Attending Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in Walt Disney World

The holiday season will be upon us again before we know it, and of course along with that comes the hustle and bustle of beating the holiday crowds, shopping for great deals, smells of Christmas cookies wafting from the kitchen, and being up to your elbows in wrapping paper. With all the craziness the holiday season has to offer, we thought it was the perfect time for a vacation. So we packed up, and headed to Disney World- just myself, my husband, and my son, who was 2 at the time.

While we visited all four of Disney's parks during the days, we also decided to purchase tickets for a special night-time event that was held at the Magic Kingdom. The event is called Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party; it is held after hours in the park, and you need a special event ticket to attend. Tickets can be prepurchased for a discount, or purchased at the gate. This special event is only held on certain nights, and they will be listed on Disney's website. Be aware though, there are only a certain number of tickets sold, so if you wait, you may be out of luck. The party lasts from 7:00 pm until midnight, although you can start coming into the park a little early. Most of the major attractions in the Magic Kingdom are up and running during the party, and most with very short wait times compared to the daytime crowds.

I thought the Magic Kingdom during normal hours in the holiday season was great, but it was nothing compared to our experience at the Christmas Party! There is something magical about seeing the parks all lit up and glowing with holiday lights and decorations; there is a chill in the air, but you will find your heart is warm with the delight of the season. My husband and I found ourselves feeling nostalgic as we stopped for free cookies and hot cocoa at the Liberty Tree Tavern, and we couldn't help cheering and grinning from ear to ear as the long-anticipated appearance from Santa Claus finally came at the end of the special Christmas Party Parade. We were transported back to a time when Christmas was about giving, about loving each other, and most of all, about believing. Disney manages to capture all those childhood memories, and bring them back to life for both young and old to experience.

There are characters out during the Christmas Party dressed in their holiday finest, which are great for those photo-ops. For anyone who has seen Disney's fireworks displays, don't miss the special holiday Wishes display- there is music, and 360-degree fireworks that will certainly pull the heartstrings. Of course, any holiday season isn't quite the same without snow, and Disney manages to pull that one off with a flair as you meander down Main Street. For those that want to experience a show or two, there are some special holiday shows going on around the park as well, and don't forget to check out the special tree-lighting ceremony! I would absolutely suggest picking up a free guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the park entrance- it will list the times and locations for all the special events.

My family has always viewed Disney as a magical place, but there is a transformation in the parks during the holiday season that just can't be explained. It is amazing to be able to feel all the wonder of a Christmas morning, even as an adult, and that is exactly how we felt when we attended this special party; and you can bet we will be returning this year on our next trip to Disney World.