Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Worth Going?

[TinkerBellToo2]

Hey Syracuse.....I hear ya about the snow. Have traveled up their many times to Fort Drum before my son was deployed to Iraq. I am really excited about doing the Mickey's Christmas Party. Snow on Main Street in Florida in December and the temp around 70 degrees thats my cup of tea.

 

[tinkerbell34]

We have done MVMCP for years....every year! We LOVE Christmas and LOVE Disney and the two combined are just heavenly. I will say don't go expecting an empty park. The party is very popular. I have never had to wait terribly long in any line for a ride. One year we rode space mountain six times in a row because we could just walk on......another we waited twenty or thirty minutes but we had just as much fun walking on as standing in line. Every one seems to have the Christmas spirit and the event is very joyous. I love the special Christmas parade, the family picture, the cookies and cocco, and the snow on main street is magical (Where else can you see snow with Cinderella's castle in the background and it only be 70 degrees out? Not to mention you don't have to shovel it or watch for icey patches. hehe) ! We always wear Santa hats when we go. ho ho ho. I would most definitly check it out for yourself and go with the only expectation of having fun!

 

[TinkerBellToo2]

Hello Tinkerbell34.....Thanks for your input about the MVMCP. An looking forward to it. There is another reason for us being in Florida and thats to look for our retirement home. We are looking in the Orlando Davenport or Kissimmee area, my DH wants to be in the center of all the activity. Do you know of any good areas to search?

 

[aladams2]

I've heard that Tues. night is the night to go. I know to avoid Fridays. What about Sunday? Wouldn't the locals all be getting ready to go back to school and work so it wouldn't be as bad? Help!!

 

[nickjonas1221]

we have been there every year and it is worth it trust me. me and my parents have been there 16 or 17 times. we go back because we love it so much!!!!

 

[tinkerbell34]

Hello Tinkerbell34.....Thanks for your input about the MVMCP. An looking forward to it. There is another reason for us being in Florida and thats to look for our retirement home. We are looking in the Orlando Davenport or Kissimmee area, my DH wants to be in the center of all the activity. Do you know of any good areas to search?

I, unfortunately, don't know my way around the Orlando area very well. If it is outside of Disney I am lost. I live on the westcoast of FL, right next to the retirement capital of the USA.....Sarasota, FL. I found that out on a History Channel special. hehe Good luck in finding your retirement home!

 

[salmon731]

The Christmas Party is definitely worth it! There are so many special Christmas activities and shows that you may not even have much time to do the rides that are open. If you love Christmas...you'll love the party!

 

[mygyky]

I’d say it is worth it to do at least once. Watching it snow was really pretty cool. Lines were short for us in November. We stayed on Thunder Mountain and went around 4 times in a row before we had someone waiting in out stall to make us get out. All lines we encountered were either real short or non-existent for rides. Christmas related venues were busy, but the parade was really fun and a great time all around. Plan on staying late if you can and it starts to get empty and you can really enjoy.

 

[swald91]

YES! Especially if you don't plan to go again when they have it. We did it on our Dec. trip. If we go again close to Christmas I would go again if it's in the budget-but at least we can say we did it & loved it! Go if you can & have a great time!!!!

 

[Clotho]

Okay, so I am looking around and getting some mixed messages. I heard that there is very little the MVMCP offers that you can't get at other times. Specifically, hubby and I would be interested in the parade/snowing, the castle lighting up, and the fireworks, and I heard that those all happen on non-party nights. I was made to understand that the only things offered which are not typically offered outside of the hard ticket event are a couple shows (one in front of the castle, and a Christmas Carol telling by Mickey elsewhere), some character meet n greet opportunities, and hot cocoa and cookies, none of which we are interested in. The only other draw would be lower crowds and lines at the rides, but I hear, as is mirrored in some posts here, that it is a crap shoot: some times it is completely slow and others it is incredibly crowded.

So what exactly is the truth? What shows, events, and holiday celebratory happenings go on regardless of the party, and which are restricted only to the event?

Edited to add: I will be there through December 8th, and some reports say that parades and such happen "later in December", but I was lead to believe that when December hits, the holiday parades and everything comes on full force. Any report on that?

 

[5 for WDW]

I was at a sold out MVMCP this past December and it was mobbed. To the point where it was not enjoyable at all. It was a Mom's only trip. The kids and husbands stayed home. We commented quite a few times about how glad we were our kids were not with us. Getting around with a stroller looked like a nightmare around the Castle and Main Street.
The Castle lighting happens before the party so, you do not need tickets for the party to see it.
The fireworks are special for the party. They were enjoyable but, I was spoiled by Hallowishes (MNSSHP) and they did not compare.
The parade was cute. I think it is only offered outside the party on Saturdays and the week of Christmas. Someone please correct me if I am wrong with that. I know it was not offered any other time I was there. (12/17-12/19).
I loved the Twas the Night show. Again, I think it is only offered closer to Xmas outside of the party.
The snow was cool but, you can also see it at Osborne Lights.
We are taking our kids this December and they are asking to go to the party. So far, we have not purchased tickets. We might if we get there and the party is not sold out. But, the crowds really made an impact on our fun.

Long story short, I think I would have enjoyed it much more if the crowds were lower.

 

[marvin12]

If your thinking of going to the mvcp party, you should think about going to the party during the middle of the week. Sundays and Fridays fill up the park with lots of the people who live in florida. I also think that some of the ticket prices are cheaper on a tuesday. As for the party we have gone 6 years in a row and plan on going this year too. It is just a wonderful time. You should at least try it once.

 

[njmom23grls]

I've been a few times and after our last experience I don't think I would book it again. My DD and I first went in 2001 and it was wonderful - I've been 3 other times since then each one different than the last. In 2007, I went with both dd and my sister and nieces. It was so crowded and such an "aggressive" crowd getting their "money's worth" that I don't think I would repeat it. People fighting over cookies and apples and hot cocoa. Parade spot spats and then the lines for the rides that were open - we waited 2 hours for splash mountain at 11:30 pm. It just wasn't the fun light-hearted experience I was looking for (and had had in the past).

If you've never been - go during the week and hopefully on a less crowded time (we went Thurs. Dec 6-Sun Dec. 9).

 

[Ashton7]

I've been a few times and after our last experience I don't think I would book it again. My DD and I first went in 2001 and it was wonderful - I've been 3 other times since then each one different than the last. In 2007, I went with both dd and my sister and nieces. It was so crowded and such an "aggressive" crowd getting their "money's worth" that I don't think I would repeat it. People fighting over cookies and apples and hot cocoa. Parade spot spats and then the lines for the rides that were open - we waited 2 hours for splash mountain at 11:30 pm. It just wasn't the fun light-hearted experience I was looking for (and had had in the past).

If you've never been - go during the week and hopefully on a less crowded time (we went Thurs. Dec 6-Sun Dec. 9).

I don't know what the heck was going on last year in Disney and especially at this party. We've gone quite a few times and I agree that way in the past it seems like it was a much more laid back experience, less crowded and much more fun. But, we went in 2006 and I thought it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed the special shows, the parade and the fireworks. We had company staying with us last year for several weeks over the holidays so I bought us all tickets for the Christmas party. I was really looking forward to sharing the MK and this party with my friend, who is dying of cancer. We went on a weekday -- it was the same week you were there, in fact. And it was just horrible. It was overpacked -- it seemed extremely crowded for something that is supposed to be a limited attendance event. We had problems getting into the xmas show and had to wait for a 2nd one. We had problems getting a spot for the parade and when the fireworks had already started, we were actually assaulted by an aggressive man pushing a double-wide stroller who was insistent on pushing his way through the massive crowds (this is after the fireworks had already started and DIsney had repeatedly made announcements about not moving around once the lights went down). Myself, my SO and our guest were all in ECVs. I was standing up next to my ECV with a cane, trying to take photos of the fireworks and this man was literally banging his stroller against my ECV and shoving me. My friend was screaming for security and I later found out that he had started along the line of us with my SO and banging repeatedly, pushing on them and their ECV and no matter how many times my SO tried to explain to him that there was no place to move to due to the crowds, he kept insisting and he finally said "If you'd just move your fat *bleep* I could get through!"

We're going back again this year but I certainly hope we have a better experience. And, btw, security never showed up nor did anyone in the large crowd attempt to help us. They just moved aside and let the man assault us.

 

[tigger813]

We went on Tuesday Dec. 4 last year and it was MOBBED! We don't plan on going again until our girls are older. It was fun but WAY oversold IMHO. We were unable to do Mickey's Night Before Christmas as it was so packed. Only did about half of what we wanted to do. We enjoyed Osborne Lights a lot more at DHS.

We were at WDW last week and skipped the Halloween party. We may do a Pirate and Princess Party if they offer them again in April while we're there.

 

[Ashton7]

We went on Tuesday Dec. 4 last year and it was MOBBED! We don't plan on going again until our girls are older. It was fun but WAY oversold IMHO. We were unable to do Mickey's Night Before Christmas as it was so packed. Only did about half of what we wanted to do. We enjoyed Osborne Lights a lot more at DHS.

We were at WDW last week and skipped the Halloween party. We may do a Pirate and Princess Party if they offer them again in April while we're there.

I believe that was the same day we were there. I know that in years past, early December has usually been a good time of year to go and not nearly as crowded. I don't know what was going on last year but it was a mob scene, as you say, even on weekdays. I had planned out the entire 3 week itinerary for my sick friend and I had purposefully tried to include some weekdays and had told her how it is usually much less crowded early in December and, man, was I wrong. The night we were at the Christmas party they said it was sold out and you sure could tell. Personally, I think Disney is way overselling these extra ticket items if that's what it's like when it's "sold out." Part of the draw and appeal of these special evenings is supposed to be that it's less crowded.

 

[Pearle1]

Hello all - what do you all think about early November - do yuo think it would be as crowded then?? We want to go on Tuesday November 11th and wonder about crowds that early ( I think this would be the 2nd or 3rd party) Any thoughts?? Thanks!

Kristy

 

[jippy]

great advice everyone!!

 

[kinghorse]

I have gone every year for the last 5 and almost always loved it. The first year I was foolish enough to buy the regular ticket and also the event ticket. I since have discovered to do something else during the day or stay at the hotel pool and just purchase the Party ticket (let the kids take a nap in the afternoon). Go into the park at 4pm and there is more then enough time to see everything, I don't know how anyone can be there all day and night. Always go on a weekday and it is so beautiful. last year there seemed to me to be more people then the years before and Disney did not seem to do a good job of getting the people out of the park, they weren't allowed on rides but were still in the park, the previous years they made everyone leave that didn't have a ticket to the party. We always go during the first 10 days of December on a weekday but this year we may try early November since many people may not be interested in seeing Christmas so early. We went to the Halloween party in Sept and it was wonderful. The Christmas Party is truly spectacular although I must say that the decorations didn't seem as good in 2007 as 2006 and prior years. But it definitely is a must.

 

[Alva218]

We were there last year on a sold out night. In addition to the partygoers, there were also TONS of guests without wristbands who were not asked to leave the park. They were not permitted on the rides but still were permitted to stay in the park, which made pushing our stroller almost impossible (but that problem was solved when our stroller was moved by Disney then mistakeningly taken by a guest later in the night!).

Anyways, there are so many holiday activities in the parks that I didn't feel like the party was worth it. You can enjoy the Osborne Lights complete with snow, Candlelight Processional, Epcot Storytellers, Christmas parade on Saturday without having to pay an extra couple of hundred of bucks. Have fun!