Why 4:00 PM Is Still So Important in Magic Kingdom

To many, the holiday season is the “most wonderful time of the year,” and when it comes to Walt Disney World, the most important time of day during that period is 4:00 PM. See, for guests at the Magic Kingdom during November and December, that’s the definitive time of their day. It’s when guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can begin entering the park, and when guests without party tickets need to start wrapping up their day.

Decorations during the day

I’ve been visiting Walt Disney World for 30+ years, and learned that lesson the hard way back in 2009. That year, I was in Florida with several friends when we decided on a whim to visit Walt Disney World during a free day, and chose the Magic Kingdom without looking at the park’s schedule. We purchased our tickets at a kiosk in the lobby of our off-property hotel (this was in the nascent smartphone era, so not everything was handled online) and arrived at the Magic Kingdom around 10:00 AM… only to discover that it was a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party day, and that the park would be closing to regular day guests at 6:00 PM. In other words, when 4:00 PM rolled around, we needed to start wrapping up our day and rushing to fit in any final attractions. Womp Womp.

While that was my loss in 2009, being able to enter the Magic Kingdom at 4:00 PM — three hours before the event technically begins — is a boon to guests attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks

They can use that time to have a meal before the party begins, perhaps trying to score dining reservations for in-demand restaurants like Be Our Guest or Cinderella’s Royal Table at a time day guests may be avoiding, as they’ll be ushered out of the park at 6:00 PM.

The Grand Ballroom in Be Our Guest Restaurant

Party guests can also squeeze in some attractions, or even begin lining up for in-demand party experiences like meeting Santa Claus or Mickey and Minnie in their holiday best.

You can meet SANTA

The early entry time also allows them to be ready to immediately start taking advantage of the Christmas Party’s offerings as soon as 7:00 PM hits. These include the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, characters in their Christmas best, and even snow (AKA snoap) on Main Street.

©Disney

The 2025 This year’s edition of the party, which will be held on November 7th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 21st, 25th, 26th, 28th, and 30th, and December 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 19th, and 21st.

©Disney

If you’re heading to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year — OR visiting the Magic Kingdom on a party day — be sure to keep 4:00 PM in mind as it will define your day, one way or another. Stay tuned to DFB for more.

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