Is MVMCP really worth the extra $

[O2H O2H]

It will be my husband, 19yo dd, and 8 and 10yo boys. Please tell me why this is really worth the extra $. We will have 4 days in parks, and staying offsite, so no EMH, if that matters. Thanks!

 

[shyjade]

I may be in the minority here but while MVMCP & MNSSHP are both fun events (we've done both), I don't think they're worth the extra money - at least not for my family. The best advice I can give you is to do some research and see if it's right for your family or not. What is valuable to one family is not to another.

Our last MVMCP it was sunny and beautiful all day and right before the parade started it opened up and poured, and poured, and poured. It was miserable. All I could say is, "I spent over $200 for this?!" I think that was the final straw that made me realize it's not worth the extra money. Don't get me wrong, we still do other "extras" at Disney, just not the hard-ticket events.

 

[PrincessJo]

We went once and had a lot of fun. It's not the kind of activity we need to do every year, so once was enough for us.

My son loved the snow Hubby loved the hot chocolate And I loved seeing them both smile and laugh together.

 

[athumann]

I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread but I was wondering if there is a parade and/or fireworks that are exclusive to the party. What about the snow, does that only happen during the party?

 

[O2H O2H]

I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread but I was wondering if there is a parade and/or fireworks that are exclusive to the party. What about the snow, does that only happen during the party?

Don't mind at all. That definitely adds to the discussion.

ETA: that is a VERY good question. If the castle gets lit, and the fireworks are done on non-party nights, then what is completely exclusive to the party. Shorter lines, I get. But 335 bucks can buy a LOT of hot chocolate and cookies, lol.

 

[mesaboy2]

I hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread but I was wondering if there is a parade and/or fireworks that are exclusive to the party. What about the snow, does that only happen during the party?

Both the parade and fireworks become part of the daily routine after the last MVMCP. Crowds, however, become much higher.

 

[Baptist]

I think it's a better value if you don't use a regular park ticket the same day. You are allowed into the park at 4 p.m. So, 4-midnight is like a full day in the park. Plus, you get free hot chocolate and cookies.

This theory does not apply if you have an annual pass. But for us, we will go to DTD and/or the pool before the party and buy one less day of tickets.

 

[practicallyperfect77]

Seeing the toy soldiers March down the street might have been worth the whole ticket price to me. I didn't partake in hot chocolate and cookies, but met a bunch of characters that I wouldn't have otherwise met. I didn't even go on any rides and still thought it was worth it. The difference is I only had to buy 1 ticket. Now next trip is with my sis and her family and during MNSSHH. The only night that works with our plans to attend the party is Halloween where tix are ~$70. Since I know the kids won't make it to midnight we are bypassing the party. Although I'm kinda thinking about just getting a ticket for myself b/c I would love to be in the park on Halloween.

 

[O2H O2H]

I think it's a better value if you don't use a regular park ticket the same day. You are allowed into the park at 4 p.m. So, 4-midnight is like a full day in the park. Plus, you get free hot chocolate and cookies.

This theory does not apply if you have an annual pass. But for us, we will go to DTD and/or the pool before the party and buy one less day of tickets.

Oh, this is a good point. If I have 4-day park hoppers, I could do the MVMCP and not touch those 4 days, right? As long as I don't come to the MK till 4 or later. Hmm... That actually might make some more sense then.

Unrelated question: If we pay for parking at one park, can we move the car to a different park that same day for free, or do we have to pay again?

 

[dawgfan]

The snow falls only at the party.

I honestly cannot remember if the parade is something different than the ones that are done in the day time but I think they are. The fireworks are the same. The show on the castle may have been different. They serve hot chocolate and cookies at stations throughout the MK. The real difference for us...family of four with kids at 15 and 17...was the extra hours in the park. It is crowded at first but thins out very noticeably as the night wears on. At least it did when we went. That was this past December 12 through 15. It was an experience that we always wanted to try. We have been there...done that...probably ain't going again...sort of thing. Too expensive for hot chocolate and you get extra magic hours at other times I suppose. Younger kids may get a bigger kick out of it.

 

[Micca]

Don't think you have to pay to park and the second park (We don't but we stay on-site).

The MVMCP is cool, especially if you like parades. Like others have said, we sure don't do it every year, but it was well worth doing once.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

yes, if you are not going to MK that day or other parks, you can arrive at 4 and save that day's ticket.

Personally, we love MVMCP...while the parks are decorated for Christmas, the party takes the Christmas celebration up to 11.

If I recall correctly, not all rides are open (though most are), and the lines are minimal.

With the special parade and fireworks, snow on Main Street...things you don't see unless you are there for the party, or Christmas week itself (with the horrible crowds)...it puts my family in a festive mood...and is one of our favorite evenings in the parks.

 

[kath2me]

although this year we are attending the MNSSHP,, we usually do MVMCP,, and love it,, it so decorated pretty , really gets you in the xmas mood, its wonderful you will love it

 

[JennyDrake]

For me it is not. I have been 3x and twice it was MISERABLY crowded. One was Dec. 6th and another December 10th.

The hot cocoa and cookies are straight out of a box--nothing special. The parade IS really neat--but it alone is not worth the ridiculous price of admission.

YMMV!

 

[boltfan]

To us, they are worth it. We enjoy the atmosphere and the almost nonexistent lines for rides because everyone else is doing M&G's and going to shows and parades. We love the fireworks and the snow on Main Street. And we always stay until the end. I guess it all depends on what's important to YOUR family!

 

[letsgoreds]

You could also ask Is Disney worth the $$$? Totally subjective. I have been twice, first time was for free with a CM cousin. The skies opened up right as Santa was coming down main street, CM standing ankle deep in water, Santa had an umbrella, etc. It was awesome...we had front row in front of the flagpole facing the castle. If I had paid for that party, I would have been upset.

Last year, we did our last big WDW trip before moving to Seattle...so we were going to do it all...CRT, searaycers, and MVMCP. We were a group of 6, and we had fun, but my inlaws were less festive...which I understood, their dogs were barking after a day in the parks. We enjoyed the photo ops, and special little things scattered throughout the parks (didn't do characters). Favorite this time were the pirate musicians, complete with handbells. Very talented and entertaining.

If you are on the fence, I suggest waiting until a day or two before the party to buy the tickets. I wouldn't go if the weather looks bad or if it was close to selling out. It is fun, but not a must-do. If you only have tickets for 4 days in the parks, then it is a great way to add another fun-filled afternoon/evening!

 

[katt789]

It kinda depends when you're going IMO.

The parade that runs christmas week is the MVMCP parade, so if you're there that week, you can see it during the day.

MVMCP is a fun night, and if you think you'll enjoy the special stuff they have going on & the low lines for certain attractions.

Parties involve: 2 special stages shows, special characters, characters in xmas themed outfits, special fireworks, parade, and of course snow on main street, and cookie & hot chocolate stops. We went once last year to experience everything, and then ended up buying tickets for a second night simply to see some of the rare characters again!

 

[kittyab]

We did the xmas party on our last visit, on our next we plan to do the Halloween party.

We enjoyed the parade, and seeing Santa. We stayed till the park closed and rode rides with no line up. But was it worth the cost? No.

 

[michelleiada]

We did MVMCP last December and loved it! I would love to do it again. Hoping to plan a December trip again sometime. I think it was absolutely worth the money!

 

[O2H O2H]

It kinda depends when you're going IMO.

We will be in Orlando from 12/13-12/20. No longer sure which days we are going to which park or whatever. What date would be best if we do decide to do it?