Special Holiday Events & Tours at Disney World

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Yuletide Fantasy Tour

Nov 10, 2009
Debra Peterson

Disney World Celebrates the Holiday Season - Nina Suzette

For the 2010 holidays, Walt Disney World offers shows, parades and special events: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, dessert parties, sleigh rides, and guided tours.

Author's note: This article is being updated as 2010 Walt Disney World event information is released. Last update: Nov. 2, 2010.

Families visiting Walt Disney World (WDW) during the Christmas season – mid-November through the end of December – have several opportunities to enjoy special holiday events at the theme parks and resorts. There are seasonal decorations, parades, and shows included with the price of admission, and guests can also touring the holiday sights at the resorts and Downtown Disney for free.

For guests wishing to further enjoy the combination of Christmas magic and Disney pixie dust, WDW also offers special-ticket events, the most popular of which is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party held in the Magic Kingdom.

Magic Kingdom's 2010 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP), a special-admission event not included with theme-park admission, takes place on select nights between 7:00 p.m. and midnight. The holiday party starts with “snow” falling on Main Street, features holiday shows throughout Magic Kingdom, and ends with a special presentation of Wishes. Guests can enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate as they tour the parks. A holiday parade featuring Santa, Mickey, and other Disney characters are central to the festivities.

And, of course, most major attractions are open for all or part of the evening:

Adventureland: Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean, Swiss Family Treehouse
Fantasyland: Cinderella's Golden Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, “it's a small world,” Mad Tea Party, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Peter Pan's Flight, and Snow White's Scary Adventures
Frontierland: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Frontierland Shootin' Arcade, and Splash Mountain
Liberty Square: Hall of Presidents, Haunted Mansion,
Mickey’s Toontown Fair: Barnstormer, Mickey's Country House, and Minnie's Country House (may be closed to Fantasyland Expansion)
Tomorrowland: Astro Orbiter, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Monsters Inc., Laugh Floor, Space Mountain, Stitch's Great Escape!, Tomorrowland Arcade, Tomorrowland Speedway, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority

MVMCP is only open to ticket-holders and guests need not purchase a theme-park pass if they want to only attend MVMCP. Because of the event’s popularity, especially as a means to avoid some of the season’s heavy crowds, advance ticket purchase is recommended. A limited number of MVMCP tickets are available.

MVMCP for 2010

Dates: Nov. 8, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30; Dec. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 19
Advance Tickets: $53.95 plus tax (ages 10 and up), $47.95 plus tax (ages 3 – 9)
Same-Day Tickets: $59.95 plus tax (ages 10 and up), $53.95 plus tax (ages 3 – 9)
Annual Passholder and DVC Member Tickets: $49.95 plus tax (ages 10 and up), $43.95 plus tax (ages 3 – 9) (These discounts aren't available on all dates.)
Premium Tickets: $59.95 plus tax (ages 10 and up), $53.95 plus tax (ages 3 – 9) for Nov. 29 and Dec. 7, 10, 12 17, and 19 (The event is the same, but no advance-purchase prices or AP/DVC discount is available.)
Contact: 407-W-DISNEY (407-934-7539)

Also available through December 29, 2010, is the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party at the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station, an extension of the popular dining experience. This dessert buffet begins one hour before Wishes, on the night the fireworks are shown, and provides guests with an exclusive view. Seating is limited for the party, and reservations with advance payment are suggested. The Disney Dining Plan is not accepted for this event, and park admission is required.

The Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Party for 2010

Dates: June 23 – December 29
Times: Varies with the times for Wishes, and begins one hour prior
Cost: $25.99 (tax included ages 10 and up) and $13.99 (ages 3 – 9). Seasonal pricing, for peak periods, may add $4 per person.
Contact: 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3563)

Wilderness Lodge Sleigh Rides

Guests can take a horse-drawn sleigh ride, outfitted with tires because of the lack of snow, at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. Sleigh rides last approximately 25 minutes, and the sleighs hold up to four adults or two adults with three children 9 years and younger. Check-in is located in front of the Blacksmith's Shop near the Settlement section.

Fort Wilderness Sleigh Rides for 2010

Dates: Dec. 1 – Dec. 30
Times: 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., departing every half hour
Cost: $60, guaranteed by credit card
Contact: 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529)

Disney's Yuletide Fantasy Tour is a Guided Look at Holiday Décor in the Parks and Resort Areas

Offered seasonally, Disney's Yuletide Fantasy walking guided tour is a 3 – 3 1/2 hour program that explores how WDW decorates its theme parks and resorts. The tour is open to guests age 16 years and older (ID required). Tour discounts are available to Annual Passholders, DVC owners, and AAA and Disney Card members as well as Cast Members. Theme-park admission is neither required nor needed.

Disney's Yuletide Fantasy for 2010

Dates: Nov. 30 – Dec. 30; no tour on Christmas Day
Times: 9:00 a.m. (gather at 8:45 a.m.)
Location: Epcot’s Guest Relations Window outside main entrance
Cost: $84, barring discounts, and charged in advance to a major credit card
Contact: 407-WDW-TOUR (407-939-8687) between 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

During the holidays, Walt Disney World immerses guests in the Christmas atmosphere while still providing the signature elements of a Disney vacation. Where else can a family see both Santa Claus and Mickey Mouse before riding Space Mountain? For those visiting Walt Disney World during the season, special-ticket activities like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, dessert parties, sleigh rides, and the Yuletide Fantasy Tour make memorable gifts.

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