Laughing Lindsay

Travel Reviews, Giveaways, & More!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Review

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I just got back from a very busy trip to Orlando on Wednesday. One of the highlights of our trip was visiting Walt Disney World for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! Having attended the party a few times in the past, I feel like I can give a fair review of the event and provide a few tips.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Just in case you don’t know, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is an add-on ticketed event held at the Magic Kingdom after normal park hours to celebrate the holiday season. Typically, it’s held from early/mid-November until right before Christmas. The party includes special character meet and greets, a Christmas parade, holiday stage and fireworks shows, ride overlays, as well as free cookies and drinks!

Party Entertainment

One of the main draws of the party is the unique entertainment options. One key difference between this party and the Not So Scary Halloween Party though is that these shows will eventually be included with the regular park admission as you get closer to Christmas. However, if you are visiting before that time, then you can only experience the holiday parade, stage show, and fireworks show at the Christmas Party. Personally, I absolutely adore seeing the toy soldiers marching down Main Street, USA!

Food

During the Halloween Party, you can trick-or-treat for candy. During Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you can go around the park for free cookies and beverages! These treats are only available at the party. However, this year they were pre-packaged Cheryl’s cookies. So, if you want to try them outside the party, you can order some for yourself.

Now that you have an adequate understanding of the party itself, allow me to share some tips with you!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tips

  • Arrive early. The party starts at 7 PM, but your ticket allows you to enter the park at 4! Use this time to eat dinner or get in line for any big characters you want to see.
  • Get a spot for entertainment early. Stake out your spot for the parade early. In previous years, the second parade was less crowded. However, this year it appeared that this advice has been read by everyone and it’s no longer the case. My mom and I sat on Main Street for the first parade and it was less crowded than the second parade! So, just know that if you want a prime spot, you need to get there at least 30-45 minutes early.
  • Pick up an event guide. When you first enter the park, pick up an event guide that features a map with treat locations as well as times guide. I highly recommend picking one up to reference throughout the night.
  • Make a list of must-do’s. You aren’t going to be able to see and do everything at the party. It’s just too short/too crowded. So, do your research and know the things that are priorities for your group.
  • Enjoy the ambiance. You could be annoyed that you have to stake out a spot for the parade so far in advance or that you have to be so close with so many people. You can also choose to enjoy just being in the park while it’s decorated for the holidays and snowing! I truly believe your attitude impacts your experience. Make the best of it and you will enjoy it.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party can be a delightful holiday addition to your Disney World trip. I promise that there’s nothing else like it!

Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains

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I’ve been lucky enough to experience Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains several times. Here are my favorite things to see and do when I visit during that time of the year!

Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains

Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains

There is so much to see and do when you visit the Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg area! It can be hard to know what is worth your time and money. I think it’s even harder to decide what to do when you are visiting during Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains. To make it easier to plan your trip, I’m going to break down your options based on the three towns you can visit.

Christmas in Sevierville

If you are visiting Sevierville at Christmastime, then I recommend checking out Shadrack’s Light Show. I experienced the show at the Smokies Stadium in 2020 and found it to be a great way to see some lights while social distancing. This light show is a drive through experience, so you can stay in your car the whole time! 2022 will be the last year it will be held at the Stadium. However, they are starting a new show at Soaky Mountain Waterpark in 2022 as well. I’m sure it will be just as fun!

Christmas in Pigeon Forge

I just did a whole post highlighting Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge. In it I discuss everything from Dolly Parton Stampede Christmas Dinner Show to the Comedy Barn! I also have to mention how amazing Christmas at Dollywood is again! Additionally, the town of Pigeon Forge celebrates the holidays each year with Winterfest! During this time, you can see all kinds of Christmas lights around town for free! Plus, they just opened the Winterfest Wonders of Light Walking Trail! You can definitely plan a few days in Pigeon Forge around the holiday season!

Christmas in Gatlinburg

Lasty but not least is Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg decorates the town with branded snowmen, as seen in the photo collage above! They dot the entire main street and it’s fun to go around to see all of the different ones! You can also visit Anakeesta for Enchanted Winter/Christmas! Anakeesta also offers Breakfast with Santa on select weekends in late November/early December. To get an idea of what to expect at Anakeesta during Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains, you can scroll through my pictures in the Instagram post below.

There are two additional options for celebrating winter in Gatlinburg that I’ve never experienced: Ober Mountain for skiing and snow tubing as well as Lights Over Gatlinburg at Gatlinburg SkyLift Park. I’ve heard good things about each one, but haven’t had the chance to do them yet. Although, I have visited Ober during the fall and had fun there.

As you can see, there’s lots to do if you visit during Christmas in the Great Smoky Mountains. Is there another must visit on your list?

If you are planning a trip to the area during a different season, here are my other posts to help you plan:

Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, TN

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Did you know that several attractions in the Smoky Mountains get a holiday makeover? For instance, there are several special Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge, TN! Here’s a look at the various options and my reviews of the experiences.

Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge

Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge

All of these places have year round offerings, but they change the performance for the holidays. So, if you are already a fan of the attraction or are just looking for a new way to get in the jolly spirit when visiting, here’s a list of Christmas Shows in Pigeon Forge, TN!

  • Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede – If you click that link, you can actually read my full review of this dinner experience. I’ve actually never gone to the original Dolly Parton Stampede show but I found the holiday North vs South Pole twist to be fun and jovial.
  • Hatfield & McCoy Christmas Disaster Dinner Feud – I reviewed the regular Hatfield and McCoy Dinner Show previously and was lucky enough to attend the holiday version this past weekend! It was fun to see all of the characters add a little bit of red and green to their outfits (minus that one… Haha!). I also enjoyed hearing the festive tunes. You can see pictures from this visit in my Instagram post below.
  • Comedy Barn Christmas – It’s just never worked out for me to visit the Comedy Barn. However, I’ve heard good things about it. There’s no dinner served here, but it’s a variety act. Their holiday version just began on the 19th, so if you visit soon you will get to experience this one.
  • Country Tonite Christmas – I visited this attraction last year. Last year, they performed a good chunk of their regular Country Tonite show, had an intermission, and then switched it up to holiday music. If you are looking for something with lots of religion and patriotism in it, then this is for you. Also, it helps if you are a fan of country music.
  • Dollywood – Lastly, I would include Dollywood as a place to visit with Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge! There are several to choose from and a ticket for the day isn’t much more than a dinner show ticket! You can read my post for tips on visiting Dollywood at Christmas!

So, that’s the list of Christmas shows in Pigeon Forge, TN! Have you been to any of them? Which one is your favorite?

Christmas at Dollywood: What to Expect

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It’s hard to believe it, but it’s already Christmas at Dollywood! So, here’s a look at all of the things you can expect to see, do, and eat at the yearly festival!

Christmas at Dollywood

Christmas at Dollywood

From now until the end of the 2022 season (January 1, 2023), you can experience Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood! This festival includes seasonal foods, millions of lights, a weekend fireworks show and festive shows! It’s easy to make a full day at the park during this time of the year!

The Decorations

You can’t talk about Christmas at Dollywood without talking about the lights, so I will start there. Similar to my recommendations for experiencing fall at Dollywood, I suggest walking around the park at least once during the day and then again at night. This way, you can really experience the gorgeous decor! It’s nice to see all of the trees during the day and then again with the lights on! The same can be said for the other decor as well.

Another neat thing to know about the holiday decorations, is that each part of the park has a different color/theme! Santa’s Village is red and green. Glacier Ridge is blues and white. Craftman’s Valley has clear lights.

Additionally, new this year is the Dollywood Express Light Experience! You will be able to ride the train (something I recommend doing anytime of the year) and see new lights flickering by as seasonal music plays! This sounds like a fun experience for sure! Although, it tends to be cold on the train in the winter. So, make sure you bundle up and grab some hot chocolate!

The Food

Once again, the park is bringing back the tasting pass for the festival. In my opinion, this can be a great way to try several seasonal foods on a budget. However, you have to make sure you choose items that are worth over $6 to get your money’s worth. Otherwise, I recommend just buying items out of pocket. I can’t recommend a stop by the Spotlight Bakery enough. Everything I’ve ever had there is delicious!

Beyond the Gingerbread People Cookies, it appears that most of this year’s Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood menu is new. However, I am looking forward to trying the Chicken Pot Pie Bread Cone and Hot Chocolate Cupcake when I visit later this month! Keep an eye on my Instagram to see what I end up trying.

The Entertainment

One of the things Dollywood is known for is their entertainment. I just love being able to walk around the park and catch a performance. There are always loads of musicians around the park. However, Christmas at Dollywood brings special holiday plays too! I’m hoping to finally catch “Christmas in the Smokies” and “Appalachian Christmas”.

Lastly, if you are attending on a Friday or Saturday night, then you can catch the Merry & Bright, Holiday Light! Fireworks Show! I’m very disappointed that it has returned to just weekend nights as that blocks out the bring a friend passes from viewing them. We missed seeing them last year because it was too cold and we thought we could see them this year. However, since my mom goes with me on a bring a friend pass, that’s not possible this year. So, that’s a huge bummer. That being said, I’m sure they are great fireworks and the perfect way to end the day.

So, there you have it! An overview of everything you can expect to see, hear, and taste at Christmas at Dollywood! Have you ever been? What was your favorite part?

If you are planning a trip to the park during a different season, here are my posts on those seasonal events:

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

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Before I became a frequent theme park visitor, I wasn’t sure there wasn’t anything for me to enjoy at a theme park. I definitely didn’t think my husband or mom who both get motion sickness could have fun at a theme park. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s definitely possible! In fact, here’s a list of theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who like to travel without needing to ride the most thrilling rides.

theme park tips for scaredy cats

Theme Park Tips for Scaredy Cats

Up until a few years ago, I assumed you had to be a thrill seeker to enjoy amusement parks. However, after visiting some great ones, I now realize that theme parks can be enjoyable for everyone, regardless of age and ability! So, here are my theme park tips for scaredy cats or people who don’t want to ride the big roller coaster.

  • Experience the seasonal events. As I’ve posted previously, there’s so much to see and eat during the fall season at Dollywood. However, the same can be said about pretty much any festival at Epcot or SeaWorld Orlando. Mardi Gras at Universal Orlando is another seasonal event I highly recommend. Of course, the holidays at any amusement park are filled with special shows, décor, and food to enjoy!
  • See a show. Most amusement parks also have shows you can watch during the day. So, glance at a schedule for the day’s events at the park and catch a few! They can be a great way to escape the weather too!
  • Try out new food. Do some research before you arrive and see what food the park is famous for. For instance, you have to get the cinnamon bread at Dollywood or a Dole Whip at Disney Parks. Then, go and try as many of those foods as you can!
  • Ride a sight seeing ride. Most people can tolerate a train ride around a park (Dollywood) or on something like the People Mover at Magic Kingdom. So, be on the lookout for rides in the air to get a different view of the park. You might even spot a ride that looks less intimidating from up in the sky.
  • Do your research. I highly recommend checking out ride point of view videos on YouTube prior to going to any theme park, to get a feel for a ride and see if it might be tolerable for you or not. You can also read descriptions of rides on many parks’ websites, so if a roller coasters mentions inversions or a tall height requirement, it might not be for you.
  • Look for add-on events. Lots of parks have add-on events you can participate in for an additional cost. Often times this is not riding a ride. For instance, the Dine with Orcas at SeaWorld Orlando is an add-on event where you can eat lunch while watching a show with an orca! That is thrilling, but totally accessible to everyone! SeaWorld features tons of animal experience add-ons and Walt Disney World has several tours as well. Universal Orlando even has some free behind the scenes tours of their rides!

So, there you have my theme park tips for scaredy cats! Do you have any tips?