Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Returns With Updated Score to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Katie Francis

Updated on:

Santa Claus waves from a decorated sleigh during the enchanting Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, with illuminated buildings creating a festive nighttime backdrop.

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Returns With Updated Score to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

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.

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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 Once Upon a Christmastime Parade lights up the night as beloved Disney characters like Pluto, Tigger, and Winnie the Pooh joyfully march down a festive, brightly lit street, enchanting the crowd gathered to watch.

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.

During the enchanting Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, Mickey Mouse and his companion delight onlookers from a vibrant, Christmas-themed float. Bathed in colorful lights and surrounded by festive decorations, they captivate the crowd under the night sky.

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.

A festive float joins the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, showcasing a winter theme with icy decorations and a woman in a blue dress. Spectators line the street under colorful lights and wreaths, captivated by the enchanting holiday magic.

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.

A gingerbread-themed float, part of the enchanting Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, glides by an audience on a twinkling street at night. Illuminated with lights and candy decor, it captivates the gathered crowd on both sides.

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.

A colorful float adorned with candy and lights, part of the enchanting Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, glides down the street at night, captivating a crowd of onlookers.

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.

Amidst the festive decorations, a horse-drawn illuminated carriage graces the busy street at night, enchanting onlookers as part of the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.

Cinderella’s pumpkin carriage is close behind, with the princess and Prince Charming inside. The carriage is lined with light-up garlands.

During the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, performers in period costumes dance along a decorated, illuminated street, enchanting spectators who watch from the sidelines.

They are followed by a group of ballroom dancers.

A festive parade float adorned with lights and decorations, carrying people in costumes, surrounded by a nighttime crowd in front of an illuminated building.

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.

A person dressed as a fairy godmother stands on a parade float decorated with blue and gold elements at night, bringing the magic of the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade to life. Snow-like confetti falls around them, creating an enchanting winter wonderland.

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.

Santa Claus waves from a decorated sleigh during the enchanting Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, with illuminated buildings creating a festive nighttime backdrop.

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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1 thought on “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade Returns With Updated Score to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party”

  1. 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 💙

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