Disney World's holiday season is the busiest stretch of the year, and its flagship event, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, has a habit of selling out. The 2025 party sold out completely, so if you want to be inside Magic Kingdom Park this December, now is the time to plan.
The basics
- Dates: select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2026.
- Hours: the party runs 7 p.m. to midnight, but party guests can enter the park at 4 p.m.
- Tickets: the party is separately ticketed. It is not covered by regular park admission.
- Pass and DVC savings: Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can save $10 per ticket on select nights from November 8 to 20 and November 29 to December 3.
The wider Walt Disney World holiday season kicks off November 13 and runs through January 6, 2027.
What you get with the party
- Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade, traveling from Frontierland to Main Street, U.S.A., with Santa Claus closing it out.
- Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, a castle projection and pyrotechnics show.
- Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration, the castle stage show.
- Character greetings with Mickey and Minnie in holiday outfits, plus Jack Skellington as Sandy Claws and Sally.
- Complimentary cookies and holiday treats along the way.
Holiday ride overlays
Five attractions get a seasonal makeover for the party: Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway, Mad Tea Party, Jungle Cruise (the Jingle Cruise, which day guests get too), and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor. Favorites like Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin stay open through the night.
How to choose your night
Early November dates tend to be calmer. Crowds usually build as Christmas approaches, so earlier party nights can mean shorter waits for rides and characters.
Use the 4 p.m. entry. Starting early gets you the daytime-style park access before the party crowd builds, and lets you ride before the parade crowds claim Main Street.
Do not forget the day. The park's regular holiday decor, the Jingle Cruise and Santa at Storybook Circus are available to day guests, so a non-party day still has plenty of cheer.
Book your hotel early. Holiday weeks fill the resorts, and many of the best rooms go first.
Want to be there?
Picking a party night, matching it to your park tickets and choosing the right resort is exactly the kind of puzzle we like. Talk to the Villains and we will help you build the trip.
