Christmas season 2018 questions

[mshanson3121]

I am torn between doing MVMCP and just going to MK for a day. The overall point of the trip is for Christmas festivities. We will be going to Sea World to see their Christmas shows. So I'm not sure if MVMCP will be worth it or if we would be better off visiting MK on a non party day.

My question is - what Christmas offerings are there outside of the party, at MK? Does it seem Christmas-y? (Ex. Are the afternoon parade floats decorated?)

My next question is, would we be able to do the following during the party - see the fireworks, parade, main shows, plus do HM, JC, 7D, Pirates, PP, Buzz, and maybe a few other smaller rides? While our main focus is the Christmas offerings, the kids are also really going to want to do some rides, especially what we missed last time.

Overall thoughts on which would be better?

ETA: Kids will be 11 and 8. Looking at the last week of November or first week of December.

 

[AnneK]

Afternoon parade floats are no different than normal. We spent three days at MK during our December trip this year, including one full day + Christmas party in the evening. We did all the rides during the day hours so we could then focus on party stuff at night when all the exclusive stuff came out. 100% would do it that way again. Just make sure you're rested up because it's a LONG (but awesome) day.

 

[mom2rtk]

The Christmas parade (party exclusive while the party is still running) is pretty cool. And if you're going for just rides, you can likely get all of that done. Add in a couple characters though and I'd say probably not.

With young kids, I'd probably go on a party day to feel like I wasn't rushed and had adequate time in the park. Heck, even a full park day might not be enough for my taste. But I would definitely do a party day so you have a better shot at lower crowds.

Would your kids even predictably be able to enjoy themselves until midnight?

 

[anomamatt]

How old are your kids? In my experience, it’s hard to get value from the party with young kids (mine are 5 and 3). Because even with a nap it’s hard for them to be into lines late at night. And I’ve never been to a non-crowded party night, though it sounds like those do exist.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I am torn between doing MVMCP and just going to MK for a day. The overall point of the trip is for Christmas festivities. We will be going to Sea World to see their Christmas shows. So I'm not sure if MVMCP will be worth it or if we would be better off visiting MK on a non party day.

My question is - what Christmas offerings are there outside of the party, at MK? Does it seem Christmas-y? (Ex. Are the afternoon parade floats decorated?)

My next question is, would we be able to do the following during the party - see the fireworks, parade, main shows, plus do HM, JC, 7D, Pirates, PP, Buzz, and maybe a few other smaller rides? While our main focus is the Christmas offerings, the kids are also really going to want to do some rides, especially what we missed last time.

Overall thoughts on which would be better?

What are your dates? We went from Dec. 16 - Dec. 23 and the non-party days were massively crowded. We did MK and the MVMCP on the same day (Dec. 17). I felt the park was still a bit crowded during the regular park times, but not unmanageable. If your kids can manage to stay up until the second parade, you could probably fit all of that in, if you enter at 4 pm and you are still able to book 3 FP+ with your MVMCP ticket next year (I would recommend FP+ for JC, 7D and PP if you do this. HM, Buzz and Pirates will have shorter lines during regular hours and during the party). I would not plan on any character meet and greets as that will eat up hours of your time. Yes, I think it would be possible. I also wouldn't plan on doing TS that day. MK without the party is still decorated, but there are no special shows or specially decorated floats. They deliberately save those for the party.

 

[mshanson3121]

Would your kids even predictably be able to enjoy themselves until midnight?

Yes for sure. They'll be 11 and 8, and can stay up till midnight without any problem as long as they can sleep in/rest the next morning.

 

[mshanson3121]

How old are your kids? In my experience, it’s hard to get value from the party with young kids (mine are 5 and 3). Because even with a nap it’s hard for them to be into lines late at night. And I’ve never been to a non-crowded party night, though it sounds like those do exist.

I'll update my post, as that's a good point. They'll be 11 and 8.

 

[mshanson3121]

What are your dates? We went from Dec. 16 - Dec. 23 and the non-party days were massively crowded. We did MK and the MVMCP on the same day (Dec. 17). I felt the park was still a bit crowded during the regular park times, but not unmanageable. If your kids can manage to stay up until the second parade, you could probably fit all of that in, if you enter at 4 pm and you are still able to book 3 FP+ with your MVMCP ticket next year (I would recommend FP+ for JC, 7D and PP if you do this. HM, Buzz and Pirates will have shorter lines during regular hours and during the party). I would not plan on any character meet and greets as that will eat up hours of your time. Yes, I think it would be possible. I also wouldn't plan on doing TS that day. MK without the party is still decorated, but there are no special shows or specially decorated floats. They deliberately save those for the party.

Not sure but probably the last week of November/first week of December.

 

[Bete]

The talk was the days without parties at MK were good days to attend this year. They actually opened the park at 7 am. The idea being that the regular, non-party folks would have more time before the party would begin.

We did one of those days and as long as you can get up early and do it, it was wonderful for us. We did so much that morning we were done by 2 pm with all the rides. We were able to get extra fastpasses, same day which helped, too.

With that said if you have never done a party I strongly recommend doing it, if you can manage late hours in the park. We like doing the party on our arrival day, if one is scheduled at that time. We take a nap after settling in to our room and then we are off until midnight at the park. I feel you get more done with rides on a party night. They do limit the capacity of guests for the party. You don't need to buy an extra day on your passes if you do it on your arrival day. It saves a little bit that way.

 

[hiroMYhero]

Here’s the MVMCP discussion from the OP’s previous thread so that this thread doesn’t get Merged over:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/is-mvmcp-worth-it.3652005

 

[Nikki G]

We just did the party on Dec 22, a sold out party. We focused on the two shows at the hub, parade, fireworks, and rides. We were able to do everything we wanted and then some, and that was with a 4:00 ADR thrown in. I would HIGHLY recommend doing the party. My kids are 8 and 5 and loved it. We accomplished so much, had special Christmas offerings, and had a blast. We closed out the party after midnight and it was so cool walking through an almost empty park. Our strategy was to avoid being directly in the Hub,i.e watched shows from the periphery near Adventureland and parade in Frontierland, and that opened up time for rides. We never waited longer than 20 minutes for anything, including 7DMT on stanby

 

[kniquy]

But I would definitely do a non party day so you have a better shot at lower crowds.

I thought i had read in many posts that the party days tend to have lower crowds due to the park closing early and the non party days as being much busier because people can get in a full day and evening fireworks. I'll have to go back and look at the touring plans site to see what they saw and predicted.

In my experience, it’s hard to get value from the party with young kids (mine are 5 and 3)

I am glad that you mentioned this. We just booked for the last week in Nov and it will be a christmas focused trip for our 5 yo DD. I just don't think that even if we had a more relaxing day that she would be able to handle and take full advantage of the party evening. Think we will pass the party.

 

[mom2rtk]

I thought i had read in many posts that the party days tend to have lower crowds due to the park closing early and the non party days as being much busier because people can get in a full day and evening fireworks. I'll have to go back and look at the touring plans site to see what they saw and predicted.

I am glad that you mentioned this. We just booked for the last week in Nov and it will be a christmas focused trip for our 5 yo DD. I just don't think that even if we had a more relaxing day that she would be able to handle and take full advantage of the party evening. Think we will pass the party.

Ugh. Just a typo. I'll go fix it. Definitely go on a party day! Non party days that time of year are a zoo. Sorry!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes for sure. They'll be 11 and 8, and can stay up till midnight without any problem as long as they can sleep in/rest the next morning.

If they can stay up until midnight and you aren't doing M&G's, you should have no problem doing the rides you mentioned plus some smaller ones and the main shows at MVMCP. I would definitely recommend getting there at 4 pm, scheduling 3 FP+ (if they still allow it on a party ticket next year) and seeing the second parade. You can use the first parade time to get more rides in. As I mentioned, we did some regular park time plus the party this year and got everything done (we did the first parade, though, which is why we went in earlier). If we do it again, we will just do the party and do the second parade (my DS should be able to stay up a little later next time)

 

[ArwenMarie]

Is the trip still a short-ish one? I think you said a few days?

If so, I would just focus on MK and also do MVMCP. You will get all of the Christmas you need that way and your kids will get to ride lots of rides which seems to be a Must Do for them

SeaWorld is a lovely park but if the goal is WDW, I wouldn't include it on a short trip.

Happy planning!

 

[mom2rtk]

Is the trip still a short-ish one? I think you said a few days?

If so, I would just focus on MK and also do MVMCP. You will get all of the Christmas you need that way and your kids will get to ride lots of rides which seems to be a Must Do for them

SeaWorld is a lovely park but if the goal is WDW, I wouldn't include it on a short trip.

Happy planning!

Absolutely! When it comes to an Orlando trip, MK is always my priority, especially with young kids. Honestly, I would try to do MVMCP plus a day in the MK (on another party day if possible). If you want to add more festivities, then I would stop and see the monorail resorts before MVMCP. The kids would probably like the big gingerbread house.

I love Sea World, but never if I feel I have shortchanged my Disney experience. And I'm never good with my Disney experience if I feel I have shortchanged my MK experience.

Honestly OP, if you're looking for the Christmas vibe, you need to see the MVMCP parade with your kids under the snow on Main Street. But I wouldn't want to give up a regular day in the park to do it. My first priorities would be a full day in the MK plus MVMCP. Anything else after that is just gravy.

 

[mshanson3121]

Is the trip still a short-ish one? I think you said a few days?

If so, I would just focus on MK and also do MVMCP. You will get all of the Christmas you need that way and your kids will get to ride lots of rides which seems to be a Must Do for them

SeaWorld is a lovely park but if the goal is WDW, I wouldn't include it on a short trip.

Happy planning!

Yes it is. Unfortunately SW is non-negotiable (for both the kids and MIL, lol).

What we're toying with is doing a 2 day park hopper with SW and no party. I know we miss the party that way but between JBJB, doing the World Showcase Christmas stuff and all the Christmas shows at SW, I think that would be plenty of "Christmas", and we'd have more time at MK. But, this board is also doing a great job on selling me on the party, lol, so the other idea is doing MVMCP, SW and then a full day at another park, probably HS or EP.

 

[Bete]

SW is not a 2 day park. You can get it all done including the Christmas stuff as long as you spend a long day there.

 

[hiroMYhero]

SW is not a 2 day park. You can get it all done including the Christmas stuff as long as you spend a long day there.

The OP’s 2-day Ticket is for WDW. She’s going to SW for 1 day.

The OP has trip info in 3 or 4 current threads and is trying to finalize her trip plans.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes it is. Unfortunately SW is non-negotiable (for both the kids and MIL, lol).

What we're toying with is doing a 2 day park hopper with SW and no party. I know we miss the party that way but between JBJB, doing the World Showcase Christmas stuff and all the Christmas shows at SW, I think that would be plenty of "Christmas", and we'd have more time at MK. But, this board is also doing a great job on selling me on the party, lol, so the other idea is doing MVMCP, SW and then a full day at another park, probably HS or EP.

Yes, you could definitely get in enough "Christmas" without doing the party. I really wanted to see the parade which is the main reason I bought the party tickets, but, truthfully, I thought DHS was much better decorated than MK this year (even during "party" mode) The decorations around Echo Lake were absolutely adorable. And the World Showcase holiday events are spectacular. I would also suggest, if you don't do the party, considering visiting WL and GF which are absolutely stunning. You could even see Holiday Wishes on a party night from one of the monorail resorts. We also did a holiday sleigh ride at Ft. W one night and saw many of the campsite decorations which were so cute!