***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[Candycane83]

it's working. yes I think so. A lot of people also follow the parade down and there is a fairly decent time space between parade and fireworks. I don't think it will be a problem finding a good spot for fireworks, I think it is just likely to be very crowded (not sure how that will impact kiddo for viewing). Tomorrowland terrace I think is just too far to the side and too covered to really experience the 360

I know what you mean, it doesn't seem like you would get the entire effect of the 360, and I especially don't like the fact that you can't stand up by the railing... but still need to consider it... maybe if ever we do go for the dessert party i'll go in right before 4pm and check in early by myself to get a good table....? I haven't seen any reviews yet of the halloween one so trying to patiently wait.

EDIT: do they cram the road in for fireworks viewing? I'm wondering if behind railings w/ plants are better so your view is not obstructed by people...

 

[Lisa F]

I know what you mean, it doesn't seem like you would get the entire effect of the 360, and I especially don't like the fact that you can't stand up by the railing... but still need to consider it... maybe if ever we do go for the dessert party i'll go in right before 4pm and check in early by myself to get a good table....? I haven't seen any reviews yet of the halloween one so trying to patiently wait.

EDIT: do they cram the road in for fireworks viewing? I'm wondering if behind railings w/ plants are better so your view is not obstructed by people...

is there a spot behind railings you can get to? people do pack in. Disney doens't cram them in, people just kind of fill in all available space. remember only one fireworks viewing so the whole park is there.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

I love hearing all about the Christmas party!! The snow, and the characters.. It sounds so fun! Have any of you been before? Or Have any of you been to the HAlloween party? Looking at the posted photos it looks like soooo much fun. Maybe our next trip when the girls are older I'll plan for that!! I l Love Halloween it'll be hard to choose between the two!

I've been to both and thought both were great, but I absolutely love anything Christmas! I went to MVMCP like 10 years ago and MNSSHP in 2009. The fireworks and parades are amazing and not to be missed. I remember sitting in Frontierland for the Halloween parade and then scooting over to the Hub for H-Wishes. It rained off and on that night and they canceled the castle show, so the villains came out to do M&Gs--so excited to meet the Evil Queen!
For the Christmas party, I sat somewhere near Casey's for both the parade and fireworks, but I sat there a long time for that spot. I can't imagine not going to the parties if I'm there at that time, especially the Christmas one--it just evokes the holiday spirit.

 

[JamieOak]

I'm following along intently with the parade/fireworks viewing discussion. I want to take the time and effort to stake out a good spot for the parade and fireworks on our first night, which is a party night. But I already decided doing the dessert party was just too much extra money since we already paid for the party tickets. And I did watch a video of fireworks from the Tomorrowland Terrace and was disappointed with the view (regular Wishes).

 

[Lisa F]

I've been to both and thought both were great, but I absolutely love anything Christmas! I went to MVMCP like 10 years ago and MNSSHP in 2009. The fireworks and parades are amazing and not to be missed. I remember sitting in Frontierland for the Halloween parade and then scooting over to the Hub for H-Wishes. It rained off and on that night and they canceled the castle show, so the villains came out to do M&Gs--so excited to meet the Evil Queen!
For the Christmas party, I sat somewhere near Casey's for both the parade and fireworks, but I sat there a long time for that spot. I can't imagine not going to the parties if I'm there at that time, especially the Christmas one--it just evokes the holiday spirit.

we are thinking of getting together anyone interested going to the same party to hold a good spot for parade starting early to give everyone some flexibility to get up and walk around a bit without losing a spot. This way we can park good and early but my child who can't sit for an hour would be grateful to be able to move around a bit (I could even just take him for a walk up main street, make sure he goes to the bathroom, grab a snack and bring it back and maybe pokemon hunt a bit). I don't think there is enough time to do attractions or characters or anything like that but just being able to get up and move around helps keep the blood flowing to the legs!

 

[Lisa F]

I'm following along intently with the parade/fireworks viewing discussion. I want to take the time and effort to stake out a good spot for the parade and fireworks on our first night, which is a party night. But I already decided doing the dessert party was just too much extra money since we already paid for the party tickets. And I did watch a video of fireworks from the Tomorrowland Terrace and was disappointed with the view (regular Wishes).

if you are disappointed in regular wishes you will be even more so with Holiday wishes (from that location). I am very much leaning toward canceling. I had been hoping that MAYBE they would let you go out and view the fireworks from in front of the plaza (they did that for some iteration of the dessert party when they ran both locations for dessert party) but it seems like it is only tomorrowland terrace viewing. I don't even like dessert that much. I'd be much happier staking out the parade, grabbing a special christmas party treat, and watching fireworks from wherever. I just think you are going to have to stake out a spot very very early and it is tough with one adult and one ADHD kid to do that Although to be honest we always end up talking to our neighbors and I have never had an issue when I get the "I HAVE TO PEE" announcement 10 minutes before the parade starts with strangers holding our seats but it did introduce a lot of stress into the situation for me. But people are nice. I think I will order in bulk some glow bracelets and let the kiddo give them out to other kids around, it is a good way to make friends and share and they are cheap enough bought in advance from amazon or someplace (100 of them is like $8 or $9 shipped). Kiddo has benefited from the generosity of other parents with glow bracelets on our last trip and it would be fun to pay it forward.

 

[Wood Nymph]

The daytime parade runs from main street to frontierland. Not sure about MSEP as it doesn't matter anymore.

The daytime parade begins in Frontierland. MSEP begins at Town Square.

Sorry by hub, I really meant closer to Casey's or the Plaza. I think that's ideal for these fireworks. DH and I watched it from Casey's last time and we had the hedges/ plants in front of us so it was perfect.

I've heard that the best spot is in front of Casey's. We had a spot in the hub that was right next to the Tomorrowland Terrace and we had a great view of Wishes and an even better view of TinkerBell flying overhead. I that our view was much better than the one from Tomorrowland Terrace.

I'm really sorry that they eliminated the fastpass option for Wishes. It was the only way I could get DH to watch the fireworks.

You might want to check on that Wishes dessert party because I think they have a new option where you can watch the fireworks from a special reserved area in the hub instead of in the terrace. You would still eat your desserts in the terrace, but they would walk the groups out to the hub before the fireworks start. But I haven't read anything about this new process in a while, so I'm not sure if they are still offering it.

 

[JamieOak]

if you are disappointed in regular wishes you will be even more so with Holiday wishes (from that location). I am very much leaning toward canceling. I had been hoping that MAYBE they would let you go out and view the fireworks from in front of the plaza (they did that for some iteration of the dessert party when they ran both locations for dessert party) but it seems like it is only tomorrowland terrace viewing. I don't even like dessert that much. I'd be much happier staking out the parade, grabbing a special christmas party treat, and watching fireworks from wherever. I just think you are going to have to stake out a spot very very early and it is tough with one adult and one ADHD kid to do that Although to be honest we always end up talking to our neighbors and I have never had an issue when I get the "I HAVE TO PEE" announcement 10 minutes before the parade starts with strangers holding our seats but it did introduce a lot of stress into the situation for me. But people are nice. I think I will order in bulk some glow bracelets and let the kiddo give them out to other kids around, it is a good way to make friends and share and they are cheap enough bought in advance from amazon or someplace (100 of them is like $8 or $9 shipped). Kiddo has benefited from the generosity of other parents with glow bracelets on our last trip and it would be fun to pay it forward.

I love almost anything dessert, and I tried to use that to justify the dessert party at first. But then I realized I could spend much less for whatever treat(s) I wanted and take them with me to hold my spot. A dessert party would just lead to me feeling the need to eat my money's worth in sugar!

I love the idea of getting a group together. It will just be me and my husband and while we could take shifts, he will likely complain (similar to a kid! haha). Our party day is going to be a long day for us so a break sitting holding a spot might not be so bad I hope.

That's a great idea to bring glowstick or bracelets!

 

[rasadkowski]

I have done both. I did the christmas party YEARS ago and honestly don't remember a whole lot about it. I vaguely remember the snow (they used to set off snow in the streets for the Osborne Lights at the studios another thing I am sad is gone) but I don't remember much else. the 360 fireworks (at BOTH parties) are truly amazing to behold. IF you can manage to see regular wishes before you see the holiday ones, you should see them in that order. I have seen both more than once so it doesn't matter but holiday wishes will blow regular wishes OUT OF THE WATER. I love fireworks and will see some kind of evening show every night we are there, including both regular wishes and holiday wishes... but just saying if you've never done either I would def do regular first because you may be disappointed by them after Holiday

I have a bit of a preference for MNSSHP though. I think the after dark atmosphere is just even better for Halloween than xmas, and the addition of trick or treating and kiddos in costumes gives it the edge for me. I LOVED the parade. LOVED it. I have not seen the xmas parade in a very very long time though so I can't accurately compare right now but I have never been a huge fan of the daytime parade at WDW. It's always been "just okay" for me and for some reason in my head the christmas parade is a bit more like the daytime parade than the halloween parade is. But i haven't seen it in so long and it might be more fun at night for me. I vaguely remember a snowglobe float that took my breath away (I LOVE snowglobes) but I don't know if it's still even part of the parade. I think I also have a preference for fall and "pumpkin spice" time of year over winter and "peppermint and gingerbread" time of year.

All that said I never hesitated for a second to do MVMCP. we had an awesome time at MNSSHP even though we left right after fireworks so I am thinking that 2 more hours of rides will make up for whatever is slightly not as great for me as MNSSHP.

If you were planning a trip and only planned to do one in your lifetime i would pick MNSSHP.

edited to add, just looked up some pics of the christmas parade and I think this one benefits from being at night too. When I went it was definitely before the castle was all lit up for christmas the way it is - I have never seen it that way and it is STUNNING. stunning. There is a shot of the parade with the snow coming down and the castle in the background and I got a little choked up. So I think I'm gonna love this one too. And I think I have to see it from main street. And I think I have to see the early parade because it comes from that direction where it is backgrounded by the castle.

@Candycane83 we have to sit right here. IMO perfect view.

This photo is so beautiful! The only view that could top that would be to dress up as a gingerbread and sneak onto one of the floats!! I want to go now!!

 

[Candycane83]

The daytime parade begins in Frontierland. MSEP begins at Town Square.

I've heard that the best spot is in front of Casey's. We had a spot in the hub that was right next to the Tomorrowland Terrace and we had a great view of Wishes and an even better view of TinkerBell flying overhead. I that our view was much better than the one from Tomorrowland Terrace.

I'm really sorry that they eliminated the fastpass option for Wishes. It was the only way I could get DH to watch the fireworks.

You might want to check on that Wishes dessert party because I think they have a new option where you can watch the fireworks from a special reserved area in the hub instead of in the terrace. You would still eat your desserts in the terrace, but they would walk the groups out to the hub before the fireworks start. But I haven't read anything about this new process in a while, so I'm not sure if they are still offering it.

I do have a reservation for the holiday wishes dessert party but might cancel as the view doesn't look very good from up there. with a 2 year old though, it seems very difficult to hold a spot for too long unless he's napping.
For parties in 2012, DH and I did find the spot in front of Casey's was the best. @Lisa F that spot had railings and a small area of plants in front of us so there were no people (view was unblocked). I'm not sure if in front of the plaza would be identical... Also, I can't remember how long we stayed in that spot. The good thing about that spot is there are Casey's is there for snacks and there are restrooms right by there too. The problem with that spot is that if there is a lot of people, you can't leave and come back as it would be blocked. From what I remember, it didn't get crowded until 30 mins before CTM though... but that was very early in the season 4 years ago...

 

[rasadkowski]

This is our first Christmas party! We did the Halloween party in 2014 and LOVED it. I didn't care a whole lot about trick or treating, but I got to meet Jack and Sally in my genderbent Jack Skellington costume, and it was amazing. They checked out the details on my costume, and Sally told me she loved my spiders (on my earrings and hairbow), and that she had spider friends too.

Also riding Haunted Mansion during MNSSHP is a totally different experience. We must have ridden it at least 4 times that night.

My only regret was that we decided to go to the second parade, and we got caught up in the queue for something or another and got to a spot just as it was starting, so we missed the Headless Horseman's ride.

Sounds sooo fun!! I bet the haunted mansion is amazing that night!

 

[Mal6586]

Sounds sooo fun!! I bet the haunted mansion is amazing that night!

Oh man, between the Haunted Mansion Heckler out front being so sassy, and then all the CMs in their creepy makeup, it's just so cool. And it's like because it's for the Halloween party, all the guests are amped up that much more, and by the end of the night we were all quoting the stretching room monologue and everybody would scream when the lights went out. It was just SO FUN!

 

[rasadkowski]

Ok, I'm in love with that view!!! How early would we need to wait for that spot though??? Also, where exactly is the dessert party reserved space? I know by the flagpole but is that facing the gates? I can't seem to picture it in my head what direction it would be facing. After watching the parade there, we'd probably need to hustle to the hub to save space for fireworks?

I am so tempted to go to this party! I'd be nervous about my girls staying up. Maybe I could persuade them with some goodies what time is the first parade? Are any of you doing that dessert party with the reserved seating? I'm totally just in la la land here. I really don't think I'll get to the party this trip!..
Edit: oops just saw @Candycane83 is!! I should read all posts before posting. Also, I don't know how to do one big reply tagging all the people I want to respond to yet. I'll work on that

Edit: so now I totally get why the dessert party seems iffy. The view for the parade would be better on Main Street. The parade photos are sooo magical!!! Seems so silly not to go if we're right there!! Hmmmmmmm

 

[rasadkowski]

Hmmm, in that case, close to Main Street bakery would be nice for parade and area in front of plaza would be perfect for fireworks? What do you think? (by the way, not sure if my screenshots work properly...)

View attachment 193127

This is so funny reading through the threads. It's like a plan of attack. Everyone crouched over their giant map of plans

 

[Lisa F]

The daytime parade begins in Frontierland. MSEP begins at Town Square.

I've heard that the best spot is in front of Casey's. We had a spot in the hub that was right next to the Tomorrowland Terrace and we had a great view of Wishes and an even better view of TinkerBell flying overhead. I that our view was much better than the one from Tomorrowland Terrace.

I'm really sorry that they eliminated the fastpass option for Wishes. It was the only way I could get DH to watch the fireworks.

You might want to check on that Wishes dessert party because I think they have a new option where you can watch the fireworks from a special reserved area in the hub instead of in the terrace. You would still eat your desserts in the terrace, but they would walk the groups out to the hub before the fireworks start. But I haven't read anything about this new process in a while, so I'm not sure if they are still offering it.

they are but for regular wishes, not for the holiday parties. I was kind of wishing they had it for the holiday parties, I would keep it!

 

[Candycane83]

I am so tempted to go to this party! I'd be nervous about my girls staying up. Maybe I could persuade them with some goodies what time is the first parade? Are any of you doing that dessert party with the reserved seating? I'm totally just in la la land here. I really don't think I'll get to the party this trip!..
Edit: oops just saw @Candycane83 is!! I should read all posts before posting. Also, I don't know how to do one big reply tagging all the people I want to respond to yet. I'll work on that

If they sleep early generally, then I think it'll be difficult to get them to stay up. The first parade was 8:15 last year and fireworks was at 9:30. This year, I have not seen the schedule yet. The only reason why I'm ok with doing ths with a two year old is because he can generally stay up late. Normally sleeps around 9-9:30pm. He gets a 3 hour nap in the afternoon though. So on party day, I'm probably going to let him nap 3-4 hours if I can. Maybe you could try the same thing if your girls are up for it? Or do a test run and see if they can stay up for a 'special' event one day?

 

[CaleCakes]

I think I figured out we could do HS Friday morning then go back to AK in the afternoon and evening. I know we won't get to see all of HS but some is better than non.
Quick question about dining reservations
I got H&V for Friday lunch but only for 2 people. Can I change it to 3, or does it really matter since the 3rd is only 17 months? Will they turn us away at the door because we are technically 3?

 

[Wood Nymph]

I am so tempted to go to this party! I'd be nervous about my girls staying up. Maybe I could persuade them with some goodies what time is the first parade? Are any of you doing that dessert party with the reserved seating? I'm totally just in la la land here. I really don't think I'll get to the party this trip!..
Edit: oops just saw @Candycane83 is!! I should read all posts before posting. Also, I don't know how to do one big reply tagging all the people I want to respond to yet. I'll work on that

How to multi-quote:

1. to multi-quote an entire post, just click on the +quote option of every post that you want to quote.
2. to just quote a portion of the post, like a sentence or a paragraph, then highlight the section that you want to quote and the option to +quote should appear. Click on that. You can't do this type of multi-quoting if you are on an iPhone or iPad, though. but it works on a desktop computer.
4. after you have gathered all the quotes that you want to comment on, go down to the empty reply box and choose "insert quotes" in the lower left hand corner. Click on "quote theses messages" and then they should all appear.
5. you can write your responses in between each of the quotes, then hit reply.

 

[Candycane83]

I think I figured out we could do HS Friday morning then go back to AK in the afternoon and evening. I know we won't get to see all of HS but some is better than non.
Quick question about dining reservations
I got H&V for Friday lunch but only for 2 people. Can I change it to 3, or does it really matter since the 3rd is only 17 months? Will they turn us away at the door because we are technically 3?

I would try looking for a reservation for 3 or 4. Technically, they can turn you away, it depends on how busy it is or the CM? I've read reports where they are able to accommodate but the general rule is to make reservations including infants.

 

[rasadkowski]

If they sleep early generally, then I think it'll be difficult to get them to stay up. The first parade was 8:15 last year and fireworks was at 9:30. This year, I have not seen the schedule yet. The only reason why I'm ok with doing ths with a two year old is because he can generally stay up late. Normally sleeps around 9-9:30pm. He gets a 3 hour nap in the afternoon though. So on party day, I'm probably going to let him nap 3-4 hours if I can. Maybe you could try the same thing if your girls are up for it? Or do a test run and see if they can stay up for a 'special' event one day?

Good idea...my girls have never been good nappers . They wake up between 459 ( seriously..459 on the dot.. Always! . The "4" makes it so much worse!!! ) and 530. But they're in bed around 730 now ( 630-7 in the winter) ... Party option not looking good over here. Grrr. I guess we'll just have to go to Disney at least two more times. Gotta hit both parties!!