12/04/2010 Eastern MAGIC - CHIP 'N' DALE'S CRUISIN' NUTS

[taswira]

 

[taswira]

Has everyone finished their holiday shopping? My family decided on "no gifts" this year, due to the economy. That's probably good instead of risking unwanted items ending up shoved in the back of a closet and forgotten, as can often happen. When the economy is good, that isn't as much of a consideration. When my mom and I stayed at WDW recently, that was our combination celebration for both our birthdays and Christmas, so we won't feel too deprived. Of course, our Christmas tree seems extremely bare underneath - the holidays 'munks in the photo above, plus a couple of my mom's many plush bears. That's about it. Oh, well . . .

Holly and I met up on Tuesday for some really good times at Epcot (with our character friends and dining at Garden Grill), and unfortunately a far-from-great time at MVMCP that evening at MK. "It all started with a mouse" could explain an otherwise long story (I'm sorry, Mickey). I am so sorry that Holly's first, and perhaps only after how things went, MVMCP was not magical. I've been many times, but if I go again I will choose a date not so close to Christmas for hopefully a lesser crowd.

 

[dato63]

I'm sorry to read MVMCP was too crowded to enjoy. Did you at least get to see/enjoy Twas the Night before Christmas? You had shared how much you like that show.

My father/stepmother emailed me about a week ago suggesting we just focus on the little children this year for our group get together. The little children would be my twins and my two grandsons. They are 6, 5, 5, & 4. That would leave out my older children (ages 26 & 23) and my 1/2 sisters (ages 19 & 22). The only problem I had with all that was I had already bought presents for my father, my stepmother and the 22 year old sister. I would never blow off my older children - but we celebrate separately as a family so this really only impacted them in that they would not get anything from my father/stepmother this year. Nice thought behind the suggestion, just rather late for it.

So, I think I'm finished shopping. Since I did buy a few small things for my 22 year old sister, I plan to get a gift card for the 19 year old. She is in college in NY, but coming down next week to visit. Her sister said she loves Starbucks, so that would work. I just don't want her to be feel left out.

I also need to get a gift card for my twins sitter.

I finally started wrapping presents last night & putting them under the tree. My M&Ms were excited to see that. I don't know why - I just don't have the usual Christmas excitement this year. I am starting a new job in January - so a bit nervous. . .i'm actually turning in my 2 weeks notice tomorrow. I'm sure that isn't helping. . along with how rough 2008 was. DH and I didn't lose our jobs (thankfully), and our home survived Hurricane Ike. . .and even though my mini van was totalled everyone was okay, and it was replaced. So I can't whine/complain - but it was still a rough year.

I'm rambling aren't I? LOL

I'm ready to see the little kids excitement on Christmas day. That always puts a smile on my face. My littlest grandson - Aiden - is really into Christmas this year. So that will be 4 happy, exciting, Christmas paper rippers at my house Christmas morning!

 

[taswira]

Oh, my, Deb - It sounds like you've had a VERY stressful year! Next year is bound to be better, and let's hope your new job will be the foundation of a beautiful new start.

Long story - Only for those curious about the details: Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas was the major problem for us at MVMCP. Of course it was where we headed the moment we arrived at MK after Epcot. They were already well into the seating process for the first show, but we decided to go in anyway. It looked like there were lots of available seats. Everywhere we went, people were "saving" (not allowed) multiple seats, sometimes as much as for 8 people! I'm sorry, but all those people were NOT in the restroom together. They HAD to be out enjoying rides and attractions. Cast Members did nothing about the situation, even when people reclined their full body length across a bench to save it. So we went back out and stood "front of the line" area to wait for the next show, while others packed in standing room only like sardines in a can.

But before the next show, it was announced to us all that a performer was ill and the next show (or maybe ALL the scheduled performances) may not happen. There were a lot of upset guests, including us, but we stood our ground and waited just in case. I'll just say here that the ill performer was THE star of the show, and they had NO SPARE, so getting a replacement was close to impossible, but the 9 pm show was supposedly going to happen. We'd been chatting with a CM and after all that happened I asked him if he was going to personally escort us to our seats - LOL. He did. We were right behind the VIP center row. When a BIG man and his companion jumped the rope block and planted themselves in the VIP row in front of us and I asked that same CM if they were VIPs, he spoke to his manager and moved US to the VIP row. Only problem there was a guy in a baseball cap in front of Holly. The show was good, but I'd swear they had cut at least one song. Maybe it was my imagination.

By the time we got out of there (having spent 3 and a half hours in the process of seeing ONE show!), we went to get hot cocoa and cookies at Tomorrowland Terrace while the fireworks were going on. Couldn't really see the fireworks much from our spot, but enjoyed the changing lights on the castle.

Then it was already time to stake a spot for the LAST Christmas parade! We went to Exposition Hall, grabbed a couple of chairs from outside Tony's, and waited. A man with his wife and strollered kid plopped a tray full of melted ice cream garbage right by by feet and they left the park. A VERY NICE man nearby was as shocked as we were. He promptly carried the tray to the nearby trash bin. We watched the parade and we left after letting a few thousand "guests" swarm out before us.

The Big Issues: It appears that Disney has gone from limiting the party to what used to be 20 or 30 thousand to what now appears to be 60 or 80 thousand. Really. It was sold out, but they were encouraging guests already in the park to buy party tickets. It was unbelievable. It's my guess there were also a few thousand "lurkers" from earlier in the day who did not pay. The wristband thing is far from foolproof.

Performers: HOW can they assume that "the head cheese" will never get sick? How can they NOT have an understudy/spare standing by at all times for that role? They KNEW that the status of the show depended on it. They took their chances and blew it. We were not the only ones who said that show was what we came for. (I had asked Holly if she wanted to forget it and go do the rest of the party, but the crowds were so bad it was rather pointless.)

Let's Not Offend The Guest: This policy of Disney's is getting worse every day! Why make rules or have policies - no saving seats, no wheeled skate shoes, no diaper changing on restaurant seats and tables (I've seen BOTH!), no PILING people on rented ECVs, etc. - if you're not going to enforce them? I understand trying to be polite, but their efforts not to offend the offensive guests are to the detriment of the MAJORITY of guests. That does not make sense to me. Personally, I think they let everything slide due to cowardice. They need to avoid confrontations, but it's at the expense of all the non-offending guests!

I am SO sorry that Holly paid so much for an event ticket (at my passholder rate) and only saw one show, had cocoa and cookies once, and saw the parade. We went NOWHERE else in the park. The only good thing was that it didn't rain!

I've been to MVMCP at its best and its worst as to performances, weather, crowds, etc. MVMCP has been a tradition for me. The magic is still there, but cutbacks, higher prices, unbearably larger crowds and possibly canceled shows are making it not really worth the money. I'm glad I was able to experience it the way it was in the past. I only wish Holly could have. The only good thing about that day was our time at Epcot.

P.S. - I posted this here instead of doing a "report" elsewhere because I just don't want to get involved with thousands of responses - LOL.

 

[dato63]

I'm so sorry to hear that.

That was one thing that amazed us about Disney - the rudeness of the people going there. I just don't get why they leave their manners at home when they go on vacation. Who litters these days? Who pushes people out of their way at home? However, the employees were just as nice as the day is long. I don't know how they put up with people visiting, trashing, being rude & yet keep a smile on their faces. And how rude on the saving seats, just wrong, wrong, wrong.

We had an incident where we were waiting on a bus to go back to the WL. We were the only ones waiting. The bus pulled up, and we stepped back to let people off. Meanwhile an older couple came up behind us - we held our children out of the way and motioned for the older couple to get on first. A family of about 6 or 7 people then (literally) pushed us all out of the way and got on the bus. My DD Mickie was shocked, she loudly said "mommy, they are cheating!". I told her that there were plenty of seats on the bus for everyone and we were not going to let their cheating spoil our trip - and we again motioned for the older couple to get on first. And then we did. I just can't imagine people would behave that way in their day to day life, so what possesses them on vacation? Okay - enough ranting on my part.

I have to agree - it is pretty odd that they would not have a stand in for Mickey himself. That is a part that would be noticed if left out! Poor planning on someone's part.

We went to MVMCP on 11/10th (the first night). It wasn't too crowded for us. We were able to just walk on rides, however, my DDs were only interested in the rides around the castle (Dumbo, Peter Pan, etc) so the whole time were were at WDW we never made it very far into MK (no mountains/jungle cruise, etc). Did you miss the Tremaine Dance Party too? That was such a fun place.

Hopefully Holly will venture there again another night - where it is not so crowded. We would personally go again - just for the Tremaine Dance party. The video of my ex biker DH doing the John Travolta fingers to a Bee Gee song with Drizilla is just priceless.

 

[taswira]

You are SO right about the rudeness! I just don't get it. Truth be told, I think I generally am a nicer person at WDW than at home because I take on a "Disney attitude" - but NOT when faced with masses of rude people.

Anyway - I don't know about Holly, but I will probably venture back to MVMCP next year but IF I do it will be within the first few evenings of it and not so close to Christmas. I do think that may make a difference.

 

[dato63]

I dont think we were rude or anything while there. We were there to have fun, was no reason to be selfish or rude. I could understand more in the summer maybe. It is hard to keep your niceness about you when you are hot & dealing with crowds. But it's suppose to be for fun & enjoyment - seems like if it turns you into a rude monster, it's not the right kind of vacation for you. Just my Andy Rooney 2 cents.

Have you been to MNSSHP? Is it as nice as MVMCP? We are hoping to swing two nights of MVMCP next year. But a plus size group I'm part of is planning a WDW trip in 2011 - and they are wanting to go during the halloween stuff. I would hope by then my DDs wouldn't be so scared of everything.

 

[taswira]

I think the majority of people at the party were not rude. We were all in the same boat - overpopulated by Disney's decision and trying to deal with it. It's just that when things go wrong (as with the show), if the crowds are not unbearable it makes it easier to live with and go enjoy something else there and take it with a grain of salt. But it only takes a minimal amount of EXTREME rudeness to ruin one's day. I give what I receive. I am nice to everyone around me at WDW until they are not nice to me, then I turn sour. It would just be nice if CMs at least tried to keep "those" guests from doing things that upset or harm other guests. Still, I do not envy them for what they (the CMs) had to deal with. Unhappy guests by the thousands are NOT fun!

Yes, I have done MNSSHP every year except this year. IMHO it too has become worse each year for the same reasons - cutbacks in what is offered, price increases and TOO MANY guests. Again, I think going to one of the first few parties might solve at least the latter problem. Otherwise, yes, it's a nice, fun event. Those who have never been would not know how it used to be so probably would not be disappointed. Although I skipped it this year, I am tentatively planning to attend next year because Halloween is my favorite "holiday."

 

[dato63]

You have a good point. Even in our case, in all honesty the rude people made up a very small fraction of the people there. Their behavior was just so odd it made them stand out. But the larger majority of people were great.

When we were at DHS it was very hot, very humid & very crowded. It was hard to do much without bumping into someone. It made it very unpleasant. However, that was nobodys fault.

LOL - we loved MVMCP, but we have no idea if we missed out on anything. So great point here too. We were talking about trying to go to two parties next year - it really was nice hearing the music & seeing the decorations. Lifted our spirits, etc.

 

[taswira]

LOL - we loved MVMCP, but we have no idea if we missed out on anything. So great point here too. We were talking about trying to go to two parties next year - it really was nice hearing the music & seeing the decorations. Lifted our spirits, etc.

I think you'd have a great time doing BOTH parties provided you chose earlier dates maybe a few weeks from actual Halloween and Christmas. I once did 4 MNSSHP and 3 MVMCP in one year and loved them!

I do want everyone who reads this to understand that just because Holly and I had a "Murphy's Law" sort of evening, does NOT mean yours would be the same. As I said, having had some of the best and the worst party experiences at MK, I can only wish everyone the best but advise not to expect everything to necessarily go as expected.

 

[dato63]

I'll keep the halloween one in mind for when my DDs seem a little less easy to scare.

Vacations of any kind are like that. The weather, the crowds, etc. - you're going to have great days, so-so days, and not so great days. But it is still Disney and you can make the best of a bad day. We were all sick while there, and it was still magical. Afterall, I didn't have to cook!

 

[taswira]

I'll keep the halloween one in mind for when my DDs seem a little less easy to scare.

The Halloween one is "Not-So-Scary." As long as you stay away from Haunted Mansion (including especially the outside decor - LOL), they would probably be fine by even next year.

 

[taswira]

We were all sick while there, and it was still magical. After all, I didn't have to cook!

I forgot to mention that both Holly and I were not quite ourselves due to allergies/sore throats and headaches. It wasn't severe, but just enough to get us down. I had forgotten to do my usual pre-party routine of taking a Tylenol APF (because it's an 8-hour time release). It really does help with "attitude" when one isn't feeling well. I'm sure a time release aspirin or Advil would work as well. I view the Tylenol (for max crowd conditions) the same as I do the ginger caplets I take just before, during and after a cruise (prevents sea sickness and means not having to take Bonine) - - an effective preventive measure!

 

[dato63]

I'll have to remember Tylenol AFP for next year & Ginger caplets for 2010. We had our car this year so John ventured out to try to find Walmart - he found it fine, but got lost on the way back to the resort. I had packed meds for the kids, but didn't think of us! We are planning to fly in 2009 - so I will need to be better prepared.

We took whatever bug we were sharing with us. One of our DDs got sick in the car on the way to Orlando - we had thought/hoped it was motion sickness - until we all had a round of it while we were there.

I have a disney "to get" list, and will add those on there! Thanks for sharing the tips. I've never been on a boat - so want to be prepared in case of motion sickness.

 

[taswira]

The ginger caplets you will probably need to get at a vitamin/health store like GNC. That's where I get mine. For a 7-night cruise, I start taking them about two weeks before, then during the cruise, and for about a week after returning home because sometimes it can be hard to get your "land legs" again after a week at sea. The only time I've had to resort to Bonine is if the seas have been really rough. Otherwise the ginger does the trick. An alternative is to eat lots of ginger items while aboard, but I just take the caplets.

 

[Magic3forme]

We are headed to WDW next week. ( 12-28--- our anniversary , we honeymooned in Disney...it is what started it all. Dh is the Disney fanatic. I am just along for the ride.

I am not looking forward to the rude people.. I just dont get it. But I am not letting them ruin my vacation. we all ready know it will be crowded. we are just going to get some fast passes and just enjoy the sites etc. we want to visit the displays at some of the resorts too.

We did MNSSHP this year and last year. The fireworks were better last year, but there was no one there this year for the party. We rode big Thunder mtn railroad 3 times in a row... we didnt even have to get off the one time. I made dh video the emptiness! This is the only type of special party we have done so far. ( this might change once we move to Atlanta and we will be soo much closer!)

Santa is stopping by tonight. ( We are headed to Pittsburgh this year for Xmas)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

 

[dato63]

Sounds like you have the right viewpoint regarding rude people. Honestly though - we found them to be the minority there.

I hope you have a wonderful trip. And Happy Anniversary!!

 

[taswira]

I am not looking forward to the rude people.. I just dont get it. But I am not letting them ruin my vacation. we all ready know it will be crowded. we are just going to get some fast passes and just enjoy the sites etc. we want to visit the displays at some of the resorts too.

As Deb and I agree, rude people ARE the minority. No one should let "them" ruin their vacation. Holly and I just had a "Murphy's Law" evening at MVMCP. It happens. In our case, being local and able to go to WDW any time, the performances and special features are what we paid for. We weren't there to do the rides, which we could do any day, so the maxed crowd, handful of extremely rude guests and performer illness affected us in ways a non-local would not be affected. I especially felt bad for Holly since "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." This was her very first MVMCP and, understandably, she was not impressed. I still think MVMCP and MNSSHP are two of the BEST holiday events in the area. They are just not what they used to be, so it's impossible not to compare each year to previous ones after attending so many times.

The holiday decorations at the resort are a "Don't miss" to me each year. I always take my mom around to the various WDW hotels to spend awhile soaking in the atmosphere. The only one she wasn't overly impressed with for decorations was where we stayed, The Contemporary, because of course it's so "modern" and she prefers old-fashioned.

Happy Anniversary and may your time at WDW be MAGICAL!

 

[taswira]

I hope everyone is having a safe and Merry Christmas and holiday season.

 

[dato63]

A Very Merry Christmas to you too!