Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party might be sold out for 2022, but that’s all the more reason to plan ahead for 2023 and 2024. You can safely secure your spot at the merriest place on Earth when you book today and enjoy early-mouse savings.
Yet if you still need convincing, let us take you through the sights and sounds of a Disney Christmas in this guide. From seasonal soundtracks to all the festive makeovers sparkling under the Floridian sun, Orlando will be a little warm for snowmen, but the holiday promises to melt your heart...
Christmas at Disney in 2023
It’s all in the name at Disney’s Magic Kingdom park. The festive cheer spreads across music, décor, entertainment and even the rides, so it’s even more magical than normal - which is saying something. Based on 2022’s events, here’s what you can look forward to...
It might be balmy in Florida at this time of year, but a White Christmas is still in store. A flurry of snow falls on Main Street at set times throughout the day and evening, giving it that extra Christmassy feel. What’s more, the whole place is decked out in bows, wreaths, holly and lights. After all, Disney isn’t one to do things by halves. Your favourite Disney characters will be dressed up in their Christmas finery. Plus, you can get extra toasty with the free hot chocolate and cookies, which are handed out in select spots around the park.
Disney’s rides and attractions have been given a festive makeover, too. The Jungle Cruise becomes Jingle Cruise, and everything from the queue to the boat names and the captain’s puns is holiday themed. Plus, rides like Mad Tea Party and Space Mountain have all swapped their usual soundtracks for a festive version, so you can soar into space and spin your teacup to your favourite holiday tunes.
Now, for the main event – Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is why people flock to the Magic Kingdom over the holidays, and you’ll need a separate ticket for it. With this extra pass, you’ll be allowed into the park as early as 4pm and you can stay until midnight. And you’ll want to stay late thanks to the bumper offering of festive fireworks, shows and parades.
First up, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade kicks off in Frontierland at 8.30pm and 11pm. The marching soldiers, waving Disney characters and dancing gingerbread men all end up on Main Street. And, of course, Santa’s along for the ride in his sleigh. You can also watch your favourite characters dance and sing holiday songs at Cinderella Castle in Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration stage show.
And, at 10pm, the skies light up with Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, all set to carols like Deck the Halls and We Wish You a Merry Christmas. As long as you’re in the park, you can’t really miss it – just look up. Other holiday highlights include a dance party at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café in Tomorrowland, as well as a Christmas-themed celebration with Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch at the Rockettower Plaza Stage. You just need to check the
My Disney Experience app for performance times.
All of these events ran on select nights from early November through to late December in 2022, so 2023 should be similar.
Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays runs every year from late November until late December. And it’s a popular one. The park fills out with market stalls – dubbed Holiday Kitchens – selling Christmas treats from across the globe. It’s literally a festive feast for your tastebuds. You can sample everything from slow-roasted turkey and cheese fondue to churros, sushi trees and bubble tea.
At the America Gardens Theatre, meanwhile, the Candlelight Processional takes place every night, with a different celebrity narrator telling the story of Christmas. And an orchestra and choir provide a soundtrack of songs. This year, the celeb narrators are none other than Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Patrick Harris and Angela Bassett – to name just a few. And, just like in Magic Kingdom, rides like the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind get a magic makeover with seasonal tunes.
It’s all things merry and bright at the other Disney parks, too. At Hollywood Studios, Santa Claus comes to town for the holiday parade, plus there’s a special Frozen Sing-Along Celebration. And, over in Animal Kingdom, it’s like walking in a winter wonderland, thanks to the 65,000 LED lights and over 330 garlands. The famous Tree of Life tells wintry tales set to a festive musical score, while animals like reindeer, polar bears and penguins star in the holiday-themed puppet show.
Why Now’s the Time to Book
Disney’s festive events, like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, sell out like hot cakes and mince pies. You can already book your November and December 2023 park passes now, so get yourself in early to avoid missing out. There are a couple of other perks to booking early – you’ll avoid any yearly price hikes and you’ll have more time to save up, so you can really go all out on festive treats and souvenirs when you’re there.
We know there can be a lot to think about when booking a holiday to Disney. But that’s where we come in. At Ocean Florida, we can plan every last detail for you. We sell attraction tickets as part of your holiday package and we offer
flexible payment plans, so you can nab early-mouse savings and spread the cost of your break for up to 36 months before departure.
Our Walt Disney World packages for 2023 & 2024 are now on sale - get in touch for a personalised quote and put some magic in your diary. 
close 
