We had a feeling this was coming. Back when Disney ditched the classic cast member costumes at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, fans were furious. And a lot of us immediately thought, “Wait, is Christmas next?”
Yep. It was.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party started this weekend at Magic Kingdom, and it didn’t take long for guests to spot the change. The cute, festive cast member costumes we’ve seen for years? Gone. And the new ones look a whole lot like the Halloween party’s.
How We Got Here
Let’s rewind to Halloween for a sec. Earlier this year, Disney swapped out the old over-the-top Halloween costumes for something new. Now, Cast Members at the Halloween party wear a black short-sleeved shirt covered in stacked skeletons in red, purple, and green, layered over a white collared shirt.
Some wear it untucked with dark green shorts. Others tuck it into dark green pants. Add a black belt, a bow tie, and a little bat-wing headband, and that’s the look. Oh, and there’s no dress option anymore. Everything is gender-neutral.
People were not thrilled, to put it nicely.
Now Meet the Christmas Version
The new Christmas party costumes are basically the Halloween ones, but make it holiday.
There’s a red button-up shirt with snowflakes and swirls all over it, plus tiny gold gingerbread cookies and stars. Cast Members roll the sleeves up to show white cuffs, then add a black belt and a dark green bow at the collar.
And here’s where it gets funny. That green bow has a shape that some fans say looks a little like a bat. A bat. At Christmas.
But wait, there’s more. The dark green pants and shorts? Same exact ones from the Halloween party. So Halloween is basically crashing the Christmas party.
There’s also reportedly a red apron for restaurant cast members. And just like Halloween, there’s no dress option.
We Miss the Old Ones
Okay, let’s have a moment of silence for the classic Christmas costumes. They were seriously so good.
Think white shirts covered in little Christmas trees, with red buttons and white trim. One version came with red pants, a mistletoe bow tie, and a Santa hat. The other had a ruffled candy cane apron over a red skirt and a peppermint bow in the hair.
They were bright. They were loud. They were a little silly. And that’s exactly why everyone loved them. Walking up to the party entrance and seeing those outfits was like the official start of Christmas.
Why It Matters to Fans
It might sound like a tiny detail, but for people who go to the party every year, those costumes were part of the tradition. They made the night feel different from a regular day at Magic Kingdom.
The new look is way more chill, and a lot of fans feel like it lost some of that holiday magic. Reusing the Halloween pants doesn’t help either.
Is There an Upside?
To be fair, maybe. Gender-neutral costumes keep everyone’s look the same, and sharing pieces between both parties could make things easier for Disney behind the scenes.
And let’s be real, most guests are there for the parade, the fireworks, and the snow on Main Street, U.S.A.. The costumes probably won’t ruin anyone’s night.
The Party Itself
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs on select nights through December 22. You can get into Magic Kingdom as early as 4:00 PM, and the party runs from 7:00 PM to midnight. Tickets are $189 to $229, and they’re selling out fast, so don’t wait if you’re thinking about going.
Tell Us the Truth
Are you heartbroken over the candy cane aprons, or are you totally fine with the new look?
