Avoid Magic Kingdom on Very Merry Christmas Party Days?

[StarrySkye21]

It frustrates me that Disney requires park reservations yet doesn’t release pertinent important dates that may affect those reservations in a timely manner.

My tween daughter and I will be attending Disney during the middle of November. I have already reserved our three days of theme park tickets. But now in doing further research I have realized that on the several days Disney does the late night Christmas party at MK, the park closes early at 6 pm. This will be a big trip for us and we want to get the most out of it. Which means cramming as much as we can in with long park days from open to close. We will not be attending the Christmas party so I’m really concerned now about the reduced hours. Hopefully they will release the dates soon so we can make changes to our reservations before it is too late.

So my question is, how are the crowds typically at Magic Kingdom the day of the Christmas party before it closes to non-party guests? If they are actually much lighter crowds than usual we might just stay as we would be waiting in less lines. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks

 

[lanejudy]

WDW isn't offering the usual MVMCP this year. It is a "Very Merriest After Hours" event instead, similiar to the current Boo Bash After Hours event for Halloween that just started this week. It doesn't close the park early; 9pm start, I think.

This thread has more details about the Christmas AH event.

 

[soniam]

Also, they rarely, if ever, decrease park hours from what is posted. The usual Xmas party is announced in the Spring, I think, with tickets going on sale around there too. So, if they go back to that format in the future, you should have plenty of advance notice.

 

[DWillowBay]

The after hours Christmas event won't shorten park hours on that day. Day guests will get til the normal closing to enjoy the park. It is an "after hours" party.

 

[DWillowBay]

oops. double post.

 

[StarrySkye21]

Thanks for the reassurance and clarification. Do you all think that we should avoid MK on days with the after hours party scheduled? I’m wondering how that would affect day crowds.

 

[Bibbobboo2u]

It frustrates me that Disney requires park reservations yet doesn’t release pertinent important dates that may affect those reservations in a timely manner.

My tween daughter and I will be attending Disney during the middle of November. I have already reserved our three days of theme park tickets. But now in doing further research I have realized that on the several days Disney does the late night Christmas party at MK, the park closes early at 6 pm. This will be a big trip for us and we want to get the most out of it. Which means cramming as much as we can in with long park days from open to close. We will not be attending the Christmas party so I’m really concerned now about the reduced hours. Hopefully they will release the dates soon so we can make changes to our reservations before it is too late.

So my question is, how are the crowds typically at Magic Kingdom the day of the Christmas party before it closes to non-party guests? If they are actually much lighter crowds than usual we might just stay as we would be waiting in less lines. Anyone have experience with this? Thanks

I did notice that on Boo Bash nights in Sept and Oct, MK closes 1/2 hr. earlier (8:30) than it does on non-Boo Bash nights (9:00). Disney may follow the same format for nights with Very Merriest, but we won't know until they post park hours.

 

[gharter]

Just as with Boo Bash, it appears the day will be as crowded as normal (the previous party days were lighter) until about 7 when AH guests can arrive. The last 1-2 hours will be busier.
So far, the parks are not closing earlier than usual on an AH night. As always, anything can change.

 

[Upatnoon]

If Very Merriest follows the Boo Bash, you will also be able to see fireworks on all days.

In the past, fireworks on party nights were only shown to party guests.

This should help even out crowds as MK was extremely packed in the past on non-party nights.

 

[gharter]

This should help even out crowds as MK was extremely packed in the past on non-party nights.

that was absolutely true as the parks closed early on party nights and did not have fireworks, so the non party days were packed.

 

[luv2cheer92]

If Very Merriest follows the Boo Bash, you will also be able to see fireworks on all days.

In the past, fireworks on party nights were only shown to party guests.

This should help even out crowds as MK was extremely packed in the past on non-party nights.

That's one thing that I haven't seen clarified yet (I totally could've missed it). But since Very Merriest has it's own fireworks show, we'll see if they show two different shows in one night. I could see it going either way.

 

[GatorChris]

that was absolutely true as the parks closed early on party nights and did not have fireworks, so the non party days were packed.

Our last trip to WDW in Dec 2012 was like that. I thought, "I'll be smart and be at MK on the non-Party days."Just like everyone else. Fireworks was unlike anything I've ever seen. And the exit...people were stepping ON our double stroller (with my kids in it) trying to get out faster. That's when I had it with WDW and all the dumb parties. It's taken me 9 years to get back. I hope I don't experience the same.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

It's really hard to predict what this year will bring.
When we went to the Christmas party 2 years ago we went to the park at 4 and so many people were also there early. But the crowds seemed low even with party and regular guest. We attended two weeks before Christmas so the out of school rush was starting as we were leaving Orlando.
I think people think like you do and go on non party days

 

[maltdizzy]

That's one thing that I haven't seen clarified yet (I totally could've missed it). But since Very Merriest has it's own fireworks show, we'll see if they show two different shows in one night. I could see it going either way.

Yes the Disney Blog has confirm Disney Enchantment before park closing then the holiday fireworks before the AH.