Review: Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party first event of the year
So it was almost time for the fireworks and I thought I'd drop in to visit Princess Elena of Avalor for the first time. Remember she's with Cindy, but you didn't hear it here ;) You're only supposed to meet a crown.
I enjoyed meeting Elena. She was spunky, but nice and invited my family to join her in Avalor one day. Hold on a second, I need to check Kayak to see what the current rate is on that flight.
Cinderella remembered me. Hey Cindy! Great seeing you again. You look beautiful as always. Her prom date Charming has some new threads for the big dance.
She kindly pointed out that my shoe was untied. We almost ended up with 2 people wearing a single shoe at midnight. Whew! Did I tell you I waited 1 minute to meet them?
I then went back around to see Tiana and Punzie with their boys. Tiana is such a sweetie. We talked about delicious cajun food and how they still need to build a restaurant here. I told Naveen to check with Scrooge McDuck in Fantasyland as he can bankroll the project. I bet Tiana's Place would have sold better than the Jungle Skipper Canteen.
Say "Ribbet!"
Young love.
Eugene is always a bit hit at the parties. People wait up to 45 minutes to see the guy. By going during the fireworks, by wait was a whopping ZERO minutes. That would make you want to smolder, right?
Young love.
Flynn liked my ears. He said I'd fit right in with the Snuggly Duckling. We discussed dreams and career choices and such. I didn't have the heart to tell him what I do for a living these days.
After meeting them I joined the short line for Poppins and Bert in Fantasyland. We waited 5 minutes for them to return after a break.
We discussed the joy of flight for me as a reindeer and how Sandy Claws said my nose needs to glow more before I'm fully useful. My Native American heritage hinders me from having sunburn very often and I'm usually sort of tan year around, even while sitting in my lazyboy typing this nonsense that may have a tiny bit of use for you.
If you haven't given up yet, I went to Frontierland and met up with 4 Country Bears wearing scarfs. There's nothing odd about bears walking on 2 feet, wearing hats and scarfs while posing for tourist photos. That's why they built those bear proof garbage cans in Yellowstone.
Cool photo, right?
Work it bear, work it!
There's blood on the saddle. Blood all around! Happy Disney tunes are always the best.
I meandered over to find Pirates of the Caribbean decked out for the holiday. I've never thought of pirates as gift givers.
I found Peter Pan roaming around near Pirates. Wendy got the axe this year, so it's just Peter Pan and his shadow (depending upon lighting).
Captian Jack Sparrow meets in the area, but I didn't visit as I had seen him at the Halloween Party.
I went to visit Snow and Briar Rose for their final set of the night. I really like Prince Phllip's new outfit. Looks great and fits the movie much better than that old silly looking costume. He's got a sword, so I better say nice things, right?
Young love.
Well, everything was humming right along with getting great photos of all the Prince costumes until Prince Ferdinand (don't take it up with me, I'm just quoting the most famous child star in history) didn't show up. Just the lovely Snow White.
I might have had the time to squeeze in another meet or two, but went ahead and lined up for Nick and Judy. My total wait was 40 minutes, but I probably could have cut that more if I had just waited on the seatwall nearby. I told Nick that he pulls off the Hawaiian shirt with tie and slacks much better than I do at most weddings. The flash made his eyes look evil. Even the Photopass photo looks this way.
I'll leave you today with some nice photos of the Christmas lights at the Magic Kingdom.
Have a magical day and feel free to share the post!
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