Going to MK on a MVMCP day

[maggiew]

I'm trying to plan out a quick stop at Disney in December to see the Christmas decorations on our way to visit the inlaws in Florida. I am looking at the crowd calendars and most are pointing to going to MK on a day that there is a MVMCP day. I haven't decided yet whether to add the expense of MVMCP tickets (for 4 of us - all Disney adults).

So, what will it be like at MK on a MVMCP day? Will it be less crowded in the morning because people are waiting until the evening? Will we have less time in the parks because they will kick us out early?? Is it stupid to go to MK on a MVMCP day if you don't plan to go to MVMCP????

I'm trying to keep this as a relatively inexpensive trip since we did a big family cruise in June. But I want to see the Christmas decorations and I read that this might be the last year for the Osborne lights?? So I was just planning one day at MK, one day at EP, and one day at HS to see the Christmas special things. We have been to Disney a lot (although not in the WDW parks since 2009) and we have been to MVMCP too a long time ago.

Maggie

 

[Happyjen27]

I think that easywdw recommends MK on MVMCP days, because many guests will avoid the MK due to the early closure. Unless you have MVMCP tickets you will be unable to do any attractions after 7PM. So, shorter hours can keep people out of the MK making it less crowded for those who do come during the day. I think the crowds for the party start rolling in around 6PM, but they can be there as early as 4PM with a MVMCP ticket.

I plan to visit MK on a MVMCP day for the lower crowds, and will not be going to MVMCP. We have a longer trip than you, and young kids. I would recommend pricing out the following options:

3 day tickets (make your MK day a day that does not have MVMCP)
3 day tickets + park hoppers to hop to another park on MVMCP night
2 day tickets + MVMCP tickets, making the MVMCP your MK day. That would get you into the park at 4PM and presumably shorter lines. That does leave he question of what to do before 4PM.

 

[Robo]

Don't expect it to be much different than most days.
Many guests don't check schedules in advance, anyway.

 

[ktlm]

We've been during the holiday season the last 5 years. Most of those trips we have been to MK on both MVMCP and non-MVMCP days. The MVMCP days are definitely less crowded than the non- MVMCP days until about 4 p.m. We love the park in the mornings and during the day on MVMCP days. At 4:00 p.m. people can start using their MVMCP tickets to get in without using a regular park ticket. By about 4:30 or 5:00 p.m. as those people start filtering in, you will see a substantial increase in lines and crowds. It still won't be that bad, probably not worse than a non-MVMCP day. At 7:00 p.m., you will be funnelled out of the park. After that time you won't be allowed to Order food, enter a store, and many times not even use the restroom. They will have CMs all over checking for wristbands, and if you don't have one, you won't be allowed to pass them. (I've see people complaining that they were supposed to meet the rest of their party in a spot past the CM and then leave the park- and they weren't allowed to pass. I've see people stating they needed to go to the restroom down the path, not be allowed to pass).

In our experience, you can definitely get more done on an MVMCP day, than a non-MVMCP day because the crowds are usually pretty low most of the day. The trade off is that you won't get to experience any night time entertainment other than the castle lighting, and you won't get to be in the park experiencing that beautifully lit castle for a sigificant length of time. In early December, MK isn't that bad even on non MVMCP days (except for parade taping days).

 

[Masonmj84]

I was at the MK on a MVMCP day in the middle of last December (not long after they opened New Fantasyland) and the crowds were very manageable.

To give you an idea, the line for Splash Mountain at noon was only 5 minutes (and it wasn't a cold day).

Along those lines, I don't recall having to wait more than 5 minutes for anything and was able to ride Peter Pan, Little Mermaid, Small World, Tomorrowland Speedway, Buzz Lighthyear, Peoplemover, Space Mountain, Spalsh Mountain (twice), Pirates of the Carribean, and Big Thunder Mountain (twice) all before 12:30 pm and that included a 20-30 minute break at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor.

I think the only area that developed long lines was Fantasyland, but we hit that at RD. All of the other areas of the MK were as uncrowded as I've ever seen them (I think this was the combined effect of it being a MVMCP day + everyone being drawn to New Fantasyland).

 

[maggiew]

I guess if we get to stay in the park until 7pm, then it should be fine. For some reason I was thinking they kicked you out at 4 pm.

Thanks for the opinions everyone.

Maggie

 

[katt789]

The only thing you'll miss by doing mk on a party day is wishes and MSEP, the nighttime festivities.

They will "kick you out" of the park around seven pm, party guests will probably start to flock in around four pm.

From what I've heard crowds are lower on party days, and it's because there is no evening/after dark stuff going on that night. I would definitely suggest doing it this way if you're okay with skipping the fireworks.

The chirstmas party is okay. If you're trying to keep costs down, I wouldn't bother with it, but if you've got the funds, then hey, why not!?

 

[donnawine]

The lines are not normally long in MK on MVMCP days - I personally don't think its worth the expense to go to the party. There's not much different during the party vs during the day (as opposed to MNSSHP where there is ALOT different).
Have fun!!

 

[ChipAndOrDale]

I was looking at going on a MVMCP but after reading the boards I'm not sure it is worth it. No kids but my girl really wants to see all the Christmas events so is it worth it?