12/7 MVMCP Dissapointment

[lentesta]

Wishes was performed at the 12/10 MVMCP, too. And that night was completely packed, too. The ride wait times were not terrible, but the long lines to get photos made walking around difficult.

Len

 

[FatCow]

It's definitely Wishes with additional 360-degree fireworks ending.

 

[FatCow]

I hear rumors of the ticket cap being at like 20-25K - of course we don't know for sure

According to the manager at MK City Hall, 12/10 MVMCP reached 40,000 people.

 

[chesirekate]

We were there on the 7th and the 9th. If you had to see the first parade which you do if you have small children, then it was hard to get a spot. So you had a choice. Wait for a parade or pictures. By 9pm my DD's 7 and 5 were sleeping despite an afternoon nap, so I'm going to rethink spending that much money for an extra 2 hrs.

Well, I think that depends on your kids. I work at home and my 2 year-old daughter is on my time schedule. We stay up late and sleep in, so she's quite the night owl. We did Epcot during the day of our MVMCP so there wasn't a ton for her to do so she didn't get worn out. She fell asleep about 6pm at the party and I just reclined her stroller and draped DH's jacket over the top. She slept soundly for an hour and that gave DH a chance to ride Stitch and a chance for both of us to take turns riding Space Mountain. When she woke up we went to Fantasyland to hang out and she danced the night away at the Holiday Hop. We watched the second parade, which she loved. We left around midnight. She was up the next morning at 9:00 (our sleep-in day) and off to MGM. So, if you have a child or children who are night owls, you can do the late-night parties without any problems.

 

[Bob O]

We also went on 12/7. This is the second time we have went to this event, the first time was 4 yrs ago. And it seemed to us to be alot busier this time than it was the first time we went. We had no problems getting cookies and were able to get our picture done before 700pm while in tomorrowland. We had planned on seeing the first parade but it was too busy with all the good spots gone, so we waited for the second one. I also thought the fireworks were much better last time than this time. We watched the fireworks on fanastyland like we had done in the past and had a great view, but not this time and i thought the show wasnt as good, but was still very enjoyable.
The lines werent bad and overall we had a great time and would do it again next time we visit.
I was disappointed in the selection of MVMCP merchandise. I was unable to find a short sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt on the day we visited and wonder how they could sell out these items so early???? You would think this early in the year without alot more events to go you would have no trouble finding this as we had no trouble on our earlier visit, and the only way i found a pin was because someone had picked it up and just left it lying about so i found it by accident.

 

[disneyisfun]

We went on 12/5 and felt the same way, the lines were crazy, barely got on any rides because you had to sit and wait for the parade in order to get a good spot. Then the parade was delayed about a half hour to boot. It was just to crazy...as my husband put it it Mickey's very crazy Christmas party...no more for us...the magic just was not there.

By the way, we got our pictures today, they came out pretty cute, but we did have to wait about 25 min in line to have them taken. All in all, imho, not worth the extra $$.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

Here were some thoughts and observations we had (me, DW and DD (4)) from the 12/14 MVMCP:

* Crowds can be deceiving. Even though Main Street and Tomorrowland looked packed, we had no trouble getting on the rides and also enjoying a leisurly stroll through the park. Adventureland and Frontierland, in particular, were not crowded at all.

* We're from Ohio yet, somehow, our DD was enthralled with the fake snow on Main Street. Go figure.

* In the words of our DD the parade was "too long". She loved the characters but couldn't yet relate to some of the other things (toy soldiers, snowflakes dancing, etc.).

* Again, even though we are from Ohio, it definitely was chilly.

* I second BobO's comment about the merchandise. I was shocked that we couldn't find a sweatshirt or t-shirt. DW did find a nice hat, but that was about it. Osborne Lights was more stocked than MVMCP.

* Finally, and I don't think I've seen this before, I wonder what effect last year's Travel Channel special had on the crowds. How many people saw Samantha Brown at MVMCP and thought "that looks great, let's do it"? Maybe that led to the crowds that people said had not been there before.

Overall, we had a great time and are going to make WDW a traditional vacation in December. However, we will probably skip MVMCP until our DD is older.

 

[Chuck S]

We went on 12/9 and had a good time. We had a light dinner in Cosmic Ray's as they hearded the non-MVMCP folks outof the park, then we went over to try to see the first show in the Galaxy Theater (not a MUST for us, but it is entertaining.) Theater was full, so we went to Timekeeper for our photo, very short wait. Then we headed to Splash and Big Thunder, no waiting there, either, even though the park seemed much more crowded than in previous MVMCP years. Saw Country Bears and crossed back over to Mickey Star Traders for shirts and pins. We were able to have a great view of Wishes from Main Street, we FINALLY located the cocoa and cookie area at the Tomorrowland fast food counter near Plaza Restaurant, our only disappointment was that the maps weren't the easiest to read for the locations. It would have been nice to simply have a list of locations rather than the map. We secured a spot in the wheelchair area for the late parade, and after the parade, even though there was a little time left, we called it a night...beating the crowd to the monorails, as we had driven to MK, rather than use Disney Transport - our car has a wheelchair lift.

If you want to "do everything" during MVMCP, you'll never make it...set reasonable goals and priorities and have a good time. THe parks, in general, seemed much busier this year, and this heald true for MVMCP as well.

 

[cobbler]

Yep definatly Wishes on MVMCP night. Was also Wishes last year on our MVMCP night (got it on tape )

Also this Rudolph thing. I have NEVER seen Rudolph on any of our MVMCP nights (all 2 of them - lol - last year and this year) have only seen tinkerbell.

 

[HollyJoy]

It was definatley Wishes. The program says, "Wishes"- An Enchanted Fireworks Spectacular.. on the back, it reads Fireworks Tip: Tonight's special presentation of Wishes, an enchanted fireworks spectacular, can be viewed from anywhere within the Magic Kingdom.

 

[avsfan]

We were at MVMCP on 12/14. Had an AWESOME time, as usual. The cookies this year were much better than last year too! Too bad they can't do something about the weather, it was real COLD. Made it seem more like Christmas though!

Sorry to hear so many didnt enjoy it. Maybe they just don't know the best way to use their time.

We saw every show, caught the second parade, rode many rides with no wait, got our pic taken with no line, and because it was so cold had multiple trips for hot cocoa and cookies (sure there were lines, but they move quickly). Yes, the shows are crowded, get there early. Yes the parade is crowded, get a spot early, or see the later parade, its less crowded. If you want to ride rides you can get on most with very little wait. We've ridden BTMRR and Splash Mtn multiple times without ever getting off.

As for the fake snow on Main St., what do you expect. It is Florida. You want them to ship in real snow from up north? Enjoy it for what it is.

We've done MVMCP several times, and we will continue to enjoy it, for what its is.
Happy Holidays to all

 

[bubbasmom99]

We were at the 12/7 MVMCP as well. We ate at LTT at 4:30 and squeezed in a couple rides in Fantasyland before they closed at 6. Then went over and rode Buzz Lightyear twice in a row with no waiting after that. No wait on Space Mountain (thought the computer system was down for awhile). The longest wait was the Tomorrowland Speedway! When the rest of the park opened up, we found long lines for the photos -which we skipped - and hardly any lines for the rides. No line for cookeis and cocoa in Frontierland. Walked onto Big Thunder, and got a priceless picture of DD with Santa Goofy and Max by Splash Mountain, when they first came out and nobody else was around yet! We didn't wait to see the parades but did have a decent spot on Main St. to see the 2nd parade as we were working our way out of the park. Kids were both asleep around 11 and so we just soaked up the atmosphere. The crowds leaving after the 2nd parade were insane, but it never felt like there were too many people as it can during the day.

We went to the MVMCP 4 years ago on a Friday night and that was much worse than this time.

 

[FatCow]

As for the fake snow on Main St., what do you expect. It is Florida. You want them to ship in real snow from up north? Enjoy it for what it is.

You do realize that there IS such thing as snow maker right? Celine Dion owns one of them and she uses it for her "X-mas in July" backyard parties. Just so you know, her 'backyard' is larger than the Main Street USA area and the temperature in July in Canada is higher than December temperatures in Florida.

Why can't Disney use one of them?

That's what I expect them to use, not soap bubbles.

I wish people know the technological facts before making sarcastic comment like "what do you expect, it's Florida".

 

[NancyIL]

I have gone to MVMCP the past 3 years, and decided not to go this year. I was at WDW in October and enjoyed MNSSHP, and figured I didn't need to spend the money or take the time for another Christmas party. I'm really glad I skipped the party this year, because I would've gone on Dec. 12th, and it was VERY cold that night!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

You do realize that there IS such thing as snow maker right? Celine Dion owns one of them and she uses it for her "X-mas in July" backyard parties. Just so you know, her 'backyard' is larger than the Main Street USA area and the temperature in July in Canada is higher than December temperatures in Florida.

Why can't Disney use one of them?

That's what I expect them to use, not soap bubbles.

I wish people know the technological facts before making sarcastic comment like "what do you expect, it's Florida".

Of course if they did use the snow maker some people would complain because the snow is cold. lol

I suppose that whatever Disney does will make some people happy, others not so happy. I wonder if the "real" snow makers cost a lot more $ to both buy and use. Then there is the sloppy mess when it melts and the wet shoes being tracked into the buildings (not so unlike in the rain, of course).

Sounds like it's a question to ask Disney...

T&B

 

[FatCow]

Of course if they did use the snow maker some people would complain because the snow is cold. lol

I suppose that whatever Disney does will make some people happy, others not so happy. I wonder if the "real" snow makers cost a lot more $ to both buy and use. Then there is the sloppy mess when it melts and the wet shoes being tracked into the buildings (not so unlike in the rain, of course).

Sounds like it's a question to ask Disney...

T&B

I have experienced this type of man-made-snow, actually:

1. It won't be that cold because once the "snow" hits anything, it will melt instantenously.

2. Yes it will be wet, but it will be no wetter than a mildest drizzle in Florida.

3. It won't be sloppy at all. No sloppier than if it's drizzling outside.

Cost, yes it will cost more than bubble machine, but considering the price of admission, and the allusion that "Disney=Magic", they really should invest on those machines. They don't need more than two of those machines for the entire Main Street USA. Imagine how much more people they'll be able to cram when they advertise "REAL SNOW".

These machines have also been used and still being used in many parts of Asia where people have never seen snow (Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are some of the countries that use these machines every X-mas season). Department stores etc. use these machine to draw crowds in and they tend to run the machine all day long (from 10am to 10pm) so people can enjoy the snow.

 

[Chuck S]

I really don't see a big advantage to "real" snow machine vs. the soap Disney uses now. Both would give a similar visual effect of falling snow. There certainly wouldn't be any snow on the ground either way.

Perhaps, under the lighting used, the soap gives a better reflective "twinkle" or something, or perhaps it is simply "cheaper"...either way, it would certainly be the least of my concerns for MVMCP nights.

 

[Shutterbug]

I ski at a place that often has to make its own snow. It has to be no warmer than 32 degrees for the snow machines to work. The water has to be able to freeze or else you just have water and the crowds would be quite wet.
I hate snow machines especially when the ski lift stops and you are right by one. I am coated instantly. These things put out alot of snow.

 

[FatCow]

I ski at a place that often has to make its own snow. It has to be no warmer than 32 degrees for the snow machines to work. The water has to be able to freeze or else you just have water and the crowds would be quite wet.

It's a different snow creation machine that are being used at skiing places. It's very very different. These snow machine can make snow IN THE SUMMER and these machines are being used in countries which temperatures are like Florida in the summer.

I have witnessed these machines in operation first hand in the following places:

1. Montreal in late September at "somebody's" birthday party
2. At a mall in Singapore several years ago.
3. At the top of a mall building in Indonesia about 8 years ago.

Believe me, temperatures in Singapore and Indonesia never reached lower than a low 70 with relative humidity never lower than 80%.

 

[Shutterbug]

ahhhhhh okay. Have never seen that type before, only the snow machines at the ski places.