MVMCP 2012 Official Information

[kennythepirate]

Originally Posted by Luv0fDisney

When do they start doing the santas in all the nations in epcot? I always wanted to see it. I go from nov 12-18.

Epcot Santas begin after Thanksgiving

[PrincessMommy05]

I would love some thoughts on when we should do MVMCP. We are getting in about noon on the 12th and weren't planning on doing a park that day, but could do MVMCP our first night (Nov 12th) instead of DTD. Is it to much for a first day?

Or we were planning on doing it the 16th (our last day there) but could save $70 by doing it the 15th. I think it would be a magical way to end our trip, but the $$ and thought that it might be less crowded the 15th is alluring. Plus the kids would have already done MK so won't be wanting to ride Dumbo 100 times. Thoughts on crowd levels?

[JennCabello]

I'm sorry if this has already been asked and answered. My family is going for its first trip to WDW and the party on November 15th. Can anyone tell me where is the best place to view the parade? My DD5 and DD7 have no idea that we are are and it is a total surprise! I want to make this an awesome experience for them and I am will to sit in a spot as long as it takes so they can see and experience this! Thanks for any help!

[LekiaHall]

Originally Posted by PrincessMommy05

I would love some thoughts on when we should do MVMCP. We are getting in about noon on the 12th and weren't planning on doing a park that day, but could do MVMCP our first night (Nov 12th) instead of DTD. Is it to much for a first day?

Or we were planning on doing it the 16th (our last day there) but could save $70 by doing it the 15th. I think it would be a magical way to end our trip, but the $$ and thought that it might be less crowded the 15th is alluring. Plus the kids would have already done MK so won't be wanting to ride Dumbo 100 times. Thoughts on crowd levels?

I have other days when I could do the party, but I chose Dec 20 (our last day in the park and my DD's birthday). Even without the birthday, I would choose Dec 20. We like to end our trip at MK with the fireworks, so leaving the park at 7PM would be an anti-climatic end to our vacation.

Would also not do the park on a traveling day. My plan is to sleep in, hit the park at about 4PM and stay until the end. I would be pooped if I tried this on a day when I had to wait up early and deal with the hassles of flying. For the amount the party costs, I want maximum enjoyment!

What cost can you cut to absorb the $70? Pack a lunch instead of eating in the park? Eliminate a character meal? Instead of finding $70, maybe think of a way to save $70 in stuff you already have planned?

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Originally Posted by PrincessMommy05

I would love some thoughts on when we should do MVMCP. We are getting in about noon on the 12th and weren't planning on doing a park that day, but could do MVMCP our first night (Nov 12th) instead of DTD. Is it to much for a first day?

Or we were planning on doing it the 16th (our last day there) but could save $70 by doing it the 15th. I think it would be a magical way to end our trip, but the $$ and thought that it might be less crowded the 15th is alluring. Plus the kids would have already done MK so won't be wanting to ride Dumbo 100 times. Thoughts on crowd levels?

Disney parties are always worth the money IMHO. We are going the 16th since my kids are older & don't need to miss any more school. I checked Touring Plans crowd level awhile back &. crowds were low to moderate from 11/15-11/18. So, you should be good either night. I would choose the cheaper date or do both.

Kenny the Pirate posted the near the Hall of Presidents or Castle hub are the best spots for parade b/c the floats have to slow down to turn. Another article listed that the parade is best viewed from Main Street (further from the Castle the better so you can get photos of Castle in background while snapping photos of the floats)
It also "snows" during the parade on Main Street. I would check which way the parade route is going before deciding. If it starts from beside the firehouse, the Castle would only be in pics of the back of the floats. Final tip on parade- it is said that it is much easier to get a good spot for the 2nd parade.

I have a few more tips i read. The Castle lighting is gorgeous, starts at 6:15pm, but occurs nightly not just for party. you'll have to decide whether or not to watch or wait in lines or spots. Fireworks are supposedly best viewed from around Casey's. Holiday Wishes is not to be missed according to more experienced MVMCP goers (I haven't been since 2005 SUPER EXCITED). The Castle stage show & Tomorrowland Show are said to be VERY Fun. The most time consuming characters to meet are reported to be the 7 Dwarfs, Rapunzel & Flynn, Jack Sparrow, and Santa. If any of these are must do, lines begin forming at 6:00pm characters start M&G at 7:00pm, & lines might be better later that night (but don't count on it). I really want to get a family shot with Mickey & Minnie in Holiday Clothes, but I still need to confirm they will be at Town Hall.

HTH,
Julie

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

[Minnie Mommy Mouse]

Originally Posted by JennCabello

I'm sorry if this has already been asked and answered. My family is going for its first trip to WDW and the party on November 15th. Can anyone tell me where is the best place to view the parade? My DD5 and DD7 have no idea that we are are and it is a total surprise! I want to make this an awesome experience for them and I am will to sit in a spot as long as it takes so they can see and experience this! Thanks for any help!

I just now posted some parade info I gathered & hope it helps. I meant to reply to your message as well, but I guess I don't know how to respond to multiple post. Sorry!

Enjoy! Your family will LOVE this<3

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

[yolie912]

Just in case anyone is interested.
Map of 2012 MVMCP.

=)

http://wdwnewstoday.com/archives/10226

[PrincessMommy05]

Originally Posted by LekiaHall

I have other days when I could do the party, but I chose Dec 20 (our last day in the park and my DD's birthday). Even without the birthday, I would choose Dec 20. We like to end our trip at MK with the fireworks, so leaving the park at 7PM would be an anti-climatic end to our vacation.

Would also not do the park on a traveling day. My plan is to sleep in, hit the park at about 4PM and stay until the end. I would be pooped if I tried this on a day when I had to wait up early and deal with the hassles of flying. For the amount the party costs, I want maximum enjoyment!

What cost can you cut to absorb the $70? Pack a lunch instead of eating in the park? Eliminate a character meal? Instead of finding $70, maybe think of a way to save $70 in stuff you already have planned?

Thanks for the feedback!! I was planning for the 16th at first, but then realized they did a military ticket and I was thinking it might be less crowded on a weeknight. I think we'll probably go for the 16th too, because I think it would be an awesome way to close out the trip. I'm not to worried about the $70 since I was planning on the more expensive party before I knew about the military ticket so it's been fit into the budget already. Thanks again!!

Originally Posted by Minnie Mommy Mouse

Disney parties are always worth the money IMHO. We are going the 16th since my kids are older & don't need to miss any more school. I checked Touring Plans crowd level awhile back &. crowds were low to moderate from 11/15-11/18. So, you should be good either night. I would choose the cheaper date or do both.

Both would be wonderful, wonder if I can talk DH into it lol, Hmmmmmm. We have 8am ADRs at CP on the 16th so I think the plan is to go do that, a few attractions, and head back to the hotel for lunch and looooooong naps. Plus the next day is all in the car so we can sleep in and leave whenever we want, no planes to worry about, and the kids can catch up on sleep in the car.

[JennCabello]

Originally Posted by Minnie Mommy Mouse

Disney parties are always worth the money IMHO. We are going the 16th since my kids are older & don't need to miss any more school. I checked Touring Plans crowd level awhile back &. crowds were low to moderate from 11/15-11/18. So, you should be good either night. I would choose the cheaper date or do both.

Kenny the Pirate posted the near the Hall of Presidents or Castle hub are the best spots for parade b/c the floats have to slow down to turn. Another article listed that the parade is best viewed from Main Street (further from the Castle the better so you can get photos of Castle in background while snapping photos of the floats)
It also "snows" during the parade on Main Street. I would check which way the parade route is going before deciding. If it starts from beside the firehouse, the Castle would only be in pics of the back of the floats. Final tip on parade- it is said that it is much easier to get a good spot for the 2nd parade.

I have a few more tips i read. The Castle lighting is gorgeous, starts at 6:15pm, but occurs nightly not just for party. you'll have to decide whether or not to watch or wait in lines or spots. Fireworks are supposedly best viewed from around Casey's. Holiday Wishes is not to be missed according to more experienced MVMCP goers (I haven't been since 2005 SUPER EXCITED). The Castle stage show & Tomorrowland Show are said to be VERY Fun. The most time consuming characters to meet are reported to be the 7 Dwarfs, Rapunzel & Flynn, Jack Sparrow, and Santa. If any of these are must do, lines begin forming at 6:00pm characters start M&G at 7:00pm, & lines might be better later that night (but don't count on it). I really want to get a family shot with Mickey & Minnie in Holiday Clothes, but I still need to confirm they will be at Town Hall.

HTH,
Julie

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Thank you very much for your help!

[Smile4Me]

Could someone please tell me where Uncle Scrooge will be out during the Christmas party? And is Donald still selling Christmas trees??!
Those are two of the only characters we want to see during the Party and we're going on 11/9 and since its sold out we need to prioritize them!

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by Smile4Me

Could someone please tell me where Uncle Scrooge will be out during the Christmas party? And is Donald still selling Christmas trees??!
Those are two of the only characters we want to see during the Party and we're going on 11/9 and since its sold out we need to prioritize them!

Scrooge McDuck has not been out for MVMCP since 2009.

Donald should be there somewhere, but his tree stand bit the dust too. I guess what they say about small businesses having trouble in this economy is true.

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Originally Posted by DisPrincess4Life

Would you mind sharing your touring plan? My family is going to MVMCP for this first time this year (the last two parties). I was trying to come up with a general touring plan but I am having a hard time starting.
SO EXCITED FOR CHRISTMAS AT DISNEY

Mine is pretty basic. This will be my 3rd MVMCP and I'm not doing many characters or rides. But here it is:

Arrive at 5pm, eat dinner at Columbia Harbour House (my fav CS in MK)

If BTMRR has a short line, ride that.

Watch Castle Lighting at 6:15pm

Get in line for the princess/princes (means I'll have to walk up front through the crowds coming in and leaving. Should be challenging. LOL)

Shop in the Emporium next for pins/t-shirt (originally had this for later but I want to avoid Main Street crowds so I changed it)

Hopefully be done in time to make the Celebrate Season show at 7:45pm

Grab some cookies and hot chocolate

Head to Adventureland to see if there is a Holiday Themed Pirate Band this year.

Ride POTC if there isn't one and Haunted Mansion if I have time (my fav rides)

Find a spot for fireworks (normally I wouldn't do this until around 9pm but since it's a sold out night and I want to see the new Memories show on the castle which is at 9:15p and the fireworks afterward I'll look for a spot early.

Grab a snack to enjoy while waiting - either more cookies and hot chocolate or something else depending on what's available.

After that I head to Liberty Square to find a hopefully decent spot for the 10:30p parade maybe getting some more cookies and hot chocolate along the way.

After that I go see the Totally Tomorrowland show if I was able to already see the Celebrate Season show. Otherwise I will go to the 11:30p Celebrate Season show and skip Totally Tomorrowland show.

And that's it - maybe hit another ride on the way out if there's time. There wasn't when I went in 2010. By the time I saw the Totally Tomorrowland show most attractions were shutting down.

It'll be interesting to see if this works for me. I'm going solo so I should be able to move around pretty well. My big issue is I may need to leave some time for sitting down someplace if my knee or back starts bugging me.

A couple of tips - shop early if you want party merchandise. If you wait until the end, get into the stores by 11:45pm because they close the doors and won't let more folks in at midnight. That was my experience in 2010.

Character lines are usually closed by 11:30pm so be in line prior to that if there's characters you want to see. If you want to see the dwarves, arrive early - get in line around 5:45 or 6pm and you won't have as long a wait when they come out especially for sold out parties.

Food - eat your CS meals before 7pm. Don't waste party time in line for dinner.

I hope everyone has a good time!

[DisPrincess4Life]

Thanks for the great tips. We are going for alot of the characters. Luckily we are going two nights and planning on getting in lines for dwaves early the first night and the Royal Couples the second night. Besides that I was planning on trying to hit alot of characters the first night, and see the parade and fireworks the second night. The Big characters we want to hit (besides the ones we are lining up early for) are Captain Jack, Beauty and the Beast (yes i know they wont be there but I am still upset because they are my FAVORITE) and hopefully mickey and Minnie if they are together.

[dnsmills]

I know that there is different locations around MK to buy MVMCP merchandise but I'm wondering if there is any special stuff at any of the locations? I've been to 2 MVMCP but wasn't really worried about buying special MVMCP merch but.......well...........the bug bit me.

[auralia]

We are looking at the Dec 2 party for the military discount. I have heard that if I pre purchase online that the difference will be refunded to me when I pick up the tickets with a military ID. Is there any truth to this? I'd love confirmation from someone that they were able to do this with either a christmas or halloween party. We will not be in disney until late on November 30 so the morning of December 1st is the first day we could buy the tickets in person and I worry that it might sell out.