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Why “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” Had Me Shook

Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration

 

Shook. That’s the only word that adequately defines how I felt.

In the glow of an icy Cinderella Castle on the first evening of Mickey’s Very Christmas Party for the 2016 season, a hype crowd (and I mean h-y-p-e crowd) including myself enjoyed the world premiere of Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration. The stage show is performed exclusively during MVMCP and during Christmas week at Magic Kingdom, and there was no precedence for what to expect on that debut night. Nothing. I could say I was amazed. That doesn’t quite hit the nail on the head. I could say I was blown away. Still not it. I could even say I was in castle show heaven. But that hyperbole still misses the mark. No, there’s only one word to describe my emotions in that moment: Shook.

And as much as I’d like to present a thoughtful, professional critique of my opinions toward Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration in a formal written review, I simply cannot. It deserves better. And therefore the language of the remainder of this post will reflect the nature of the adjective adorning its title: A breathless, voice-lost-from-screaming-so-loudly, might-need-medical-attention-because-of-how-lit-that-show-was Disney fan who is not physically capable of rendering his love for a project into coherent sentences.

With spoilers aplenty, here’s why Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration had me shook:

 

The Projections

This show doesn’t mess around. From literally the very beginning, it blasts those projections on Cindy’s place and says loud and clear “Hey, y’all, we got a budget surplus this year and we’re gonna use every cent.” This isn’t going to be a cute jingle bell revue. It means business, son, and if you can’t handle the heat, then A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas will be happy to have you.

Using the same projection mapping techniques and spotlights employed for Once Upon a TimeM3C (if you have to ask, get out), the visuals on the castle are just as much a spectacle as the show itself.

 

Daisy and Donald at Mickey's Most Merriest CelebrationThe Texting Song

The texting song should be nominated for a Grammy. Don’t @ me.

 

Pluto Is In This Show.

They did that.

 

TOY STORY.

When Goofy says, “Oh, boy! My friends are here!,” tbh I thought Powerline himself was about to materialize before my very eyes, so seeing Woody and Jessie is a bit of a shock. But a good shock, because it brings up some very interesting questions. Goofy calls them his friends. First of all, that’s incredible. Second, how on earth and in what possible scenario would Goofy have ever met Woody and Jessie? Idk, but I’m here for it.

 

Clarabelle Cow Mickey's Most Merriest CelebrationClarabelle Cow

I don’t know what I expected when I purchased my ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but a diva cow dressed in a boujee feather boa singing Mariah Carey wasn’t it. But I’m not mad.

At the texting song, we’re like, “Ok, this is a little different, but I think I like it.” By Clarabelle’s entrance that is by all accounts the living definition of the word “extra,” we’re sold. We’re sold, and we’re loving it. Take my money. For tomorrow night’s party. Because I want to come back and see Clarabelle living her best life again and again.

 

 

 

 

The Three Caballeros

WHAT. By the time Panchito and José have arrived, I was all but concussed on the ground. This show is *everything*. Surely no more characters can even fit on the st—OH MY GOSH.

 

Mickey's Most Merriest CelebrationFriends from Fantasyland

“It’s our friends from Fantasyland!” [more characters appear than I knew existed] [not really but it feels that way] EVERYONE is here. There are so many obscure, randomly paired characters on the stage that it practically feels like an episode of House of Mouse. A few things to break down here:

Minnie says, “It looks like everyone got our invitation!” This means that these are the people Minnie texted at the beginning of the show to invite them to the party. I like that image in my head of a text convo between Minnie and Jiminy Cricket. Likewise for Goofy with Chip and Dale, as they mention that he was the person to invite them.

By the time they start ringing those bells… I am l i v i n g.

 

Mickey and Minnie at Mickey's Most Merriest CelebrationFinale

Santa Mickey and Mrs. Claus Minnie is everything I didn’t know I needed in my life. What can possibly top this show? Answer: Nothing.

Then Mickey and the gang start listing things they’re thankful for around Christmastime. Aw, how sweet. Then comes the zinger: “Wherever you find love, it feels like Christmas!” Wait… are they going to …? No they are not. No. They. Are. Not. NO THEY ARE NOT. “It’s in the singing of a street corner choir…” DEEEEAAAAAD I’M DEAD I’M DEAD I’M DEAD I DIED I’M DEAD. Mickey. Mouse. Singing. Muppets. And it’s the finale of the show? And it’s snowing? And the projections are still going on the castle? [sobs uncontrollably] [stays in exact same position after the show is over to wait for it to start again]

Were you shooketh by Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration?

 

(Images belong to author’s personal collection.)

 

To learn more about Blake and read his recent posts for WDW Radio, visit his author page by clicking on his name at the top of this post.

 

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About Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion, and is now a recognized Disney expert, author, speaker, and host of WDW Radio. Learn more…

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