Ultimate Ranking of Special Walt Disney World Events

Special events at Walt Disney World are so popular and universally loved, people plan trips around them. Disney excels at crafting these one-of-a-kind experiences.

Whether it’s for a holiday celebration, niche interest, or exclusive park access, there’s a Disney World event for you. Today, I’m going to give my ranking of Disney World hard-ticket events. 

As the name suggests, I’m going to review events that require special admission. No EPCOT festivals or seasonal entertainment (guaranteed to be included with park admission) will be included. 

Check out my list below! (All opinions are my own and all events are great in their own way.)

Credit: Disney

#6 runDisney Races

Before themed 5Ks became popular, Disney was on board. runDisney races happen all year round in Orlando and include everything from speed walking 5Ks to full marathons. 

Active guests adore these races. Runners coordinate themed outfits, meet rare characters, collect participation medals, and experience the joy of running in the parks. 

Photo: Disney

I know Orlando locals who never miss a race. But for me, this ranks low on the “must-do” list. 

I’m not a runner. I’m not a morning person and these races start hours before the parks open. 

I admit, I’m in the minority. runDisney events continue to be extremely popular and reach maximum capacity. If interested, I’d register for the run of your choice ASAP. 

For more info, check out Disney’s official runDisney page. 

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Pros: Exclusive medals, opportunities for character photo ops, opportunities for “in action” Memory Maker photos, exercising in a magical setting

Cons: Early start time, running in “rain or shine” weather

#5 Disney After Hours 

For those that miss Extra Magic Hours, you can relive them – at a cost. 

For the price of admission, you can attend a three-hour Disney After Hours event at EPCOT, the Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, or one of the water parks on select nights. Admission includes free refreshments, entertainment, rare characters, and short attraction lines.  

Guests have praised Disney After Hours for delivering on the promise of low crowds. This is a marvelous opportunity to skip the cost of Lightning Lanes. (The free beverages and snacks aren’t a shabby perk either.)

The only real downside is the cost. Tickets are expensive and there is no difference between Adult and Child prices. They can be purchased via the Special Event Tickets page. 

Disney After Hours

Pros: Low crowds, short lines, rare character appearances, special entertainment (as available), free refreshments

Cons: High cost, short duration (3 hours)

#4 Jollywood Nights

If there’s something Disney fans love, it’s Christmas. And Disney at Christmas. 

For years, Magic Kingdom was the king of Christmas. The Main Street U.S.A. decorations, “snow”, and televised parade were unbeatable. 

But Hollywood Studios is no holiday Grinch. I always loved its big band Christmas music loops and vintage decor. 

Apparently, Disney felt the same! In 2023, they launched the Hollywood Studios event, Jollywood Nights. 

This special five-hour party features Hollywood glamour at Christmastime. In prior years, the party included a Broadway-style stage show, special characters, a fireworks/projection show, roaming entertainment, and the chance to buy specialty food/drinks. 

Guests are encouraged to dress up and use Dapper Days for inspiration. 

This event was a moderate success in 2023, but (with some tweaks) was a hit in 2024! Dates for 2025 haven’t been announced, but I think it has a swell chance of returning. 

Information about prior parties can be found on the Disney Jollywood Nights page. 

Pros: Glamorous vibes, specialty entertainment, rare Disney Afternoon and Disney Channel characters, the Twilight Soiree at the Tip Top Club

Cons: Children are welcome, but Disney states the event is geared toward preteens and older, Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! (Seriously, can we get a more worthy projection show?) 

#3 EPCOT Candlelight Processional 

Disney Christmas decorations appear on November 1st, but this yuletide event makes a fashionably late entrance.  

Starting after Thanksgiving, EPCOT hosts the Candlelight Processional at the America Gardens Theatre. Held on select nights, this concert features a large choir, a live orchestra, and celebrity narrators.

Photo: Disney

These narrators read the Christmas story from the Bible and the choir sings traditional carols. Hugely popular, this concert is gorgeous and majestic. It’s an annual holiday tradition for many.

Technically, this event is free, but seating is limited. I’d recommend guests consider booking a Candlelight Dinner Package. This package includes a prix-fixe meal at an EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed concert seating. 

Otherwise, guests can wait in the standby line. This is risky. (I’ve seen guests wait hours and still miss out, especially if a popular celebrity narrator is in town.) 

All in all, paying slightly more for dinner is worth guaranteed admission. The Candlelight Processional oozes Christmas Eve vibes that justify the price. 

Pros: One-of-a-kind Christmas concert, talented musicians, the thrill of seeing famous actors/artists in Disney World

Cons: Extra cost of booking a dining package, celebrity narrators have little freedom to deviate from the script – don’t expect inside jokes or catchphrases

#2 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 

Considered the penultimate Christmas experience, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (or MVMCP) is almost a rite of passage. 

This special Magic Kingdom party occurs on select nights in November and December. The party officially runs from 7:00 p.m. till midnight, but guests can arrive as early as 4:00 p.m. Once the party starts, the festivities fire on all cylinders. 

Snow falls on Main Street, carols play, and free cookies and hot beverages are served. Characters don cheerful attire and guests try to match them in their ugly sweaters and holiday ears. 

Party admission includes the free snacks, access to special merchandise and characters, and specialty entertainment. 

Historically, the entertainment lineup has included dance parties, a Christmas parade, Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration castle show, and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. 

If shows are a low priority, you can ride attractions with shorter queues. Some rides even have holiday themes! 

I’ve attended multiple times and I love this party. With its heartwarming atmosphere, it’s no wonder guests run to it like children running downstairs on December 25th. 

Tickets haven’t been released yet, but information on last year’s MVMCP party can be found here. 

Pros: Free cookies and cocoa/apple cider/ eggnog, specialty stage show/parade/fireworks, joyful Christmas atmosphere

Cons: This event is popular, so shows are crowded and lines for characters can be long. Prepare to arrive early if you want a good view. 

#1 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

I’ve been singing praises for Disney at Christmas, but honestly, Disney at Halloween is my favorite time to visit. The juxtaposition of spooky and silly makes Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (or MNSSHP) a standout experience. 

MNSSHP happens on select nights in August – October. Held at the Magic Kingdom, this event operates like MVMCP, but with a pumpkin twist. 

Once the party begins, the park atmosphere transforms in an eerie, but family-friendly, way. Fog machines pump out smoke, music from The Haunted Mansion plays everywhere, and dozens of Mickey Jack-O-Lanterns flicker. 

Guests can meet rare Halloween-themed characters. Best of all, guests can wear Halloween costumes themselves! (Note, this is the only time adults can wear costumes in the park.) 

While waiting for shows/parades to begin, guests can ride attractions with spooky overlays or get handfuls of free candy at the Trick-or-Treat stations. 

But the entertainment is the star. Mickey’s Boo-To-You parade is still insanely popular, as is the Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular castle show. Then, you can end your night with the Not-So-Spooky Spectacular fireworks, hosted by Jack Skellington.

As a MNSSHP devotee, I have attended this event more than any other. It’s my dream to attend annually and I can’t wait to get my ticket for 2025! 

Pros: Unique atmosphere, best of the best specialty Halloween entertainment, free candy, ability to wear full costumes in the park

Cons: Similar to MVMCP, this party can get busy. Arrive extra early if you want to meet Jack and Sally or get a front row seat for the parade. 

If these events intrigue you, I hope you’ll consider booking a trip through Mickey Travels! Remember, no matter the time of year, it’s always the right time to go to Disney. 

Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Platinum level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!

Feature Image: Disney