrong! Rapunzel and Eugene were playful with both each other and me. We laughed about his satchel/pocketbook and he asked me if I could act “surprised”. I agreed, but then was really actually surprised when he pulled Rapunzel’s tiara out of his bag! (NOT a pocketbook-he reminded me!!) Tiana and Naveen were just damn good-looking. Both of them. Their outfits were to die for!
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Shows, Parades and Fireworks
After meeting both the Dwarfs and Sandy Claws, (which we hadn’t thought possible!) we were on a total high! We realized we were starving and walked a few paces to Sleepy Hollow. Even though they were offering the Pumpkin Spice Waffle Sundae, we were dying to try the Fruit and Nutella waffle, which we talk about trying every single trip! And because we were REALLY hungry, we also each got a baked potato.
It ended up being a genius move…because from our outdoor seats we had the perfect view of both the castle for A Frozen Holiday Wish as well as front row seats for Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Holiday Wishes!
The parade was truly spectacular! The dancers, the ice cutters and the dancing gingerbread men were so much fun-but the reindeer and marching wooden soldiers were the best! Mickey and Minnie had their own float, as did Olaf, Ralph, and of course, Santa Claus!
After the parade, it was time to take our place for Holiday Wishes. I positioned myself right in front of the big Christmas Tree in front of the Train Station. I had the perfect view of the castle and Main Street, USA! It was truly overwhelming with the piped in Christmas music in time with the red and green fireworks bursting above. I have to admit…I choked up when they played “Oh, Christmas Tree” as green fireworks surrounded Cinderella Castle, topped off with a golden fireworks star! *Sniff!*
Shortly after, snow began falling on Main Street. Snow! At Disney World! In Florida! Even though I was expecting it, nothing could have truly prepared me. I was like a kid on Christmas morning!
Santa! I Know Him!
No Christmas Party would be complete without a visit with Santa Claus! We found Santa set up next to City Hall, and the line was manageable. Even though the hour was late, most of the people in front of us were families with small children. Santa was very engaging…and had the best line of the night! When we asked him if we could take a selfie, he told us no. He then went on to say, “But…we CAN take an ELFIE!!”
Late Night Pixie Dust
Though the party officially ends at midnight, it was fun to stick around for photo ops as the park started to slowly empty. The back emptied first…after leaving Fairy Tale Hall I was the last person ushered to the front of the castle!
Photopass photographers were still snapping pictures. The Emporium was packed with people buying ornaments, Very Merry party shirts only available during party hours, and Christmas bulb necklaces. The Confectionery was doing a brisk business selling holiday cupcakes, rice krispie treats and candy apples, and smelled delicious, as usual!
It was after 1:00 a.m. before we finally made our way out of the park, and we were far from the last guests there. We took one last look at all the beautiful decorations and I got to say my final, “See ya real soon!”
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party was a must-do…and one I hope I get to do again! Merry Christmas to all…and to all a good night!