As fall has passed us by and there is a bit of a nip in the air (under 80 degrees, that is), it can mean only one thing: the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to the Magic Kingdom. We were recently invited by Walt Disney World to take part in the great holiday tradition and to see all that is new recently and we were not let down in the slightest. From the minute you walk in the gate, the park has transformed from being the “Happiest Place on Earth” to the “Merriest Place on Earth” with decorations, music, and of course, lots of holiday treats around every corner.
The party kicks off with A Frozen Holiday Wish lighting Cinderella Castle and really sets the mood for the evening.
Sure you could spend your entire night visiting treat stations and getting amazing cookies (all pre-wrapped) and holiday drinks, but new this year are a few attraction overlays. Sadly, there’s still no Country Bears Christmas Special though. Anyway, returning this year is the Mad Tea Party overlay with lots of fun lights and holiday music taking over the normal day version.
But that is far from all, with by far the most random but fun overlay being the “Totally Tomorrowland Speedway Christmas.” This enchancement gives guests a chance to see some fun decorations while not bumping the car ahead of them.
Tomorrowland, a land that in the past has seen the least amount of holiday overlay this year, received the lion's share indeed. In addition to Tomorrowland Speedway, both Space Mountain and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor received overlays specifically for the MVMCP as well. The Holiday version of Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor provides guests a great opportunity to rest their feet and laugh at some of the Monster World’s best.
However, the true highlight of this year’s party had to be what I deemed “Rockin’ Christmas Space Mountain.” In the past, Space Mountain overlays have just included changed music inside the attraction but this is how to have fun with a holiday overlay! The fun music and lights made this the talk of the park.
While that’s hardly all to see, I don’t want to be put on Santa’s naughty list by giving away everything — and really, if you have not seen Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, you must. Also, new this year is the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks which is 12 minutes of holiday fun in the skies above the Magic Kingdom. But if there is one thing that always drives me back to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, it is the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. This classic parade has been the sign for me that it is time to hang up the stockings and leave out cookies and milk for the big guy.
Oh, and don’t worry about those Christmas Foodies. This year’s party has a lot to offer in each land and it wouldn’t be a party without some new popcorn buckets and the cutest sipper cup ever!
For more information and to purchase tickets, head to Disneyworld.com and start a new holiday tradition.