Are the first couple of MVMCPs very crowded?

[DC to Disney]

We're planning a trip to WDW from November 5-10. MVMCP will be happening on November 7 and 8. November 7 is the first party of the entire season. Do you think those first couple of dates will be especially crowded? We've never gone to the Christmas party before, so I don't know what to expect.

Also, are all of the restaurants open during the parties? If we want to have dinner at BOG one night during our trip, does it make sense to make our ADR during the party, or is there so much else going on that we shouldn't take time away from the party for a sit-down meal?

 

[BeHappyNeverSad]

We went to the 3rd Christmas party last year. I didn't think the crowds were bad. I would definitely recommend eating an early dinner that day so you have all of your time for the party. If you want to do any of the special meet and greets you would need that time to get in line early. The times for each event will be posted online so you'll be able to decide what's important to you. We moved from one thing to the next and wouldn't have wanted to stop to eat.

 

[tinkerbella16]

The first MVMCP typically sells out, but I don't think it did last year because it was on a Sunday night. I think the first party to actually sell out last year was the Nov 20th party.

We did the third party last year on Nov 12th and it was the BEST mvmcp I've ever been to, as far as crowds go. It was a Thursday night party and it was just amazing. We were literally the only ones walking around certain areas. We walked on everything. We had an early dinner at BOG at 4:30pm, because we don't like eating TS during party time. It worked out perfectly. We were done by 6pm, and the park was clearing out for the party. We really enjoyed it. I just wouldn't schedule an ADR any later than 5pm on a party night.. Those tickets aren't cheap and those 5 hours go by fast. We love having an earlier dinner, where we can relax and enjoy it and be finished before the party starts.

 

[DC to Disney]

Thanks! I should've been more clear about ADR timing. I was thinking of having an early dinner between 4-6 pm, so early enough that our tickets will let us get into MK, but not during the actual party time. It sounds like that may be a decent strategy.

Between November 7 and 8, do you think the 7th may be more crowded because it's the first party of the year? It's a Tuesday, so I'm not sure how that factors in. It's also election day. Will that affect crowds at all (are people less likely to visit WDW because they're voting)? We can vote early, so it won't affect us. I'm kind of annoyed that I need to start booking ADRs in 5 days and Disney hasn't released prices for the party yet, but that's another story.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We went to the very first MVMCP 2 years ago. It was the first time we had been, so I didn't have anything to compare the crowds too, but I didn't think it was bad. We watched the 2nd parade and were able to find a "second row" spot up in the hub just a few minutes before it started. We did have some long waits for meet and greets, but we choose some of the more rare characters, so were expecting the waits (7 Dwarfs and Scrooge McDuck were our longest).

 

[abja09]

I will be there at the same time and am trying to decide between the first party on November 7th or the second party on the 8th. I am leaning towards the second party. I have never been to the MVMCP before so I have no comparison.

 

[epcotty]

From what I understand the first one has a lot of extra people from media and bloggers so that increases it past the usual max ticket limit. After that it shouldn't be as bad though

 

[RustManFan]

How do you know when parties will start? WDW hasn't released any schedule according to their website. Are you basing this on 2015 dates?

 

[got2sammies]

How do you know when parties will start? WDW hasn't released any schedule according to their website. Are you basing this on 2015 dates?

The party schedule has been released.
First party is always crowded with Media and then the marathon leftovers. I would shoot for tues or Thurs night. However with the 11th being a holiday it might be more crowded this year with locals and jersey week might impact party crowds. We are going the exact same dates as well. A lot of schools have a limited week that week with the holiday and voting day and such. Good week to go and not miss a lot of school

 

[RustManFan]

I might have to go!

 

[11290]

FWIW: for the last 2 or 3 years (maybe 3 or 4 years - can't remember exactly) "almost" all the MVMCP before Thanksgiving have been sold out.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We went to the first one last year and I thought it was pretty crowded (compared to the early December party we had been to previously).

 

[ZoZo]

I can't answer the "crowd" question, but I have some advice on your question about eating dinner at BOG during the party. I wouldn't recommend it! For a hard-ticket party, your time is at a premium. I wouldn't spend an hour-and-a-half (or more, if you don't get in right at your ADR time!) of valuable party time eating dinner.

Based on my experience with the Halloween party, I'd recommend that you enter the party at 4:00 pm, then do a quick meal at a CS restaurant like CHH. At the MNSSHPs I've attended, I've noticed that people start leaving in droves starting at 4:00 pm, if they don't have a party ticket. The ride lines get much shorter as people start leaving, and you can get a lot of rides done between 4:00 and 7:00. And FYI, some of the restaurants aren't even open during the party, so it's a good idea to eat an early dinner (maybe 5:00-ish) and get that out of the way early. You can always grab a snack later during the party if you're hungry. I've read posts from people who didn't realize that some of the restaurants shut down during the party, and had to really scramble (or wait in long lines at CS restaurants) to find something open during the party. Some people waited too late, ane ended up eating their trick-or-treat candy for dinner! Yikes!

Have fun!

 

[jaysmom4285]

Check out this article on the touring plans blog about the least crowded MVMCP, in terms of wait times for the attractions. It's a prediction of 2015 based on former years' data, and I don't think they've done a prediction for 2016 yet . But it should still give you an idea of what to expect from the various dates.

 

[rastahomie]

What is the maximum number of MVMCP tickets sold?

 

[Accident]

We're planning a trip to WDW from November 5-10. MVMCP will be happening on November 7 and 8. November 7 is the first party of the entire season. Do you think those first couple of dates will be especially crowded? We've never gone to the Christmas party before, so I don't know what to expect.

Also, are all of the restaurants open during the parties? If we want to have dinner at BOG one night during our trip, does it make sense to make our ADR during the party, or is there so much else going on that we shouldn't take time away from the party for a sit-down meal?

Depends what you mean by crowded.... There are 3 basic types of crowds at a ticketed party...

1: They are there to see the shows and parade and enjoy the atmosphere, barely ride anything making it feel really crowded but rides are walk on.
2: They are there to ride things and barely be anywhere making it feel really empty but really long ride lines..
3: a mix of both...

So first, what are you hoping to do during the party?

generally #1 happens the first party or two because it's also when trhe press and bloggers are there getting content and reports for their sites/papers/tv news... It also happens on the last party or two.. It's also popular for locals who are jumping into the holiday spirit, especially if it's on a friday or saturday.

#2 and 3 will just happen, especially if there was insanely bad weather and a lot of people had time for a second party and complained enough to get free tickets to the next one. They will load up the park with free tickets, it a holiday themed party, not a guaranteed empty event.

Honestly, it's roll the dice.. I would recommend going as early in your trip as possible because you never know if rain is going to cancel the parade or fireworks during hte party and you might have time later in the trip to go again if seeing those is important..

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Check out this article on the touring plans blog about the least crowded MVMCP, in terms of wait times for the attractions. It's a prediction of 2015 based on former years' data, and I don't think they've done a prediction for 2016 yet . But it should still give you an idea of what to expect from the various dates.

I can't see a link in your post, but I think you meant this one:
http://blog.touringplans.com/2016/04/07/least-crowded-disney-world-christmas-party-2016/

 

[jaysmom4285]

Thanks, TigerlilyAJ. By the time I noticed my omission, you had already come to my rescue.

 

[DC to Disney]

Thanks, everyone! My family doesn't care much about meeting characters, but we love shows and parades, so I think our main goals would be to see the Christmas parade, walk around and check out any specially themed attractions, and ride a couple of rides. Our only options for the party are Nov 7 and 8, and it sounds like the 7th may be slightly more crowded with it being the first party of the season, so we'll aim for the 8th.