Yesterland Minnie’s Christmas Party
 
Daily at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Fantasyland Theatre, Presented by Nestlé

You’ve arrived in the Fantasyland Theatre just in time for Minnie’s Christmas Party.

Singer-dancer-actor-hosts Eric and Dawn are headed to the annual Christmas party at Minnie’s house to help her decorate. As they head over, they sing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”—the first of a bunch of Christmas carols that they’ll sing throughout the show. They speculate about who will play Santa this year.


With this speculation, they’ve introduced the show’s plot. Chip ’n’ Dale, Goofy, and Pluto each think that it’s their turn to play Santa. They all show up at the party wearing Santa garb. The final guest to arrive is Mickey Mouse. With Mickey’s arrival, the plot is resolved.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Six performances daily

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

The simple set is flanked by Christmas trees.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Eric and Dawn introduce themselves to the audience.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Minnie Mouse welcomes guests to her Christmassy house.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Chip ’n’ Dale think it’s their turn to play Santa.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Chip ’n’ Dale sing “We Need a Little Chris-Mouse.”

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Each musical number is choreographed with dancing and jumping.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Goofy thinks it’s his turn to play Santa. Then Pluto is next.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Frosty the Snowman makes an appearance during the song about him.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Minnie reads “The Night Before Christmas.” Pluto senses another visitor.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Mickey emerges from the fireplace after sliding down the chimney.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

It’s gift time. Santa Mickey has something special for everyone.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

The show ends with snow falling on the audience.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Exit from the Fantasyland Theatre to head for more holiday fun.

Merry Chris-Mouse!


Minnie’s Christmas Party premiered at Disneyland on November 2, 2001, for the 2001 holiday season, exactly one week before LuminAria premiered across the Esplanade at Disney’s California Adventure. Unlike LuminAria, Minnie’s Christmas Party returned for the 2002 holiday season. But that was the end of its run. In fact, that was the end of having Christmas shows in the Fantasyland Theatre.

Minnie’s Christmas Party at Disneyland, 2001

Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001

Big theater, modest set

Compared to Animazement - The Musical, the prior show in the same theater, Minnie’s Christmas Party was modest in scope. The set was simple. The cast was small. The plot was minimal. The script seemed to be written for children, rather than for all ages.

As a Disney theme park theatrical production, Minnie’s Christmas Party could be considered a disappointment. But it could still be enjoyed as a pleasant little Christmas concert. The show had two talented singers performing well-known Christmas carols, with six classic characters giving the show its Disney content. The performers—humans and characters—were excellent.

Minnie’s Christmas Party was never performed at other Disney parks—with one exception. The date was December 6, 2009. The location was Stage 17 at Disney’s California Adventure, the former Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play it! building. The audience consisted of D23 Members who had paid $275 per person for a day of activities, including reserved seats for the Candlelight Processional and Ceremony on Town Square, a group dinner in Stage 17, and “a special show” for D23 Members—a reprise of Minnie’s Christmas Party.

Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle

Photo by Chris Bales, 2017

“Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle”

Although Disneyland Park hasn’t presented a holiday show at the Fantasyland Theatre since the 2002 holiday season, the park celebrates the holidays in a big way. In addition to lavish decorations throughout the park, the holiday offerings include “it’s a small world” Holiday, “Believe…In Holiday Magic” Fireworks Spectacular, Haunted Mansion Holiday, and A Christmas Fantasy Parade.

The exception has been 2020, with the closure of Disneyland due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But “Holidays at the Disneyland Resort” should be back in 2021.

Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year from Yesterland!


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Updated December 11, 2020