Hi Sarah!
Thanks for coming back with another thoughtful question – we appreciate you trusting our advice and reaching out to planDisney. I think you and I would be fast friends; I love the way you think through your plans to maximize the magic at your next
Walt Disney World Resort vacation!
This is a great idea, and I would do the same. You’re correct in that your ticket to the special event,
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, grants you entry to
Magic Kingdom Park as early as 4:00 P.M. on the party day. You can enjoy everything the theme park has to offer at that time, including dining! When you approach the 60-day mark be sure to set your alarm to make a dining reservation for
Liberty Tree Tavern on your party day. I think enjoying an
all-you-care-to-enjoy feast reminiscent of an American Thanksgiving Day dinner is the perfect way to start a holiday evening. I love this family-style dinner with all the trimmings but none of the typical hours spent in the kitchen – the roast turkey and oooey gooey toffee cake for dessert are my favorites!
When you go to reserve your dining, you may see some options listed as "Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Dining," but that is for certain restaurants during the actual party time. Your plan for a pre-party meal should be reserved as a regular dining reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern on that day.
After you enter Magic Kingdom Park that day, please be sure to pick up your wristband for the party. You’ll see Cast Members and signage throughout, so stop by on the way to your first attraction or dinner to save time later during the actual party. They typically begin handing these out around 4:00 P.M. The wristband enables you to enjoy everything offered during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party without delay.
The event officially begins at 7:00 P.M., when any party-specific entertainment and treats are available only to ticketholders of the special event. Keep an eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for more details as soon as they become available for your planning. It’s a good idea to plan your priorities for the evening so that you can focus on what’s important to your family, whether it's attractions, treats, the special entertainment, unique PhotoPass opportunities, or character greetings.
I hope this reassures you that your instincts are great, and a pre-party dining reservation is a practically perfect plan! Sending happy thoughts and pixie dust that you get the time you desire when that special day comes.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions as you make your plans to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth during the Most Magical Time of the Year!
Wishing you a season full of good cheer,
Amy