We know we say it all the time, but Disney World during the holidays is truly a different type of magic. Yes, all of your favorite rides are still running, and Mickey Mouse is still waving at you in the parade, but everything is covered with an extra layer of twinkling lights, and there may or may not be Santa hats involved.

Everyone who visits Disney World during the holiday season, which runs from November 13th to January 6th this year, gets to experience the Christmas trees and Mickey wreaths, but if you want another layer of magic, you might want to check out the exclusive after-hours events. These events take the holidays to the next level, and they start in about a month, bringing major changes to the parks.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs on select nights in Magic Kingdom from November 8th to December 22nd, and Jollywood Nights run on select nights from November 7th to January 5th in Hollywood Studios. Both are a total blast, but you might find yourself leaning toward one event over the other, depending on your family. November 7th is our kick-off, and we couldn’t be more excited.

If you like classic Disney holidays, you’ll probably want to check out Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Since it takes place in Magic Kingdom, it feels even more magical with the castle in front of you, and the special entertainment is not to be missed.

The parades and fireworks shows are some of the best Disney World has, and there are also tons of meet-and-greets available, along with exclusive food you can only get during the party (and this usually includes a popcorn bucket, too!). While both events are family-friendly, more families head to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. The event has been around for a long time and is a holiday tradition for many families who come every year.

Magic Kingdom closes to the public at 6 PM, and guests with holiday party tickets can enter starting at 4 PM. There are typically pretty short waits for rides, except for those with holiday overlays like the Jungle Cruise, but lines can be massive for parade spots, fireworks viewings, and meet-and-greets. Since there’s so much to do, it can often feel like a hustle to get it all done, and it can get chaotic when you add in the large number of guests also trying to do everything.

Now what about Jollywood Nights? This event is geared more towards adults, but the whole family can still enjoy a trip to Hollywood Studios. You know how Hollywood Studios tends to be geared towards teens and adults? It’s the same idea, but with more Christmas thrown in.

There is also exclusive entertainment, including a show with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy that our team freaks out about every year, and a Nightmare Before Christmas show where you get to see the coveted Jack Skellington puppet up close and personal (he’s MASSIVE, by the way). We tend to find that Jollywood Nights is a bit calmer than Very Merry, and you might have time for the shows plus a ride or two.

Don’t forget about the snacks! There are also tons of exclusive food options plus a whole sit-down dining experience at the Hollywood Brown Derby, where the menu changes to feature holiday classics.

There are also tons of special meet-and-greets for Jollywood Nights. If you’re debating between the parties, it might be best to figure out which characters your family likes best and base it on that. We tend to base it off of snacks, but that’s just us.

The events start on November 7th and 8th and only run on select nights. We see tickets sell out all the time, typically with Very Merry selling out first, so if you have your eyes on certain dates, you’ll want to grab tickets sooner rather than later.

We’re still clinging to the last bit of fall, but our heads are already thinking about Christmas! Keep following Disney Food Blog for more news, plus tips and tricks on how to make the most of the parties and your trip to Disney World.

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Are you going to a party this year? Tell us which one and why in the comments.