In my four years working for Disney Food Blog, I’ve been to a LOT of hard-ticketed events.

Some of those offerings were for work, while others were for fun (we DFB employees are die-hard Disney fans just like you guys!); some of them were in Disney World, while others were in Disneyland Resort (Disney Channel Nite was a BLAST, y’all). But the ones I’ve done the most are the Disney World holiday parties! I’ve been to all three of them at this point, and I’ve got some hot tips to share.

In Disney World, there are currently three holiday season parties. First, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party happens in Magic Kingdom each year from August to October. Then, when November kicks off, you get Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in that park instead. But in 2023, Disney threw a curveball when they introduced Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios, also running in November and December.

I’ve been to all three of these events, and during my many visits, I’ve learned some important lessons. Some of these tips may surprise you!

Buy Those Tickets EARLY

For starters, my first (and possibly most important) piece of advice is to buy your tickets EARLY. Tickets for the parties will usually go on sale a few weeks or months in advance of the first date, and I recommend you buy your tickets BEFORE the holiday season starts.

Once the parties kick off and people see photos and videos from all the fun offerings, they’ll start getting enticed to visit and those tickets will sell FAST. Over the years, countless people have been scammed online because they’ve attempted to buy party tickets from strangers after their desired night sold out unexpectedly. Don’t be that person!

The ticket prices will likely be the same all season long — it’s not like Disney drops the prices closer to your travel date. So there’s really no advantage in waiting to purchase.

Don’t Go on the First Night…Trust Me!

My second piece of advice is one learned from many times experiencing it — don’t go on the first night of the event! Whether it’s MNSSHP, MVMCP, or Jollywood Nights, I recommend waiting until at least the second night of the party season to plan your visit. Why? Because all the people like me are there on the first night!

It’s my job to cover as MUCH of the party as possible on the first night, and the same goes for many other bloggers and influencers. We’re there intending to see every show, eat every snack, and make the most of every second. That means that on the first night of the party if you’re a regular guest, you might have to stake out even longer to get a good parade or fireworks spot. Or, you might have to wait longer to get into an exclusive entertainment offering or character meet.

During a regular party where there are fewer bloggers and influencers, you’ve got a better balance of guests — some people are just there to do rides with short wait times! But on the first night of the party, the balance is skewed, and that makes everything a bit more chaotic.

On top of this, the first night of the party is when Disney is often working out the kinks. I’ve been to opening party nights where snacks weren’t ready or were prepared incorrectly, or where new shows and offerings weren’t fully worked out. After complaints at the first few nights of Jollywood Nights in 2023, Disney even made some changes to the event — adding more character meets and general offerings.

So there are plenty of reasons why you don’t want to go on the first night. And if you stay at home that night, you’ll be able to check out our coverage and reviews here at DFB, and then you’ll have a better idea of what you’d like to do when it’s your turn to enjoy the party!

Get Strict With Your Schedule, Seriously.

When I go to the parties for work, we have a pre-planned schedule for each reporter. But when I go for fun? Well, I adopt the exact same tactic! It may sound a little unhinged, but if I’m paying to attend an event that’s only a few hours long, I want to get the most out of my time.

When it comes to these Halloween and Christmas parties, the schedule can be pretty tight. There are specific times throughout the night when things like parades, stage shows, and fireworks take place. And if you hope to see multiple forms of entertainment, you might miss out if you don’t plan your schedule in advance. Typically, you can find the showtime schedule in the My Disney Experience app starting shortly before the first party of the season.

Outside of the entertainment offerings, there are also often special character meets, exclusive snacks, ride overlays, and more. How will you know when to fit those things in throughout the evening if you don’t have a schedule? Trust me, scheduling will make everything go smoother — there’s no time for indecision when you’ve only got a few hours in the park!

Eat Beforehand

One of my most surprising tips for these parties is to eat BEFORE the event starts. You may say — “but Lydia, isn’t there special party food available that I might want to try?” And yes, of course! But it’s good to go into the night with at least SOME food in your stomach in case things go wrong.

Like I said above, I’ve been to parties where the snacks weren’t ready or ingredients were unavailable. I’ve also eaten plenty of party treats that didn’t meet my expectations taste-wise. If you run into any of those problems, you don’t want to be left starving until after midnight!

Since these holiday parties end so late, it can be difficult to snag food afterward. Also, many of the in-park restaurants will close down during the party or will offer a pared-down menu. It’s better just to eat beforehand…just in case.

Entertainment Is a MUST

For me, the highlight of any of the holiday parties that Disney World offers is the entertainment. Things like the Boo to You Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show, or Disney Holidays in Hollywood typically draw the biggest crowds and are usually exclusive to the party. (Except you can see some of the Very Merry Christmas Party entertainment during Christmas week in Magic Kingdom.)

To have full-scale shows put on exclusively for a party is a lot of work, and it’s something that many fans (myself included!) really appreciate that Disney does. The entertainment is part of what gives your party ticket value. Shows and fireworks and parades might not be for everyone, but if you enjoy those offerings, I encourage you not to miss out!

Mayyyybe Skip the Rides

This next tip comes with a big caveat. If you’ve been to Disney World multiple times before or you’re visiting for a few days with time left to go to each park, then I suggest you don’t use your party time to knock out rides. I know that the short wait times can be really tempting, but with the premium price you pay to attend the party, it’s a better value to spend time doing things you can ONLY do at the party.

The one big time where I waive this suggestion is when there are party-exclusive ride overlays. If you have the time to do those, they’re definitely a good use of your limited time, since they’ll be different than what you experience during your daytime visits!

Dressing Up Is 100% Worth It

Last but not least, I have to tell you that dressing up for the parties is 100% worth it! I’ve been to parties where I dressed up and some where I didn’t, and I usually had a more fun time when I was dressed for the theme — whether that was a Halloween costume, a pair of Christmas pajamas, or some retro holiday gear.

Now, the important tip to remember here is that you need to be COMFORTABLE. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so don’t wear anything that’s going to chafe or blister. Also, you need to check the weather before you plan your outfit. Bring rain gear if you need it, and don’t wear anything that’s too complicated and will interfere with your activities and enjoyment of the night.

So there you have it — holiday party tips from a seasoned expert! If you’re heading to a holiday party this year, make sure to keep these in mind when planning, and I hope you have a lot of fun.

Click Here to Learn All About Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

Which holiday party is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!