Hi Shawna! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
In my opinion
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is the best extra event that Disney offers! I can’t get enough of snow on Main Street, U.S.A., cookies and hot chocolate, characters in costume, and all of the extra fun that is offered throughout the evening! The parade is absolutely out of this world and when I see the Toy Soldiers marching towards me I immediately become a kid again!
I have to admit that I do also love dining at
Cinderella’s Royal Table! However I personally try to avoid dining at a Table-Service location during one of these extra ticket events. I feel like there are a lot of activities to see and entertainment options to experience that I would hate to feel like I am missing out on some of the action! As a matter of fact there are typically two parades that evening with the first beginning at 8:15 P.M. and the second begins at 10:30 P.M. I generally try to attend the second parade since it seems less crowded. By dining at 10:50 P.M. you will be missing out on the last hour and a half or so of the party since you will have to arrive around 15 minutes prior to your dining reservation time. This is the part of the night where a lot of people go back to their resorts and then you often feel like you have the park to yourself
.
I think you just have to decide what is most important to you and what you are hoping to accomplish!
I hope that you have an Unforgettable time!
~Heather~