help

[momma of 2]

Ok so my dh told me today that it is either upgrading our free dining to deluxe dining or going to the mickey halloween party. I do not know what to do. We have a dd4 and a ds2. I am wondering if it will be too late for them at the halloween party or what. HELP please

 

[septbaby]

Honey, if he is willing to upgrade your dining plan, think no more, call now and get it done before he changes his mind! That is a much better deal!
At 2 and 4 there will so many time to get them to that party.

 

[momma of 2]

Ya think. This will probably be our last trip for a couple of years so I want the kids to get the most out if it as possible. My dd has her memories from last year but my ds has no idea. It seems like alot of food for the 4 of us.

 

[kimgof]

IMOP , I would do the parade. But my kids have always been night owls. Our first year there we did the MNSSHP and my kids were 18 months, 4 yrs. and 9 yrs. They were all fine. We just slept in late the next morning. The dlx DDP is nice but that is way too much food for me. With 2 little ones how many TS meals do you really want to do? I can't wait to do the MNSSHP again this year. My kids loved it. My DD(now 5) will really enjoy it this time.

 

[momma of 2]

So with the deluxe you get 3 table service meals 2 snacks and a mug per person per day for $32 a day.

Is that right

 

[gatorfreud]

Hmmm... I was also thinking of upgrading to deluxe, but in past experience it was tough even to get to 1 TS a day. The thought of getting the kids to sit for 2 meals per day just doesn't sound appealing to me. So we're sticking with the original. Too much food and time spent eating with two little ones.

As for MNSSHP, we haven't done it, but we did MVMCP twice. It was fine the first time (my boys were just 2 and 4), but we couldn't stay very late... not really worth it as the boys don't like parades that much. My DH wanted to do it again the next year (they were almost 3 and 5)... my little one barely made it until 8, and my older one made it through the fireworks, but was really tired. So I don't think we'll be doing that again until they are older.

Of the two choices, I would pick the hidden choice "c"... use the money on something else. I don't think either of those choices are good with little ones.

Have a great trip!

 

[momma of 2]

what is the mvmcp? did i get that right?

 

[momma of 2]

I am thinking about just paying for 1 extra table service meal and then dealing with the rest of the meals on my own. I don't know. I got all screwed up this time because we are doing the crt so it is taking up 2 of our tables.

 

[Mom2JPL]

It all depends on your family. If you think you'd like the extra meals, then go for that. If your kids will be napping in the afternoon it might be worth your while to go to MNSSHP.

With that said, we went last year (our first trip) and our kids were dd4, ds2 and dd1. They made it through the parade and then they were exhausted...we didn't even stay for the fireworks (and yes, our kids did nap everyday). It was sooo hot and humid (we were there in the beginning of October) and everyone was cranky by the time the parade was over. They enjoyed the trick-or-treating part, but we didn't ride any rides. If I were to do it again, I wouldn't have gone to the party, I would have just planned another park for that day.

I would love to upgrade to dxddp this year, but our funds say otherwise (we're going in Nov). So, I'm paying OOP for CRT (for dd's 5th bday) and Ohana on our last day before the flight out.

Like someone else said, take the extra money and splurge somewhere else...there's lots you can spend money on at WDW!

Whatever you decide, have a great trip!

 

[momma of 2]

So how does the mnsshp go. Do they do a parade and then trick or treating? Do they have rides going?

 

[septbaby]

You'll have to decide if its too much food thus not worth it. I'm going with just my 6yo nephew this time so I probably won't upgrade. He won't value the extra food too much and I'm already paying the whole bill. Now if grandma was coming with us again we'd definitely upgrade as she'd appreciate the extras and so would I. However, we won't starve on the base plan.

Are you staying at a Deluxe? If so you'll be able to use 2meal credits for room service meals too.

Honestly, your kids would probably enjoy the MNSSHP even more as teens than at 2 and 4. Heck, they'd probaby rather go w/o you by then.

We went to the Pirate and Princess party and my nephew cried when he saw some of the pirates. I had to sell him on staying for the parade. It shook him up enough that he was hesitant for Spectromagic the next night(he thought all Disney parades would be scary). I reassured him that it would be OK and he ended up loving it. But man it was not fun seeing him cry or be nervous.

As for the party, maybe someone can speak to such little ones being scared. Not so much of the Disney aspects, but guests get dressed up too. You'll always see a range and I'm sure Disney does what it can to "control" the event, but we can't always predict how our little ones will react.

 

[MPHARJ]

I took my kids the MNSSHP 2 years ago and we left with so much candy that never got eaten it was a waste. I didn't think the cost of the tickets was worth it. I mean we did have fun, watched the fireworks which was really neat with the villians, watched the parade which was very cute and danced with Stitch. However it was so crowded and people were so rude pushing through to get the candy. Rides were open and we hit a couple with little wait. I thought about it again this year then thought twice, I really expected it to be less crowded then during the day and it was swarming. I may in the future do it again because we did have fun. I too have thought about upgrading my FD to DXDDP, however that is way too much food, and we would never eat the about that we would be stuck paying for to upgrade. I do not want to spend several hours a day sitting in restaurants waiting for food. We are good with a simple quick breakfast or snack in the morning, only big eater is my son, then a CS for lunch as soon as we feel hungry, then a TS for dinner early evening. Even then we aren't always that hungry because of the heat. Which I don't mind by the way, but my kids get horrible! That being said I am sure your kids would enjoy MNSSHP better and you would have to plan your day accordingly to adjust them to the late night. I would have to agree though there are better things to spend your money on at those ages.

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

what is the mvmcp? did i get that right?

Mickey's Very Mery Christmas Party

 

[Illuminations_Rocks]

I just want to make sure you're understanding that the DxDDP would cost you $32 per adult per day and $10 per day for your 4 yr old, so an extra $74 per day. A sig. cost increase vs. MNSSHP.

As far as if you should just pay for a meal out of pocket instead of upgrading, it probably sounds like your best bet. But I'd wait until the very end of your trip to do so, as you might end up having to miss another TS. Your kids are pretty young and you never know who might get sick!

MNSSHP, well, if your girls normally go to bed at 8 (just picked a time) it might be too late for them. I am not so sure they will remember it. However, you will! If you want to go, go.

I kinda agree with the other poster that said to use the money for something else entirely. More souvies ?? Maybe an OOP H&V meal? I really have no idea what young children enjoy so I'm not entirely helpful here but I think you'd be able to find something better.

 

[Mom2JPL]

Here's how mnsshp works: the party starts at 7pm, but you can unofficially get into the park at 4pm (without using one of your regular tickets, just the party ticket). Trick-or-treating starts at 7 when the party starts, they have stations set up all over the place for treats and where you can meet characters and such. Then around 8ish I think they start the parade. After that, I'm clueless because my kids were beat and we left.

 

[momma of 2]

Thanks everyone. I am alittle concerned about the late hours of the mnsshp. Both of my kids usually go to bed around 8 and they get so crabby if they don't go to bed then.

I think we may just pay for the extra meals and spend the extra money on more extras maybe let my dd do the whole bbb experience.