The other half of this week's holiday announcement is here. Disney has released the 2026 dates for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the Magic Kingdom's flagship Christmas event — and this is the classic one. Santa, the parade, "snow" on Main Street, unlimited cookies and cocoa, and a castle that turns to ice. If Jollywood Nights over at Hollywood Studios is the grown-up, glam holiday party, MVMCP is the full-family, every-tradition version.
The dates
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party runs 25 select nights from November 8 through December 22, 2026:
- November: 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 24, 25, 27, 29
- December: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22
Each party runs 7:00 PM to midnight, and ticketed guests can enter Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM — no separate day ticket or park reservation needed.
Prices and on-sale dates
Tickets are $189 to $229 plus tax, depending on the night. Worth flagging: the floor is up $20 from last year's $169, while the top end held at $229 — so the cheapest party night now costs more than it used to. Kids 3–9 save $10. Annual Passholders and DVC members also save $10, but only on select earlier nights (Nov 8–20 and Nov 29–Dec 3), so the discount won't help you on peak December dates.
- July 9, 2026 — early access for guests of Disney Resort hotels, plus the Swan, Swan Reserve, Dolphin, and Shades of Green.
- July 16, 2026 — everyone else.
This one sells out every year — if your dates are locked, buy in the early window.
The classic-Christmas one: Santa, the parade, snow on Main Street, and unlimited cookies and cocoa — 25 nights, Nov 8 to Dec 22, $189–$229.
What's included
- Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade — the party-exclusive parade, with marching toy soldiers and a Santa Claus finale.
- Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks — the holiday fireworks show over Cinderella Castle.
- Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration — the castle stage show.
- Frozen Holiday Surprise — the castle lighting with Elsa, Anna, Olaf and crew.
- Santa's Christmas Carnival in Storybook Circus, plus the Club Tinsel dance party in Tomorrowland.
- "Snow" on Main Street, free cookies and hot cocoa around the park, and rides with shorter waits — several wearing holiday overlays (Jingle Cruise, a holiday Space Mountain, the Mad Tea Party, and the Tomorrowland Speedway).
One difference worth knowing if you're comparing the two parties: at Jollywood Nights your PhotoPass downloads come included with the ticket, but at MVMCP they don't — you'd add Memory Maker separately for that.
On the food side, a few specialty bites return or debut for 2026 — Carne Asada Loaded Fries at Pecos Bill, a Snowflake Ornament dessert at Pinocchio Village Haus, and a Hazelnut Carriage Cake at Cinderella's Royal Table — and the new pirate tavern, The Beak & Barrel, is bookable on party nights.
The honest take
At $189–$229, MVMCP is the pricier of Disney World's two holiday parties, and it sells out every year. But it's also the one with the deepest traditions: if you've got kids who want to meet Santa, or you want the parade, the snow, and the castle shows that define a Disney Christmas, this is the one to book. The free cookies and cocoa and the genuinely shorter ride lines take a little sting out of the price. Adults after a glitzier, later-running night with your photos included will probably be happier at Jollywood Nights — it's cheaper and runs all the way to January. Different parties, different crowds; pick the one that matches your trip.
Tickets open July 9 (resort guests) and July 16 (everyone else). Details accurate as of June 24, 2026.