With the (hopefully temporary) cancellation of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year, Walt Disney World is now offering After Hours events at the Magic Kingdom to celebrate the holiday season.
Disney’s Boo Bash After Hours event is currently taking place on select nights through Halloween. You can read my thoughts on that event right here. Spoiler alert, it wasn’t my favorite and I most definitely missed the traditional Halloween party of years past.
So will Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours be worth the higher price tag? Let’s dive into all of the details of what this new event has to offer.
Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours Event Dates
This special event at Magic Kingdom will take place on 24 select nights Nov. 8 through Dec. 21 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- November Dates: 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30
- December Dates: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21
Disney’s Very Merriest After Hours Ticket Price
Tickets range from $169 to $229 plus tax for select November/December nights, and $249, plus tax on December 19 & 21.
Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10 per ticket on select nights.
What is Included in your Very Merriest After Hours Ticket?
- Entry into the Magic Kingdom at 7pm.
- 4 hours of event time (9pm – 1am)
- Character Sightings
- You’ll see characters stationed at a safe distance throughout the park.
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
- The VERY FIRST full parade to return to the parks! We have only had mini cavalcades since the parks reopened in July of 2020 so this is VERY exciting!
- Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
- This means if you enter the park at 7pm, you’ll be able to see both Disney’s Enchantment fireworks and the Christmastime fireworks on the same night!
- Club Tinsel Dance Party
- Holiday music with a DJ. This was underwhelming at Boo Bash so hopefully they’ll bring some characters to this like in the past.
- Holiday Themed Ride Overlays
- Jungle Cruise will transform into Jingle Cruise
- Holiday Decor & Snow on Main Street
- “Snow” aka soap bubbles will fall as you walk down Main Street
- Disney PhotoPass Magic Shots
- Photographers will be stationed throughout the park offering festive magic shots.
- Event Exclusive Themed Treats and Snacks available for purchase
- Unlimited bottled sodas & waters, popcorn, and ice cream novelties during the 4 hour event
- Limited park capacity
- Most rides will be a walk-on
Personally I am so glad they’re bringing a full parade AND fireworks to the Very Merriest After Hours event PLUS they’re adding an extra hour to the event time vs Boo Bash. I thought that entertainment during Boo Bash was very underwhelming and I think offering the parade and fireworks will be a very nice addition.
Hopefully Disney will also feature additional character sightings throughout the park and additional ride overlays beyond Jingle Cruise.
Disney Very Merriest After hours most definitely includes MORE than Boo Bash. But that does come at a higher price. Boo Bash tickets range from $129 – $199 vs $169 – $229 for Very Merriest After Hours.
I’m definitely looking forward to seeing this event as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is SO MUCH FUN!! I will be sure to share my thoughts on the After Hours event after I attend.
Follow along on all of our Walt Disney World fun on Instagram @brbgoingtodisney! I share tips and tricks LIVE from the parks each week on Stories! See you there!