Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade

As a 30 something couple with no kids, we loved the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.
It’s the centerpiece of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and it’s a must-​hit. There are two showtimes and the second showtime will be less crowded. The enthusiasm and endurance of all the dancers and actors is incredible and their smiles are contagious. The floats, costumes, and theming are all over the top and so much fun. Check out some photos of the parade online and you will see what I mean. You’ll be treated to almost every Disney protagonist in the book. Universal Studios features a competing «Macy’s Christmas Parade», which I have also visited, but it doesn’t hold a candle to Once Upon a Christmastime. Disney clearly knows how to do it right. Topping it all off is the artificial ‘snow’ (small foam bubbles), which is very magical for the kids and is not irritating to your eyes either.
While you are there, make sure you grab yourself some snickerdoodle cookies and hot chocolate stations, open from 7pm-​10pm. Gluten-​free chocolate chip cookies are available too, but they are prepackaged and disappointing. The snickerdoodles are delicious!

This parade run during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party which is a separately ticketed event. It can only be seen if you have a ticket to the event, and it runs twice during each Party. My advice is to see the second showing of it, if possible, because it isn’t nearly as crowded as the first. For the second parade, we only get there about 20 minutes prior to secure a good spot.
This parade and the parade during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party are my two favourite Disney parades. They are the only two parades I make a point to see every year.
The parade never really changes all the much from year-​to-​year, but I love it all the same. Maybe it’s because I don’t get the opportunity to see it all the time like I do all the other parades, so I don’t become numb to it. =)
This year (2014) it did change though. They have now added Frozen to the parade. You’ll see a float with Kristof, a float with Olaf, a horse-​drawn carriage with Anna and Elsa, skiers (on rollerblades), and choreographed dancers with their ice picks. I’m so excited they added Frozen to the parade! I did notice the only «new» thing was the Olaf float. If you happened to see the Anna and Elsa Welcome Show at Hollywood Studios during the summer for Frozen Summer Fun Live, then you’ll recognize everything but the Olaf float. It’s still so good to see it again though, so I’m not complaining in the least!
The characters are all dressed up in their holiday outfits. Some are on floats, while others are walking the parade route. Don’t be surprised if some of them who are walking the route come up to you. =) You’ll even see Santa in his sleigh!
My absolute favourite thing about this parade are the huge, walking nutcrackers with their various instruments. I love them!
If you’re going to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, make sure not to miss this parade! It’s simply spectacular!

Christmas is always magical in Disney, no matter how much the quality in their service has decline. This parade is special and very nice while giving kids more Christmas emotions and more magic. If you are in Disney at Christmas, make this appointment and look for a nice spot 60 minutes prior the parade, better at round road in front of the Cinderella Castle outside road or at the opposite side of the Liberty Bell.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade is part of the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which is a separately ticketed event on selected dates from November 9 through November 21, 2012.
The Parade features Marching Toy Soldiers, Gingerbread men, Holiday Decorated floats carrying all your favorite characters in their holiday outfits, lots of singing and dancing, and finishes with Santa Claus in his sleigh.
It is a cute parade and a must see for anyone paying for separate admission for the Christmas Party.
For anyone unable to attend the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, the parade will become the standard parade during the week of Christmas for anyone attending the Magic Kingdom.