How to get the most out of Mickey's Very Merry Chirstmas Party?

[Dan Murphy]

If you are in the restaurants at 'closing' time of the regular hours, you stay and are given wrist bands. When finished, just walk out to MVMCP!!!! C.Ann, you can enter the park probably around 6:15-6:45, depending on the 'mood' of the CM's at entrance. It is generally 'fairly loose'.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Dan Murphy
If you are in the restaurants at 'closing' time of the regular hours, you stay and are given wrist bands. When finished, just walk out to MVMCP!!!! C.Ann, you can enter the park probably around 6:15-6:45, depending on the 'mood' of the CM's at entrance. It is generally 'fairly loose'.

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Thanks, Dan! Are you going to be there between Dec. 2nd and the 11th? I have a neat lime green Mickey head that someone on the boards here was nice enough to send me and I'll be putting my DIS name on it and wearing it every day..

Would LOVE to meet you if you're around.. And any other DIS'ers too!!

 

[PhotobearSam]

Bump...

Must be more hints out there...

 

[alexedan]

Can anyone compare crowd size MVMCP with EMH? We are going for first party 11/30(Sun) with a 2 and 4 year old and wonder whether we should try to knock out Buzz and fantasyland or wait for EMH that Thursday?

 

[angey77]

Wrist bands can also be picked up to the left when entering Main Street, at least they were before MNSSHP. Three years ago this Dec., I went to my first MVMCP and our wrist bands were given at the turnstyle, but we entered after the beginning of the party. And how do they clear people out? If you don't have a wrist band, you can't get on the rides. I've heard a CM kindly explain to a man and his family the reasoning and they left.
And I don't know if it was dumb luck, but we stumbled across milk and cookies at the Plaza Restaurant right before the fireworks. It was great munching on Christmas snacks while taking in the show.
Also, do not run past the "snow" on Main Street, its one of those special times that needs to be taken in for all its worth.
I can't wait much longer until my second MVMCP December 19. Seventeen more weeks!

 

[MikeD]

These are all wonderful tips, suggestions, etc. especially the one about Christmas Mickey and Minnie at Exposition Hall. This December will be our sixth straigh MVMCP and I prefer the weekday - seems the locals come Thursday and Friday. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is that Cinderella and the carriage are behind the castle available for pictures (at least it was last year). My wife and two daughters got in line but it was a long wait. People had babies dressed up etc. Sounds like a great opportunity for a truly unique picture. We also tried to take naps in the afternoon so we could stay late. We made it until midnight last year and the crowds were thinner as the night went on. We have been to all of the shows but I agree with the above poster. The tomorrowland show is good but the kids also liked the bear show at the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon. I also agree about the clothes. We're from Ohio but always wear jeans and take a light coat. Always seems to be cooler late at night in December.

 

[psu1978]

First of all we loved it! We thought it was well worth the money. Great shows, no lines on rides and the lights and parade are magical.

Rather than get tied into character meal at LTT we did dinner in Cinderella's Castle. The atmosphere was great and it was very relaxing. We got early ressies and came out before the party started. We were allowed to remain in park and were moved to Tommorowland until the actual start of the party and had our picture taken without much wait. The looked long, but they had many photographers at this location and it moved very quickly.

We absolutely loved the show called "Mickey's Night Before Christmas". Well worth seeing. Lots and lots of characters in the show. We saw shows and went on rides while most people grabbed spots early and watched the first parade. We decided to hold out for the later one. There was no problem getting a great seat on Main Street near the beginning of the parade route and we grabbed our cookies and cocoa before the parade...no lines. Fantastic parade and we really enjoyed the "snow" falling on main street.

Also, we went on a week night. I was told that it is more crowded on the weekends because the locals come.

Have a ball. Wish we could do it again!!!

 

[heart4dis]

I was hoping MVMCP would give us extra time for rides. I do want to catch the parade, Christmas shows, snow on Main Street, cookie/cocoa and "atmosphere," but was hoping to hit a few key rides, too. Are lines for the most popular rides any shorter than during regular hours?

 

[Baloo]

heart4dis...yes they are.You WILL be able to do all you mentioned plus your favorite rides too!

I love seeing the characters decked out in their Christmas gear...Eyeore as a reindeer the last time we went was tooooooooo cute!

 

[princess crazy]

I know weeknights are the best and we've been then before but what about Sundays? We're thinking of Sun the 7th but if you think it would be less crowded the 9th or 11th we could do that too. It's just that I have a ps for LTT on the 7th that is so much earlier than what I could get on those other two nights. Thanks!

 

[princess crazy]

bump Anyone??

 

[Puffy2]

Can anyone answer Princess's question about Sunday?

Also, what is the BEST PS time for the restaurants?

Are the characters at Crystal Palace in their holiday attire also?

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by princess crazy
I know weeknights are the best and we've been then before but what about Sundays? We're thinking of Sun the 7th but if you think it would be less crowded the 9th or 11th we could do that too. It's just that I have a ps for LTT on the 7th that is so much earlier than what I could get on those other two nights. Thanks!

I'd go with Sunday. It, too, is a weeknight and the locals have school/work the next day.

Then if there is another fluke rainstorm, you have a chance at another party night if Disney will let you exchange your tickets!

 

[mrsltg]

Princesscrazy, Sunday was a GREAT night for the party! MVMCP is one of my favorite memories of all my WDW trips!!! You can do so much and really enjoy Magic Kingdom at the party. I can't wait to go back! We're planning on possibly getting a second set of tickets to the party while at WDW - it is THAT good!

BTW... I know ths thread is intended to maximize the fun that you can have at MVMCP, but don't make it "mandatory fun" - meaning, RELAX. It's a wonderful experience and if you overplan it and don't take time to enjoy the little things, like the snow on Main Street, you may as well come during regular hours, because it will be no different. It's hard to explain how much fun this party is, so let the toruing plans go (just a little bit!) and enjoy each moment for what it is .... Christmas at Disney!!!

Erin

 

[goofygal1975]

We went to MVMCP for the first time in 2001!! We loved it!!! We had such a relaxing time, did all the rides we wanted, saw the shows we wanted to see, and got our pictures taken with all the characters. I never felt we had to rush here or there, or anything like that. I know alot of people are saying don't waste your time on hot cocoa and the cookies, but we loved them! We got them and then found our seats for the parade, and enjoyed our free treats while waiting for the parade. Infact my friend went back and got us all a second helping of the hot cocoa!!

This year my ds and I are going, and we have a PS for LTT at 5:20pm. I figure this gives us about an hour to enjoy our meal (or a little less than an hour). Then we'll go out and have our picture taken, and then enjoy the party!! The only thing, the time we went we never saw the "snow" that was promised. So we want to make sure to see it this time!!

Just reading this thread here is getting me excited about going to WDW for Christmas!!

 

[helenm29]

Hey Goofygal1975 - when you went to the last mmvcp - where did you have your picture taken? it sounds like it was really easy and I've hear mixed review on that one. We'll see you there!
what day are you going? Helen

 

[princess crazy]

Thanks everyone for your replies!

The only reason I was questioning Sunday is that is the day we arrive and we have a 6:00am flight and I know my DD will want to hit MK as soon as we get there so we probably won't have much relaxing before the party. The other reason is that is the only night I could get a real good early ps time for LTT and Tuesday or Thursday night we would have to go later. We loved doing this the last time we went to MVMCP so I have a real big decision to make and was hoping you guys here could help me.

Give me your vote Sunday or later in the week? Allthough I really will want to probably go right away but it would be nice to just relax the first night we are there. Thanks guys!

 

[psu1978]

I would hesitate to do MVMCP on your arrival day. Last year we did the Candlelight Processional on our arrival day. We had an 8:00 flight and were touring the countries in Epcot by 1:30. We did 8:00 processional and my family was exhausted and wanted to go back to the motel as soon as it was over (9:30).

My personal feeling is that you might enjoy it later in the week. That first day is exhausting. I don't know about your family, but mine does not sleep well the night before we leave...too excited. We did MCMCP on Tuesday and it was wonderful. No lines and very relaxing.

Have fun! Wish we were going again.

 

[goofygal1975]

Originally posted by helenm29
Hey Goofygal1975 - when you went to the last mmvcp - where did you have your picture taken? it sounds like it was really easy and I've hear mixed review on that one. We'll see you there!
what day are you going? Helen

We were let in early at the gates, maybe about a half hour or so before the party. We walked right over the bridge to get to Buzz LIght year, and they had 2 area set up there to take the pictures.(where Buzz Lightyear stands now to do autographs, across from the Alien ride) we had about a 5-10 minute wait there, and then they opened up both booths.

We are going on Friday 12/5!! I can't wait!! I think there are a few spots open for the pictures, and I"m hoping there will be one set up near LTT, so right after dinner we can go have our Pictures taken!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by goofygal1975
I"m hoping there will be one set up near LTT, so right after dinner we can go have our Pictures taken!!

Yep, there IS one! It's right across from LTT. We were first in line last year...they wouldn't take our picture till EXACTLY 7:00p though.