Welcome to planDisney Arianna, and thank you so much for stopping by with your question! How exciting that your little one will be experiencing
Walt Disney World Resort for the very first time during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. What a truly magical way to celebrate the season together. I’d love to share some tips to help you make the most of this special event and create memories your family will treasure forever.
Taking your 3 year old to Disney World for their first time during
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is going to feel truly magical. Since this is a special event, it helps to know how to make the most of your evening. Character dining, like meals with Mickey, princesses, or Winnie the Pooh and friends, can be booked in advance through the
My Disney Experience app or website. Reservations open 60 days before your trip, and if you’re staying at a Disney Resort you can book for your entire stay starting on that day. Character meet and greets that happen during the party itself, though, cannot be reserved ahead of time. These are first come, first served, with standby lines throughout the night. Some of the characters who appear are rare, such as Jack Skellington dressed as Sandy Claws, or favorites like Mickey and Minnie in holiday outfits.
The party begins at 7 p.m., but you can enter as early as 4 p.m. This early access is a good time to ride a few gentle attractions, eat dinner, or take photos before the party begins in full swing. During the party, you’ll find unique entertainment like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, the Frozen Holiday Surprise at the castle, and stage shows filled with music and dancing. Main Street turns into a snowy wonderland, which is especially fun for little ones to see. There are also family friendly dance parties, such as the Disney Junior Jingle Jam, where toddlers can get their wiggles out.
You’ll want to pace the evening since it runs until midnight, which can be a stretch for a young child. Bringing a stroller makes it easier for your little one to rest if they get tired. Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa are handed out at treat stations across the park, so you won’t have to worry if energy starts to dip. If you’d like a less crowded experience for fireworks, you can consider booking a dessert party, which offers reserved seating and special treats, though this comes at an extra cost in addition to your party ticket.
The best way to enjoy the evening is to choose a few priorities. Maybe your child will be most excited about the parade, seeing favorite characters in holiday costumes, or simply riding rides with shorter waits than during the day. If you stay until after the fireworks, many families leave, and the lines for characters and rides can get much shorter, which is a calmer time for little ones. Early December and dates before Thanksgiving are usually less crowded, though any night you go will be full of festive spirit.
Arianna, I hope these tips help you feel prepared and excited for your little one’s first visit to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. With the twinkling lights, festive treats, and beloved characters in their holiday best, your family is sure to experience the kind of Disney magic that makes this season so special. Thank you for visiting planDisney with your question, and may your celebration be filled with joy, wonder, and cherished memories that will last a lifetime!
Kay