am I saving money or being too cheap?

[germanbini]

I've been working on my vacation budget this year - 2 adults, a teenaged boy, and an 11 year old girl. We're going on a cruise first (already paid for!) and then only 1 day to MK (this time). When we get off the cruise on Thursday we'll be having an easy day planned; in the evening DS and I will be going to DisneyQuest, and DD and DH are going to Cirque du Soleil. All of that will be near $200. (plus dinner somewhere in downtown Disney).

On Friday we're going to MK, we've never been to that park. I had been thinking about going to MVMCP, but it seems rather pricey. Lately I've been leaning towards going to the campfire and hayride at the Wilderness campgrounds.

I feel like I can always see the MVMCP in the next year or two, when we take a longer trip with park-hopper passes and the works.

So, am I saving money or just being too cheap?

 

[DisneyBrat]

I am a little confused about the pricing in your post.. You said that 2 of you will go to QUEST and 2 of you will go to Cirque... and that would cost about 100 bucks.. Quest Tickets are at best 24 dollars a piece and Cirque is $70 EACH.. sooooooo not sure if you're thinking that all 4 of you could do both for $100....

Second.. From reading about MVMCP you can get on the rides EASIER and with little crowd sooooooo Instead of buying day MK tickets swim relax and do MVMCP and get the best of both .. Just my opinion from all I have read about MVMCP... We were going to go this December but couldn't work it out time wise so we are now going end of January instead... Kids have NO CLUE LOL

Hope this helps,
Lew

 

[mad4themouse]

No, you're not being cheap. The cruise alone is already costing you some pretty big bucks and DQ/Cirque ain't cheap either.

However, I would find it sooooo hard to be in WDW and not go to MVMCP. We went two years ago when we did the 3-day land/4-night sea cruise. I packed just about every holdiay event I could into those 3 days, including CP, MVMCP and the Osbourne Lights.

We loved the MVMCP but also felt that MK was less crowded during the day than it was during MVMCP. We did get to ride just about everything that we want to but the lure of all the other special shows, fireworks and parades made it very difficult to do the other atttractions.

And, unlike during the day, not every attraction will be open during the evening. The Jungle Cruise is one that springs to mind.

Lastly, since you've never been to the MK, it is completely different by day than it is by night. There are subtle details that are invisible in the dark that spring to life during the day.

If Cirque and DQ are not on your "I must absolutely must-do this or else I'll have no fun" list, consider deferring them until your next visit. They'll be around regardless of what season you go. MVMCP is only during early December and may or may not be done every year.

An alternative to Cirque/DQ would be to have dinner at one of the monorail resorts and then go resort hopping to see all the decorations. Finish by watching the MK fireworks from the Poly, GF or CR.

 

[crazyforgoofy]

If not then I'd say go for the MVMCP. It's just wonderful. If you'll be back again another December then I'd say do the cheaper things at FW. But MVMCP is a must-do for our family when we're there in December! It makes the holidays for us.

 

[MinnieGi]

Wow, it sounds like you already have a wonderful trip planned with the cruise and DQ/Cirque and a day of resort time. You could certainly do the MVMCP instead of a day at MK or as you have planned wait for another trip! That is one of the things I really enjoy about Disney there are so many events and different activities you can't do it all in one trip - so therefore you need many trips!!!! I'm sure you'll have an awesome time whatever you decide to do!

 

[kilee]

Personally, I say go for the MVMCP. If money is the issue-- I'd forget the DQ/Cirque plans-- I too agree this can be done any trip. I haven't been to the MVMCP though-- I'm hoping to next year. But I love the holiday's and it sounds spectacular. I don't think the FW campfire and hayride (which you can't guarantee it's first come first serve basis) can compare.

 

[germanbini]

Well, how about if we try to do MVMCP on Thursday night (skip DQ and Cirque), and then go to MK on Friday and then the campfire Friday night? Or maybe just drop DS at DQ (he's 20 and would probably enjoy that more), and the rest of us enjoy the Xmas party? hmmmm!

 

[mom2alix]

I think your new option is the best. It gives you plenty of time at MK so you should get everything in. I love having more than one day in a park - the first to ride the "must-do's" and scope out the rest and the second to revisit anything you REALLY loved and enjoy those second choice things you checked out the day before! Your DS might also like Pleasure Island, although DQ is pretty cool for that age. Gotta love the chance to design your own roller coaster!

 

[DisneyBrat]

LOL You edited your post... I thought I was seeing things about the $100 figure LOL and NO you're not being cheap.. I forgot to add that part.. The cruise is a fortune in itself...

 

[germanbini]

It's not on the mouse line (that WOULD be $$$, though I'm sure it's worth it but just not on my budget for this year). Still, the price was right for a 5 day/4 night cruise on the Fantasy, ocean view cabin at $288 per adult and $238 per child that includes the port and taxes! It's "just" to the Bahamas, but considering it includes all the meals and entertainment (and transportation and lodging), I felt pretty good about it! Next year, though, we'll have to budget for a long Disney trip.

We're making this a long vacation even if it's a "short" cruise. Two days to drive down including a drive through St. Augustine, then the cruise, then a couple days at Disney and a hotel stop on the way back.

You're right, I edited my post.

I've talked over the Thursday night activities with DS and DH and they both like the plan. DD still has no idea we're going anywhere except the cruise. And DS still doesn't know we're going to MK on Friday, so it's all coming together!

Sabrina