Did anyone regret MVMCP?

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

I'm leaving in a week for our mother/son trip, and i still can't decide whether or not to do MVMCP.
I know there are a million people here who can tell me all of the wonderful reasons to go for it, but is there anyone who has done it and wished they hadn't?
I'm worried that DS might be exhausted, or that it just might not be worth the money.

 

[stacyleigh1978]

No regrets here- we did it twice two weeks ago. We went once on the day of our arrival (DH, DS3, and me). DS fell asleep around 10- we didn't get to do too much that night other than lots of rides, meeting the 7 Dwarfs, and meeting Minnie and Mickey. We were exhausted and since we knew we were going a second time, we didn't push it.

The second night it was just me and DS (DH had to leave early on a business trip) and we did all the Christmas party stuff- parade, fireworks, all the special characters, the dance party, etc. We had an absolute blast!

So, once again, no regrets here. I would highly recommend it!

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

How old is your son?

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

He just turned 5. He definitely has a lot of energy, but I don't know how late he'd be able to last, especially after an already long day.

 

[mrsr2ro]

We did it last year with our 5/3/1 year olds and I regret taking them. We were there with my parents and DH -- and I wish I had just paid for my mom and I to go and left the kids with DH and Papa for the night. Even though it was our first full day, we slept in, did lunch in DTD, then headed over at 4.... they passed out in the strollers after the fireworks. Since everything I had read said to do the 2nd parade, we did that, and they slept through the parade despite ALL our attempts to try and wake them up for it.

SO - if you do it, do the first parade.

I personally liked it - just wish I had not paid for the 5 and 3yo since I don't think they got the money's worth.

 

[walkdmc]

We did it two weeks ago and loved it. At 5 years of age, I'd absolutely recommend either doing nothing but relaxing until dinner time, when you'd head into the MK, or taking a mid-afternoon LONG break/nap. If you rest, he should be fine and you won't have wasted your money/time. If he doesn't rest, it would be a waste of $$ b/c he probably wouldn't last much past 7pm, when the party begins.

IMO, the parade was wonderful but we really liked the nearly empty park for it's short ride lines. We rode Aladdin's magic carpets 3x in a row, never getting off. There were EMPTY boats on the POTC!! It was like a semi-private night in the park. We didn't eat any free cookies or hot chocolate, didn't shop for the special merchandise, didn't even see the snow on Main St. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[mattmommy]

I'll give you the other side.

If they REALLY limited the tickets--I'd go for it. They pack 'em in like sardines.

There was free cookies and hot cocoa. I never pass up free, but this time I did because the lines were INSANE.

The park was CROWDED beyond belief.

We did wait in line for the free picture (stupid, stupid, stupid) (1 hour).

It was crowded.

On the upside, the rides were fairly empty.

All of that being said if you don't mind paying the extra, don't have a stroller to navigate through the crowds and don't have a lot of days to do the parks, this is your best bet.

There are tons of people milling about so get going to the rides.

My review also stands for the MNSSHP. Also they don't give out much candy at all, but again the rides are empty. Some people will say they got tons of candy, but it was 20 minute waits for a sticker, spider ring, tiniest pieces of candy ever, etc.


DHS was much better (IMO) for holiday fun. You stand with all the people (crowded for the very beginning and then it spreads out) in the New York area and they flip the switch and everything is lit up and it snows. REALLY pretty.

 

[RMulieri]

I don't regret doing it in the past, but I will NEVER do it again..Though disney "limits" the tickets.When you have 20,000+ people all trying to see and do the same few things, it doesn't feel all that limited.In fact our last party a few years ago we found the park busier during the party than it was during the day.

 

[sweet maxine]

I have regretted going. On our last trip I found the crowds to be completely unmanageable---think shoulder to shoulder, and no place to go. It gets scary to me when it's that way.

I would much rather go on an evening when I can use the ticket I've already paid for, without having to purchase another just for that purpose. That's kinda like double-charging to me, though I'm sure others here will disagree. I wish there was some way to see the parade without having to be there the few days before Christmas, but alas, that will not be.

The MVMCP used to be lots of fun, and we always looked forward to it. Now, not so much, unfortunately. Some people are lucky to go on nights which are low attendance, and that's great. It's just getting harder and harder to find one of those nights. FWIW, we found the CM's very grumpy and for several of the parties saw plenty of people without wristbands.

 

[bradk]

i've always campaigned against it. it's been my least favorite of all the parties. the parade is great but having seen it in the daylight, I really don't care for it at night. there's very little that's exclusive to the party and many of the things that people do associate with the party (because disney advertises them as party elements) are really open to everyone.

 

[Kay1]

We tried it once and were very sorry we did. We never got the photo, cookies, or cocoa because the lines were so long. Everything else we saw without paying extra. I think it's great for locals or others who don't have passes. We thought it was a big waste of money.

Have a wonderful time whatever you decide.

 

[tallen429]

i've always campaigned against it. it's been my least favorite of all the parties. the parade is great but having seen it in the daylight, I really don't care for it at night. there's very little that's exclusive to the party and many of the things that people do associate with the party (because disney advertises them as party elements) are really open to everyone.

Thanks. Your post really sums up so many of my doubts about paying so much for this "experience". I guess it all depends on the family going. My DS is 8 and not really all that into the characters that will be featured at the party so we probably wouldn't stand around for autographs. We're staying at the Poly so we will probably be able to see the firworks from our resort (even though it's not the same). I can't imagine the parade being sooo much better or special than the parade during the day...I guess I'm just not all that into it. If it was the lower price it used to be, maybe, but for DS, my Mom and me it's $165 advance purchase...that's a lot of money.

 

[jharrowell]

If you'd asked me this a few years ago then I'd have said that it was a must, but with things being removed like once apon a christmas (you can't beat Minnie singing 'santa baby!' ) and the like it really has become $50+ (not sure of the price nowadays) for extra park time and a cookie.

If you were going to MNSSHP however I'd still recommend it. Seeing all the adults playing dress up and getting to go in costume yourself is hilarious!

 

[bradk]

with things being removed like once apon a christmas (you can't beat Minnie singing 'santa baby!' )

for what it's worth, even 'twas was shown most every saturday all day to anyone in MK, so not really a party exclusive either.

 

[ChrisAlli]

I'm glad we did it once, but will not do it again.

We LOVE MNSSHP and this just didn't compare, imho....

 

[kkmcan]

We did it a few years ago and wished we hadn't spent the money. We had just come off a Disney Cruise (which was awesome!) and we had seen a show every night so to sit and watch more shows with dancing and singing was borrrrrring. We were kind of over the whole show thing.

Cookies and cocoa were nothing special and we did have to wait in line for them.

Rides were pretty empty but we had already ridden all those rides the day before. Snow wasn't that magical. And we froze our puppies off! Even with our hats, and gloves and coats, it was cold!!!

Now, the Halloween party at DL , that's another story! WE love that!

 

[browniemtb]

Yes...we did it a couple years back and found there really wasn't anything extra for the money. The park itself still seems crowded and for what you got. That being said, everyone is different so give it a try.....

 

[PEANUT1]

Yes I regret doing it. We spent 200$ for the 4 of us with a discount and it wasn't worth it at all to us. I didn't find the parade or fireworks to be anything special. I was pretty bummed. We thought the Osbourne lights were more worthy of paying a seperate admission to see.

We have done the Halloween party a few times and have never had any regrets...oh well. You live and learn

 

[DIS-OH]

Last year, DH and I went to WDW just prior to Christmas. I debated on getting "party" tickets, but finally decided against it due to limited time.

Did I feel "left out" or like I was missing something? Nope!

The parks are decked out in Holiday decor, the MK afternoon Holiday Parade is thrilling, the Osborne lights were fascinating, it snowed on Main Street, and the Holiday spirit was everywhere!

My advice...skip the party and you won't even know you missed it!

 

[LeslieG]

Last year, DH and I went to WDW just prior to Christmas. I debated on getting "party" tickets, but finally decided against it due to limited time.

Did I feel "left out" or like I was missing something? Nope!

The parks are decked out in Holiday decor, the MK afternoon Holiday Parade is thrilling, the Osborne lights were fascinating, it snowed on Main Street, and the Holiday spirit was everywhere!

My advice...skip the party and you won't even know you missed it!

I thought the snow on Main St. was just at the party. When does it snow during normal hours? And how does the parade differ during regular hours vs. the party?