Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Worth Going?

[disdmyfam4]

Our family of four with two children ages 6 and 7 will be traveling the week of November 8th. Is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party worth going to? We will be there 8 nights. The party will be going on Monday, Tuesday and Friday the week we are there. I am just trying to figure out if we should spend the extra money to go? Also I have read about people discussing wearing costumes to the parties. Does this just apply to the Halloween party which would make sense. We are totally not costume wearing people so I know my DH would think I was nuts if I suggested we do something like this BUT I do not want to feel out of place not dressing up. Please give me some input!

Thanks!
Sarah

 

[TheChaoticChef]

IMO, no it wasn't worth it. We went in the 1st week of December and the whole week we were there, the MVMCP was sold out every night it was running. The night we were there it was SLAMMING. We got to ride all the "regular" rides w/virtually no wait but I didn't pay allllll that extra cash to ride rides I could ride any other time...KWIM? The extra christmas type activities were sooooo crowded that you virtally had to line up for them or wait an average of an hour or ore to get in/or to watch. We had fun but I do not think I'd do another hard ticket type thing like that again. I just didn't feel that it was worth our extra money.

 

[ToddyLu]

My DH and I go at least twice when we are visiting WDW. We are only going once this year since my parents are going and there is so much I want them to experience and there just isn't time. I think Christmas gear is great. Sweatshirts, crazy hats that blink, etc. We have been when it was hot and we wore shorts ( last year) and then freezing cold ( 2 years ago). There is a special parade twice that evening that you do not see at any other time, it does snow on mainstreet and after 10:00 p.m. the rides are great, no lines. I know that everyone has a different opinion. We just happen to think there is extra special value in Holiday Wishes and the parades. There are also ornaments and items you can only buy that night of the party, which I collect and enjoy. So as adults we love it.

If you do decide to go, go during the week--Tuesday. The crowds will be less. Last year we went on the Fri. evening we arrived and it started our trip with a blast, however the crowd was difficult to deal with and our Tuesday Party was much more enjoyable, we are doing Tuesday this year---already have tickets. In the past we have eaten at LTT for convience. They did a great job of clearing the park of the regular guests making some people upset--it was the first year I had noticed the effort. That helped us deal with the extra cost of tickets.

It is just an extra dose of Disney--if your children go to bed around 9 pm it may not be worth it to you. I believe in Disney Magic so that is what I get when we go.

Since you are going in Dec. try to go to AK EMH in the evening ( on Wednesdays this year I believe). It is really fun to see the Tree of Life with back lighting and ride EE in the dark. We did it for the first time last year but can't wait to go back. Very open at night, cool and nice to walk around the trails.

Let us know what you decide. Have a wonderful time!!

 

[disdmyfam4]

Thanks for your input. I am going to share the information with my husband and make a decision. If we go it sounds like Tuesday would be the best night to go, which makes sense. It does sound like fun. I will also have to look at all of our dining reservations and see if they will work or if we would need to try and change them to attend the party.

Any other thoughts, pass them my way!!!

Sarah

 

[antree]

We went to the first MVMCP on Nov 12th last year and Loved it, it was the first time we ever did that party. We will be doing it again on Nov 11th this year. Can't wait for it.
Last year what we did was ate at The Plaza at 5pm finished just in time to see them light the Castle and Wishes at 6pm. We then did the Transit Authority ride becasue that is my son's favorite ride and we wanted to get it out of the way before the party started, we were able to ride it 2x and finish up just in time for the party to start.

The only thing different I would do is instead of riding TTA I would get in line for Mickey Chritmas Carol because it filled up quick and we didn't get a chance to see it.

And the Christmas Parade is AMAZING!

 

[Mick West]

The "Very Merry Christmas Party" is so not worth it. When we went a lot of the park was closed and it was so crowded it just wasn't enjoyable.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

My husband (very budget conscious) says no ~ I say yes.

We went last year on December 4th. It was IMO very crowded. I have heard all these stories how you walk on rides, etc. This was not the case for us. I think expectations played a big part in that. I had DREAMED all year about the wonderful cookies and hot chocolate ~ that was just OKAY for me.

But, I would still go again, because it is a wonderful experience. The music, dance parties, shows, and fireworkds are AMAZING.

 

[IlovemythreeC's]

I forgot to answer the part of your post about the costumes. What you are reading about is mostly for the MNSSHP. Do not worry about costumes for the Christmas party. It is fun to wear Santa hats etc., but it is not necessary.

 

[Tink37]

We've been to the MVMCP three times now and loved everyone of them. Last December we ate at the CP in MK right before the party. One of our favorite parts is the snow that comes down on Main Street. We try to be on Main Street when it starts. My DS and DD love this. My DS is 11 and my DD is 8. They both were near your children's ages the first time we went to a party. We made sure in the afternoon the day of the party we went back to the hotel to rest, since we knew we would be up late. This helped us a lot.

I also think Tuesday is the day to go. I hope you do decide to go. It really does get you in the Christmas spirit.

 

[zoie101]

I too am stilon the fence about going...
how many tickets are sold, anyone know?
It can get expensive with 5 tickets.....
but if I am going just for the snow, I can see it t home!
gotta love that snow in PA.

 

[dubee_doo]

I believe they only sell 10,000 tickets to each party. That sounds like alot, but the park capacity is 65,000 so it really isn't a ridiculous amount. I'm going for the first time ever to WDW with my husband and 2 kids Dec 1-6. We debated about going to MVMCP and had decided not to go, but my MIL said that she talked to someone that said it was something everyone should do at least once and she really wanted the kids to get to go to it so she bought tickets for us to go. I'm really excited now!

 

[TinkerBellToo2]

My DH and I are going to Disney in early December. Even though we has no children we both would like to see what the MVMCP is all about. We have purchaced tickets and wil be at MK all day and evening. How does Disney go about clearing out the general public with only the MVMCP ticket holders left. How do I turn in my tickets for the party?

 

[ToddyLu]

My husband and I have been married 14 years and have no children either. We as adults love the MVMCP. He likes it as much as I do. The Cast Members usually walk together and ask people to let them see their arm bands. You get a special armband when you enter ( I think you can get them at 4 pm this year)MK. Also if you are there earlier, you just present your MVMCP card at one of the stations they will have set up, or you can go to the front gate to get one. Last year guests who were not aware of the Party were asked to purchase tickets or to please leave the park since it was a special ticketed event. We had our bands checked before entering several of the rides and the crowd was thinned out nicely. It is really less crowded after the second parade which while a bit late will afford lots of time to do your favorite rides.

 

[TinkerBellToo2]

Arm bands 4o'clock??? When and Where can you tell I need help? I really don't want to appear dumb but,DUH...We will be at the park before 4 need help with this one.

 

[ToddyLu]

You can enter the park until 7 pm with a regular ticket. After that you have to have your MVMCP ticket to stay in the park. I believe they begin giving out the armbands at 4 pm. So you would wait to about that time and go to a designated area to get your armband after showing your MVMCP ticket. If you are just coming into the park around 4 pm you can get an armband at the front gate with your special ticket.

If you were in the park all day, I believe you would use your regular ticket to get in the gate that morning. Then around 4 pm could go ahead and get an armband. They usually have several areas around the park with CMs checking your ticket, these areas are marked with a big sign and you just walk up, show you rMVMCP ticket and they apply the armband. Once 7 pm rolls around you will begin to see CMs walking around the park checking for armbands and either asking regular guests to leave or showing party people where to get the armbands in order to stay. I hope this isn't confusing now and I apologize for not explianing it better earlier.

Somebody correct me if I am wrong.

 

[MousekaMaddi]

we went twice last Nov.
DH, DD5 and myself, we loved MVMCP so we went twice, and are returning for the party again Nov 11th, look for us!!
Dressing up is for the Halloween party ( MNSSHP, mickeys not so scary halloween party, ) so no costumes to wear-altho cute holiday sweatshirts -hats-yep, ppl wear em!


see ya there

 

[TinkerBellToo2]

Thanks ToddyLu for the information. I understand now. the DUH has left my brain. I am so excited....Can you recommend a good place to eat before the party starts?

 

[TinkerBellToo2]

I must of hit this twice Sorry

 

[ToddyLu]

TinkerbellToo2, I am married to a fireman, too. We usually eat at Liberty Tree around 4:30 or 5. This year we are going over to WL for Whispering Canyon before the Party. We have never eaten there before and I wanted to see the geyser (sp?). Have a great time, it is really fun and they do put on a great show. Don't forget to look for the special ornaments they will have on sale. I always pick up a couple at Pirates of the C.

We are going Tuesday 12/9. Have fun!!

 

[MAGGIED]

We went to the party last Nov and had a wonderful time... we enjoyed the shows as well as the reduced crowds... I must say that a week night would be better than a weekend... I LOVED the snow on Main St... and I am from upstate NY where we get over 200 inches.... was just something magical about looking at the castle and watching it snow.... I say go for it...