Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade has returned to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for 2024. During the separately ticketed holiday event, the parade runs twice nightly at 8:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade
Before the parade officially begins, guests on Main Street are entertained by the Kringle Crew. These dancers carry giant snowballs as they hype up the crowd before the parade arrives.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade starts in Frontierland, next to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It travels through Liberty Square, circles in front of Cinderella Castle, and then goes down Main Street, U.S.A.
The parade’s soundtrack has been completely overhauled. It now includes music from “The Nutcracker” during several sequences. Consequently, the choreography has changed. But the main “Once Upon a Christmastime” song is still woven throughout the score.
The parade kicks off with a host of characters. Peter Pan, Pluto, Tigger, Alice, Pinocchio, Donald, Daisy, and more dance around. Many of them are in extra winter apparel like cozy scarves.
Mickey and Minnie ride alongside a Christmas tree right behind them. The sparkling float is stacked with presents.
The cast of “Frozen” is close behind, starting with Olaf on a Nordic-style house float. He’s accompanied by skiing dancers.
Anna and Kristoff are with dancers behind Olaf’s float. These dancers are dressed like ice harvesters and Arendelle villagers. Elsa is on a float in front of Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post.
In previous years, Anna and Elsa wore their classic outfits from the first “Frozen” film. They now wear their winter outfits from “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.” “That Time of Year” from the Olaf short has also been added to the soundtrack.
Next up is Vanellope Von Schweetz in a holiday version of her racecar with a wreath on the hood. She’s followed by Chip and Dale in baker outfits.
Clarice the chipmunk is on another gingerbread house float. Clarice was added to the parade last year.
Clarabelle Cow is led by a troupe of dancing gingerbread men down the street. Clarabelle’s float is a wooden kitchen with giant cupcakes.
Goofy drives a candy machine float. It’s decorated with wreaths and Goofy wears a holiday outfit.
The gazebo float returns with Snow White and the Prince, surrounded by the Seven Dwarfs. The float has new light-up decorations.
Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage is close behind, with the princess and Prince Charming inside. The carriage is lined with light-up garlands.
They are followed by a group of ballroom dancers.
The rest of the princess and prince duos ride aboard the castle-esque float. It has a large “Happy Holidays” lighted sign and wreath on the front.
Garland is wrapped around the railings. The Fairy Godmother is at the top back of the float.
The next section of the parade features toys, from “Toy Story” characters to the iconic Toy Soldiers. The dancers include elves and teddy bears. Green Army Men ride in a truck and other “Toy Story” characters are on their own float.
The Toy Soldiers march in a group. They are featured on this year’s Annual Passholder-exclusive Christmas party merchandise.
After the toys are eight tiny reindeer. Pulling up the end of the parade is Santa Claus himself aboard a sleigh. The float is designed to look as if he is flying above snow-covered rooftops, ready to deliver gifts on Christmas Eve. It has updated lighting effects.
Hear the new music and see the new dancing in our video of the 2024 Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade below.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs on select nights from November 8 through December 20. Tickets for some nights are still available online at the Walt Disney World website.
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will be performed during the day for all Magic Kingdom guests on November 9 and 10 at 2:00 p.m., likely as part of filming for ABC’s Disney Parks Christmas special.
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Don’t know why they changed the soundtrack. The old one was amazing. I do like Anna’s & Elsa’s Christmas outfits, but I do think the Frozen 1 looks were wayyy better. The F1 looks just bring so much joy 🥹. I hope they bring the Frozen 1 looks back 💙