Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

[horseshowmom]

I'm sure that this has been asked a thousand times, but the search function isn't working for me.

We'll be in Lake Buena Vista Dec. 16th-23rd. MVMCP will be open the 18th, 19th, 21st, and 22nd. As I understand it, the park will close fairly early those nights due to the party.

I'm left with trying to decided whether to go to MK on the 20th (hopefully, longer hours) or whether the party is really wonderful and not to be missed.

Next, just how crowded will MVMCP be? I had somebody tell me that they spent all day at MK but wound up getting to do much more during the party than they had all day on the regular admission. But on the other hand, I hate to pay that much for all of us (probably 11 in all) if it's going to be crowded.

Does anybody have any experience during that timeframe? Or any experiences you'd like to share about it in general?

Thanks!

 

[mrsltg]

I've been to three MVMCPs over the years. I have not found them to be crowded (we went early in the week) and we have really enjoyed the time in the park. I believe only 20,000 tickets are sold total so I don't think crowds are a real problem.

Have a great time!

 

[jbird327]

I was there last Dec on the last night (Tue - 20th?) and thought that it was fairly crowded. The first hour in Fantasyland was good but got crowded shortly afterward. We actually did better going early in the morning. My party of four did not think it was worth close to $200 to attend. The parade was nice but I understand that it is run as the regular parade when all the MVMCPs are finished. It was also fairly cold that night so we did not stay past 10pm. I know I am in the minority here, but for us it was not worth it.

 

[Karnak]

I would go to the Party either on the 18th or 19th, as the closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded it's likely to be.

But, having said that, let me advise that if y'all plan to go, you need to go ahead and get your tickets right away in case they do sell out.

To answer your question, the park closes at 7:00 on Party nights, and the Party begins at the same time.

Enjoy.

 

[horseshowmom]

I was there last Dec on the last night (Tue - 20th?) and thought that it was fairly crowded. The first hour in Fantasyland was good but got crowded shortly afterward. We actually did better going early in the morning. My party of four did not think it was worth close to $200 to attend. The parade was nice but I understand that it is run as the regular parade when all the MVMCPs are finished. It was also fairly cold that night so we did not stay past 10pm. I know I am in the minority here, but for us it was not worth it.

That's a little bit of what I'm worried about. We're really not big parade watchers, so the parade itself is not enough to draw us. It will be a fairly large cost considering how many of us are going.

 

[horseshowmom]

I would go to the Party either on the 18th or 19th, as the closer you get to Christmas, the more crowded it's likely to be.

But, having said that, let me advise that if y'all plan to go, you need to go ahead and get your tickets right away in case they do sell out.

To answer your question, the park closes at 7:00 on Party nights, and the Party begins at the same time.

Enjoy.

Thanks for the heads up. If we do decide to go, I think we'd better decide pretty soon and order our tickets online.

 

[Inga]

I would recommend buying into a tour guide mike subscription if you decide to make the investment to go with that group size...we did everything and had a great night with his advice

Inga

 

[kandmwedding]

Having been to MK during that time on both a party night and a non-party night, I have to say it was less crowded during the party. Sure, Main St was busy with the parades, fireworks and characters, but the rides were basically walk on. If I had to choose between a party and non-party night, I'd definitely go for the party!

 

[horseshowmom]

Having been to MK during that time on both a party night and a non-party night, I have to say it was less crowded during the party. Sure, Main St was busy with the parades, fireworks and characters, but the rides were basically walk on. If I had to choose between a party and non-party night, I'd definitely go for the party!

In that case, let me ask another question. If I understand correctly, you can get into the park at 4 p.m. with your party ticket even though the party doesn't actually start until 7 p.m.

If we got there at 4 p.m. and stayed until closing at midnight, would we be able to cover most of MK (saving buying a day ticket for MK)?

My family has been to DW many, many times but the peolpe coming with us haven't. Since they all want to do Universal and Sea World too, I'm trying to figure out the most economical means of covering "most" of everything. We're doing MK, Epcot, and Disney Studios but not AK and will be staying at Cypress Pointe in Lake Buena Vista.

Thanks!

 

[horseshowmom]

I would recommend buying into a tour guide mike subscription if you decide to make the investment to go with that group size...we did everything and had a great night with his advice

Inga

Thanks for this endorsement. I was debating whether it might be worthwhile and will probably go ahead and get it. In the grand scheme of the cost of everything, it's not very much if it really makes a difference.

 

[NancyIL]

In that case, let me ask another question. If I understand correctly, you can get into the park at 4 p.m. with your party ticket even though the party doesn't actually start until 7 p.m.

If we got there at 4 p.m. and stayed until closing at midnight, would we be able to cover most of MK (saving buying a day ticket for MK)?

My family has been to DW many, many times but the peolpe coming with us haven't. Since they all want to do Universal and Sea World too, I'm trying to figure out the most economical means of covering "most" of everything. We're doing MK, Epcot, and Disney Studios but not AK and will be staying at Cypress Pointe in Lake Buena Vista.

Thanks!

What kind of WDW tickets are you buying? It doesn't sound like you will have park hoppers. Christmas party tickets are less expensive than one-day MK tickets, but quite a bit more than an extra day on a 4-day or higher park ticket. I like going to MVMCP for the shows, parade, and special holiday things, more than for the rides, which can be done any time.

 

[horseshowmom]

What kind of WDW tickets are you buying? It doesn't sound like you will have park hoppers. Christmas party tickets are less expensive than one-day MK tickets, but quite a bit more than an extra day on a 4-day or higher park ticket. I like going to MVMCP for the shows, parade, and special holiday things, more than for the rides, which can be done any time.

I'm still debating on what tickets to buy. We used to buy the parkhoppers, but on this particular trip, I'm not sure they're going to be worthwhile. I may decide to get them, but I'm still crunching the numbers. We used to go every year (sometimes twice), but we don't go as often anymore (used to buy the maximum and save them for later trips). The other family probably won't go back (at least not for years and years). They just don't travel.

The people who will be with us are going to be more interested in the rides. I like the shows, but the others won't care about them as much. The same goes for the parade (although we will probably watch the parade at MVMCP - doesn't it run twice, one early and one later?).

 

[NancyIL]

I'm still debating on what tickets to buy. We used to buy the parkhoppers, but on this particular trip, I'm not sure they're going to be worthwhile. I may decide to get them, but I'm still crunching the numbers. We used to go every year (sometimes twice), but we don't go as often anymore (used to buy the maximum and save them for later trips). The other family probably won't go back (at least not for years and years). They just don't travel.

The people who will be with us are going to be more interested in the rides. I like the shows, but the others won't care about them as much. The same goes for the parade (although we will probably watch the parade at MVMCP - doesn't it run twice, one early and one later?).

You might want to consider buying 10-day non-expiring tickets, with or without the hopper option. I personally like being able to park hop, especially when my time at WDW is limited.

Yes, there are two parades during the Christmas party. I think it's worth going to the Christmas party at least once - because it's something that can only be done at holiday time.

 

[Karnak]

In that case, let me ask another question. If I understand correctly, you can get into the park at 4 p.m. with your party ticket even though the party doesn't actually start until 7 p.m.

If we got there at 4 p.m. and stayed until closing at midnight, would we be able to cover most of MK (saving buying a day ticket for MK)?

My family has been to DW many, many times but the peolpe coming with us haven't. Since they all want to do Universal and Sea World too, I'm trying to figure out the most economical means of covering "most" of everything. We're doing MK, Epcot, and Disney Studios but not AK and will be staying at Cypress Pointe in Lake Buena Vista.

Thanks!

Yes. You should be able to see the main attractions at the Magic Kingdom in the seven hours you would have in the park with no problem.

Enjoy.

 

[horseshowmom]

Thanks!