It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

The holidays are in full swing at Walt Disney World and I am living for it. As soon as November 1st hits and I see the garland on Main Street, a switch flips in my brain and I go into full on Christmas mode.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is one of my favorite events at Walt Disney World. My fiancé and I moved to Central Florida a little over three years ago, leaving our family and childhood friends behind.

Surviving the holidays without our families by our side is a tough and emotional experience, so we’ve had to create our own little holiday traditions. Obviously nothing can replace spending Christmas with our families, but the holiday festivities at Walt Disney World come pretty close.

This week, Disney invited our WDW Magazine social team to the parks to experience some of the new holiday offerings available this season. So get your Disney planning notebooks ready because we’re going to talk about what’s new at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year.

Check out our YouTube video to see all of the holiday fun in action:

Attraction Enhancements with a Holiday Twist

You won’t want to miss these four exclusive attraction enhancements, which are available to experience only during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:

The Mad Tea Party features colorful themed lighting and a fun holiday soundtrack. Photo by Brett Svenson

Colorful themed lights and a holiday soundtrack put a festive spin on the Mad Tea Party during the holiday season.

Guests can enjoy a special holiday-themed version of Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor. Photo by Brett Svenson

Yule definitely want to stop by Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor to check out this exclusive holiday-themed version of the show.

The Tomorrowland Speedway track features colorful decorations and a holiday soundtrack. Photo by Brett Svenson

Race your way to the Tomorrowland Speedway to see what some fans are calling the most anticipated overlay of the season, complete with futuristic decorations and a holiday soundtrack.

Space Mountain features festive red and green lighting and an upbeat holiday soundtrack. Photo by Brett Svenson

The new festive lighting and upbeat holiday soundtrack on Space Mountain will launch your holiday cheer to the next level.

The Jungle Cruise transforms into the Jingle Cruise every year. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Technically this one isn’t party-exclusive, but I wanted to include it anyway because it’s just so awesome. The Jingle Cruise is a holiday-themed attraction that you can experience even during normal park hours throughout the holiday season, and it is a ride you definitely do NOT want to skip.

[metaslider id=30407]

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

I’d like to have a moment of silence for Holiday Wishes before I begin this next section.

…

This year marked the debut of Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and I’m a little unsure how I feel about it. If you haven’t seen the new show yet and would like to, check out the replay of the Disney Parks Blog livestream.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks is a new fireworks show that debuted this year. Photo by Brett Svenson

I don’t find this show as memorable or as impactful as Holiday Wishes was, but it’s still a nice show. Definitely worth seeing, but I wouldn’t wait hours holding a spot for it. I think I was expecting something more on the same level as Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, which was the new Halloween fireworks show that also debuted this year.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade

Veteran partygoers might be wondering why Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is on this list since it’s been a party staple for many years. Well, I have some exciting news that surprised even me when I watched the parade for the first time this year… Bo Peep and Forky have been added to the Toy Story float!

Bo Peep and Forky have been added to the Toy Story float in Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Photo by Brett Svenson

I was recording a video of the parade for the WDW Magazine Instagram stories and nearly ruined the video by almost screaming IT’S BO PEEP AND FORKY!!!!! like an excited child.

Merry Merchandise

Before the party, we were given a glimpse of some of the new holiday merchandise available this year. Here are a few of my favorites:

Disney Parks Food Icons Mini Loungefly Backpack. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mouseketeer Snowman Baseball Cap. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mickey Mouse Peppermint Candy Pouch. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Disney Parks Christmas Train Set. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mickey Mouse Buffalo Check Stocking. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Exclusive Magic Band. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Chip ‘n’ Dale Holiday Plush. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Holiday Pins, including one that’s only available at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Santa Mickey Mini Loungefly Backpack. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Holiday Pluto Plush. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Gingerbread Mickey Ears. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Festive Eats

We also got a peek at some of the new holiday food available this year, including a few party-exclusive items:

Olaf’s Frozen Hot Chocolate Cake (Available Daily at Main Street Bakery) – Gluten-friendly chocolate cake layered with chocolate crispy pearls, chocolate panna cotta, and marshmallow fluff. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Christmas Cookie Milkshake (Available Daily at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies) – Cookie butter milkshake topped with whipped cream and a Mickey marshmallow straw. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Gingerbread Sundae (Available Daily at Storybook Treats) – Gingerbread soft-serve sundae topped with whipped cream, gingerbread pieces, and a Minnie Mouse waffle topper. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Deck the Halls (Available Daily at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café) – Frozen eggnog topped with whipped cream, confetti sprinkles, and a chocolate bulb. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Carved Turkey Sandwich (Party Exclusive, Available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café) – Oven-roasted turkey with Applewood smoked bacon, smoked gouda, chipotle garlic aïoli, lettuce, and tomato on a roll. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

To Be Jolly Float (Party Exclusive, Available at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor) – Peppermint iced coffee topped with vanilla ice cream, crushed peppermint, and a chocolate Minnie Mouse bow. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Gaston’s Cheese Dip (Party Exclusive, Available at Gaston’s Tavern) – Beer cheese dip with smoked bacon bits served with breadstick antlers. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Kakamora Float (Party Exclusive, Available at Aloha Isle) – Coconut soft-serve served on top of pineapple juice and non-alcoholic blue curaçao syrup topped with a chocolate Kakamora cake pop. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

An Orange Bird Christmas (Party Exclusive, Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace) – Orange-scented white chocolate mousse filled with orange curd on a citrus-almond cream cake with buttercream leaves and a white chocolate piece. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

For all you Popcorn Bucket and Sipper Cup collectors, you might want to add these to your Wish List:

Sven Sipper – Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café and Gaston’s Tavern, Party Exclusive. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mickey Gingerbread Straw Clip – Quick-service restaurants throughout the park. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Holiday Base Popcorn Bucket – Various popcorn carts throughout the park. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mickey Jingle Bell Sipper –Sleepy Hollow and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

Mickey Light-Up Tree Premium Popcorn Bucket – Various popcorn carts throughout the park, Party Exclusive. Photo by Courtney Reynolds

What’s Returning

We talked about what’s new, now let’s talk about what’s returning. Returning favorites include:

• Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration
• A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas
• The Edge Effect
• Club Tinsel
• Disney Junior Jingle Jam
• A Frozen Holiday Wish

Of course, the holiday treat stations and exclusive character greetings are back as well.

There’s just something so special about spending the holidays at Walt Disney World. I can’t wait to show my fiancé all the new enhancements to the party this year!

Can’t make it to the parks this holiday season? Subscribe to the Digital Edition of WDW Magazine and you’ll get access to all of our back issues, including the holiday ones.

Huge thank you to Disney for inviting us to the Disney Holidays media event and for inviting us to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.