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Minnie’s Christmas Party
Daily at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Fantasyland Theatre, Presented by Nestlé |
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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. |
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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. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Six performances daily |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 The simple set is flanked by Christmas trees. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Eric and Dawn introduce themselves to the audience. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Minnie Mouse welcomes guests to her Christmassy house. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Chip ’n’ Dale think it’s their turn to play Santa. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Chip ’n’ Dale sing “We Need a Little Chris-Mouse.” |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Each musical number is choreographed with dancing and jumping. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Goofy thinks it’s his turn to play Santa. Then Pluto is next. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Frosty the Snowman makes an appearance during the song about him. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Minnie reads “The Night Before Christmas.” Pluto senses another visitor. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Mickey emerges from the fireplace after sliding down the chimney. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 It’s gift time. Santa Mickey has something special for everyone. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 The show ends with snow falling on the audience. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Exit from the Fantasyland Theatre to head for more holiday fun. |
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Merry Chris-Mouse! |
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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. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2001 Big theater, modest set |
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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. |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2017 “Wintertime Enchantment at Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle” |
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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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© 2009-2020 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Updated December 11, 2020 |
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