Review: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party first event of the year
After meeting Sandy Claws, I wanted to verify character locations and times to make sure 
I had figured I would meet the Princes in their NEW COSTUMES later in the party, so I just flew by to snap a couple of photos. The Prince (Ferdinand according to Shirley Temple) didn't show up for the last meet and greet. Perhaps he got a bit of one of those apples?
At a little after 7pm the posted wait for Rapunzel side was 40 minutes. It's punzie and Eugene along with Tiana and Naveen on the LEFT side.
Cindy with Charming along with mystery crown was meeting on the right side. Okay, the other person is Princess Elena of Avalor. The posted wait at that time was 35 minutes. These 30 to 45 minutes were pretty typical all night long, but I'll tell you later how I met them with NO WAIT.
I thought I'd try the various free snacks that are offered during Mickeys' Christmas Party. Here we have the blue "Snow Cones" at the Friars nook. They offer different things in different locations this year. The Egg Nog at Heritage House had a line most of the night.
Shortly before 7:40pm I made my way to an empty space in front of Cinderella Castle to watch the new Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration. Who comes up with these names??? The show is a combination of an ugly sweater contest, learning to properly use cell phones, a parade of characters you cannot meet and Santa Mickey. Anyone buying me this sweater for Christmas? Anyone? Scrooge.
The show incorporates some of the projection technology. Speaking of that, they just introduced the new Once Upon a Time show. They showed if for 3 days, then gave it a 6 day hiatus. What's the deal? First, it was shown really late at night, then they don't offer it all and there's no pre-fireworks show now at the parties? (Steps off soapbox)
You thought I was kidding about the cell phone? Best I could tell Mickey is trying to figure out how to get the Olaf you failed screen to go away on the Fastpass+ system. Either that or the spotty WIFI signal wasn't connecting well while standing in one space.
The star of the show is the new "talking" Clarabelle Cow. She is now the rage of social media and should have her own Instagram account soon. I knew how much you guys needed a starlet Clarabelle Cow Facebook Header, so click the pic and save and boom you've got all her bovine badness all over the top of your account.
NO ONE rocks a cowbell necklace like Clarabelle. Don't even try or you'll look like a Mississippi State football fan. Who else uses cowbells these days? Just watch the fashion world rage after seeing the photo below! It will be all over Paris, Monaco and Claremont.
The next section of the show allows us to see characters that we'll never get to meet in the park any more unless they Unleash the Magic or create a new paid event. You can see Jessie, White Rabbit, Wendy (got cut from party), Pinocchio, Jiminy Cricket, Jose and Panchito. Poor Woody got sent back to the toy box in Hollywood Studios only for meets too. I wonder if they will now throw Dug on stage too?
Goofy isnt' terribly impressed with my attempt at sarcasm.
The Caballeros aren't too worried about that rumor of building a wall around the Mexico pavilon. They fill confident that the newer animatronics at the end of their ride should keep the bulldozers away.
In order to cheer up the crowds after watching all the unmeetable characters dance around on stage, Santa Mickey and Minnie Claus appear to greet the crowds.
Okay, the show was pretty cute, but the cell phone texting and calling part with Daisy and Donald is just odd. When Disney characters try to do pop culture, it often goes over with a thud.
I stayed in the area and watched the Frozen Castle Takeover show where Elsa freezes all the guests into Mickey Premium Bars. 
Fine, she makes all the pretty lights come on the Castle. Geez, I'm trying for humor here peeps.
Okay, so some useful information. IF you were to find a spot right along the parade route where the pavers connect to the street, you could watch both shows, then just turn around and sit down to watch the parade pass. If you try to get close to the stage for the Frozen Takeover, you'll likely be standing behind 9 guys at least 6'2" or taller. Some poor guy tried to push a double stroller through this crowd before the CM made him go around to the walk way.
Carry on to page 3 below!
Disney with a 3 and 7 year old dec 11-13... was going to do MK dec 11 which is a party day. Have breakfast at chef mickeys at 10:30 (only time we could get). Should we do MK during the day or just do party that night?? Mainly for rides not characters... thanks!
Rest, pool, rest, party
Can you find Belle in her Christmas dress anymore? (I'm a Character Locator member, and did look there first-I'm thinking since it isn't listed, it probably doesn't happen, but did want to ask.) Thank you, Kenny!
Only at Akershus for the week of Christmas
Which of the rare characters who are only out for parties sign autographs?
That info is on http://www.characterlocator.com
Thanks, hadn't checked recently. Love the the way the info is presented now!
Can you post a photo of Mickey and Minnie's costumes for the party? Thanks
They are on the main Christmas Party post.
what is the costs for this event?
Did you pay for this event or did you get comped?
I pay for everything I do
http://www.kennythepirate.com/2013/05/01/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-dates-and-costs/
Would the wait be less for Sandy Claws during the fireworks or first parade?
After fireworks was low first night, but reports last night were high
Hey Kenny! Thanks so much for the info!!
So at Princess Fairytale Hall, what time does Flynn start meeting with Rapunzel? Is it right at 7?
Yes
Do you know if Nick and Judy line went down to nothing during Fireworks? Do you recommend waiting to see Nick and Judy first (lining up around 5:00PM or trying to see them at the end? If at the end, what time would you recommend going to them? When you say "the hub", where exactly are you meaning? Thanks Kenny
Thank you so much for all this. Very helpful in planning and I almost choked on my drink only once with an unexpected joke :) I should know by now!!!
Are the costumes for Daisy, Donald, Mickey, and Minnie unique to the Christmas party or can I see them somewhere else in the parks? Thanks?
Unique
I'm doing the princess dining in the castle at about 8:30 cause it was the only opening. Would you recommend still doing it or would I miss too much in that hour of eating?
It will take 90 minutes and I wouldn't do it during a party
Is there anything inside Diamond Horseshoe this year? Is the Country Bears a dance party or meet and greet with lines? Thank you for all your hard work Kenny
Maurine, since Diamond Horseshoe is a regular running restaurant now, there is no room for any entertainment.
The country bears are now roaming characters.
No. Country Bears just roam the streets as seen in my photos
How crowded was it? How many people were there?
Pretty crowded
Hi Kenny! Thanks for your review. Did you find that most of the characters had handlers and/or photopass to take pics? I'm going to MVMCP solo.
Most do. I detail that info on http://www.characterlocator.com
I saw you skipped the fireworks to see characters. Getting autographs and photos of those party only characters are top priority on my girls list. Just wondering if the fireworks are anything special/different from the normal ones? I think there is a castle show similar to celebrate the magic - but not offered during parties right? so we wont miss that if we skip fireworks and see second parade correct? Just trying to decide if the fireworks are the "skipable"
Yes they are Holiday themed. I mentioned in article that there is no projection show this year during parties, only happened on Sunday this week.
So do you have any recommendation for parents? I want to watch Holiday Wishes, the stage show and the parade. My kids are only 10 and 8 so I am trying to figure out the best order to watching those since the best locations aren't going to be the same for all. I am starting to lean towards watching Wishes from Fantasyland which we have never done but I don't know what we would miss out on, is there anyone projected on the castle during the fireworks and is there any music we wouldn't hear? And if I did that I still don't know which stage show time would be best.
I would watch Fireworks from the hub (which is easy) and watch the parade and stage show in front of the castle
How early do you think I would need to line up to see the show and parade? And how close to the stage do they let you get?
What do you think of new character looks? It looks like Pluto looks different now too. It will take some time to get used to, just like anything else, I suppose! Great review, thanks for sharing!!!
Yes, they do take some adjustment, but nothing too earth shattering
Can I get a Hail State? I loved the little Mississippi State touch. On the other note, the information was great. I can't wait to visit in December. It is my first party.
Glad you're willing to play along :) and thanks
So, am I understanding that you skipped the fireworks so that you could do meets with little wait time?
No waits, yes. Right after fireworks it filled again until 11:30