MVMCP - Once or Twice? Characters?

[DisneyFamily123]

Would you go twice to MVMCP in one trip? Are there a lot of characters to meet and interact with? Characters you usually don't see in the parks or at meals? Thank you.

It's DH, DW, and DS5. We will see the most popular characters on other days in the parks and at some meals, and go to MK on other days for rides.

So, what's important for us at MVMCP is the other stuff -- the parade (will watch both times), any special shows (not sure if there are any), characters not usually seen at parks/meals, fireworks, and anything else that is Christmas special.

At the MNSSHP in 2009, DS4 fell asleep at 11:30pm so I'm not sure how long he will last this year. I wish we went twice because once was not enough time. We saw the fireworks, both parades, 1 ride, lots of candy, fireworks, the Villians Mix and Mingle (and had pictures with all of them), and met the step sisters. I really wish we met more characters like Snow White and the Dwarfs.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

For us, once per trip was enough. I have been to it 2 times (on 2 different trips). Both on Tuesday nights. The first time in 2006 was awesome. Crowds were low, the weather was nice, got to see and do everything.

2nd time around it was a big difference. So much more crowded, missed my favorite show in tomorrowland (twas the night before christmas) because it was too crowded to get in unless you lined up like 2 hours early, they stopped the snow on mainstreet early, and just not as fun.

You can probly do everything in 1 night if you pick the right night to go. Like I said, it has gotten a lot more popular.

The parade is really awesome. Its my favorite parade of all.

As far as characters, there were not many rare characters at all. It was mostly the same characters we saw during regular hours except the princesses had the princes with them which was nice.

I will say that the lines for rides are not that bad.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

If we did decide to go a 2nd night, is it easy enough to buy tickets while there? Doesn't seem like the MVMCP sells out. Anyone remember a sell out?

Since I'm not sure if I want to go once or twice..... I was thinking about just getting advance tickets for 1 night (earlier in our trip), and then after going to the party, decide whether to go a 2nd night. We would probably get advance tickets for Sunday 12/5, and then go again on Tuesday 12/7 or Thursday 12/9 -- if we decided to go again.

We will be ther Dec. 3-12 so the party dates are Friday, Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. I'm guessing that Sun, Tues, and Thurs. will be less crowded. It is strange that Tuesday 12/7 is not a discounted night but Thursday 12/9 is.

We do like to get up early in the morning for the parks... and being up late at the party will require us to sleep in the next day. If we don't need to go to the party twice, that's better.

 

[Jungle Cruiser]

I think your plan of buying advance tickets for early during your stay and seeing how it goes is a great idea. We were there the first week in Dec two years ago and it wasn't crowded for the party, don't remember which day we went but it was during the week. That early in December the party probably won't sell out so you can always go a second time. Also, if you get bad weather and don't say as long as you might normally (that year we thought the snow on Main Street was real it was so cold!) you can always go again.

 

[InPerfectClouds]

Would you go twice to MVMCP in one trip? Are there a lot of characters to meet and interact with? Characters you usually don't see in the parks or at meals? Thank you.

So, what's important for us at MVMCP is the other stuff -- the parade (will watch both times), any special shows (not sure if there are any), characters not usually seen at parks/meals, fireworks, and anything else that is Christmas special.

Go once.

Let me preface by saying it is not nearly as exciting as the MNSSHP, in my opinion.

The parade is probably going to be enough for you just one time, honestly, because it is REALLY long. It lasts 25-30 minutes. Maybe longer. It depends on the weather, the horses, etc. But at least 25 minutes usually. It can get to be a bit much.

Make sure you stop at the treat locations and get free sugar cookies and cups of hot cocoa though! That's super fun!

There is a Christmas show on the Castle Forecourt Stage at various times throughout the night.

There are also some things like the Totally Tomorrowland party.

A lot of characters roam around in winter attire that you wouldn't see otherwise - ESPECIALLY if it's empty. And, unless you go really close to Christmas, it will be pretty not crowded. Peter Pan and Wendy walk around with scarves on, Country Bears as well ((they get annoying, though, so watch out.))

My favorite thing is watching Cinderella's Holiday Wish, where they light up the castle. I think it's usually 15 minutes before party time. Make sure you're there for that!

You can meet Santa in Town Square, and it might just be snowing on Main Street! There is also lots of fun traditional Christmas music playing there too, which is the best.

Each land has its own unique holiday music - so fun.

Very easy to buy a 2nd night ticket while you're there. As I said, most of the nights were empty. They will definitely sell out the week or two before Christmas, though.

 

[TiffinyKC]

This past Christmas we did two parties. We did the last two nights of the party (12/17 and 12/18).

Our strategy was on party night number one we would focus on the characters and the rides, on party night number two we would focus on the parade and the fireworks and get really good seats.

It worked really well, we experienced everything that we wanted to; but the truth is that we could have probably done everything in one night if we would have moved quickly. We probably threw a little too much money away with this strategy.

 

[Jessica14]

This is great info! I have been back and forth about this because first off it is an added expense and right not, I'm not even sure how we will be paying for the trip itself! Second when we went for the Halloween Party, my kids couldn't make it past 9:00 PM, though it was easy to see the parade and fireworks and rides.
Two questions-I read in the Unofficial Guide that there may not be any parades at night during a low attendance period so I was thinking that this parade may be it at MK.

The second thing, is there a place to meet Santa, sit on his lap, and tell him what you want? We usually go to Macy's in NYC, but if we could do this instead, it might eliminate an extra thing we have to do before the trip.
Thanks!
Jessica

 

[Berlioz70]

I went to MVMCP just for the characters... here is my complete report with pictures!

Here is the list of characters that were out in 2009.

 

[LMO429]

This past december my mom and I went to 3 MVMCP during our 8 night visit. We had originally planned on just going once, but being in the MK for all the holiday festivities was just in one word amazing! If you have the $ to do so I think going more than once is a good idea then you would not have to rush around to do all the major extra events that they have scheduled during the party. We were there this past december the 5th to the 13th. I'm pretty sure one of the parties that week was sold out I think it was the friday night party.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I would stick with your strategy about going once and then deciding if you'd like to go again while there. That's a great idea.

But, yes they have sold out before and it is very possible they will sell out this year once it gets closer to the dates.

 

[Forever a Princess]

Hi there!

We always go twice.

Twas the Night Before Christmas stage show is one of our favorites. We try to see it as many times as we can.
Plus there is the parades....
And the free cookies and hot chocolate...
And the rides....
And the Holiday Wishes!!!

Sigh, we could live at MVMCP if they would let us!!!

When we tried to do it all in one night prior we just felt too rushed.

We have seen MVMCP sell out. If a particular date is going to sell out it seems like the tickets are gone by early afternoon.

If I save and set aside the money for the tickets prior to going then I don't have to worry about the expense when we get there.

Good luck with your decision!!!
Renee

 

[Dan Murphy]

....The second thing, is there a place to meet Santa, sit on his lap, and tell him what you want? We usually go to Macy's in NYC, but if we could do this instead, it might eliminate an extra thing we have to do before the trip.
Thanks!
Jessica

Downtown Disney and also at the American Adventure in Epcot.


I have gone twice in past years, but with current level of cost, reduced extras and higher crowds, I would not again.

 

[Dan Murphy]

....Twas the Night Before Christmas stage show is one of our favorites. We try to see it as many times as we can....

No longer performed.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

This is great info! I have been back and forth about this because first off it is an added expense and right not, I'm not even sure how we will be paying for the trip itself! Second when we went for the Halloween Party, my kids couldn't make it past 9:00 PM, though it was easy to see the parade and fireworks and rides.
Two questions-I read in the Unofficial Guide that there may not be any parades at night during a low attendance period so I was thinking that this parade may be it at MK.

The second thing, is there a place to meet Santa, sit on his lap, and tell him what you want? We usually go to Macy's in NYC, but if we could do this instead, it might eliminate an extra thing we have to do before the trip.
Thanks!
Jessica

Santa is sometimes available during non mvmcp hours at City hall in MK and we have also seen him with Mrs. Clause at Epcot in America. Look at the times guides for schedules.

 

[Mary T in PA]

I went to MVMCP just for the characters... here is my complete report with pictures!

Here is the list of characters that were out in 2009.

Berlioz is the reason that we went twice during our stay last Dec. We went for the rides and shows on the first night and then on the second night, we hit alot of the characters.

It was a good strategy that worked for us.

 

[sjs314]

I never considered going twice, I am just thrilled to finally be going this year for the first time.

 

[mom2rtk]

This past Christmas we did two parties. We did the last two nights of the party (12/17 and 12/18).

Our strategy was on party night number one we would focus on the characters and the rides, on party night number two we would focus on the parade and the fireworks and get really good seats.

It worked really well, we experienced everything that we wanted to; but the truth is that we could have probably done everything in one night if we would have moved quickly. We probably threw a little too much money away with this strategy.

We do this too and it's a great plan! If you want to see Mickey and Minnie in holiday attire, that's 2 separate lines. Want to see Belle/Beast and Snow White with her prince? Have to do the same line twice. You could take all evening and barely see all the characters. Having a second night to chill on Main Street and see the parade and fireworks is a great plan.

As for sellouts? We were there in 08 and the Tuesday 12/16 one we were out was a sell out. They also said the Tuesday prior 12/9 had also been a sell out. Some would say you're better off not being there if it's a sell-out, but we managed to see a lot that night. Of course, that was our character night. They said Main Street was packed, but we never made it out there. We had been in the park all day and never even walked up Main Street that night.

As for the Castle lighting show: It runs every night, so you don't have to do that on a party night.

Have fun!

 

[bytheblood]

We have always done MVMCP one...in 2009, we did it twice. I will always go twice now. Once to meet characters, watch the parade and fireworks and then another time to take pictures, ride the rides and play in the "snow" on main street.