Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2014 - Have Yourself a Very Mickey Christmas!

[Wonder2008]

Hello,

Thank you for this great information since I'm still undecided as to whether or not we should go to the party. We're staying at WDW the week of Dec 9 and would consider going to the party on 12/11. We've already made our FP+ choices for that morning, so do we get three more by means of that night's party ticket?

Also, do you know if Aloha Isle (Dole whip) was open during the party?

We did the Christmas party in 2009 but I didn't really enjoy myself, mostly because I thought it was too crowded. I want to go this year, but I have 2009 in the back of my head and it's making my decision harder.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Networth]

Question here- Does MVMCP always end before Christmas? We are planning a 2015 trip with check in date of the 23rd,and it looks like we will be missing it if Im going off of this years dates. And after the party nights are over, can you still meet the Characters like Jack Skellington?

Yes it always ends before the 25th.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Hello,

Thank you for this great information since I'm still undecided as to whether or not we should go to the party. We're staying at WDW the week of Dec 9 and would consider going to the party on 12/11. We've already made our FP+ choices for that morning, so do we get three more by means of that night's party ticket?

Also, do you know if Aloha Isle (Dole whip) was open during the party?

We did the Christmas party in 2009 but I didn't really enjoy myself, mostly because I thought it was too crowded. I want to go this year, but I have 2009 in the back of my head and it's making my decision harder.

Thanks,
Robert

One selection of fast passes per ticket. Example, if you have a day ticket you only get three - with a ticket in combination with the day ticket you still only get the three.

I know for a FACT it was open as I had one!

I think your going to have a great time...the Dis Unplugged podcast even suggests that maybe they were selling less tickets to not overcrowd the parks.

 

[danjoan14]

Hello,

Thank you for this great information since I'm still undecided as to whether or not we should go to the party. We're staying at WDW the week of Dec 9 and would consider going to the party on 12/11. We've already made our FP+ choices for that morning, so do we get three more by means of that night's party ticket?

Also, do you know if Aloha Isle (Dole whip) was open during the party?

We did the Christmas party in 2009 but I didn't really enjoy myself, mostly because I thought it was too crowded. I want to go this year, but I have 2009 in the back of my head and it's making my decision harder.

Thanks,
Robert

I would recommend the MVMCP. We just got home yesterday. We were at the party on Sunday night. Got to the gate a 4 PM to use our 3 Fastpass+ tickets before the 6:30 pm cutoff. We used them at space mountain, big thunder mountain , and 7DMT. The park was crowed during that time, but very manageable. We ate dinner at 6 pm. By the time we were done, the party was just beginning at 7 pm. The crowd then began to thin out. CM's would not let anyone in the stores unless they has a bracelet for the party. The same for the rides as well. After the first parade ended, the park really emptied. DS and I went on space mountain with only a 10 minute wait. Got off the ride and went right back on again. The longest wait was for the 7DMT. It was a great evening. Wonderful snacks, fireworks, and the parade was fantastic. We stayed until the park closed at midnight. No problem getting out of the park at that time as well. This was the way we ended our magical trip.

Aloha Isle was closed at the time we went by which was around 11 pm. I'm not certain if it was opened at all.

Now that sickening feeling of depression starts to work in as we headed back home. Today was a tough day. On the good side, we already have our next trip to the magic booked for August 2015.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Thanks so much for your review I got my role whip before the fireworks so maybe they close it after the last parade?

I'm glad you guys had a wonderful time I might go to Disney next year by in totally burnt off at the magic kingdom I did the regular day the halloween party and two days Christmas party I def made the most of the park

 

[GC&S]

We also did the party on 11/30. Same experience - was able to walk on most rides. We didn't do many characters - dd just isn't into them anymore . She did want to meet the pooh characters but we waited too long and they were gone. Wonderful parade. We thought the cookies and cocoa were really good. Crowds very manageable. We stayed until around 1230. No long lines at the bus stop and the bus came pretty quick.

While we had a great time, I don't think we would do it again. We all agreed we like the Halloween party much better. It just has better atmosphere - maybe because a lot of people are in costumes but it also seems like the lighting and decorations just add more ambiance to the Halloween party. The Christmas party kind of seemed like another late night at the park. Nothing really set it apart.

I'm glad we did it!

 

[danjoan14]

We all agreed we like the Halloween party much better.

Funny that you said that. DW said the same thing. But we were very happy that we did the Christmas party this year.

 

[Wonder2008]

Hello,

Thanks to danjoan14 and CampbellzSoup for helping out. I decided to go on December 11. We were already going to be there that morning, so at night we'll just focus on the Christmas events and save attractions that are "better" at night (Big Thunder, for example) for the end of the night.

You may have already said this, but do you know when the Castle lights are turned on? Also, do all of the cookies/cocoa locations have the gluten-free cookies? I think you already said they weren't that good, but I'll give them a try anyway.

Thanks!
Robert

 

[tinkerhon]

We also did the party on 11/30. Same experience - was able to walk on most rides. We didn't do many characters - dd just isn't into them anymore . She did want to meet the pooh characters but we waited too long and they were gone. Wonderful parade. We thought the cookies and cocoa were really good. Crowds very manageable. We stayed until around 1230. No long lines at the bus stop and the bus came pretty quick.

While we had a great time, I don't think we would do it again. We all agreed we like the Halloween party much better. It just has better atmosphere - maybe because a lot of people are in costumes but it also seems like the lighting and decorations just add more ambiance to the Halloween party. The Christmas party kind of seemed like another late night at the park. Nothing really set it apart.

I'm glad we did it!

I just said the same thing to DW! We just got back from the party, and we really like MNSSHP much better---- ( still think pirate and princesses was the best!!)

After staying at Mk until 2am the other night, MVMCP seemed like a bit of a letdown--- we did the dessert party as well tonight (not really into characters either) , but the 5 hrs just didn't seem like a long enough time--- really wish the party would be from 7-2am

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Hello,

Thanks to danjoan14 and CampbellzSoup for helping out. I decided to go on December 11. We were already going to be there that morning, so at night we'll just focus on the Christmas events and save attractions that are "better" at night (Big Thunder, for example) for the end of the night.

You may have already said this, but do you know when the Castle lights are turned on? Also, do all of the cookies/cocoa locations have the gluten-free cookies? I think you already said they weren't that good, but I'll give them a try anyway.

Thanks!
Robert

Castle Lights turn on when Elsa does her stage show and illuminates Princess Cindereallas Castle at 6:15, & then 8:15.

Yes! Every station had them - I hope you like chocholate chips in your bricks lol. Enjoy have fun and PLEASE report back Robert!

 

[svostang]

We are going on 12/16 and just have the plastic party tickets. If we arrive at 4pm can we get fast passes until the party starts or can you only get them if you have magic bands?

 

[danjoan14]

We are going on 12/16 and just have the plastic party tickets. If we arrive at 4pm can we get fast passes until the party starts or can you only get them if you have magic bands?

Yes, you can setup your three FastPass+ from 4 PM to 7 PM. We did Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and 7DMT during that time. The FastPass+ seemed to end at 6:30 PM on the party day. We were staying off site and weren't using the magic bands.

 

[Wonder2008]

Hi,

Thanks for helping me to decide to go to the Christmas Party on 12/11. We were staying at Art of Animation that week, and the Magic Kingdom opened at 7am for resort guests. So, we focused on the rides in the morning, had a big lunch at the Plaza Restaurant, left for a break, then came back around 5:00. We knew it would be really crowded between 4pm and 7pm, and it was, but we got a FP+ for Space Mountain in that time period before we left for our break.

I'm glad we went, but I'm not sure it was worth the price. It was very well-run, though. Lots of cast members were checking for party wristbands at least for the first hour or two of the party. They said that there was a party ornament, but it sold out before our party night. The Christmas parade is really, really good, and it smells really good too! Holiday Wishes is many times better than the fireworks presented the rest of the year. We didn't do the stage shows (I would have liked to see the Castle one) and we didn't do many character greetings (but we did with Santa Goofy). I did not try the GF cookies, but the hot chocolate was very good. Lines for rides were pretty manageable with only a few exceptions. I'm glad we did it, but I don't think we would do it every year.

If you have any questions, just ask!
Robert

 

[georgina]

We were there on 12/11 too. We entered the park at 3:45 with our party ticket, used FPs for Buzz and Space Mtn, did the Laugh Floor, teacups and Goofy's barnstormer, got a snack and were first in line for Jack Skellington about 5:30. He came out at 6:15 and we were able to make our 5:30-6:30 FP for BTMRR then got in line for the dwarfs. (Didn't realize the HM was open, walked by it!) After the dwarfs, went to Cosmic Rays for food, rode the Astro orbiter, then parked ourselves in front of the castle for the Celebrate the Magic, Wishes, Celebrate the Season, and the late parade. It was cold! I had my winter coat and gloves on. We were too close to the castle for the fireworks, as some were a bit blocked, but it was OK. After the parade we rode Jingle Cruise and Pirates then headed home. Oh, stopped by the fire hall to get our free Sorcerers card on the way out, which I had forgotten about since we don't play, but someone in the character line told us to get one. We didn't think crowds were bad, I don't know if the party sold out but there were still tickets available at 3:45.

The worst lines we encountered were leaving the MK on Sunday 12/14 at 6:45. It took a while to get to the exit by Crystal Palace, but after that it went smoothly and we got to HS by 7:30 for the lights. (driving)

 

[Wonder2008]

I actually saw people entering the Haunted Mansion from a distance and thought that was weird since it was supposed to be closed. It wasn't even on the FP+ list for the day so I thought there was something related to the christmas party there or something. We rode twice that night just in case we didn't get another chance to (we were there through Saturday 12/13). The cast members handing out the cookies/cocoa at Columbia Harbor House were saying "Yes, the Haunted Mansion is open!" I thought the Jingle Cruise was hilarious, and coming off it we actually met a group from the town next to ours in NJ (it really is a small world). We saw Celebrate the Magic from the central plaza, but it sounds like further back than you were. Yes, it was definitely cold!

Saturday 12/13 was definitely crowded (the Magic Kingdom was open from 8am to 1am, then extra magic hours from 1am to 3am!). We managed to stay until just before 1am.

 

[Aurora0427]

We attended the party on 12/16. It was sold out. All of the curb spaces on Main Street were taken by 6:30. I staked out a spot in the second row at 6:45. Five minutes before the parade starts, this woman asks me if she can sit her kids in the two inches of space between our family and the family in the first row. I very nicely told her no. I said that I had been sitting there for almost two hours and that there were probably more spaces available closer to Frontierland. Then people four rows back yelled at us for standing during the parade- even though EVERY SINGLE OTHER PERSON IN THE SECOND ROW on either side of Main Street was standing. Only the people curbside were sitting. People are unbelievable. I prepared myself that this would happen, and just ignored them. Here's a tip- if you want to have a clear view of the parade, don't show up 5 minutes before it starts. The reason I sat there for two hours was so my kid did have a clear line of sight. We had to do the first parade because my daughter is 3.

Overall, I'd say the party was fine. It felt very crowded until the fireworks were over. The parade was beautiful, and the fireworks were great. The only character we met was Santa Goofy. He was awesome. We rode a ton of rides after the parade and saw the show at the castle. I don't think the Christmas party is something we'd do again, unless there were some unique characters that my daughter really wanted to meet. I'm glad we went, but it wasn't this spectacular experience. We do want to try the halloween party next year. Just my observations.

 

[castleofmist]

For those of you attending the party tonight, if you need a last minute parade spot, try the Firehouse at MK. We did that both nights we were there -- the 14th and the 16th - and we were close enough for a couple of the characters to interact with my daughter in her stroller. Thus strategy worked even better for MSEP last night. Unfortunately, we are back at home today.

 

[pmaurer74]

We went on 12-16. We did not have good luck and basically only got the seven Dwarves, parade and fireworks. We had bad luck with characters and timing.

 

[Missyrose]

We went on 12-16. We did not have good luck and basically only got the seven Dwarves, parade and fireworks. We had bad luck with characters and timing.

What timing issues did you find?

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Went last night, was fun, met Jack Skellington right off...hour wait at 6:30. Then basically walked onto ever ride we could except 7DMT of course and Peter Pan (though that was only 30 minutes) DD rode Space mountain several times until it went down right about 9:45, didn't go back to see if it got up and running later, as 4 times already was plenty...she did BTMR over and over instead.

We've seen the parade a couple times before so didn't bother, but DW watched the fireworks from behind the castle, and said that was fun.

It's just a tradition with us on our trips, but think we should have \done it on Sunday instead, by this point (fourth park day) everyone is beginning to feel the late evenings.

Oh, added: In addition, I was saddened to read all the threads about the party pins being sold out weeks back...but luckily the Frontierland trading post still had some...they were the ones with Goofey, but that was better than nothing...and he is a favorite of ours anyway.