Disney Christmas tickets are highly coveted as the Disney parks are incredibly popular during the Christmas season. Many guests want to know exactly when Disney releases their special Christmas party tickets so they can purchase them and guarantee their spot.
When Do Disney Christmas Party Tickets Go On Sale?
Disney usually releases their special Christmas party tickets in late April or early May for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members. They then release them to the general public shortly after that, usually in mid-May. Here are the recent on-sale dates:
| Year | Annual Passholder/DVC On-Sale Date | General Public On-Sale Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 26 | May 5 |
| 2021 | April 27 | May 5 |
| 2020 | April 28 | May 7 |
As you can see, the on-sale dates don’t vary too much year-over-year. Disney usually announces the on-sale dates about 1 month in advance of Annual Passholders. So for Christmas 2023, expect Disney to announce the on-sale dates in late March or early April, with sales opening in late April or early May.
What Days and Times Are the Disney Christmas Parties?
The Christmas parties are usually held multiple times per week from early November through mid-December. The parties run from 7pm-12am on the nights they are held. Here are the recent party dates:
| Year | Party Nights |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Nov 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29 |
| Dec 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20 | |
| 2021 | Nov 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 26, 28 |
| Nov 30, Dec 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17 | |
| 2020 | Nov 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 27, 29 |
| Dec 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18 |
The number of party nights does vary from year to year, but recently there have been around 20 themed nights per Christmas season. The parties often start the second week of November and run until mid-December.
When Should You Buy Disney Christmas Party Tickets?
Disney Christmas party tickets can sell out, especially for popular nights right around Thanksgiving week and closer to Christmas. If you have your heart set on a specific party night, it’s advised you purchase your tickets as soon as they go on sale.
Weeknight parties tend to sell out later than weekend nights. If you have flexibility on your Disney trip, attending a Tuesday or Thursday party is a good way to ensure you can get tickets.
Here are the approximate dates that recent Disney Christmas parties have sold out:
| Year | Approximate Party Sell Out Dates |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Nov. 25-29, Dec. 2, 9, 16 |
| 2021 | Nov. 12, 19, 21, 26, 28, 30 |
| Dec. 3, 5, 10, 12, 14, 16 | |
| 2020 | Nov. 24, 27, 29 |
| Dec. 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17 |
As you can see from the data above, the parties around Thanksgiving week, in early December, and closer to Christmas tend to sell out very quickly. To maximize your chances of getting tickets for your preferred date, buy early.
How Much Do Disney Christmas Party Tickets Cost?
Disney Christmas party tickets are an add-on cost to regular theme park admission. The prices do vary by date, with the most in-demand nights around the holidays costing the most. Generally, ticket prices range from $150-$200 per adult and $100-$150 per child ages 3-9.
Here are sample ticket costs for 2022 parties:
| Party Date | Adult Price | Child Price |
|---|---|---|
| November 8 | $169 | $119 |
| November 29 | $199 | $144 |
| December 18 | $199 | $144 |
To minimize costs, attend a party earlier in November or on a weekday night. Tickets prices usually rise closer to the holidays.
What’s Included in Disney Christmas Party Tickets?
A Disney Christmas party ticket includes:
- Admission to the Magic Kingdom for the special Christmas party after 4pm
- Access to exclusive holiday entertainment, characters, fireworks, and parades only offered during the Christmas parties
- Complimentary cookies, hot chocolate, and apple cider
- Unlimited digital Disney PhotoPass photos taken by park photographers during the party
- Disney character autographs and greeting locations available only during the Christmas parties
You do not need a separate daytime theme park ticket to attend the Christmas party. The party ticket will grant you admission to the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm on the night of the party.
How Does Disney Christmas Party Ticketing Work?
Disney Christmas party tickets are completely separate from normal Magic Kingdom admission. Party tickets can be purchased via the Disneyland website or app, Disney Stores, or by calling Disney.
On the day of your Christmas party, you can enter the Magic Kingdom starting at 4pm by showing your party ticket. You do not need a regular park admission ticket.
If you want to visit the Magic Kingdom earlier in the day on the date you have a Christmas party ticket, you will need to purchase a separate daytime ticket. You would use that ticket prior to 4pm, and then show your Christmas party ticket after 4pm to remain in the park.
What’s Included with Regular Magic Kingdom Admission?
If you attend the Magic Kingdom during normal park hours on a Christmas party night, your regular park admission ticket includes:
- Access to the Magic Kingdom from regular park opening until 6pm closing
- Ability to enjoy general Magic Kingdom rides, attractions, characters, etc. prior to 6pm
- Disney FASTPASS+ service to skip lines on popular rides until 6pm.
With just a regular daytime ticket, you will be asked to leave the Magic Kingdom at 6pm when the party starts unless you also have the special party ticket.
Tips for Buying Disney Christmas Party Tickets
Here are some tips for purchasing Disney Christmas party tickets:
- Buy early – Tickets can sell out, especially for weekends and dates right before Christmas
- Weeknights are less crowded than weekends/holidays
- Aim for earlier November dates to get lower prices
- Look out for discounts for passholders, Disney Vacation Club members, and Disney Visa cardholders
- Get tickets as part of a Magic Kingdom vacation package to potentially save money
- Join Disney fan forums to find out when people see tickets go on sale each year
What are the Highlights of the Disney Christmas Parties?
The Disney Christmas parties offer exclusive entertainment you can only see during the events. Here are some highlights:
- Special Christmas parade – Disney characters ride in holiday floats while it “snows” on Main Street USA
- Holiday fireworks show – Nighttime fireworks are set to Christmas music with holiday projections on Cinderella Castle
- Free cookies and cocoa – Enjoy complimentary seasonal treats at locations throughout the park
- Rare character sightings – Meet Disney characters in festive outfits who don’t usually appear in the parks!
- Snow on Main Street – Multiple times per night, magical “snow” falls on Main Street USA
- Minimal wait times – With limited tickets sold, rides have shorter lines than usual
The parties create a one-of-a-kind holiday atmosphere throughout the Magic Kingdom. Guests rave about the special entertainment you can only catch during the events.
What Rides Can You Go On During the Christmas Party?
The majority of Magic Kingdom rides and attractions remain open during the Christmas parties. Popular rides like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, The Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean continue operating as normal.
Here are some rides that are generally open during the parties:
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Jungle Cruise
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
- Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Mad Tea Party
- Dumbo
Since the Magic Kingdom closes early before the parties start, you’ll find shorter lines than usual for most rides. Arrive right at 4pm to take advantage of the lowest wait times.
Are Disney Characters Available During the Christmas Parties?
One of the best parts of the Disney Christmas parties is the exclusive character meet-and-greets. Characters appear in special holiday costumes that you won’t see any other time of the year.
Popular Christmas party characters include:
- Jack Skellington from A Nightmare Before Christmas
- Santa Goofy
- Mickey and Minnie in festive attire
- Snow White in a beautiful Christmas dress
- The Seven Dwarfs wearing Christmas hats
Wait times for characters during the parties are much shorter than during normal park hours. You can easily meet 4-6 characters per night.
Conclusion
Disney Christmas party tickets allow you to experience the Magic Kingdom in a whole new way for the holidays. Special entertainment like the Christmas parade and fireworks make it an unforgettable Disney trip. By buying your party tickets early and attending on less crowded nights, you can enjoy all of the exclusive festivities with minimal wait times.
The 2023 Disney Christmas party tickets will likely go on sale in late April for passholders and early May for everyone else. Have your Disney vacation planned for November or December this year so you can take part in these incredibly popular after-hours events. With so much extra holiday magic, the Disney Christmas parties are worth every penny.
Some key takeaways for Disney Christmas party tickets:
- On-sale dates are typically in late April/early May
- Weeknights sell out later than weekends/holidays
- Tickets cost $150-$200 per adult, more on holiday nights
- Exclusive fireworks, parades and rare characters only appear at the parties
- Join fan forums to stay on top of when tickets are released
- Buy a vacation package with party tickets included to potentially save money
With smart planning using this advice, you’ll be ready to purchase your family’s Disney Christmas party tickets as soon as they go on sale. Creating holiday memories at the Magic Kingdom is truly magical!
