Just back from 2 weeks in Disney. My comments.

[bizeemom4]

We had a great time, good weather and lots of good meals!

We did the Family Magic Tour, Cirque, MVMCP, Illuminations Cruise, Osborne Lights and two Candlelight Processionals.

We stayed at the French Quarter for 6 nights and the Contemporary Tower (MK view) for 5 nights. We spent last night at the Hyatt at the airport.

We had a horrible time at French Quarter. We had guaranteed connecting rooms but when we got to our rooms, they were NOT connecting. I specifically asked the front desk person while checking in if they were connecting and was told yes. Then after walking all the way back to the front desk, was told that there is no such thing as guaranteed connecting rooms - even with families of small children. The story goes on and on. I'll post it on the resort board. It really put a bad spin on the beginning of our trip.

We were on the 6th floor of the contemporary. Right dead center facing MK. Very cool. Maid service was good - no towel animals but they did cute stuff with the kids' stuffed animals every day. Room service was delivered on time and was good.

The rooms at the Hyatt were SO NICE!!!! I wish they had rooms that nice onsite! Perhaps when the rehab is done at the Contemporary?!

We thought Cirque was totally worth the money - we had 4th row seats - AWESOME!

Family Magic Tour was fun. I have great video of my DH skipping and crawling along with our kids thru Magic Kingdom.

We tried so many new restaurants this time - our favorite was Marakesh! We did this one on a whim because we were tired and hungry and happen to be standing in Morocco. We did the lunch special and it was great!

We thought that the MVMCP was a complete waste of time and money! I don't understand what the big deal is really! The lines for rides were longer than we waited during the daytime when it was WARM. Seems like we spent over $200 for cocoa and cookies and a 'free' photo. Oh well. Live and learn.

The crowds the week after Thanksgiving were excellent. We waited until about half an hour after park opening (to allow the initial crush of people into the park) and had 5-10 minute waits for just about everything. We experienced heavy crowds during the Thanksgiving week and got spoiled this week with no waits.

We are going back next year for Thanksgiving but we're shaving it down to just the Thanksgiving weekend and the whole week after - 11 days in the parks was too much vacation.

 

[Candace]

Sorry about your rooms at French Quarter, but glad you had a great time anyway. Early December is my favorite time at WDW, however, I totally agree with you about MVMCP. For us it was really a waste of money.

 

[720L]

I suspected that MVMCP wasn't worth all that money but haven't read any negative reports on here except for yours. Thanks for the input!!

 

[danny1649]

Thank you for sharing,sorry you didn't enjoy MVMCP.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

Welcome back! Quick question...was your room at the CR refurbished? Sorry to hear about French Quarter. I agree about the Hyatt rooms--very nice!

 

[DURANFAN2]

usually the French Quarter has good service. Sounds like you just got the wrong cast member. However, if they truly couldn't do it, it probably goes back to the central reservation system for not noting it.


If you want rooms like the Hyatt, next time GF or the Yacht Club might be to your liking.

 

[Spanky]

In October I stayed at Port Orleans - Riverside. Our room had a connecting door to the room next door. Sorry to hear that is not offered at Port Orleans French Quarter.

 

[Hugpug]

I have to say it has been said before here on the boards that to go to the MVMCP for the rides is a mistake. This special time should be to see all the shows and take in the magic. I hope I will have a magical time keeping this in mine. If I get on rides all the more the better but am not expecting this.

 

[bizeemom4]

To answer some questions -

Our rooms at CR were not rehabbed. We were on the first floor above the monorail so when the kids sat on the floor, they knew when the monorail was leaving because the building shook a bit.

We have stayed at the Yacht Club before and is still our favorite Disney hotel but I have to say the Hyatt gets #1 in terms of quality in bedding and decor.

We did all the shows at the christmas party and the fireworks and parade. I had Tour Guide Mike's MVMCP itinerary and followed that. Between shows, there's nothing else to do except rides and character meet and greet. We waited 20 minutes to meet Rabbit, Tigger and Piglet. With one family left, they switched out to Pooh and Eeyore (whom we already met). Frustrating but not their fault. My point is that we had waited less time for character meeting and rides during the regular operating hours of the park.

 

[Bete]

I've been to many of these parties and I'll keep doing them. I will say in your case because you had a long stay for your vacation I can understand your point of view about it. We use the party as extra hours to see the park because we don't stay, as long as, you did for vacation. I like getting a longer day in at the parks and the party affords us that opportunity.

I like the special Christmas shows. I think being there at night is very cool, too.

You didn't mention the night you visited for the party and that can make a big difference on ride waits, etc. I wouldn't go on a Friday, as an example.

I don't think you can go to Disney World and expect to like absolutely everything you do every minute of your trip, especially, the special events like the parties, cruises, etc. because they cost extra dollars. It still sounds like you had a fun trip overall.

 

[wilderness01]

I know I am in the minority, but I have to agree about MVMCP. My family went twice and we all thought it was more crowded than during the day. We will never waste the $ to go again.

 

[alicenwonder99]

I've read so many conflicting reports about MVMCP. At first, I wasn't going to do it, but I "broke down" and bought tix. We're going on a Tuesday, and I'm hoping it's not too overwhelming with the crowds. My biggest worry is the weather...I don't care if it gets cold, I just don't want it to rain.

I agree...I think 11 days is too much for WDW. One year, we stayed at DL for 5 days. They were having a "buy 3 days get 2 days free" promotion going on. By the end of the 5th day, even the children were complaining, "do we have to go to Disneyland AGAIN??!!!" lol.

Mary

 

[Martha7]

Thanks, Bizeemom4 for posting your experiences. It's always good to get everyone's perspective on different times of year to go, the resorts, and the special parties. I appreciate you taking the time to post!

 

[Philly81]

Thank you for your report. I was told by a CM when I booked 2 rooms at POR that if there were minors in one of the rooms that they HAD to be connecting. I am not picky about much nor like to complain but they definitely would have had to find me connecting rooms.

 

[3lilprincesses]

could it be that you needed to ask for "adjoining" rooms? i know that disney differentiates between "connecting" and "adjoining". i just can't remember which one means there is a door between the two, and which one means that the rooms are just next to eachother.

either way, its a shame that they couldn't accomodate you! glad you had a good trip anyway!

 

[kbkids]

We had a horrible time at French Quarter. We had guaranteed connecting rooms but when we got to our rooms, they were NOT connecting. I specifically asked the front desk person while checking in if they were connecting and was told yes. Then after walking all the way back to the front desk, was told that there is no such thing as guaranteed connecting rooms - even with families of small children. The story goes on and on. I'll post it on the resort board. It really put a bad spin on the beginning of our trip.

We had connecting rooms at FQ - 2 adults and 4 children. We were told that absolutely we were guaranteed connecting rooms. Sounds like you got a CM who wasn't willing to be helpful.

 

[Luv2Roam]

After attending MNSSHP, MVMCP was a bit of a disappointment. I only attended one MVMCP last year, and don't plan to attend this year at all.
It is still a good time, esp if a guest is a tourist. But as a resident, or anyone who is in MK during Christmas week, MVMCP I don't think is worth the extra $.
Disney needs to add more bang for the buck at MVMCP.
Heck they got so cheap they even did not hand out the popular and cheap MVMCP badges last year.
Are they handing out MVMCP badges this year?