Convince me about MVMCP

[Rella Bella]

What date does this usually start? We will be there 11/15-11/18 2007 after our cruise and I am hoping to add some early christmas spirit to our trip. We intially arrive 11/8 for 3 days at WDW but I don't think much is going on that early.

Here's this year's schedule:
MVMCP 2006 SCHEDULE: November 13, 17, 27, 28, 30,
December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22

We went to MVMCP twice last year in early December and loved every minute of it both times. I would go again in a heart beat... in fact we are still deciding about this year.

I've decided against MVMCP. I have never been to this event, but after looking at our schedule and how many times we'll be visiting MK I can't see spending a few hundred dollars for snow, parades (which we're not into a lot) and the hot chocolate/cookies. Since we're onsite for 8 days or so, I think we'll have enough time for rides and shows, so I don't think we're trying to squeeze in a bunch of rides either. I know it's the whole Christmas spirit that makes it, but I was really moved by the performances at EP during another Christmas season... so I think that will be our Christmas Centerpiece for Disney... we'll pass this time.

Oh I so agree about the Processional at Epcot!! It is certainly a DO NOT MISS at Christmas time!
I understand your thinking about MVMCP too, but although we enjoyed the snow, parades and hot chocolate/cookies at MVMCP they weren't anywhere near the best part.

My MVMCP Top 10 List
#1 Holiday Wishes... AWESOME and much much more than "regular Wishes"
#2 The wonderful shows!! Two full out shows one in Tomorrowland & one in front of the Castle - Minnie & Mickey & lots of dancers!
#3 The other entertainment: wandering carolers, the Sock Hop (dance with the characters) and much more.
#4 The free family photo
#5 Short lines. The park was hustle-bussel with people enjoying the entertainment, parade and fireworks -- but the lines were walk on nearly the whole evening, several time we went more than once without standing in line a second time.
#6 Special exclusive pins and T-shirts
#7 Watching the Christmas ParadeSeeing the Princesses in their "winter" dresses is my favorite part. (you will only see this parade at MVMCP except for Christmas week)
#8 Increased character interaction
#9 Meeting other DISers
#10 Wearing my Minnie Mouse Santa Hat!!

Go for it! You won't regret it!

 

[princess mom of 4]

We are planning a trip for Dec 16-21, 2007 (can't go until kids are out of school). I had read somewhere that MVMCP is really pretty crowded as it get closer to Christmas...any thoughts?

 

[MermaidMommy]

I love MVMCP, and would go every year if DH would let me. If it doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, nothing will! It's just magical!! It's like they took the MK and kicked it up a notch -- you still have the parade, the fireworks, the characters, etc. but they're all just so much better than during the regular day.

As far as days when it can be more crowded, some people find it helps to decide before you go if you're going to concentrate on rides or on shows/parade. That can help make your party a little more relaxed, but on non-crowded nights you shouldn't have a problem. We had great luck when we got to MK at 4:00 because a lot of people who weren't staying for the party were already leaving, so it was parctically deserted. We rode so much between 4-6 that we didn't bother with many rides during the party.

As for the hot chocolate, we went twice the 1st week of December, and the second time the temperature was around freezing. And, FYI, two years ago my daughter wanted to catch the "snowflakes" on her tongue (we're from Texas and don't get snow much) and insisted I do it too. No problem for MK but MGM's snow was actually soap bubbles!

 

[Redbudlover]

It was great to read that you all expect crowds to be low the first week in December. We usually go late Sept/early Dec for the food and wine festival and Halloween party. Went once in early Sept and the crowds were very low then. I wondered what they would be like this time. I am going to be there Nov 26 through Dec 2. I am really excited about the party and the Christmas decorations and parades, but wish I could go swimming... Can't have everything! It is my first solo trip and am really hoping it will go well!

 

[Puffy2]

Went a couple of years ago and all four of us thought it was a waste of money and vacation time. We road two rides (same one twice), saw one holiday show, got some cookies and cocoa, and stood behind other heads to see part of the parade before my freezing children said, "it's kind of fun, but I'm tired and really cold and can we go back to the hotel?".

Never again. Some things at Disney are great...and some are a bunch of hype. You decide.

 

[TheWog]

We have tickets for the 12/11 MVMCP, and tomorrow we head down for our first MNSSHP. The only thing that would make me wary, if I hadn't already bought tixs, is they way they will handle the crowd control of the day guests leaving & the party starting at the same time.

That aspect is different this year and we'll find out tomorrow how well it is handled.

How'd you make out?

 

[mickaholic4077]

They have the same parade and shows Christmas week,so if your stay at WDW extends into that time,don't bother going to the MVMCP. You're paying more than 40 dollars for "free" hot chocolate and a "free" photo,that they don't even advertise,so we(mother & I)totally missed it.

 

[Martindis2006]

Hey Tink70, Looks like we are on the same countdown and we also will be there on November 17th for MVMCP. We were not going to get tickets this year seeing as we already did this last year, but it is just one of those things you hate to miss.

 

[phantom728]

For all of you that have gone, which day of the week do you prefer?

We have the option of either going:

Monday, Dec 4th
Tues, Dec 5th
Thurs, Dec 7th

I've read that the weekend nights are crowded, so am trying to decide between these.

Any thoughts on those have gone.

 

[TinaLala]

We're going on 12/4 and honestly I felt that it was a part of the whole Disney christmas experience. If you're only going to get the chance to go during the holiday why not? So you pay an arm and a leg to get into it, you are on vacation aren't you? Don't you sometimes pay a little extra for somethings when you're on vacation? That's why you have all the time between trips to save!!

 

[scubamouse]

We went on a tuesday last year and will again this year. It's magical pure and simple. The crowds were non-existant off main street, characters were everywhere. DD rode Alladin's carpet with Prince Ali and the sock hop is priceless. The fireworks and parades still make my eyes well up!

 

[princess mom of 4]

okay, I think I'm sold....our trip is not until Dec 2007 so I really do have time to keep saving! Can't wait to hear some reviews from those of you who go this year...

 

[tink70]

Hey Tink70, Looks like we are on the same countdown and we also will be there on November 17th for MVMCP. We were not going to get tickets this year seeing as we already did this last year, but it is just one of those things you hate to miss.

Where are you staying while you are there? We will be at CSR.

This will be our first time to the MVMCP, and we are really looking forward to it!!!

 

[budbeerlady]

We did MVMCP for the first time last December. I was a bit disappointed due to my own build up of what I thought in my mind it would be. It was our own fault and lack of knowledge that I made a 5:30 LTT dinner. At 7:15 we bailed before dessert, so our night got off to a rough and unpleasant start due to our lack luster waiter and cold food. (And lack of drink refills when eating ham!!!!) So we didnt go see any shows, we ate a cookie for dessert. The parade was nice, Wishes was nice. But I wasnt going to spend that kind of money again for the thing. That was last Januarys opinion.

So what is the one thing that DD has begged to do since we booked this last trip? I gave her a million options I was sure she would choose over MVMCP! Come on, a pirates cruise, Bibbity Boutique, etc! Oh, NO! MVMCP!!! She loved it as she rode Goofys barn stormer 4x in a row with out getting off. So we are going for the empty ride ques again. (Actually Dh isnt going, just DD and I so the price was a little less as Dh is fishing the next am and doesnt want to be out till 12) Its okay, just not what I had thought in my mind it would be.

 

[Momof4girls]

We found it to be lots of fun - the snow on Main Street, the holiday parade, etc. But, not a "don't miss" event, either - we much preferred MNSSHP.

All in all, if it means one less day at WDW - skip it - if you can afford to do it and everything else, do it!

NOW - can someone please tell me what time we can get into the park with our event tickets. I read something about changes going on this year, and wasn't sure if we can still get into the park early for MVMCP or not (without park admission).

 

[Martindis2006]

Us too!!!!! It is our first time at CSR. We have stayed at PORFQ and had a wonderful time last year. Have you been to see CSR on your previous trips?

Tip about the MVMCP parade, They have two parades a night. The first one is very crowded so we attend the second one at 10:00 or 10:30. Last year our kids were 5 and 6 yrs old and we had to "sugar" them up so that they could make it to the 2nd parade. It was all worth it with a front row seat on Main Street!!!!

 

[Rella Bella]

We did MVMCP for the first time last December. I was a bit disappointed due to my own build up of what I thought in my mind it would be. It was our own fault and lack of knowledge that I made a 5:30 LTT dinner. At 7:15 we bailed before dessert, so our night got off to a rough and unpleasant start due to our lack luster waiter and cold food. (And lack of drink refills when eating ham!!!!) So we didnt go see any shows, we ate a cookie for dessert. The parade was nice, Wishes was nice. But I wasnt going to spend that kind of money again for the thing. That was last Januarys opinion.

So what is the one thing that DD has begged to do since we booked this last trip? I gave her a million options I was sure she would choose over MVMCP! Come on, a pirates cruise, Bibbity Boutique, etc! Oh, NO! MVMCP!!! She loved it as she rode Goofys barn stormer 4x in a row with out getting off. So we are going for the empty ride ques again. (Actually Dh isnt going, just DD and I so the price was a little less as Dh is fishing the next am and doesnt want to be out till 12) Its okay, just not what I had thought in my mind it would be.

I think if you make seeing the shows a priority you'll have a completely different experience this year. They are so beautiful, and be sure she gets to the soc hop!

We made a similar mistake with dinner. Next time we will get a 4 - 4:30 ADR or just eat before we go in... standing in line for counter service was a nightmare!

You know it might be different with just you two girls too! Here's some pixie dust for a wonderful time!

 

[FayeW]

I'm on the fence as to what to do as well. We attended MVMCP in 2003, and really enjoyed it. Last year, we did MNSSHP and it was fun as well.

I had planned all along that we would definitely do the party on arrival day, but now I'm thinking that we may just go to MK in the afternoon, stay as late as they will let us, and then flip over to Epcot. The day they are filming the Christmas Show, we will be at AK, and had planned to go to MK for the evening anyway since they will be open til 11 that night. Last time, on filming day, they ran the Christmas parade in the evening so there is still a good chance we will get to see then, instead of paying the extra for the party. If we really feel like we are missing something, I can always buy tickets THEN for a party later in the week, and still get the advance purchase discount.


ETA: We decided agains the MVMCP, and are going to ICE at the Gaylord Palms instead. I understand that it is a totally different type of activity, but it looks AMAZING, and it will only cost my family $54 instead of $170 for the Christmas Party!

 

[tink70]

Us too!!!!! It is our first time at CSR. We have stayed at PORFQ and had a wonderful time last year. Have you been to see CSR on your previous trips?

Tip about the MVMCP parade, They have two parades a night. The first one is very crowded so we attend the second one at 10:00 or 10:30. Last year our kids were 5 and 6 yrs old and we had to "sugar" them up so that they could make it to the 2nd parade. It was all worth it with a front row seat on Main Street!!!!

We have never been to CSR, but I have hard wonderfulthings, that is why we are checking it out. My favorite resort so far is the poly, but it is so expensive, we would have had to shorten our vacation. Plus it is nice to check out the other resorts, I think they are all beautiful in their own way.

Thanks for the tip about the parade. Unfortunately it is going to be a very long day for us. I had picked this week to see the decorations and go to the party and wouldn't you know that when the MVMCP dates came out it was only offered ont he day we fly in. So we will be getting up @ 5am, or earlier. I am hoping my DD who is 5 falls asleep in a stroller so we can stay late as I have never been to the parks past @10pm.

Do you have any idea what the sock hop is?

 

[MiamiBeach]

I have two adult (10+) MVMCP tickets for the night of Friday, December 8 if anyone can use them. We moved our trip up a week and they say they are nonrefundable.