Santa Claus

We’ve all seen pictures and video of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom done up for the holidays…the sights, the sounds, the merriment. But, sometimes the holidays can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re a first time visitor. So here are my top 5 special things to do at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom. These are in no particular order, but I hope they help you to get the most out of your Christmas Party trip.

Special Character Interactions – Most of us know that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are special times for character interactions, and this year is no different. In addition to all 7 dwarfs (whom you will only see during parties) and the princes with their princesses, you also will have the chance to see Sandy Claws, Reindeer & Elf, and even the jolly man himself, Santa! Obviously these characters are never guaranteed, but it’s a good chance to try to catch them in between parades. You can also catch special character interactions at the Totally Tomorrowland Christmas party at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland and the Character Dance Party at Club Tinsel (Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland). You can also join in the fun at Celebrate The Season – a special holiday stage show held three times an evening in front of Cinderella Castle.
Complimentary Holiday Treats – Don’t say Disney never gives anything away for free! At several locations throughout the Magic Kingdom, you can stop in for complimentary hot cocoa and cookies (there are healthy options available too). These treats make for an extra magical time, especially if you stand on Main Street and enjoy them during the parade (it will snow during parts of the parade to add even more magic).
Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – this holiday favorite is back and better than ever this year. Join Mickey and Minnie and all the gang as they welcome the holidays in a super festive and fun parade. This is another chance to see some of the more rare characters, such as Clarabelle Cow and Horace. The parade ends, like any good holiday parade, with a special appearance by the man of the hour, Santa Claus!
A Frozen Holiday Wish – Join Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Olaf as they bring in the holidays with a little bit of twinkling ice on Cinderella Castle. Held twice an evening, this special castle lighting ceremony is NOT to be missed.
Celebrate The Magic & Holiday Wishes – Be amazed as Cinderella Castle is transformed into a dazzling display of color and magic, showcasing breath-taking lighting effects and a brilliant musical score incorporating some of your most beloved Disney tunes. Then stick around as the skies above Cinderella Castle come to life with the most magical holiday fireworks presentation ever. You might even catch a glimpse of Jolly Old St. Nicholas and his team of reindeer as they fly high over Magic Kingdom.
BONUS – VoicePlay – new to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year is VoicePlay – an amazing and astounding acoustic marvel. Bringing together beautiful harmonies and classic Christmas songs, this a cappella holiday concert is sure to delight guests of all ages.

These are just a few of the many things that you can enjoy during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year. For more information, check out the following park maps, which will tell you all of the locations for everything during the party.

Joshua Snyder is an avid Disney fanatic. He recently moved back to Indiana after spending 2 years living his dream in Orlando, FL. When Josh isn’t dreaming about the parks, he’s helping people plan their dream vacations. As a Dream Designer with My Mickey Vacation, Josh loves helping people make their Disney dreams come true. He is also the senior writer and head of the writing team at Living The Dream Podcast. Josh can be reached at joshua.snyder@mymickeyvacation.com for travel agent inquiries, or at joshua.livingthedreampodcast@gmail.com for all other inquiries.

Usually when I tell people I am headed to Hollywood Studios to catch the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, folks will ask, “OZZY Osborne?” I usually just laugh and reply, “no, not those Osbornes.” Although that would be a hilarious twist!

In fact the Osborne families could not be more different. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights started modestly in Arkansas as a single home’s annual display.

osborne

This festive display of lights and sparkling holiday bulbs was designed by Arkansas businessman and philanthropist, Jennings Osborne. This tradition began years ago when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter, Breezy. Soon, their 22,000 square-foot home was covered in millions of lights. Every year, Jennings Osborne and his family set up an elaborate collection of holiday lights and over the years, the collection of lights grew, and grew… and grew! In 1995, the Osborne family decided to share their magic with the world, and Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort happily offered to become the new permanent home for this exceptional exhibition of holiday cheer.

Approximately every 10 minutes, the lights “dance” to holiday music, while “Florida snow” falls in the background, making this the perfect Christmas setting. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is a CAN’T MISS if you will be anywhere near Disney’s Hollywood Studios around Christmas time.

You will want to look for the infamous mannequin leg lamp from “A Christmas Story” (and check out what show is on the TV!) You’ll also find the more obvious hidden Mickeys at EVERY turn.

There are also surprises that sometimes the cast members are not even aware of! Each year a black cat is hidden somewhere among the lights. The story goes that when the lights were unpacked back in 1995, a Halloween Cat decoration had been mistakenly packed in, and was still used anyway. Each year it gets placed in a different location for guests to hunt. Here are pictures of him from years past so you know what to keep your eyes open for!

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This is NOT your grandmother’s Christmas lights – it may be one of the most amazing things you’ve seen in your life. Come bask in the glow of one of the most popular holiday traditions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Come see the trees, spinning carousels, 3-D and motion-based displays. Delight in the flying angels, toy soldiers and giant Santa Claus light creations all strung along the high-rise backlot cityscape of Streets of America.

The best part?? The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is included with standard admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park! Video does not do it justice but it gives you an idea. Please let me know if you will be coming to see this event!