Make my mind up for December-POLL

[disneymagicgirl]

We will have Friday 12/14 for doing MK pre-cruise.
The goal is rides and Christmas ambiance. Parade/fireworks is a bonus.

We fly in 12/13 and board the Fantasy 12/15.
We could do MK on 12/22 and fly home 12/23, but I am sure it will be packed to the gills.

We will be back late Jan, late May, and some point in between, so we don’t have to do everything. We just want to enjoy the Christmas scenery since we never get down there in a dec for some reason.

What would you choose?

 

[pitpat]

with those upcoming trips, I vote Xmas Party

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If fireworks and parade are a bonus and you really want Christmas ambiance, I would do MVMCP on 12/14. 12/22 will be a madhouse in MK and with regular hours on 12/14, you'll miss the Christmas parade and fireworks.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Thank you both. That was the original plan, but the MNSSHP reports have scared me.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thank you both. That was the original plan, but the MNSSHP reports have scared me.

I hear you, but I still don't think the 12/14 MVMCP crowds will be anything like the 12/22 regular crowds. We did one of the last MVMCP's last year and it was fine. We also left WDW the Saturday before Christmas and the crowds were streaming in the last night we were there - it was mayhem.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

I hear you, but I still don't think the 12/14 MVMCP crowds will be anything like the 12/22 regular crowds. We did one of the last MVMCP's last year and it was fine. We also left WDW the Saturday before Christmas and the crowds were streaming in the last night we were there - it was mayhem.

Yeah, I agree...the 22nd will be awful. Was just throwing it out there since I figured the park hours would be longer...assuming they extend them. And we would get to do the parade and fireworks. But that is a good point, surely the party would be better than the 22nd. I didn't think about it like that.

 

[Ksquared]

We were at the very last party last year and I felt the crowds were fine. We caught the castle show and rode most of the rides we wanted that night. We sat and had snacks that were part of the party and really enjoyed the atmosphere that night. We were there until NYE and the crowds increased each day we were there. We did the party on our first night and it really set the tone. I think it will be perfect night b/4 you board your cruise.

 

[ScubaCat]

Regular park hours on party days are often the quietest times. Of course, everyone will figure that out soon and ruin it for me (heh) but it is worth considering!

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

We visited MK on party night this year and park was empty. I don’t believe we used any fp’s bc most rides were walk on or 15 mts max. We have pictures in front of the castle with no one in sight. It was great!

 

[Nancyg56]

I hear you, but I still don't think the 12/14 MVMCP crowds will be anything like the 12/22 regular crowds. We did one of the last MVMCP's last year and it was fine. We also left WDW the Saturday before Christmas and the crowds were streaming in the last night we were there - it was mayhem.

I agree. Several years ago we left WDW the Sunday before Christmas, which fell on Wednesday that year. Saturday night in the MK was a nightmare that I will never voluntarily repeat.

WE are leaving on the 22nd this year to avoid as much of the mayhem as possible. If I was the OP I would choose the 12/14 party and enjoy the Holiday spirit. They could tour the MK resorts for a while to see all of the lovely Holiday decorations, have a light meal, and then enter at 4PM to get the most out of their party tickets.

The 14th is our arrival day and we plan to visit the MK for a few hours that day, hoping to get there before the party transition.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yeah, I agree...the 22nd will be awful. Was just throwing it out there since I figured the park hours would be longer...assuming they extend them. And we would get to do the parade and fireworks. But that is a good point, surely the party would be better than the 22nd. I didn't think about it like that.

Remember that the longer park hours are to accomodate higher crowd levels. They will not give you a more timely access to attractions. I was in the MK on the Saturday before Christmas one year, and that is not ever something I will to do choose again. People began to arrive on that Friday, and it was busy. If I was going to go to any park that day (I am) I would choose Epcot. It seems to absorb more people without them experiencing claustrophobia, and has lovely Holiday decorations. There will be Holiday food kiosks throughout the WS< along with Storytellers in the Countries.

If you are looking for Holiday theme for your trip, take the 14th to resort hop. The Monorail resorts and Epcot resorts are lovely, and that day will not be horrific for touring. I would start my tour at the Epcot resorts, and then take a bus to MK, hop on the monorail and visit these resorts, take the boat to WIlderness lodge and complete your tour there. Have a late lunch/early dinner and then take teh boat back to the MK for entry into the MK around 4 PM. If you had not already eaten, that will give you time to get a CS meal, and absorb the MK, and by 7 PM you are ready for the Party. You do not need to start too early, your timing will depend on what your family likes to see in the resorts, and you don't want to crash before the party ends.

 

[Anabelletoronto]

Thanks for your question. I have a similar dilemma. Go to the Xmas party on December 9 (Sunday) or do that day in the park and enjoy a potentially lighter crowd.
We aren’t staying on site but we could get there by 9:30/10am. My family can’t do more than 6-8 hours straight anyway.
I like the idea of being able to book fast passes and then a potentially lower crowd but we never saw fireworks last year because of parties and a tired child.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Regular park hours on party days are often the quietest times. Of course, everyone will figure that out soon and ruin it for me (heh) but it is worth considering!

Yes! I was definitely considering that and is it worth the con of no fireworks/lit up castle etc. Of course, it may get dark early enough by then for the castle to be well lit at 6pm.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

We visited MK on party night this year and park was empty. I don’t believe we used any fp’s bc most rides were walk on or 15 mts max. We have pictures in front of the castle with no one in sight. It was great!

You were a day guest or a party guest?

 

[Shanti]

The Halloween parties have received mostly bad reports about crowds this year, so I can't recommend a party. Apparently Disney has raised their capacity for those parties greatly. So I recommend either the 14th or 22nd.

Personally, I'd pick the 22nd just to have something to look forward to after disembarking from the cruise. It will be crowded, but don't kid yourself into thinking that the 14th won't be crowded. And at least you'll get the whole day rather than a half day.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

The Halloween parties have received mostly bad reports about crowds this year, so I can't recommend a party. Apparently Disney has raised their capacity for those parties greatly. So I recommend either the 14th or 22nd.

Personally, I'd pick the 22nd just to have something to look forward to after disembarking from the cruise. It will be crowded, but don't kid yourself into thinking that the 14th won't be crowded. And at least you'll get the whole day rather than a half day.

Yes reports have been awful this year. We went last year and I said never again. Sad b/c it has been my favorite wdw event for a decade.
Only reason I am considering mvmcp is b/c we only have the 1 day. So I have to choose between party, early closing, or packed. Ugghhhh. If it weren’t the holidays I would just skip wdw altogether this time. Just hate to miss the decor since we never go in dec.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yes reports have been awful this year. We went last year and I said never again. Sad b/c it has been my favorite wdw event for a decade.
Only reason I am considering mvmcp is b/c we only have the 1 day. So I have to choose between party, early closing, or packed. Ugghhhh. If it weren’t the holidays I would just skip wdw altogether this time. Just hate to miss the decor since we never go in dec.

WIth the one day I always suggest the CHristmas party. It really is a pretty night.

 

[FFMickey]

With only 1 day, I would say go to the MVMCP. If your main objective is the Christmas decor, the parade and Holiday Wishes are wonderful. The stage show is cute. You won't have short lines for characters or rides like the past, but if you plan for that, you might not be disappointed. We love to get pictures on Main Street with the castle lights and the fake snow for effect.

 

[lorilclevelandrn]

Yes! I was definitely considering that and is it worth the con of no fireworks/lit up castle etc. Of course, it may get dark early enough by then for the castle to be well lit at 6pm.

We made dining reservations @ CRT for 5:55. We were not seated until 6:30 which worked great bc after dinner they escorted us out of the park and had the advantage of seeing the castle. We then took a Minnievan to visit TSL at night, which I highly recommend, and fastpassed Fantasmic

 

[Tksolomom]

If you want rides, go during the day on the 14th. If you want Christmas decor, go to the MVMCP. I would avoid the 22nd.