Hi there, Shannon, and welcome to planDisney! I'm thrilled that you're looking forward to spending the Christmas holiday at the Most Magical Place on Earth - what a special experience! Walt Disney World Resort is known for larger-than life Christmas trees, incredibly-detailed gingerbread house displays, showstopping live music, and festive yuletide celebrations. I've heard that Walt Disney loved Christmas, and it's evident that his legacy lives on in the joyful spirit you'll feel throughout the Christmas season at Walt Disney World Resort.
It sounds like you're hoping to spend a couple of days at
Magic Kingdom Park, and you're deciding whether to attend
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on December 22 in addition to visiting on Christmas Day. This separately-ticketed after-hours event is the perfect way to get in the Christmas spirit! In addition to Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, you'll enjoy Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, cookies and hot cocoa included with admission, "snowfall" on Main Street, U.S.A., and more - all with smaller crowds and shorter lines for many of your favorite attractions! Traditionally, Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade takes place on Christmas Day as well as a couple of days leading up to it, as well as during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. So, you'd likely see the parade during each visit to Magic Kingdom Park. That being said, the experience of visiting an after-hours event is very different from visiting a Disney Theme Park on a special holiday.
If you decide that you'd rather spread out your time throughout other Disney Theme Parks, I'd love to recommend
Jollywood Nights at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This is another holiday-themed after-hours event, where you'll see smaller crowds and lower wait times for many attractions. You'll enjoy all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood Studios, with an added yuletide twinkle! Also, don't miss the
EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, where the nightly Candlelight Processional will remind you of the true meaning of Christmas.
Shannon, I hope this has helped you plan for your holiday visit to Walt Disney World Resort. There is so much to do and see during the Christmas season, and I know you'll be delighted at every turn.
Happiest holiday planning!
Jennifer