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

[goofygal1975]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
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.

Thank you!! Thats a good thing to know!! Also I was wondering when the pictures could be taken (cause i don't remember from our 2001 trip) So now I know! Thanks!

 

[Puffy2]

Bump for more suggestions

 

[Sally Bradley]

I see there is an "early Parade" and a "late parade." What are the times for them...how early and how late?

Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

If I recall, parade times were 8:15pm & 10:45pm.

 

[jeankeri]

I have really found this thread useful!!! Two questions: If you are finished with dinner @ LTT before 7pm, are you allowed into Tomorrowland, or do you have to stay in LTT until 7? Also, is the snow on Main St only at a certain time or times during the party? Thanks!!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by jeankeri
I have really found this thread useful!!! Two questions: If you are finished with dinner @ LTT before 7pm, are you allowed into Tomorrowland, or do you have to stay in LTT until 7? Also, is the snow on Main St only at a certain time or times during the party? Thanks!!

I ate at LTT last year and CP the year before and ended my meal around 6:45p and they would not let us go anywhere. We had to stay right in front of the restaurant till 7:00p. But maybe if you eat really early and are done by like 5:30/6:00 they will usher you over to either Tomorrowland or Fantasyland, which are 2 places I've heard of people waiting for the party to begin.

Regarding the snow...I'm not certain but I believe it's going at the beginning of the night so people entering the party get the full effect and the great festive atmosphere and it goes on till at least the end of the first parade and then it's going for the second parade...the only part I'm not certain about is the time between the first parade's end and the second parade's beginning...I thought it might have been off but I'm not certain. I do remember sitting and waiting for the second parade and hearing the snow machine's kick on so I'm thinking it was off between the parades...hope this helps!

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by 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!

Do not let opinions on bigger "crowds" sway your decision. There is not a significant difference in crowds between Sunday and Tuesday nights. We've been on both days in the past.


If you choose Sunday, my advice is NOT to go to the MK (or any park) until it's time for your LTT reservation. Just settle in, swim and/or enjoy your resort. All of you should take a nap. Don't underestimate the effects of getting up for a 6 a.m. flight and walking around a park for several hours afterwards! You will not enjoy MVMCP if you are all sleepy and tired.

I'd suggest that you try calling for an earlier LTT reservation for Tuesday right at the 90 day mark. Disney only holds a certain amount of reservations for MVMCP, so there should be a few more available at the 90 day mark. Anything before 6:00 p.m. will allow you to finish your meal before the party starts at 7:00 p.m. Other alternatives at the 90 day mark would be CP, Tony's or the Castle. Try for something between 5:15 p.m and 5:45 p.m. These also should be available at your 90 day mark.

Good luck!

 

[princess crazy]

Thanks so much CarolMN!

So I'm assuming you're saying that Tuesday would be alot less crowded than Sunday?? I was thinking that myself too but have never heard of the difference btw the two only that we should'nt go on weekend nights.

I just tried again last night when I put the deposit on our room to check and see if there were any earlier ps for LTT on Tuesday and the earliest was 7:40! There's no way I would do that!

The CM I spoke with was really helpful though and when I asked her about them releasing more seats she agreed. She also told me to try concierge as we are staying there at the CR. She said they might be able to pull some strings for me too. So I'll definitely be trying again!! Thanks for your input!

Also what about Thursday nights? Are they more crowded than Sunday or Tuesday?? I only ask because if we were to get rained out this would be the only other week night party to attend.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by princess crazy
Thanks so much CarolMN!

So I'm assuming you're saying that Tuesday would be alot less crowded than Sunday?? I was thinking that myself too but have never heard of the difference btw the two only that we should'nt go on weekend nights....(snip).........

Also what about Thursday nights? Are they more crowded than Sunday or Tuesday?? I only ask because if we were to get rained out this would be the only other week night party to attend.

No, I'm saying (or at least meant to say, LOL) that Sundays and Tuesdays are about the same as far as crowds go.

IMHO, Thursdays are likely to be more crowded - many locals will take off a Friday to go to the party on a Thursday evening. Perhaps some will take off a Monday (to go on Sunday evening), but I believe that is less likely.

Anyway, my point is that between Sunday and Tuesday, don't decide based on what you think the crowd situation will be. There won't be enough of a difference to make a difference!

FWIW, if the parties sell out (and some years they have), all the nights will be equally crowded. Disney does limit the number of tickets that it sells for MVMCP events, but IMHO, the number is quite high. Fridays tend to sell out the quickest, so that is why people say weeknights are less crowded. That's technically only true if the night doesn't sell out!

P.S. Try not to worry too much about rain. Yes, last year it did rain, but it was an unusual year for weather in Florida. We've not encountered rain in our early December trips except for last year and have been going every year since 1998. The odds are in your favor. Check the average daily/monthly rainfalls for Orlando on www.weather.com if you want details on weather.

 

[diane1102]

What PS dinner arrangements have people used prior to MVMCP? I see everyone mentioning LTT. Any others you would recommend? We are going on Friday, 12/12. We'll do another park during the day, back to the resort early afternoon, and then back to MK around 4 for early dinner. Does this make sense? Or would it be better to eat out at the resort, and then just head to MK closer to party time?
Thanks,
Diane
(have patience, this is my first trip and I'm overwhelmed)

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by diane1102
What PS dinner arrangements have people used prior to MVMCP? I see everyone mentioning LTT. Any others you would recommend? We are going on Friday, 12/12. We'll do another park during the day, back to the resort early afternoon, and then back to MK around 4 for early dinner. Does this make sense? Or would it be better to eat out at the resort, and then just head to MK closer to party time?
Thanks,
Diane
(have patience, this is my first trip and I'm overwhelmed)

Lots of people had LTT because it opened up right when we bought tickets. Well, today was the 90 day mark for all the other restaurants and some people (me included) switched from LTT to Crystal Palace or the Castle. I switched to CP.

I've done both and prefer eating in the park before the party so I can get a head start and already be in the park while they are clearing it out.

Have fun!

 

[southernwingz]

We're going on the Dec. 18th, which is the last Thursday for MVMCP. We have a PS for 5:10 at LTT. Our plan right now is to go the MK early that morning until around lunch time, then head back to the hotel and rest a bit until our PS. I figure we'll have plenty of time to catch what we missed in the morning or things we want to do again. My DS will be 11 then and just never seems to tire, so I figure with the small rest at lunch that we can just go all day.

 

[psu1978]

Originally posted by diane1102
What PS dinner arrangements have people used prior to MVMCP? I see everyone mentioning LTT. Any others you would recommend? We are going on Friday, 12/12. We'll do another park during the day, back to the resort early afternoon, and then back to MK around 4 for early dinner. Does this make sense? Or would it be better to eat out at the resort, and then just head to MK closer to party time?
Thanks,
Diane
(have patience, this is my first trip and I'm overwhelmed)

Last year we had early PS at the Castle and loved it! It was very relaxing and the atmosphere was wonderful. When we came out we were allowed into the park until it closed. Once closed everyone with a MVMCP wristband was moved to Tomorrowland until the party started. As soon as it opened we had our picture taken here and saw a great show called Mickey's Night Before Christmas.

 

[jeankeri]

psu1978- What time was your PS at the castle?

 

[Puffy2]

Is there anything to do in Tommorowland if you are moved there before the party or are people just standing around bored ?

 

[psu1978]

Originally posted by jeankeri
psu1978- What time was your PS at the castle?

I believe our PS was 5:00. We arrived at 4:45 and were seated immediately. There aren't any characters at the Castle at dinner, but the atmosphere is magical and it was a very relaxing way to start the evening! It was my dream to eat there, but the whole family loved it! When we came out it was before 6:00 and the park was still open. The kids went on a couple of rides and we actually got to see the regular fireworks and see Tinkerbell come down from the castle!

When the park closed everyone was moved to Tomorrowland. No rides were open until the party started. If I remember correctly, we were able to get in line for our family picture before 7:00. The line looked long, but moved very fast. They had many photographers at that sight. We then went to see the show in Tomorrowland...it was super! Lots and lots of characters in it.

Have fun! Wish I was going.

 

[llebrekniT]

Originally posted by southernwingz
We're going on the Dec. 18th, which is the last Thursday for MVMCP. We have a PS for 5:10 at LTT. Our plan right now is to go the MK early that morning until around lunch time, then head back to the hotel and rest a bit until our PS. I figure we'll have plenty of time to catch what we missed in the morning or things we want to do again. My DS will be 11 then and just never seems to tire, so I figure with the small rest at lunch that we can just go all day.

I'm confused, we are planning on going to the party on Dec. 14. According to the PS calculator I can't make a PS @ the parks until Sept. 15. Have I misunderstood? HELP !

 

[NavyDotz]

Originally posted by llebrekniT
I'm confused, we are planning on going to the party on Dec. 14. According to the PS calculator I can't make a PS @ the parks until Sept. 15. Have I misunderstood? HELP !

if you call & tell them you have MVMCP tickets you can make PS's @ LTT, all other restaurants are 90 days

 

[southernwingz]

Originally posted by llebrekniT
I'm confused, we are planning on going to the party on Dec. 14. According to the PS calculator I can't make a PS @ the parks until Sept. 15. Have I misunderstood? HELP !

I can't remember exactly when I made the PS, but I know it was before they changed to the 90 day PS. I didn't know anything about it until we received our tickets to MVMCP in the mail, AND I ended up having to call twice because the first time I was told they were booked, then someone told me to call back and have them recheck some special area in their computer, and sure enough, we got in.

 

[sanilacjack]

We will be at MVMCP on Tuesday, Dec 2nd. Will be staying @ BWV from 11/28 to 12/6. I also choose Tuesday due to crowds. When we decided back in Feb. to go and to attend MVMCP, I did a search of old posts from '02. The majority of posters said that weekdays were better as far as crowds, although that time of years the crowds are at a low anyways. Another reason was 1. Sunday is the very 1st MVMCP and hopefully any kinks would be worked out by Tues. (One post had said that they were at the 1st one and the snow machines didn't work and CM seemed disorganized) and 2. if we get rained out, we still have Thurs.
I just made ressies at CP for 5:15pm. I'm so excited, more than the kids. DH and I, our aniv. is on 12/22, we had a Christmas Wedding, so the holidays hold special meaning to us.
I love the Disney commercial of TV when the little boy says"I'm to excited to sleep and than the Mom asks the Dad "are you awake?" and the Dad says "I'm to excited to sleep". Thats how I feel. Oh the wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Kim
Oh2b@WDW
Honesty I have had no caffine tonight. Swear!