Hi Margaret! Welcome to planDisney!
There’s nothing quite like vacationing at the
Walt Disney World during the holiday season! With the parks and resorts decked out in festive decorations, it’s a truly magical time to visit. Even without tickets to
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, there are still plenty of holiday-themed experiences to enjoy. I recommend resort hopping to see the stunning Christmas displays, including the life-size gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Also, don’t miss
EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, where you can enjoy seasonal treats from around the world, listen to the Candlelight Processional, and take part in the fun Holiday Cookie Stroll.
Unfortunately, if you don’t have tickets to
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on December 12th, you will need to leave Magic Kingdom Park by 6 p.m., as the party is a separately ticketed event. This means you won’t be able to see the holiday fireworks show, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, from inside the park that evening.
However, you can still enjoy the fireworks from several spots just outside of Magic Kingdom. The 4th-floor balcony at
Disney's Contemporary Resort, the beach at
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and the dock outside Gasparilla Island Grill at
Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa offer beautiful views of the fireworks. The music from the show is even piped in at each location, giving you the feeling of being right at the base of Cinderella's Castle, but without the crowds! For an extra special viewing experience, consider making a dining reservation at
California Grill or
Narcoossee’s, where you can enjoy the fireworks from their private viewing areas.
I hope this helps, Margaret! If you need any more advice,
I’d be happy to suggest the best Lightning Lane reservations to prioritize or share my favorite dining and snacking spots across the resort.
Cheers,
Brent