Disney Very Merriest After Hours- Guide to the Party
Disney Very Merriest After Hours Guide
Happy Holidays! The merriest season has returned to Walt Disney World and we have all the details for the party. Check out our video guide and keep reading for more information!
This year, Disney Very Merriest After Hours will be the big holiday celebration at Magic Kingdom. Tickets are still available and can be purchased here or by calling (407) 939-7947.
Upcoming Dates:
Monday, November 8th ($189)*
Tuesday, November 9th ($169)*
Thursday, November 11th ($169)*
Friday, November 12th ($189)*
Sunday, November 14th ($189)*
Tuesday, November 16th ($169)*
Thursday, November 18th ($169)*
Friday, November 19th ($189)*
Sunday, November 21 ($229)
Tuesday, November 23 ($229)
Sunday, November 28th ($209)
Tuesday, November 30th ($209)
Thursday, December 2nd ($209)
Friday, December 3rd ($229)
Sunday, December 5th ($209)
Tuesday, December 7th ($209)
Thursday, December 9th ($209)
Friday, December 10th ($229)
Sunday, December 12th ($209)
Tuesday, December 14th ($209)
Thursday, December 16th ($209)
Friday, December 17th ($229)
Sunday, December 19th ($249)
Tuesday, December 21st ($249)
Very Merriest runs from 9pm to 1am on the above dates. Prices vary from $169-249 (plus tax) for adults and children and get more expensive closer to Christmas. There is a $10 discount for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members for select dates in November, denoted with an asterisk.
Guests with tickets will be admitted to Magic Kingdom as early as 7pm the night of the party. You do not need to have a theme park ticket or park pass reservation for that day to attend the After Hours event.
© Disney
Now, on to the night of your After Hours holiday party!
First, you'll want to check in and pick up your Very Merriest wristband. Wristbands will be available when you check in at the main entrance. If you’re already in the park, you’ll be able to pick one up in Tomorrowland near Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, in Liberty Square, and in Adventureland near Tortuga Tavern.
Make sure you also grab an event map- this is your guide to the party! It will include locations of complimentary treats, character sightings, holiday merchandise, and PhotoPass magic shots. It will also have a times guide for entertainment, plus lists of open attractions and specialty food and beverage options.
Don’t forget to check out the decor! Magic Kingdom will be all decked out for the holiday season with wreaths, festive projections and lighting, holiday music, and a huge Christmas tree. It will even snow on Main Street!
Entertainment
Disney Very Merriest After Hours is full of entertainment offerings. From fireworks, a new castle show, and the first parade since July 2020, everything will be merry and bright for the Very Merriest party!
If you enter the parks before closing you’ll be able to watch the new 50th Anniversary Disney Enchantment Firework Spectacular and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show.
Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show is the holiday fireworks celebration hosted by Minnie Mouse. It will feature Christmas carols and have one show nightly at 11:15pm.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Time Christmas Parade is the first parade in Walt Disney World since July 2020. Mickey and Minnie will open the parade, which will run twice during the After Hours event at 9:45pm and 12:05am. The parade will end with the man of the season himself, Santa Claus!
Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merry Memories is a brand new holiday celebration at Cinderella Castle starring Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip n’ Dale, and Clarabelle Cow. Very Merry Memories is inspired by past Magic Kingdom holiday shows including “Mickey’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, “Celebrate the Season”, and “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration”. It will feature both classic and contemporary holiday songs. There will be four shows per party at 9:25pm, 10:35pm, 11:45pm, and 12:50am.
Club Tinsel Dance Party will take place throughout the Very Merriest event in Tomorrowland at Rockettower Plaza Stage- check out the times guide for specific dance party times. Club Tinsel will feature North Pole residents including Stitch in his holiday costume.
Disney characters including the Country Bears, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, Winnie the Pooh and friends from the Hundred Acre Wood, and Santa Claus may be doing distanced meet and greets in their holiday outfits. Princess Fairytale Hall featuring Rapunzel, Tiana, Elena, and Cinderella and Town Square Theatre featuring Mickey Mouse in his 50th Anniversary outfit will also be open during the after hours event.
While you’re in Frontierland, you might encounter the Reindeer Wranglers - a musical street-mosphere group performing seasonal songs. Show times are at 9:25pm, 10:30pm, 11:40pm, and 12:35am.
Attractions
Over 20 Magic Kingdom attractions will be open during the Disney Very Merriest After Hours! With a limited number of guests able to attend, waits for these popular attractions should be much shorter than during normal park hours.
Two attractions at Magic Kingdom have seasonal overlays- Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor and “Jingle Cruise” (aka Jungle Cruise) will be holiday-themed.
Attractions that will be open during Very Merriest include:
Pirates of the Caribbean
Jingle Cruise (the holiday overlay of Jungle Cruise)
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Swiss Family Treehouse
Splash Mountain
Country Bear Jamboree
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Haunted Mansion
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Peter Pan’s Flight
“it’s a small world”
Mad Tea Party
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
The Barnstormer
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Space Mountain
Tomorrowland Speedway
Astro Orbiter
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (holiday-themed)
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress, Hall of Presidents, Mickey’s Philharmagic, and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room will not be open during Very Merriest.
Sweets & Treats
No holiday party is complete without festive treats and drinks! Unlimited popcorn, select beverages, and ice cream novelties are included in the cost of the ticket and will be found at snack carts around Magic Kingdom. Don’t fill up too much on Mickey Bars though- Snickerdoodle cookies from Cheryl’s Cookies and hot chocolate are also included in the ticket price. They can be found at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, Columbia Harbor House, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. Allergy friendly options are available including Werther’s Original Sugar Free Chewy Caramels and Lucy’s Cinnamon Thin Gluten Free Cookie.
There are a few specialty frozen drinks and snacks available exclusively for Very Merriest. For a full list of all the holiday treats available around the parks, check out my blog post with more details and photos!
Exclusive Very Merriest treats include:
Gingerbread Almond Cake Pop – Gingerbread almond cake dipped in white chocolate (Golden Oak Outpost) ($4.99)
To Be Jolly Float – Peppermint iced coffee blended with vanilla ice cream, topped with whipped cream, peppermint sprinkles, and a chocolate Minnie bow (Golden Oak Outpost) ($6.99)
Ginger Apple Funnel Cake – Gingerbread funnel cake topped with apple pie filling, vanilla ice cream, and caramel drizzle (Sleepy Hollow) ($7.99)
Orange Bird Churro – Churro drizzled with citrus marshmallow cream, topped with orange candy slices (Sleepy Hollow) ($7)
Nuts and Bolts
While it is not included in the event ticket price, PhotoPass will be available for in-ride photos and throughout the park. You might also get lucky and have special holiday treats show up in your photos for Christmas themed magic shots.
Covid guidelines are still in effect. As always, they are subject to change. Face coverings are required indoors including all indoor attractions, indoor queues, and enclosed transportation. Face coverings are optional in outdoor areas. Disney is also encouraging all guests to get vaccinated.
via Disney
If you are attending the Very Merriest After Hours I hope this information enhances your experience- and that you have a holly jolly good time!
Thanks for spending a few extra magical minutes with me! Let me know if you have any questions about Very Merriest in the comments.
More reading links:
Video Guide to Disney Very Merriest After Hours
Every Holiday Treat at Disney World