Why we love Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

There is a special parade during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

When my oldest was about 15 months old, our family took him to Disney World for the first time. Friends told me about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which happens in the Magic Kingdom on certain nights during the holidays. My husband’s mother also had heard about it and was eager to go.

Friends told tales about all-you-can-eat free cookies, apple slices, hot chocolate and juice. They loved the special Christmas show in front of Cinderella’s Castle, the holiday parade (featuring Santa Claus!) and fireworks show. And snow! They told me it snows on Main Street during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Friends said we had to go.

Main Street is brightly decorated for the holidays -- and it even "snows" there

Our family went and loved it, and now it’s a tradition to go every year after Thanksgiving. The holiday decorations are already up, and the weather is usually great (sometimes really cold and sometimes a bit warm — but usually just right). My husband likes that because the Christmas Party is a separate ticket, there are fewer people in the Magic Kingdom, so you can see more attractions with shorter lines. My kids just like all the holiday excitement and being allowed to stay up late. I like just being there, but also seeing the castle all lit up.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party includes a special fireworks show to ooh and aah over

The Christmas Party runs this year on certain nights from Nov. 8 to Dec. 18. Tickets are $51.95 to $62.95, depending on age and date. Our family already has our tickets! We don’t want to break tradition if we can help it….