Do Your Best to Convince Me That MVMCP is Worth It This Year...

[marmentrout85]

Here's our situation: Traveling party of my wife, daughter (who will have just turned 3) and mother-in-law (her first time ever visiting WDW, and will be her first time navigating an ECV as she has MAJOR mobility issues with her hips and back). We (wife, daughter, and I) are APs and DVC Members so we'll likely be back around the holidays on what I plan on being an annual basis. We'll be doing a split-stay Dec 15-18 at Grand Floridian and Dec 18-22 at Beach Club.

I will say that NONE of us have ever been to MVMCP, but my wife and I have been to WDW for the holidays back in 2019. Anyway, our daughter doesn't sleep in her stroller; the very latest we'd be able to keep her out would likely be 10:30pm. We'll be going toward the end of the party dates so the AP discount won't apply and they'll be the most expensive party dates.

The only thing that makes me think we maybe should do it is that (without being able to predict the future) for all I know this could be my mother-in-laws only time ever going to WDW, but I feel like it's a lot of extra $$$ to drop when it will only be a partial evening for us. In my mind I feel it's a bit unnecessary as I'm sure we'll get plenty of holiday vibes all week long during normal park hours. But I don't know, what would you do in my situation? Is the party worth it in our scenario?

Side note: I'll also add that I'm personally/selfishly MUCH more excited to attend Jollywood Nights compared to MVMCP, but I don't think my mother-in-law would enjoy it as much as MVMCP, but I know my wife, daughter and I would have a great time. I also like the fact that the tickets for Jollywood Nights are cheaper, but again, we'd have to leave that party relatively early for my daughter as well.

IF we end up attending a party, I'm leaning more toward Jollywood as we definitely won't be doing both parties this trip.

I'd LOVE to hear your best reasons why this would be a great year/trip to attend our first ever MVMCP given our situation.

 

[Joanna71985]

I love MVMCP, but I go for the parade

 

[marmentrout85]

I love MVMCP, but I go for the parade

The parade definitely looks pretty great; I'm just not sure it's $219 great.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Nope, not going to convince you this is worth it when you're leaving at 10:30pm. I'd wait and go when the little one can stay up late. Might be MIL's only trip but you can only cram so much into one trip- and leaving an expensive party because the little one is melting down probably isn't the family memory you're after.

 

[marmentrout85]

Nope, not going to convince you this is worth it when you're leaving at 10:30pm. I'd wait and go when the little one can stay up late. Might be MIL's only trip but you can only cram so much into one trip- and leaving an expensive party because the little one is melting down probably isn't the family memory you're after.

This has been my line of thinking all along. It'd ease the pain a bit if my daughter was still 2 and free but that will sadly not be the case come December.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Is the party worth it in our scenario?

Absolutely not. You already know.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

If you don't do a party, since you'll be at GF during the 12/16 party I'd strongly recommend incorporating watching Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks from GF or Poly into your plans. Yes it's late (usually 10pm if I'm not mistaken), but to me it is Disney's best current fireworks show by far and totally captures the spirit of the holidays in a magical way only Disney can.


You see, the best parts of the holidays are the special moments, like this one, that we share with truly special friends. We take these moments and we turn them into memories, memories we can cherish forever and ever. And that's the kind of magic that only happens when we're all together.

 

[leggoons]

Are you able to consider the possibility of just you and your wife attending the MVMCP or Jollywood Nights party?

 

[Rory607]

I wouldn’t take the toddler. It’s not worth it for a meltdown. The first time we did the Halloween party my youngest was 5 and while he didn’t melt down, he was asleep in the stroller partway through and even slept through the fireworks.

What if your wife and MIL went and you stayed back at the hotel with your daughter? It would be a fun memory for the two of them.

 

[Marthasor]

I wouldn't do either party. IMHO, MVMCP is only worth it for the parade and fireworks. You can get plenty of holiday decor and cheer just by going to the parks and resorts during regular hours (particularly EP). As OP pointed out, you can see the fireworks (without the projections) from GF. I went to Jollywood the first year, so perhaps I shouldn't judge as I don't know if it improved at all last year. Based on my absolutely dismal experience in the first year, there is no way I would go back. There are other holiday events to consider that come in at a lower price point - we love HDDR during the holidays followed by a horse carriage ride to see the decorations at Ft. W. It's far more relaxing than MVMCP, just as jolly, includes dinner and would cost less than going to either party.

 

[DeeBee3]

was going to say would it be worth it for your wife to go with her mom or would you rather it be all or nothing? You'll still get the Christmas vibes without the party.

 

[marmentrout85]

What if your wife and MIL went and you stayed back at the hotel with your daughter? It would be a fun memory for the two of them.

was going to say would it be worth it for your wife to go with her mom or would you rather it be all or nothing? You'll still get the Christmas vibes without the party.

I like these ideas, thanks! It is basically all or nothing when it comes to MVMCP though. We'd mainly do the party because we'd want my daughter to see the parade, shows, fireworks, and maybe some special meet-and-greets. My MIL is mainly going on the trip so she can spend more close quality time with my daughter; she'd definitely want to go back to the hotel if my daughter is going back to the hotel.

One thing we might end up doing is have my MIL watch our daughter while just my wife and I go to Jollywood Nights.