Is it really worth it?????

[ilovdisney2]

We are going to be in DW from Dec. 17th - 23rd and are thinking about going to the MVMCP on the 18th. Already have PS at CP at 5:20. Why should we go to the party? Do they do alot that you do not see during the regulaur hours. Plese tell me why this is worth the extra $$$$. It would be over $200.00 for the 5 of us. Please respond.Thanks!

 

[GRAYWIFE]

We loved it last year. The parade is fabulous. The "snow" on Main Street is wonderful. Mickey and Minnie all dressed up for Christmas was very special...we used the photo of them with my DD as our Christmas card last year. We were glad we did it. We actually did it the first night of our trip and it really got us in the Christmas mood. I know it is a lot of money...but I think you will be glad you did it.

 

[kda]

That's a REALLY tough question and you're the only one who can weigh the pros and cons. Yes, it's worth it, but $200 is a lot of money.

I wasn't interested in going for years and years --- just couldn't see spending extra $$$ when I could see MK with a regular admission ticket. Then I starting hearing more about it and we went 5 years ago. Since we're at Disney 1-2x /year, our purpose wasn't to enjoy the rides. We wandered around and enjoyed the 'magic' and soaked up the atmosphere. It really put us in the holiday spirit.

We got there early and found they were letting people in early. If you're at CP, that's an advantage. The first hour wasn't too busy, but it got more crowded the next couple hours. (Fridays and the days right before Christmas are supposed to be the most crowded) We did do some rides, saw several good shows that weren't being held in the day time until it got closer to Christmas --- you might be able to see them---, wished we'd made more of an effort to find a holiday sweatshirt or something else to make us look more festive, and thoroughly enjoyed the parade and fireworks. The fireworks were MUCH better than the regular fireworks, but since there's the new 'Wishes', this might not be the case this year.

We did rides during the 1st parade and the park really cleared out after the fireworks. The 2nd parade and the last 2 hours were much less crowded. If you have very little kids, it might be wasted on them, unless they can get a good nap and do OK staying up late. We saw many, many toddlers sleeping in strollers.

It's kind of hard to imagine how special it feels until you experience it. If you and your family really love Christmas, you'll probably appreciate the magic of MVMCP. Perhaps your family can discuss it and decide if it sounds like so much fun that they're willing to spend less on some other meals and souvenirs. Or, that you'll plan to do it another year. Either way, hope you have a great trip!

 

[mickeysaver]

We are actually going to MVMCP twice, 12/14 & 12/19. We are doing CP on 12/18. We are just two adults though. We decided that we wanted to do all the holiday oriented stuff that we could on this trip. The main selling point of MVMCP to me is that it will give us MK at night. I can't wait to see it!

The holiday shows, the family photo, the snow on Main Street, the characters in holiday costumes, the charm of MK at night.....it's all worth it to me. Mickey

 

[Dznefreek]

The reduced crowds alone make it worth it.

Sure..........not all the attractions are open but the main ones are. When we went 2 years ago we were the only ones on SM and the CM at the end said "Want to go again?" so we did not have to get off.

 

[Momof2boys]

Well, I would love to do it. However, I decided against it because my kids are little(3&5) My 5 yr. old will not take a nap and some days my 3 yr. old won't either. I knew they would not be able to stay up that late and enjoy it, so we decided against spending the extra money. I would love to do it when they are a little older. I would think it would depend on how old your children are and if you are ones that like to stay up and at the parks late.

 

[beattyfamily]

We LOVE it and have done it twice so far and again this year on December 2!!!

We have 2 DD's ages 4 and 7 and they look forward to it too! We try to get them (well, the younger one) to nap before it and that certainly helps. The younger one has been able to stay up for the (second) parade once so far and the older one has seen them all. We always videotape it though so the younger one can see it later...

The atmosphere alone is worth the price of admission let alone the Xmas parade and the special shows!

I always look forward to the free photo souvenir, Dumbo with his Santa hat on and Cinderella's Carriage out behind the Castle decorated for Xmas with Princesses around it!

It's just so magical. Oh and don't miss Rudolph flying down from the Castle as the fireworks start!

Good luck deciding; I know $200 is a lot of money!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Lots of good answers here. We did it for the 4 of us as a family in '99, and I have done it each year since as a solo (still trying to get family back to WDW, LOL), some years twice. $200 certainly is a lot of money, but it is Disney magic.

 

[janette]

We went in Dec 2001. I don't know if the night we were there was sold out but it was very crowded. The shows were standing room only and the parade route was packed even though we went to the 2nd. The crowds were far worse than they were at anytime we were there that week since it was off season.

If you really enjoy different shows it will be worth it, I wasn't sorry I went just disappointed that I didn't love it as much as I wanted too.

We may go again this year but I'll probably wait until we get there to decide.

 

[kda]

Momof2boys ---

Your decision makes a lot of sense. You're the one who knows your kids best. Hope you have a great trip!