Hi there, Karoline. Welcome back to planDisney!
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Cinderella's Royal Table?! This is going to be a night to remember, for sure! It sounds like you've got your priorities set, but just make sure you jot down a note to yourself about some of the exciting festivities you want to get done before and after your dinner date with the Princesses. If you're anything like me, you're just immediately taken in by the wonder and magic of it all, which is great, but you sometimes forget all the things you wanted to experience and then you're kicking yourself on the way out of the park! Sometimes, I'll even make a shared note on my phone with my travel party so we all have our priorities written down...especially since there is so much to do and see at the party!
If you're able to change your
advanced dining reservation to an earlier time, I would recommend it. While I know it's easier said than done, it would just give you some breathing room and you wouldn't have to rush your experience at Cinderella's Royal Table. Just make sure to refer to the
cancelation policy and check back on the
My Disney Experience mobile app to see if another Guest cancels and an earlier time opens up. All that being said, you can typically check in for your reservation 20 minutes early on the app, which I would highly recommend doing. While this doesn't guarantee that you'll get into the restaurant earlier, it certainly doesn't hurt your chances. You can also explain to your server the situation and that you'd like your meal to be as quick as possible.
Now, another favorite offering of mine at the party is Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade. If you're planning on staying late, I would recommend going to the second performance of this high-spirited and jolly parade. Families with young children usually watch the earlier parade and by the time the second parade rolls around, they are on their way back to their
Disney Resorts Collection Hotel to get nestled all snug in their beds with visions of holiday treats dancing in their heads! And when it comes to Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration, the later shows are usually less crowded for the same reason.
Karoline, I hope that you have the jolliest time during your visit! If you have any other questions,
feel free to send them my way.
Sleighbells say it's time to prepare,
Matt