Christmas at DisneyWorld
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
One of the planned highlights of this trip - and one of my main reasons for this visit - was Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party... and the Very Merry Christmas Parade. The party is a special ticket event, not covered by your normal admission to the Magic Kingdom. The park is closed at 6pm and emptied of guests. It is re-opened from 8pm to 1am for ticketholders.My ticket was for December 4, and as luck would have it, I had gotten sick the night before and spent all day in bed on the 4th. I guess this was the result of a week of running around in Orlando's ever-changing December weather - where it was in the upper 70s(f) during the day, but as cool as 40(f) at night. I ordered dinner in my room, to conserve some additional energy, and then headed out for the Magic Kingdom.
I figured I'd avoid the crowds by planning to arrive just after the 8pm opening. It turns out, that the park opened before 8pm, but there were still a large crowd of guests funnelling thru the entrance by the time I had arrived. This was very deceiving, however, because once I got inside the park, I realized that it was emptier than I have ever seen it.
I followed the advice I had gotten on rec.arts.disney.parks and did not sit for the early parade (the parade runs thru twice). Instead, I literally flew thru many of the rides that normally have waits of up to 45 minutes. Tonight, the wait was 0 minutes for each. In the space of about 40 minutes, I got to ride everthing I wanted to, including Space Mountain, Astro Orbiter (a first), Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (another first), It's a Small World and Peter Pan's Flight (another first). It was such a different experience, being so empty... I could have gone on those rides over and over, if I wanted to.
Next, I made a stop for some free cookies and hot chocolate, which I really needed to soothe my very sore throat. By then, the early parade had finished and I found myself near the hub, looking for a good spot to view the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks. The holiday section of the fireworks was absolutely spectacular, with its 360 degree display. Everyone was spellbound and there were lots of "oooohs" and "aaaahhs" heard all around. Most of us at that location stayed put after the fireworks. We were in the perfect spot to view the "Every Day's A Holiday" stage show... where, Pluto wowed me again. This show had all of the characters singing songs and dressed in costumes honoring various holidays leading up to.... you guessed it, Christmas.
I wandered a bit after the show and eventually made it towards the beginning of Main Street, where people were starting to stake out their spots for the late parade. I found one of the coveted spots along the curb that had a post on which to rest my back. The street started to fill with guests, but by comparison to a normal parade, this was EMPTY! A group of carolers strolled up to us and serenaded us, while the snow- blowers above the buildings on Main Street made snow.
Finally, it was time for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade to begin. First, came the toy soldiers, followed by a float with Mickey & Minnie, standing on what appeared to be toy drums. Pluto was dancing in the street all around this float, and he really played up to the crowd! It was around this time that I really, really started to think how loveable this character is.... and a good dancer, too. Maybe it's the extra two legs that dogs have over us humans?
Next up were dancing clowns and rag dolls, followed by a float carrying Goofy dressed as Santa. Behind this float was a circus locomotive, engineered by a clown and pulling cages of stuffed characters. The caboose carried Roger Rabbit.
The Pooh clan were next... first the Hunny jar, followed by dancing Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. This group was followed by the SS Disney float, while dancers on both sides sang and danced to "Zippity Doo Dah."
Bringing up the rear of the parade were the Seven Dwarfs accompanied by snowmen, followed by dancing Christmas trees and, last, but not least, the man of the hour... Santa in his sled.
By now, it was close to midnight, and while some brave souls headed further into the parks to enjoy one last hour of rides, the rest of us headed for the exits. For me, this entire evening had been one of my most enjoyable experiences at the Magic Kingdom - and it was certainly worth the cost.