Christmas Party help?

[Boy Mom x3]

Please tell me anything and everything about the Christmas Party? We got tickets for this season and are super excited, but have no clue what we are doing. I don't even know what questions to ask.... help with these and anything else I'm forgetting pretty please?
Is there a map or guide or schedule I can see ahead of time to figure out what we want to do?
Should we ride some rides or spend most of the time seeing the park at night/parade/fireworks?
Are there special things going on that I can know about ahead of time (I read somewhere they have snow on Main Street and free cookies in the shops)?
I know we can get in at 4, but I'm assuming we should ride rides until the party officially starts at 7, or is there something else going on?
I want to make this the BEST ever for my family. It will be our last day at the parks and probably our only time to ever get to do any special events.
Thank you SO much for the advice!

 

[TropicalDIS]

I'm going for the first time this year as well, but here's what I know.

You can get in at 4, and yes ride rides for the first little bit at least. If you want to see characters such as the 7 dwarfs, or Jack Skellington in his Santa outfit (forgotten the proper name, excuse me folks!!), then getting in line form them at 530-6ish seems to be the best way to do it, from what i have read.

Snow on Main St, yes (super excited!), and free cookies & cocoa at stations all over the park.

I'm sure people who have been before will be able to contribute much more, but it's going to be great night!

 

[hiroMYhero]

This thread has a lot of info and you can post questions there:
"Official" Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2016 - Have Yourself a Very Mickey Christmas.