Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Central 2004

[TraceyL]

We too found the park to be much, much busier during the MVMCP of 12/7 than during our daytime visits. We all enjoyed the parade and the fireworks and loved the snow on Main Street but foun d the lines were just too long and the shows packed out. We had our cookies & hot chocolate and manage dto get in line for our photos just before the crowds after the fireworks... but I can't see us doing it again - it felt busier than MNSSHP on Oct 31st !!

 

[MateasMom]

We were there on the 9th and thought it was a huge waste of money! Throughout the day, the park was practically empty. MVMCP was insanely crowded. Because of the first parade, we were trapped on one side of the park for a while. We had more fun and were able to do more and felt just as festive when we went to the park Saturday evening (regular late night, no MVMCP).

 

[coby421]

This will be our first MVMCP and we're still very excitied to be going on 12/17, however we have some concerns. What time does the emporium open? We want to make sure we get our pins and don't want them to all be gone when we get there. We weren't sure at what time exactly we should get there and are the t-shirts mentioned on this board also sold at the emporium or somewhere else? Also do they give you a program of when the times for the evening events are? One more question, at what time do the shuffle everyone over to tommorowland? Thank u for ur help and sorry to hear so many unhappy with the party hope its not too bad

 

[Serenity]

Coby421, We agree with you. We are also going for our first Christmas visit and first MVMCP on 12/17. From reading the reports I am really starting to get nervous. I have talked about this so much in the last few months that my family is now expecting a really great party. We will have to just go with the expectation that it will be crowded and hope for the best.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Coby & Serenity, there were some really negative postings right before I went down and they made me pretty nervous also. I went with an open mind and we really enjoyed the night, just not the way that it was designed I guess. We did all the rides, saw the fireworks and the late parade. The rides were all pretty much walk ons, based on our touring strategy, but the shows looked really crowded.

We went into quite a few shops in the "lands" and I didn't see any MVMCP apparel. My guess is that they only stock it at the Emporium. The problem is, if you are already in the park, you are going to be placed in Tomorrowland until 7pm. (Beginning at 6pm, they'll start directing you there). It's not that far of a walk to Main Street, but if you wanted to purchase anything, I'd make sure you were at the Tomorrowland Bridge by 6:50. Otherwise, you're going to be walking against the crowd coming up Main Street towards the castle.

They do have the brochures available with a map and entertainment times. I actually picked one up at our resort before hand. At the park, I saw them in the gift shops, right on the counter. If you can pick one up early and then decide on a plan of attack, that might be better. It's impossible to do all the rides and see all the shows in one night. We felt pretty fresh when we arrived, but by 10pm, I think we were all starting to feel the long day.

Tammi

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

I feel exactly the same. We went on 12/2/04 and it was totally packed - a total mob of people all over the place. I would much rather just spend the entire day at the MK than just go for the MVMCP.

We were there that night too and couldn't believe how many people were there. We went in the morning for early entry and did way more in 2 hours that morning than we did that night. We did the see the shows, but even those were packed, and we went to all the later ones. And the second parade was even crowded.

 

[mr.mike]

How long has it been taking everyone to get their pics in the mail? We went on the 3rd?

 

[4DisneyfansinNC]

Was wondering that today, we were there on the 2nd.

 

[jane of the jungle]

Please Help!
Does Anyone Have Tickets For This Night? My Whole Family Is Flying In And I Promised Them This Good Time. Who Would Have Thought It Would Sell Out.

I Would Also Be Willing To Pay Someone To Switch Nights To The 16th.

Thanks So Much!

 

[Serenity]

Coby & Serenity, there were some really negative postings right before I went down and they made me pretty nervous also. I went with an open mind and we really enjoyed the night, just not the way that it was designed I guess. We did all the rides, saw the fireworks and the late parade. The rides were all pretty much walk ons, based on our touring strategy, but the shows looked really crowded.

We went into quite a few shops in the "lands" and I didn't see any MVMCP apparel. My guess is that they only stock it at the Emporium. The problem is, if you are already in the park, you are going to be placed in Tomorrowland until 7pm. (Beginning at 6pm, they'll start directing you there). It's not that far of a walk to Main Street, but if you wanted to purchase anything, I'd make sure you were at the Tomorrowland Bridge by 6:50. Otherwise, you're going to be walking against the crowd coming up Main Street towards the castle.

They do have the brochures available with a map and entertainment times. I actually picked one up at our resort before hand. At the park, I saw them in the gift shops, right on the counter. If you can pick one up early and then decide on a plan of attack, that might be better. It's impossible to do all the rides and see all the shows in one night. We felt pretty fresh when we arrived, but by 10pm, I think we were all starting to feel the long day.

Tammi

Thanks for those encouraging words Tammi. I have a copy of the schedule. A wonderful diser e-mailed it to me so we have a plan (sort of) worked out. We really want to see the shows. I feel like we can do the rides the rest of the week. So since we are in Tomorrowland anyway, we will just try to get early seats for the 6:15 show of Twas Night Before Christmas and have that done by the official party beginning. Then we will just need to get in Belle, the Castle show and the Holiday Hop (as well as Wishes and the second parade). Oh well, even if it is crowded, I will be in Disney getting to see the Christmas decorations. So it will all be worth it.

Thanks again.

 

[momsully]

We went to the pary on 12/5 and our pictures came in the mail today. We got four pictures. Two of the whole family and two of just the kids!

FYI - We were able to be in Fantasyland from 6:15 until 7:00 and rode everything there. We came from the Liberty Tree Tavern up behind the castle. I don't think you could get there any other way as when we tried to walk up toward Peter Pan from LTT we were turned away.

 

[penny28380]

Just email me at penny28380@yahoo.com

 

[n2mm]

We just returned and went to the party on 12/12. It was an OK event, but will be our last. Too expensive, too crowded (and it was not a sell out). Too many cut backs for us. We went about 5 years ago and could not believe the changes, not even a button when you went in. We were at the MNSSHP in October and found it to be a fun time and well worth the money. During the party on 12/12, never was the picture line less than a 30 minute wait and we finally did it about 10:30 PM when the wait was about 25 minutes. The second parade was still very crowded. I give the people who went on sell out days alot of credit. Could not believe that there was only 2 places to take pictures (3 at the halloween party). We got on the rides around 6:00 PM, but soon after that the lines were pretty full the remainder of the time. The fireworks were lovely and it was very COLD that night too. Glad we went again a second time, but won't be doing it again. My money still goes to the Halloween party. Glad we were able to buy our tickets at a discounted price at least.

 

[beattyfamily]

I hope that everyone who goes to the MVMCP and is upset by the cutback and large crowds will write a note to complain to Disney. I wish I could because I LOVE MVMCP and am upset to hear all these negative reports but I didn't attend it this year and was planning on attending it next year for my 40th birthday celebration. I'm so disappointed to hear about the cutbacks.

We attended the MNSSHP this year for the second time and it was great. No cutback that I know of.

Maybe if enough people complain about no buttons, only 2 photo stations, large crowds etc... they'll try to make it better next year??

I'm so bummed. I've attended MVMCP 3 times now and have always loved it and was really looking forward to next year's party that falls right on my birthday.

 

[erikthewise]

We also went 12/12 and had a somewhat different experience; I suspect the difference was luck and timing.

We arrived shortly before 7:00 and went directly to the Adventureland photo location and had our picture taken with no wait at all. I didn't even notice there were only two photo locations -- that is disturbing and it's easy to see how it could have led to long lines later on. We also missed the buttons.

We did the following attractions and had no signiificant wait at any of them: Aladdin's Carpets, Country Bear Christmas Special, Big Thunder Mountain (twice), cookies & hot chocolate at Columbia Harbour House, Haunted Mansion, Snow White. At this point we grabbed a viewing spot for Wishes about 20 minutes early as another attraction might have caused us to miss it. Immediately after the fireworks, we went to Buzz Lightyear, again a walkon. Unfortunately we had to leave early because boys were getting tired and cold (we left a backpack with extra jackets in the car.) So I can't compare crowds after 10:00.

It did seem more crowded than last year but I attribute that to going on a midmonth Sunday rather than an early Tuesday like last year. I'm pretty sure we'll go again next year. If you want to see Wishes at this time of year you either have to go to MVMCP or go Saturday night. I'll take MVMCP any day. For me Wishes all by itself is worth more than half the cost of MVMCP.

 

[caribear]

We also went to MVMCP on 12/12. I thought it was pretty crowded. We had been at the MK for EMH that morning and the crowds were much heavier during MVMCP. We arrived at 5pm and rode Pooh with a fast pass we had from earlier then had dinner at Cosmic Rays. We had our picture taken in Tomorrowland around 6:30pm and waited about 15 minutes. By the time we left the line was very long. We then sat down for the 7pm show in front of the castle. By the time the show started we were packed like sardines. We only stayed for the 1st 10 minutes and then went to ride Pirates with no wait and get in line for the 8:15 parade. We got a spot in Frontierland and then it took dh 25 minutes in line to get hot cocoa and cookies. After the parade we went over to Fantasyland. We waited 20 minutes for Dumbo....no wait for the carousel....5 minute wait for Snow White.....Peter Pan and Pooh had a 30 minute wait, so we skipped those. It was getting really chilly and dd (2) was sleepy, so we headed back to the AKL.

I did not think MVMCP was worth it for us. DD loved the Christmas Parade, but other than that it was not anything special. We saw some snow on Main Street on the way out, but it really wasn't anything "grand."

We did enjoy our day on Monday though....Epcot was empty until 6pm.

 

[disney dumbo]

Dear Penny28380!

Thanks for your post!!! "I have 2 extra tickets for the 17th!"

I've written you and email and PM... You are a HERO!!!


Thanks!!!!
Disney Dumbo

 

[n2mm]

erikthewise, you were on the opposite side as us. we were coralled in tomorrowland. We had no problem riding those rides. we walked on space mountain and buzz. since we ate at the Plaza, that was the closest for us. OK, I was surprised to see the limited amount of rides open. Seems like on the Halloween party there were much more rides open. No jungle cruise, tiki birds, prez, lib. boat. I was shocked of how many rides were NOT open. completely different than MNSSHP.

ALSO shocked, but OT, no santa hat on Earful Tower?? what's with that.

 

[johnsonet]

Sort of a downer to hear so many negative reports but I am hoping for the best this Friday. It will be our first time ever at MVMCP so we'll have nothing to compare it to . Plus, I couldn't care less about the photos so we won't even do that...and the hot chocolate and cookies aren't necessary but would be nice if we're hungry and the lines aren't too long;
we will concentrate on enjoying the MK after dark , the parade, and the fireworks :jumping4: ; forecast says it will be in the high 40s that night!! VERY Christmassy! Can't wait~

 

[Cheryle423]

Johnsonet.. that is the right attitude! We went on Sunday, 12/5 .. I too was expecting a Grand evening.. it was way crowded.. lines for photos, etc.. but we just did our rides, enjoyed the decorations, snow on main street, stumbled onto the cookies in Frontierland with no line.. then later in tomorrowland.. no line for photos.. strictly by accident! we weren't going to get them done, because the first line we saw was outrageous!! But we had a great time.!! Also the line for transportion wasn't nearly as bad as we anticipated.. we left around 11:30 or so.. tried to beat the 12:00 rush!
But didn't get a picture with Mickey bummer.. but saw him the next day at opening of Epcot, first thing, they had character greet right after the rope drop.. no one was there it was great!!

Also.. I've read alot about the merchandise problem.. we didn't see that on Sunday night.. they had shirts almost everywhere.. Pirates.. Fantasy land. Then in Tomorrow land, next to Cosmic Rays, there was a store.. I bought 2 pins and also a Xmas mickey with a date on it..Not sure of the name of it! Sorry! but it was to the left of Cosmic Rays. Also.. they didn't have my size in the t-shirt and the CM told me to go over to Fantasyland after 7:00 and they would have one there.. and they did. small store on the right going from Tomorrowland into Fantasyland..

So, just enjoy yourself and try not to let the crowds bother you! The Fireworks alone are worth the evening!! We took the advise of this board, and went on the bridge by the castle.. lots of space and they were great!Tink flew right over top of us!! Very magical!!!!

Have a great time and Happy Holidays!