Tuesday night we attended Disney Merriest Nites. This was the first year ever that Disneyland had an after hours Christmas party and I was so excited that we were able to get tickets and attend for the first time during the first year! This was so exciting. The event takes place at Disneyland Park from 8:00 PM to midnight on the specified event date (Nov. 11, Nov. 16, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, and Dec. 9). Each event ticket provides admission to Disneyland Park up to 3 hours prior to the event's start time, so we were allowed in the park at 5pm. Disney Merriest Nites is all about enjoying the holidays, eating festive treats, visiting with characters, and enjoying 6 holiday parties in one place! I loved when we entered the party we were each given a Christmas lightbulb necklace. It was so festive and fun. Come along and let me tell you everything you have to do and see at Merriest Nites! You can also watch all the fun HERE.
Right when we entered Disneyland we saw Mickey & Minnie by Disneyland Railroad
Join Mickey Mouse and his friends as they come together to create Disney Merriest Nites, the first-ever holiday celebration with six uniquely themed parties in one. It's a special ticketed holiday after-hours event with limited capacity and access to many favorite attractions. Each night is filled with seasonal entertainment, such as "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade, musical performances and a spread of delicious treats for purchase, across Disneyland Park for five nights only during November and December 2021.
Here is the guide map for the party
Victorian themed party on Main Street, U.S.A. - Join Mickey Mouse and his friends on Main Street, U.S.A for a classic holiday gathering filled with candles, carolers and a Victorian flair.
New Orleans Holiday in New Orleans Square - It's a hoppin hoopla with beads, beignets, Tiana and a Christmas cruise aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat.
Feliz Navidad Party in Frontierland - There's a holiday fiesta in Zocalo Park; a musical celebration with Miguel, folklorico and familia.
Tropical Party in Adventureland - Have yourself a tropical little holiday in Adventureland. There are leis, hula, and of course, a Santa alien that really knows how to party.
Frozen Themed Party In Fantasyland - Wander into a winter-ful holiday celebration with Elsa in Fantasyland. It's a flurry of fun featuring favorite Frozen characters.
Tomorrowland Party in Tomorrowland - Calling all Space Rangers! Take off to Tomorrowland with Buzz Lightyear for futuristic treats and a DJ dance party that is out of this world.
A Christmas Fantasy Parade begins on Main Street, U.S.A. at 9:30pm
Do not miss Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle. There is music, the castle lights up and there is SNOW! It is so magical.
Do NOT miss the Muppets for Christmas carols, Christmas cheer and Christmas...Chickens?! Stand in front of Jolly Holiday on the corner. The times for this show are 8:10pm, 9pm, 10:30pm, 11:30pm
Walkin' in a Winter WonderGround. Take a perfect picture with our Holiday backdrops created just for you by Disney WonderGround artistis.
Main Street, U.S.A.:A Dickens Christmas
Fantasyland: A Frozen Wish
This is by Fantasy Theatre
Tomorrowland: Galactic Greetings
This is by Galactic Grill
Adventureland: Mele Kalikimaka
This was by the Jungle Cruise ride
New Orleans Square: New Orleans Christmas
This is by Mark Twain Riverboat
Frontierland: Feliz Navidad
This was by Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Character Encounters & Photo Opportunities. There is also amazing entertainment at each party. Make sure you check them out.
Fantasyland: Friends from Frozen, Belle & Beast, Donald Duck's Snow Fight, Pluto's Christmas Tree, Fantasia's Frozen Fairy Wings, Santa Claus. Brass Band plays at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm.
Friends from Frozen are close to It's A Small World.
Snow White and other princesses were outside the Royal Hall
Santa is inside the Royal Theatre
Donald was by Fantasyland Theatre
Pluto is at Pixie Hollow
Fantasia's Frozen Fairy Wings was by the Matterhorn
Tomorrowland: Buzz Lightyear and DJ Kara Ford are spinning the tunes from 8pm - 12am
Adventureland: Lilo and Stitch. Island Duo plays at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, 11pm. Island Duo was my personal favorite.
Lilo & Stitch were outside of the Tiki Room
Frontierland: Miguel. The Mariachis play at 8:30pm, 9:30pm, 10:30pm, 11:30pm.
New Orleans Square: Princess Tiana and Jack and Sally. Take a jazzy Christmas carol cruise aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat with Tiana's Tinsel and Tunes. 8pm, 8:30pm, 9pm, 9:30pm, 10pm, 10:30pm, 11pm, 11:30pm.
Jack & Sally were up high and you can see them when you ride Haunted Mansion Holiday
Main Street, U.S.A.: Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and Goofy and Scrooge McDuck. The Handbell Carolers perform at 8:30pm, 9:15pm, 10pm, 10:50pm, 11:45pm. I loved the Handbell Carolers.
The way I planned out the evening is that we would enjoy Main Street last and see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy and Scrooge on our way out for the night. That was not the best plan because both kids fell asleep in the stroller and they missed these characters which I was so sad about. But that is my own fault with my planning.
Make sure you check out specialty merchandise at Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland.
Eat, Drink and Be Merry! Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Mickey’s Toontown and Critter Country will not be accessible during the party. There were several food options available throughout the park including popcorn, pretzel, and classic churros.
We really loved Merriest Nites. I enjoyed seeing the Muppets perform, seeing all the characters, the backdrops and the music. We did not ride one ride Tuesday night. We were so busy trying to get to all 6 holiday parties, see all the characters and the backdrops.
My only negative feedback is that the party starts too late. For my family, getting our night started at 8pm is late. My kids are usually in bed by 7:30-8pm and yes when we go to events or come to Disneyland we can sometimes push bed time to 9 or 10 pm. But when the party does not even start until 8pm that was a bummer. Also, for the amount we paid for each ticket I think the party should start at 6 or 7pm. I think we deserve more time. That way we can make it to see every character, backdrop, etc. Remember, we did not ride any rides and we stayed until 11pm and we still did not do everything. We also did not eat, stop for a bathroom break, or sit down. I really wanted to see as much as we could and I knew we had limited time.
Also, they cut off each character line right about 9pm because of the Christmas parade. The character in each land did not come back out until after 10pm once the Christmas parade was over. I do understand that they can't have two of the same characters out at the same time in the parks. I have heard that before, but it was a bummer that for over an hour no characters were out and we missed some opportunities due to the parade and when the party is only 4 hours long and you take away characters for about 1 hour of that party it is nearly impossible to see them all.
Also, I feel like the employees working the party should know the entire night like the back of their hand. I would ask an employee where Pluto was located and I would get "I'm not sure", I would ask where Donald is (he is definitely hidden) and I would get the same answer. I would ask the best place to stand for the Muppets and no one was helpful. So I am hoping this blog post is super helpful for those who will be attending and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask me.
Before you leave, make sure you get the postcards of each Holiday backdrop created just for you by Disney WonderGround artists. Each person can get a set of the postcards. I love them!
Click here to schedule your next trip.
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