The Magic Kingdom Christmas Party “Hack” Every Guest Needs to Know. Disney World is giving every guest a significant holiday gift this year by transferring the majority of its exclusive Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) entertainment to its standard operating schedule.
The shift takes place immediately after the final separately ticketed party on December 21st, offering a huge value boost for guests visiting Magic Kingdom during the crowded holiday week. Instead of paying upwards of $200 per person for the hard-ticket event, a standard park ticket now includes the magical Christmas entertainment.
The entertainment officially starts on December 22nd. Here is what guests can expect to see:
Nightly Fireworks: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. The spectacular fireworks show, typically exclusive to the party, will replace the park’s nightly Happily Ever After show. This show will not run on December 30th or 31st; instead “Fantasy in the Sky” New Year’s Eve fireworks show will be seen.
Get in the Christmas spirit as your host, Minnie Mouse, invites you to a sparkling, yuletide fireworks display. Watch as the sky becomes illuminated with festive colors to the tune of some of your favorite carols, like Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. This seasonal spectacle can be thoroughly enjoyed from most locations throughout Magic Kingdom park—including Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
- Final Regular Show: The last showing of Happily Ever After is scheduled for December 20th at 9:00 PM.
- New Show & Time: Starting December 22nd, the festive Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks will be shown nightly at 8:30 PM for all guests. The show features a holiday soundtrack, dazzling projections on Cinderella Castle, and a massive pyrotechnic display.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Wave to Elsa and other beloved Disney pals as they float by in this yuletide parade. Delight in an entertaining display chock-full of good cheer. Snap memorable photos of dancing gingerbread men, marching toy soldiers, and beloved Disney Characters as they float by, waving hello. There’s even a special appearance by Santa Claus riding in to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.
- Parade Times: The parade is typically shown twice during the day, 11:00 AM EST and then again at 3:00 PM EST (guests should confirm times on the My Disney Experience app).
- A Note on Santa: While the parade runs through the holiday season, guests hoping to see Santa Claus at the finale should visit before December 24th, as his appearance is generally exclusive to Christmas Eve and earlier.
Castle Show: Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration. The high-energy castle stage show, featuring Mickey, Minnie, and other favorite Disney characters, will also be included in the daily schedule, singing and dancing to modern Christmas music. Guests can expect multiple showings each evening on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage. The Daily Schedule has the show listed for 7:05 PM 8:35 PM and 9:40 PM.
Frozen Holiday Surprise – Feast your eyes on a dazzling new experience as Elsa and some of her best friends decorate Cinderella Castle. Join our Frozen friends from Arendelle as they ring in the season. The celebration begins when Olaf and over 100 of his snowgie siblings add garlands, ornaments, wreaths and more to Cinderella Castle.
Next, Anna, Elsa and Kristoff will appear on stage with Olaf—all decked out in their holiday best. The festivities culminate as Elsa adds the finishing touches with her ice magic, transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering crystallized palace.
The Magic Kingdom Christmas Party “Hack” Every Guest Needs to Know
Why the Change?
This is a common practice Disney uses to manage the heavy crowds during the peak Christmas week between December 22nd and New Year’s Day. By running the holiday-specific entertainment during the day and early evening, Disney ensures that all guests visiting during the highest attendance period get to experience the special holiday offerings they came for.
