Decisions Decisions -- MVMCP for mom or MK regular day for son

[kathy884]

On our December trip (mini trip the week before Christmas week), we have one day allocated for the Magic Kingdom.

DS (19) wants to go on Wednesday the 17th so we can do rope drop, have lots of time for all the attractions and shopping, be there during the day, and see an evening parade and fireworks. It's a regular park day with hours from 8 to midnight. He and I also have never even seen the evening parade or Wishes. (DH is staying home -- doesn't like Orlando or theme parks FYI.)

My Mom (an active in shape 78 year old who still does all the spin rides and coasters) would like to instead do the party on Tuesday the 16th -- be at the park between 4 p.m. and midnight. She's just been to the MK so many times since 1970 when the park first opened and her preference is to do something new and different.

Both my mom and I (the ones paying) don't want to spend $170 pp for one day and do the MK during the day and the party on Tuesday -- too pricey for one day.

DS says he'll go with whatever, but has a strong preference for the day that includes rope drop and day time hours there with his vote. Mom also says she'll do whatever, but has a strong preference for the party.

That leaves me as the person who gets to make the decision. I don't have a strong opinion either way. DS (19) is the one who is in love with the MK, so I'm inclined to go with what he'd prefer. He's just so much fun to take there. He, though, is also very adaptable and flexible (on this more adaptable than my mom) and will be a joy to be with and enthused about whatever we do. Although my mom says she's fine with whatever, in a subtle way I know she'll let me know she's disappointed if I go with DS's choice (I don't know if anyone else has a parent with a subtle way that they tell you they are disappointed with a choice you made.) I told her she could skip the MK and hang with dad who will probably skip the park, but she's not going to pass up hanging out with her darling grandson / she and I really like hanging out together too, and we don't live in the same state, so like to make the most of times when we get together.

Mom did, though, by the way talk us into doing IOA/US one day with a park to park pass (She's a big Harry Potter fan), and we are all looking forward to doing that. We thought with was a great suggestion. We usually skip Universal, but are interested in seeing the new HP stuff too.

Curious to hear other opinions and what you'd do if you were in my shoes.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Read my thread the MVMCP was one of the best things I've even done. Do it if you've done Disney and are looking for a unique experience.

 

[J and R's mom]

Your mom sounds AWESOME! Coasters at 78.

My vote is for MVMCP.

Besides, a Day of IOS/US should be a great ride-compromise for your DS19. I'd let mom do MVMCP with her family.

We just did a trip with my mom in October and I defaulted to her preferences on most things (although she, too, was open to anything). We plan on being back and can do the other things at another time.

 

[Bluegrrl]

Well, MVMCP IS lots of fun. I mean, lots! Free cookies, apple slices, cider and hot chocolate (OK, you pay for it, but still). And they do the holiday parade, which you ONLY get to see during those parties or on the TV. AND if you are a fan of Frozen (not me), the card for sorcerers is Elsa. And you can get in at 4pm (and get the satisfaction of seeing all the non-party people leave the park - that's my evil side talking!). AND it snows. Soap. But still.

As I look at it, a non-party day is up at rope....run run run..naptime at 12....then run run run! Party time is eat breakfast (character maybe?), lay around the pool....take a shower...nap...then at 3:30.... PARTY TIME ALL THE TIME!!! The event is lots of fun, really, and I think you will get your $$ out of it - we do. Also, if you are in the military, check out the military discounts, they really make the event worthwhile. Just saying..$$$. Plus, if he likes getting on rides fast, then this is the WTG. While it's not exactly empty, the park does have lighter crowds. I think seeing Disney late at night is really nice, and I think he will really enjoy it!

Oh, and lately I've seen people dressing up - in their winter pjs! While I used to wear pretty party clothes, I think cute Christmas themed pjs are the way to go. Very cute, and I think he will like seeing the cute girls in their pjs! And there are so many characters that you don't get to see otherwise - a must for Disneylovers. My toddler got to dance with Clarabelle Cow and Horace the Horse!

So, that's my thoughts on the issue. Go party!

 

[Andtototoo]

After years of hearing people rave about the party, we went this year. Honestly, I started out so excited and then got disappointed. The only thing special was the holiday parade and it wasn't all that special. It was... just okay. And given how crowded it was with so many people pushing and shoving, it was not a fun experience. The cocoa is lukewarm chocolate milk and the cookies are Snickerdoodles. Big whoop. The fireworks are, basically, the same as Wishes. You can watch Elsa turn the castle into ice before the party begins. The "snow" is foamy soap. The CMs were very aggressive to the point of being annoying in asking for wristbands, but then did nothing to the people without them at the parade -- many of whom were the aggressive ones pushing and shoving us.

Sorry, I just don't think it's worth the price at all.

 

[emldrl]

I hope this doesn't sound insensitive, or too gloom and doom, but here's my opinion, from a practical standpoint. I don't mean to hurt feelings, please know that, I'm just trying to give you a different perspective.

Your mom is 78. While she sounds very healthy, she won't be around forever. If it were me, I'd do what she wants. Your son is 19, and barring some type of tragedy, will be able to go to MK again. Honestly, you don't know how many trips your mom will have left. So, I say do what Mom wants, and as great as your son sounds, he'll understand.

Again, sorry for any unintended hurt or offense, and I hope you have a wonderful trip!!

 

[kelleybean]

I vote for the party. I'm assuming that since your son is 19 you probably don't care about the characters that much. So you don't have to take party time to wait for them and can take advantage of the low wait times for rides (we waited 17 minutes for Mine Train). We were also able to get 2 FP's between 4-7. If we weren't really determined to get a FP for Peter Pan we could have gotten 3. In all our visits to the MK, we have never ridden as many rides as we did that night. Also since it's adults, you can maximize your $ and stay until midnight. We had to leave around 10:30 with DS6 to stay ahead of the too-tired meltdown we knew was coming.

I was honestly disappointed in the Christmas party because we loved the Halloween party so much and it was hard not to compare. But I think it's a great opportunity to get a lot of rides in and the parade is great (although I don't think as good as the Halloween party parade). Plus it's a little more "special" than a regular day at MK.

 

[cattywampus]

We were able to do waaaaaay more rides during the party than we did in 2 day visits the same week. If your son realizes he can literally walk onto ride vehicles for the headliners except 7DMT,but wait was way lower, he may realize party can accomplish everyone's goal.

 

[kathy884]

Thanks so much for the input everyone! I really appreciate all of your opinions. DS and I have a subscription to touringplans.com, put in all the attractions we want to do (There are just nine that DS is interested in) and see that projections are that we can do these each one time plus a counter service dinner, the Frozen Holiday Wish show, the fireworks, and the second parade on the party day. And DS is so sweet. He said, "Hey if I can do all this and grandma would prefer the party, we can do that." Neither DS or my mom are really into the character meet and greets. But if we get some FP+ reservations ahead of time too for some of the attractions, we might even have a little time for that. Anyway, it will be fun to do the MK in a slightly different way. It save us about $30 pp too ($71 vs. $100 pp).

 

[Art 1]

I would normally say the regular ticket as the party is really not worth it. But seems like your mum is wanting to go and she is paying for half the trip, I would consider going. I wouldn't really care what a 19 yr old who is going along for free would want, I'd tell him to go with the regular ticket if that what he wants then I would go with mum to the party.