Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links. This means that when you make a purchase using the link, We earn a small commission. Affiliate links cost you nothing to use, and they help us provide you with more content. For More Information, please see our Disclosure Policy.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is an Amazing Parade, held in the Magic Kingdom during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. It is One of Our Families Favorite Parades at Walt Disney World. Featuring some Rare Characters, a Beloved Song, and Christmas Magic, We feel as though Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is a NOT to be Missed part of any Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Experience. Many People have opinions about where to watch a parade from, but how many of those opinions are based on experiences at that parade. The information included below is based upon our personal first-hand experiences. We provide insight on where to stand for the Christmas Party Parade, because we have actually stood there. This Post will also be updated with new Parade Viewing Locations as we try them.
About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or MVMCP is a Special Ticketed Event held in the Magic Kingdom. This Fun, Family-Friendly event is a Staple of the Christmas Season at Walt Disney World. It is typically held on Select Nights in November and December. Party Goers receive Complimentary Cookies and Cocoa at Special Treat Stops throughout the park. Sandy Claws aka Jack Skellington and Sally visit from Halloweentown to share some Spooky Christmas Cheer. Some of the Disney Princesses will be accompanied by their Princes to share their Seasons Greetings. Mary Poppins floats in to create some Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Memories. And, What Christmas Wonderland would be complete without the Ice Queen Herself, Elsa. MVMCP features some Fantastic Exclusive Entertainment, such as Festive Dance Parties, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration, and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show.
Check Out the Walt Disney World Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party page for the most up-to-date information on Dates, Availability, and Pricing. All Activities and Entertainment are Weather Permitting, and Subject to Change without Notice. Characters and Costumes are Subject to Change without Notice. For More Information and Our Review of the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, click here.
About Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is the Wonderful Parade held during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This Seasonal Favorite features Beloved Characters, both Commonly Found and Rare. Toy Story Fans will be thrilled to spot Buzz, Woody, Jesse, and Bullseye. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, and More of their Pals will all be at the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade in their Christmas Best. We Love Vanellope von Schweetz Gingerbread Car, but watch out for her driving skills. Step in time with the Life Size Marching Nutcrackers. Break out the Holly, and Jingle your Bells with the Treasured Reindeer. And, what Christmas Event would be complete without an appearance by the Big Man Himself, SANTA!!!! We know him.
The Parade usually runs twice nightly each party night, but that is subject to change due to weather. Characters also may vary from parade to parade. Check Your Party Guide Maps or the My Disney Experience App for Parade Times and Exact Route.
This Parade is only held at night during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. However, the Magic Kingdom in years past has been offering Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade in place of the Festival of Fantasy Parade during the daytime on days between the last Christmas Party and New Years. Please Note, that while this has happened for many years, until WDW makes the official announcement there are no guarantees of this happening. We have seen Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, both during the day and at night, and while we LOVE Christmas and this Parade. We feel like this Parade is at it’s absolute best at night.
Pre-Parade Festivities
Guests will want to grab a spot for this parade early. The Kringle Crew will be out and about along portions of the parade route. They will be getting Party Goers’ Christmas Spirits amped up through Songs, Dancing, and some Elfly Interactions. We have always seen them in the Main Street, U.S.A. and the Train Station Hub area, during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. However, they do not appear before the parade during the days between the last Christmas Party and New Years.
Special Parade Photos
Disney’s PhotoPass Photographers will walk a portion of the parade route, usually from the Hub in front of Cinderella’s Castle to the end of the parade route, taking guests pictures before the parade. They typically have special signs to commemorate special occasions, such as First Visit, Happy Birthday, and I’m Celebrating. Select Photographers will also have the Christmas Exclusive JOY Sign. These Photos, included in the purchase of Memory Maker, make a great Exclusive Keepsake.
Parade Route
The Parade steps off in Frontierland, between the Golden Oak Outpost and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It will then pass through Frontierland. Afterwards, it travels through Liberty Square, where it makes a right hand turn. It then crosses the Liberty Square bridge before entering and rounding the Cinderella’s Castle Hub. In front of the Partners Statue, the Parade takes a left onto and continues down Main Street, U.S.A. In front of the Christmas Tree, the Parade will take a left to exit Main Street, U.S.A., and enter the Train Station Hub Area, sometimes referred to as Town Square. It will then round the Train Station Hub and Christmas Tree before ending between the Fire Station and Main Street Barbershop.
Locations for Where to Watch the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Parade from
Below is a list of locations that we have viewed the Parade from. The Below location suggestions for where to watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade from are listed and numbered based on the order that they were viewed, not in order of preference. Each Location will be labeled with a Number, a Map to show where it is, and a Video to help you decide which view is right for you. We will also include some information about how far in advance we got each spot for the parade. Please note that all of the opinions in regard to these viewing locations are ours and may not match the views of others. This Post will be updated to add new Parade Viewing Locations as we try them.
1. Exiting Main Street, U.S.A, Entering the Town Square Hub Area
On December 22, 2023, We choose to stand were the Parade makes a left turn to exit Main Street, U.S.A. We stood across from the Christmas Tree next to the Parade Rope in front of the Main Street Confectionery. Our Family choose this spot, because it gave us a good view of the parade as it started to round the Train Station Hub. Our Family claimed this spot on the Last MVMCP Night of 2023 at approximately 8:05 pm for the 8:30 pm parade. We began walking from Tomorrowland to find our parade spot and found that there were very few spots in the Castle Hub Area and on Main Street, U.S.A. From this location we had a Great View of the Parade, and also got to enjoy the Kringle Crew fun. Our Family really enjoyed this spot, and felt like we had a Wonderful View.
2. In Front of the Emporium, Across from the Fire House
On December 21, 2024, We saw Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade on the Last Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Night of 2024. We choose to stand in front of the Emporium and across from the Fire Station, where the Parade ends. Our Family choose this spot, because it was Very Cold on our Party Night and we wanted to be located somewhat close to Starbucks. We claimed this spot at approximately 7:35 pm for the 8:30 pm Christmas Parade. Our Family really enjoyed getting to watch the parade from this spot. We liked that we got to watch the Parade end as well as getting to see the Goodbyes from the Parade Participants as it went through the Gates. We also got to watch the Kringle Crew spread some Christmas Cheer from this spot.
Alternative Entertainment at the Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom has some Wonderful Entertainment year round. Some of these Entertainment Options can be stumbled upon, while it is recommended that you claim a spot early for some of the other Offerings. Click the Names below to check out our Where to Watch Guide for that particular Delightful Entertainment Experience.
In addition to all the Fabulous Attractions the Park has to offer, Guests can experience the Festival of Fantasy Parade, the Dapper Dans Barbershop Quartet, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire Stage Show, the Happily Ever After Fireworks Show, the Main Street Philharmonic at Main Street, U.S.A., the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, and Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away Parade on most park days in the Magic Kingdom.
Holidays and Seasonal Entertainment
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and it’s Delightfully Festive Entertainment, including Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, and Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration Stage Show, is just some of the Seasonal Delights that come to the Magic Kingdom. During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Park comes alive with Happy Haunts as well as Party Exclusive Halloween Entertainment, such as Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade, Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular, a Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, the Cadaver Dans Barbershop Quartet, and Rusty Cutlass. During the Christmas Season, Park Visitors as well as Party Goers have the opportunity of seeing Cinderella’s Castle transformed nightly through Ice, Snow, and Christmas Magic with a little help provided by our friend’s from Arendelle, during Frozen Holiday Surprise.
On Easter Sunday, Park Guests will get the treat of seeing the Special Easter Pre-Parade Cavalcade that traditionally features some rarely seen Characters from Fantasia, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Easter Bunny among others. The Skies above Cinderella’s Castle light up in Celebration for the 4th of July with Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, usually held on July 3rd and 4th each year.
Final Thoughts
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is Extra Magical at Walt Disney World. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an Amazing Event filled with Christmas Spirit. Christmas is our Favorite Time of the Year. And to Us, Nothing beats Christmas in Disney. We try to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party each year that we can. Our Family always tries to watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade each trip.
While any opportunity to watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is a Gift, Our Favorite time to see this parade is at Night during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. While it is true that there is No Bad View of the Christmas Parade, some Viewing Locations provide different advantages than others. And Not Every Location is the Best Fit for Every Person/Family. Also remember that not all parades are the same. Some may feature more walking components, while others may have most of there characters on floats. Our Family hopes that our First-Hand Experiences will provide you some insight that will assist you in choosing the Right and Best Viewing Location for you. But Remember, Where the Best Place is to watch any Parade from, including Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, is a choice that you should make for yourself, based on Personal Needs and Wants.
We absolutely encourage anyone who will be visiting Walt Disney World on a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party day to attend as long as it fits into their trip. We also encourage Guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to watch Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade at least once on their party night, if time and weather permits.
Looking to Visit Walt Disney World?
If you want to visit Walt Disney World for a fraction of the cost, check out the Top-Tier Accommodations available through DVC Rental Store for Guests, and Unlocked Magic, powered by DVC Rental Store, for Theme Park Tickets and sometimes Special Event Tickets. Some Top-Tier Accommodations located near Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom are Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.
A Hui Hou Aku! See You Again Soon!
Your Thoughts
Have you ever attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? What did you think and what was your favorite experience? Did you see Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and where did you watch from? What were your thoughts? Will you be attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on your next Walt Disney World Vacation? Let Us Know in the Comments.
Pingback:Where to Watch Disney Starlight, Magic Kingdom Nighttime Parade
Pingback:A Where to Watch Mickey's "Boo-to-You" Halloween Parade Guide
Pingback:Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: Twice Upon a Christmas