I know it seems wrong to even mention this so soon but would you believe we’re only one month away from the beginning of the holiday season Walt Disney World Resort 2012?

Yes we are very close (believe it or not!) to the night where the elves will come in and transform the park from the fall theme – to the Christmas theme.

Today we will look a – just a bit into the future – at the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

In case you haven’t been to a party before, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a special event that takes place on select nights at Magic Kingdom Park throughout the holiday season. The parties promise holiday fun, including snow flurries on Main Street, U.S.A., Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, Disney characters in holiday attire, Holiday Wishes’ Celebrate the Spirit of the Season fireworks, and – my personal favorite – Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. How can you tell they are my favorite? The Dream Lights are the ones that  decorate the castle and are featured on the Disneyways blog year-round!

This year’s parties will take place on the following dates:

November 9, 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30;
December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21.

Tickets have been on sale since May 1, 2012.

The festivities begin at 7 p.m.  and the purchase of an additional event ticket is required. Party attendees are welcome to enter the park as early as 4 p.m. on party nights, which is a great tip to follow if you’re attending with young children. If you aren’t attending the party and have only one day to go to the Magic Kingdom – AVOID the Christmas party dates – unless you don’t mind being kicked out (ever so gently and magically!) at 7pm.

The number one question people ask is if it’s worth the money to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. If you are on a budget, I personally feel that you can skip it. Pretty much all the decorations inside the parks are displayed all season long. What you will end up missing without a MVMCP ticket (during the first half of December) is the Christmas parade and special fireworks.

DISNEYWAYS TIP: If you are really into Christmas decorations like I am – you can take a gander at all the beautiful decorations placed in the resorts – with no park admission required! But that’s a whole other blog…

Advance Purchase Prices for MVMCP:

•  November 9, 12, 15, 25, 27, 29 and December 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18 — Ages 10+: $58.95+tax / Ages 3-9 $53.95+tax

Day of Event Prices:

•  November 9 – 30, December 2 – 20 — Ages 10+ $64.95+tax / ages 3-9 $59.95+tax
•  December 21: Ages 10+ $67.95+tax / ages 3-9 $62.95+tax

Passholder/DVC Discounted Prices:

•  November 9, 12, 15, 25, 27, 29; December 2, 4, 6, 11 — Ages 10+ $54.95+tax / ages 3-9 $49.95+tax
• No advance purchase discounts November 16, 30; December 7, 14, 20, 21
• Children under 3 are admitted free.

Buy your tickets early! A number of MVMCP events SELL OUT! For more information, call 407-W-DISNEY.

In previous years, the park would close and then reopen. Now the park stays open through regular closing time. But, be sure to get a special MVMCP wristband before 7 p.m. Again, cast members will direct guests without the bands to leave the park sharply at 7pm.

Call 407-WDISNEY (407-934-7639) to purchase tickets, or visit disneyworld.com. Disney Vacation Club members must call Member Services.

Active and Retired U.S. Military, including members of the U.S. Coast Guard and active members of the National Guard or Reservists, may purchase discounted Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets to select event nights. They may also purchase additional tickets for up to five (5) family members and/or friends. ID requirements are the same as the 2011/2012 Military Promotion. NOTE: Permanently Disabled Veterans are also eligible for this offer. These military personnel will have a Military ID with a DAVPRM status.

Discounted military tickets are available at all Vacation Planning and Guest Relations locations. (Not available at Shades of Green, military bases, disneyworld.com or at 407-WDISNEY.)

What do you get for the extra cost of the party? 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features:

– Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle
– Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade
– Holiday Wishes Fireworks
– A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show
– Celebrate The Season Show
– Meet and greet opportunities with Disney Characters
– Character Dance Parties
– Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
– Magical snow fall on Main Street
– Many of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions (see below for specifics!)

Times of MVMCP shows, parade and fireworks:

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade: 8:15 and 10:30 PM

Holiday Wishes Fireworks: 9:30 PM

“A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” Show: 7:45, 8:45, 9:55, 10:50 & 11:45 PM

“Celebrate The Season” Show: 7:45, 10:05 & 11:20 PM

Character Meet & Greets: 7:00 – 11:30 PM

Magic Kingdom attractions that will be in operation:

Adventureland:
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Swiss Family Treehouse

Frontierland:
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Country Bear Jamboree

Liberty Square:
The Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland:
Peter Pan’s Flight
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
It’s A Small World

Tomorrowland:
Astro Orbiter
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Stitch’s Great Escape
Tomorrowland Speedway
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor

Where to purchase something to eat:

Main Street:
Casey’s Corner
Main Street Sweets

Frontierland:
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (closes at 10:00 PM)
Westward Ho
Turkey Leg Cart
Frontierland Churros & Pretzels

Liberty Square:
Sleepy Hollow

Fantasyland:
Storybook Treats

Tomorrowland:
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
The Lunching Pat at Rockettower Plaza

DISNEYWAYS CHRISTMAS PARTY TIPS:

Related articles

• T.G.I.F. Pic Of The Week – Cinderella’s Castle Sparkles And Shines At Christmastime! (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)