“When will Walt Disney World launch 2024 dates for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together?” and “why haven’t tickets for MVMCP gone on sale but?” are reader questions we’ve been receiving extra. We’ll attempt to reply based mostly on what we all know based mostly on historic launch dates, present tendencies, previous demand, and extra.
As with all of those speculative posts, we’ll begin with the straightforward indisputable fact that Madame Leota just isn’t employed by this weblog–which means that we don’t have a crystal ball. Nobody can provide you a definitive reply about when Walt Disney World will announce 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together dates or tickets. The identical holds true for just about something that hasn’t been formally introduced, launched internally, or leaked.
So if you happen to’re the form of one that, up to now, has complained that such a prognostication submit is a “waste of time,” now could be your probability to choose out. Take into account as a substitute subscribing to our free electronic mail e-newsletter for immediate alerts, which can present you a right away replace when 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together dates are formally introduced by Walt Disney World. This submit is most actually not that, however reasonably, our long-winded try to supply perception in response the above reader questions…
We’ll begin this part with final yr, when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together was introduced throughout “Midway to the Holidays” on June 15, 2023. Tickets for final yr’s MVMCP went on sale on June 29 for company of choose on-site inns, and July 6 for most people. Clearly, June 15, 2024 is within the rearview mirror and even the on-sale dates are proper across the nook.
On condition that, the logical expectation is for Midway to the Holidays to happen actually any day now. Nonetheless, we’re barely skeptical of that. Looking forward to subsequent week, Walt Disney World has the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Journey on June 28, 2024. That alone isn’t enough motive to not do Midway to the Holidays, as the 2 issues in tandem may enhance bookings for the final two months of the yr.
It’s not simply Tiana’s Bayou Journey, although. Walt Disney World can also be every week behind on releasing reductions relative to final yr, and we’d count on these to drop this coming week. Particularly since particular affords have sometimes been coming early in 2024, reasonably than late. It’s additionally our understanding that extra information is coming subsequent week. All of that plus Christmas information simply strikes us as unlikely, until Walt Disney World needs to “flood the zone” and actually create buzz. And maybe they do!
If Midway to the Holidays doesn’t occur this week, the subsequent logical timeframe would merely be subsequent week, beginning July 1. Disney may even rebrand and name it their “Christmas in July Celebration.” That appears uncertain, although, for a really apparent motive: Independence Day on Thursday, making it a partial workweek–and one throughout which lots of people will undoubtedly be out of workplace for the length.
One other distinct chance is that Midway to the Holidays gained’t be almost as large of an occasion this yr. Final yr, it was unfold out over the course of a whole week, with day by day bulletins to generate pleasure. Similar story for Midway to Halloween final yr. This yr, Midway to Halloween was a single day of reports–it was virtually as if Disney wished to get it finished and over with.
If Midway to the Holidays is scaled again to a single day, it turns into way more believable within the nearer time period. It may occur June 24, July 1, or different weekdays in between that don’t produce other information scheduled. Or, if Disney doesn’t care or thoughts having ‘shared’ information days, it may happen on these, too. I simply wouldn’t count on a full-on week of Midway to the Holidays to start till July 8, 2024 on the earliest.
One last chance is that Midway to the Holidays hasn’t been scheduled but as a result of the foremost particulars haven’t totally firmed up. With regards to this, there are two large wildcards that instantly come to thoughts: Cinderella Citadel Dream Lights and Disney Jollywood Nights at Hollywood Studios.
It’s our understanding that there was inner debate concerning the former for the final couple years, and we suspect the identical might be true of the latter in 2024. (For no matter it’s value, we expect Jollywood Nights is sort of a positive factor to return, whereas the chances are towards Dream Lights.)
Bulletins might be held up as Disney determines the ultimate destiny of each–or one thing else completely. With pent-up demand totally exhausted and a summer time slowdown in progress, Walt Disney World is perhaps contemplating methods to spice up attendance and lodge occupancy within the final couple calendar months (or first fiscal quarter).
As must be clear from the above, the underside line is that we don’t know when 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together dates will probably be introduced or when tickets will go on sale. I’d count on an announcement earlier than mid-July in addition to ticket presales and common gross sales all by the top of subsequent month. However past that, who is aware of.
Personally, I don’t assume Disney has a lot sense of urgency with MVMCP since each single date bought out final yr (and the yr earlier than), and the identical will virtually actually be true in 2024. Consequently, it’s not as in the event that they “want” to make the announcement by a sure date with a view to have sufficient runway to promote tickets. These vacation events have gotten extra like their counterparts at Disneyland, which by no means rushes to disclose particulars or begin promoting tickets as a result of they know all dates will promote out yearly.
Irrespective of how or when the 2024 MVMCP announcement is made, I’d additional predict that tickets will go on sale every week or two after the announcement and as soon as once more be staggered for on-site and off-site company to create a way of urgency and maybe demand for on-site lodging.
With that in thoughts, listed below are the historic announcement and gross sales dates of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together going again to 2017, simply in case you need to additional attempt to learn the tea leaves. I feel that’s a idiot’s errand, however maybe this data is in some way helpful to you…
In 2017, dates and particulars for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together have been introduced on April 6; ticket gross sales began on Could 10. That yr, costs began at $89 for adults and $84 for kids (3-9).
The 2017 MVMCP was held for a 21 nights, with occasions on the next dates:
- November 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 26, 28
- December 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22
That sprung ahead considerably the next yr, with March 19, 2018 being the date that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together tickets went on sale. MVMCP ticket costs began at $95 upfront or $105 on the gate.
The 2018 Christmas Get together was held for a then-record 22 nights:
- November 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30
- December 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21
Each of these years, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together tickets additionally went on sale the identical day that MNSSHP tickets have been launched. This was a reasonably widespread observe on the time, however didn’t all the time happen.
It additionally wasn’t all the time the case that the announcement and gross sales date coincided. For just a few years, it was regular for dates to be launched in late March or April and tickets occurring sale in early Could.
In 2019, tickets for MNSSHP have been launched in mid-January, which was too early for the discharge of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together dates and tickets. The MVMCP announcement got here on April 8; tickets began at $99 in 2019, and that was after a pre-purchase low cost of $10.
The variety of occasion nights elevated as soon as once more, hitting a then-record 23 dates:
- November: 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24
- December: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 22
It’s value including a “footnote” right here that 2019 was not a standard yr for Walt Disney World. That late summer time and early fall was the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and many individuals steered away from the parks (each in Florida and California) throughout that land’s opening months out of fears that it could be chaotic.
Folks pushed journeys again to November or December for Christmas, and/or the opening of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The tip outcome was an atypically sluggish finish of summer time, and surprisingly robust vacation season. This actually has extra pertinence for the Halloween season, nevertheless it’s nonetheless noteworthy when discussing the second half of the yr. Just like the 2-3 years that adopted, 2019 was not regular–when it comes to attendance and demand dynamics–at Walt Disney World.
Quick-forward to 2021, when Disney Very Merriest After Hours was introduced as a alternative for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together following a hiatus in 2020. That new occasion was unveiled on August 13, after the Disney After Hours Boo Bash had already began. Tickets went on sale starting August 17 for on-site resort company and August 20 for most people.
Disney Very Merriest After Hours was held on 24 choose nights:
- November: 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 21, 23, 28, 30
- December: 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, 19, 21
Ticket costs ranged from $169 to $229 plus tax for choose November-December nights and $249, plus tax for late December dates in 2019. Annual Passholders and Disney Trip Membership Members may benefit from a $10 low cost on choose occasion dates in November.
The timing of this launch was virtually actually an anomaly, as Walt Disney World was scrambling to convey again its regular choices amidst staffing shortages and whereas making an attempt to navigate an anticipated inflow of crowds for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary. As with 2019 and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this didn’t materialize. This time, it was extra concerning the Delta variant and reinstated face masks guidelines reasonably than “crowdpocalypse” fears, however the latter possible contributed barely to decrease attendance between October and December.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together made its triumphant return in 2022. This was introduced throughout Walt Disney World’s “Midway to Holidays” on June 23. Tickets went on sale starting June 30 for on-site resort company and July 7 for most people.
Happening on 24 choose nights, the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together set a brand new report for earliest begin date and most occasion nights. It additionally returned to its commonplace schedule of hours from 7 p.m. to midnight, and was not capacity-constrained in the identical was as Very Merriest After Hours.
Consequently, ticket costs decreased as in comparison with After Hours the yr earlier than, however have been nonetheless a report excessive (by a large margin) relative to MVMCP in earlier years, starting from $149 to $199 per individual.
Occasion dates for the 2022 MVMCP have been:
- November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
- December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22
As you may see from the vary of launch dates above, when Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together tickets go on sale annually varies. It has occurred in each early March and late August–however the latter was an apparent anomaly. Walt Disney World planners might bemoan this, because it makes planning tough.
The excellent news is {that a} pattern has emerged within the post-reopening period with the “Midway to Halloween” week to construct anticipation and pleasure for spook season. As for exactly when “Midway to the Holidays” is prone to occur, that’s largely dictated by anticipated demand and gross sales projections. Final yr, pent-up demand was nonetheless working scorching; in consequence, each single date of each MNSSHP and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together bought out upfront.
That’s not regular. Whereas Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together does often promote higher than its Halloween counterpart, the norm is for the primary 2-3 events to promote out, the primary one after Thanksgiving to promote out (as a result of events aren’t held through the week of Thanksgiving), after which mid-December dates. In a median yr, about half of the MVMCP occasion nights would promote out, with the events least prone to promote out being mid-November and early to mid-December.
Often, the primary Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together would promote out in October or early November, with subsequent dates promoting out between late November and early December. Final yr, the primary couple of Christmas Events bought out in September, and each single date bought out earlier than Thanksgiving. Most dates have been passed by November 4. Once more, this was not regular.
Level being, if you happen to’re anxiously awaiting Walt Disney World to launch 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together dates and tickets since you’re apprehensive about it promoting out, don’t. Even with final yr setting the report for bought out dates, nothing was gone till September, and solely the primary two nights bought out that month.
Late October and early November is when most dates of final yr’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together bought out. And once more, that every one occurred sooner than regular. Understand that Individuals have been totally embracing in “revenge journey,” which resulted in freer spending as shoppers sought to make up for misplaced time and have been much less value delicate in consequence.
Suffice to say, the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together is not going to promote out inside days of tickets occurring sale. That applies to each the presale window and most people window. We all know a lot of you might be planners who get anxious about not having each element set in stone, however you actually don’t have something to fret about right here.
With that stated, the recognition of final yr’s Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together shouldn’t be minimized. Don’t take a look at the looming summer time slowdown and assume the identical will probably be true for November and December. These months will most likely be slower than their counterparts final yr, however they gained’t be as dangerous as proper now or August and September. The vacation season is all the time busy; it’s a fan favourite, and Individuals discover cash of their finances for Christmas even when chopping again at different instances of the yr.
In different phrases, it could be silly to forecast considerably decrease gross sales for 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together tickets at the same time as crowds and lodge bookings are decrease for summer time. There have been many elements driving the recognition of MVMCP final yr, and way more demand for tickets than provide. Even 25% much less demand for the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together may nonetheless imply many or most dates nonetheless promoting out over the course of the occasion.
Lastly, few fast predictions. The primary is that I don’t assume there will probably be value will increase to the ticket value vary for the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together. Despite the fact that the events are well-liked and bought out all dates final yr, Disney has largely hit a wall with costs. Possibly that doesn’t apply to exhausting ticket occasions, however possibly it does. At most, I’d count on a $5-10 improve.
My subsequent prediction is that, if costs do improve, tickets for the occasion will promote slower. To offset this, it may imply the return of low cost tickets for Forged Members or the last-minute introduction of a brand new uncommon character meet & greet–something to entice extra demand. A technique or one other, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together might be going to promote out each single date once more in 2024.
The underside line is that we wouldn’t fear about shopping for tickets on day or week one, however we additionally wouldn’t take an excellent laid again method, both. At the same time as Walt Disney World has seen an exhaustion of pent-up demand with just about every thing else, particular occasions are the one factor that’s nonetheless going robust. That might change, however for now, it’s exhausting to ascertain a situation the place the Christmas occasion is significantly much less well-liked this yr than it was final.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
When do you assume 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together dates will probably be introduced? Count on ticket gross sales to begin the identical day, or with a delay? Did you attend MVMCP at Walt Disney World final yr? Planning on attending once more this yr, or have been you a part of the ‘pent-up demand’ crowd? What did you consider the ‘bought out’ crowds? Assume it was well worth the excessive ticket value? Any leisure additions you’re hoping to see for the 2024 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Get together? Every other suggestions, likes or dislikes? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!