Hi Erin!
I can certainly understand your dilemma about what tickets to purchase for your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation. When you are heading to the parks on a day that a special event party will be held it is important to do some good planning.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will begin at 7pm in the Magic Kingdom on specified days throughout November and December. The little known fact though is that you can enter this park as early as 4pm on that day giving you an additional three hours of fun. At 7pm every non party ticket holder will be asked to leave the Magic Kingdom. Cast members actually do what they call a sweep of the park starting in the back sections and moving along all of the routes to the main entrance. Starting at 7pm guests who are not displaying or wearing the party wrist band will not be allowed on any attraction, in any dining facility, or any shop. This provides those guests who have bought the extra ticket a true great experience in the park without the normal crowds of the day.
Once the party begins the crowds and lines for the attractions really do become quite short compared to what you would experience during the normal day hours. It has always been one of the best perks in purchasing the party ticket.
There will be some attractions that will not be open during the party such as Tom Sawyers Island and a few others. If this does not interfere with your plans then I suggest you consider simply buying the party ticket and going from 4pm on until the park closes in the evening which is midnight. You will also have the chance to enjoy the special parade and fireworks. This will give you 8 hours of fun in the park with fewer guests in lines.
Have a very merry Disney holiday!