What To Expect at a Disney World Christmas Party: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Jollywood Nights 2023 -

It’s almost Disney World Christmas party season! It’s time to wear a Christmas sweater and celebrate the season!

When most of us think about a Disney World Christmas party, we think about the same thing: the pretty predictable Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party.

“Complimentary” cookies, hot chocolate, the infamous parade and short queues for rides.

But this year, it’s a little less predictable. Sure, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party is returning to Magic Kingdom.

But Disney has also announced that there is a new Christmas party (known as Disney Jollywood Nights) at Hollywood Studios.

So, what should you expect from a Disney World Christmas party this year? With the addition of the Jollywood nights, we have a lot to discuss!

This post is the ultimate guide on what to expect at a Disney World Christmas party this year!

Your Complete Guide To A Disney World Christmas Party

@caffeinebythecastle
Sure, it’s only August, but it’s not long till Disney World becomes a winter wonderland ❄️ Are you going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or Disney Jollywood Nights (or both)?! 🎄🎅🎁 #disneyworldchristmas #disneychristmas
♬ Enfeites de Natal – Amanda Rosa

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney Jollywood Nights are Festive evening events, which require a separate ticket for entrance.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – Disney World Christmas 2023

Let’s start with the better-known Disney Christmas party – AKA Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Here are the basics that you need to know for this year’s party:

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dates:

November 2023:

Thursday, November 9th
Friday, November 10th
Monday, November 13th
Tuesday, November 14th
Thursday, November 16th
Friday, November 17th
Sunday, November 19th
Tuesday, November 21st
Wednesday, November 22nd
Sunday, November 26th
Tuesday, November 28th
Thursday, November 30th

December 2023:

Friday, December 1st
Sunday, December 3rd
Tuesday, December 5th
Thursday, December 7th
Friday, December 8th
Sunday, December 10th
Tuesday, December 12th
Thursday, December 14th
Friday, December 15th
Sunday, December 17th
Tuesday, December 19th
Thursday, December 21st
Friday, December 22nd

Officially, this party takes place between 7 PM and midnight, but guests can enter Magic Kingdom from 4 PM.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party takes place from 7:00 PM to midnight.

The Prices of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets:

Adults (Ages 10+): $159-$199 per ticket + tax

Children (Ages 3-9): $149 to $189 per ticket + tax

Annual Passholders and Direct Disney Vacation Club Members are eligible for a $10 discount per ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – on select nights only.

What Happens at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?

Other than shorter wait times for attractions, there are parades, hot chocolate, cookies, oh my! And, that’s just the start of it.

Here are the main offerings at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

This classic Christmas parade is almost guaranteed to be the highlight of the holiday season!

During the 25-minute parade, you’ll see countless Disney characters, from Mickey and Friends to the Disney princesses – and even the Beast.

And if you’re on the nice list, Santa may pay a visit to Magic Kingdom!

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

Don’t miss this festive firework show at Cinderella Castle – with an excellent soundtrack of the best Christmas songs for an extra dash of magic!

Meet the characters in their Christmas costumes

Say ‘hello’ then strike a pose with your favourite characters, whilst they’re all dressed up in their winter attire.

Enjoy the “complimentary” cookies and hot cocoa

‘Enjoy’ might be too strong of a word. The cocoa is subpar and the cookies taste like Play-Doh.

Though I guess you already paid for them, so they’re worth trying. But don’t say I didn’t warn you about the cookies 😂

I tried a few at the party last year, and they really didn’t seem edible!

mickey's very merry christmas party dates — I’m only smiling here because I hadn’t tried the cookie yet! 🍪

Admire the snow

Whoever said it doesn’t snow in Florida was obviously walking down the wrong street.

On Main Street, U.S.A., the snow falls all around you – combining Disney and Holiday magic!

Disney Jollywood Nights

This is the new Christmas party at Hollywood Studios, so we have a little less information. But we have some idea of what to expect, based on the details that have been released.

Here are the basics that you need to know for this year’s party:

Disney Jollywood Nights Dates:

November 2023:

Saturday, November 11th
Saturday, November 18th
Monday, November 20th
Monday, November 27th
Wednesday, November 29th

December 2023:

Monday, December 4th
Wednesday, December 6th
Saturday, December 16th
Monday, December 18th
Wednesday, December 20th

This party officially takes place from 8.30 PM to 12.30 AM, but guests can enter from 7 PM.

The Prices of Disney Jollywood Nights Tickets:

Tickets cost between $159-$179 for this event.

If you are an Annual Passholder or an eligible Disney Vacation Club member (with a Blue Card), you can save $10 per ticket. This discount is valid for every night of this event.

What Happens at Disney Jollywood Nights?

Well, this is a question with a less definitive answer, as this event has never been held before.

However, Disney is advertising it as a “glamorous” holiday event – with exclusive festive shows, characters and a chance to ride attractions without huge wait times. In addition, the exclusive holiday offerings are supposed to be truly magical.

Here are the main offerings at Disney Jollywood Nights:

When you enter Jollywood, you’ll be greeted by DJ playing awesome holiday tunes on Hollywood Boulevard.
There is a musical variety show – with some of your favourite Muppets: Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. This show will be held at Theater of the Stars. You can also expect to see some of your favourite princesses (including Belle and Tiana).
Looking for even more music?! Head on over to Hyperion Theater, where you can take part in a sing-along experience to get you in the Christmas spirit!
You can enjoy the return of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! – a nighttime show with projections, special effects and music at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

There will be a throwback bash at Echo Lake. Disney is teasing that Powerline Max and Phineas and Ferb will be in attendance.
Commisionary Lane will come to life during, what Disney is describing as “a lively Latin street fair full of holiday flair”.
You can go to the “jazzy setting” (whatever that means) at the limited-capacity Hollywood-themed lounge (at The Hollywood Brown Derby Restaurant)
And at The Hollywood Tower Hotel Courtyard, there will be a limited-capacity ‘otherworldly soirée’ (again, a pretty vague description by Disney).

Ta Ta For Now

With a choice of two Christmas parties, will you be attending one, both, or neither?

After attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, I can confirm that it’s A LOT of fun. But, that fun also comes with a huge pricetag, so it might not be worth it – for just an evening in the parks.

That being said, I’m attending both parties this year, and I couldn’t be more excited!

This post was the ultimate guide on what to expect at a Disney World Christmas party this year!

What To Expect at a Disney World Christmas Party: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Jollywood Nights 2023