Mickey's Very Merry Christmas party

[kellyramey]

I am taking my boys (2 & 4) to Disney for the first time Dec 1-4 this year. Everyone says we must go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. What is so great? We are on a budget and I wonder what is good enough to pay another $40 per person. Would appreciate any details. Thanks!!

 

[KButler1169]

I would totally go again. From the "snow" on Main Street to the Holiday parade and shows it is a wonderful night. There is free hot chocolate and free christmas cookies throughout the park and places to get you pictures made with Santa.
The night we were there, there were no lines on any rides so we had a blast and rode the rides that have the long lines during the day. It really is a great time if you can fit it into your budget. It really got us in the Christmas spirit!

 

[DebbieB]

We've gone the past 5 years and wouldn't miss it! The Christmas Parade is always the highlight of our trip. The shows are cute for kids. Last year they allowed admission as early as 4:00pm with your MVMCP ticket. It's a great jump on the party, especially since you have little ones who may not last too late.

 

[bjb]

Are the parades and shows the same you will see during the day at the park or are they only at the Party?

 

[Tig-girl]

Don't Miss The Party

Well, here is my review of Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party.......Don't Miss It! We, like you were thinking "oh boy, this is another expense for 4 people, and will it be worth it?" It definitely was worth it. Yes, it was much more crowded than we thought-the "limited" amount of tickets sold seems to be unlimited, but the atmosphere was wonderful. It did snow on Main Street, and the cookies and hot cocoa stands were few and far between, but still, worth it! We got our family picture taken for "free", and it was mailed to us just a few days after we returned home. The shows were wonderful, and the Christmas parade was just spectacular!! While the parade was going on, the older kids in the group went on Space Mountain 7 times in a row! Then they also have special MVMCP shirts and other items that you just have to have.........So, did we all enjoy MVMCP? Yes! Was it expensive and crowded? Yes! Would we do it again? Absolutely!Yes! Hope that helps you make a decision.

 

[sherry8253]

I think that the MVMCP is great but my question to you is do you want to keep your kids up late? MVMCP does not officially start until about 7 pm even though they may let you in earlier. If your kids are night owls then I think they would enjoy it. When my son was that age, he started to get miserable by about 9 o'clock at night even at Disney because he was used to being in bed by about 8:30. If I would have attempted to take him to MVMCP it would have been a waste of money because of how fussy he would have been even with an afternoon nap. Also, do you plan to go to Disney again within the next few year? If you are going to start going frequently, you may want to wait a few years until the children are a little bit older. But if your next trip may be far in the future and the kids are good at night, they would enjoy the snow on Main Street, the parade, cookies & cocoa, and you get a free family photo which would make a great keepsake of your trip.

 

[kda]

In all honesty, I'm not sure how great it would be for you and kids as young as yours are. We loved MVMCP, but it's busy the first few hours (you'd definitely need to stake out a spot to view the parade early --- the late parade wasn't crowded, but it was about 11 PM). We were also there in early December, when it wasn't as crowded as mid-December. Early in the week is less busy than Friday eve.

You said that 'you' were taking your kids. If there's no other adult, you won't be able to enjoy any of the adult rides. When we went, some of the shows were the same as during the day, but some were only on weekends, or would be scheduled for day time when it got busier and closer to Christmas. The parade was the holiday parade, and I don't think that was shown during the day until later in the month (except the weekend they're taping it to show on TV on Christmas Day). The fireworks were extraordinary, but aren't until 10 PM.

If your kids get a good afternoon nap, and perhaps even nap in the stroller during the eve, they could make it until late. We saw many, many kids sleeping in strollers during the eve.

The only reason I wouldn't recommend it highly is the young age of your children (and if you're the only adult). Have a great trip!

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by bjb
Are the parades and shows the same you will see during the day at the park or are they only at the Party?

During the first part of the month, they are only at the party. After the last party (Christmas week), they run the parades & shows during the day.

 

[webray]

If you are on a budget, then I wouldn't go. There are shows and a christmas parade. You can see holiday shows during the day. There are plenty of holiday activities to do in the parks without paying for the party unless you really feel like splurging. They will probably appreciate it more when they are a little bigger.

 

[beattyfamily]

If money is really tight maybe you shouldn't go.

It's GREAT fun though! We've gone 2 times now and are going again this year. Our DD's were 1 & 4 and then 2 & 5 the second time and we survived it and enjoyed it. I had them nap before it. The younger one still didn't make it to the second parade but we taped it for her!

When MVMCP parties are available, that will be the only place to see the Christmas shows and parade. Once there are no more MVMCP's (week of Christmas), then you can see the shows and parade during the day so for early December, MVMCP is the only way to see the special Christmas festivities.

Good luck deciding!

 

[chinamom3]

"When MVMCP parties are available, that will be the only place to see the Christmas shows and parade. Once there are no more MVMCP's (week of Christmas), then you can see the shows and parade during the day so for early December, MVMCP is the only way to see the special Christmas festivities."

Except that if it rains-or pours!-like it did so many nights last year you won't see a thing, because they'll be cancelled. And your money is lost! (Yes, they did give some people refunds IF they complained that night, or IF they kept their stubs and returned them in the mail-and from what I heard, even that was a maybe.)
I still would not buy them until I got down there and checked the weather!! A hard lesson learned!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by chinamom3
"When MVMCP parties are available, that will be the only place to see the Christmas shows and parade. Once there are no more MVMCP's (week of Christmas), then you can see the shows and parade during the day so for early December, MVMCP is the only way to see the special Christmas festivities."

Except that if it rains-or pours!-like it did so many nights last year you won't see a thing, because they'll be cancelled. And your money is lost! (Yes, they did give some people refunds IF they complained that night, or IF they kept their stubs and returned them in the mail-and from what I heard, even that was a maybe.)
I still would not buy them until I got down there and checked the weather!! A hard lesson learned!

Yes, that was a strange winter last year. That much rain in December is not common.

That is why I bought mine tickets for Tuesday instead of Thursday so I could possibly switch to Thursday if Tuesday is washed out...but I highly doubt it.

This will be our third MVMCP and I CAN'T wait!

 

[ducklite]

I LOVE MVMCP. but I DON'T think it's worth the expense for little ones. I can't tell you how many kids I've seen sound asleep in their strollers missing it all by 9:30, and I've always thought that it was such a waste of money to take them.

My advice--wait until they get older and go then when they'll be able to stay awake to enjoy it, or get a sitter to come to the room while you and DH go and enjoy. Either way it will cost the same.

Anne

 

[Tig-girl]

I think you are right...

If the kids are little, it's probably not going to work out. It's a long night and a busy one. We have all teens and up, so I guess I wasn't thinking in terms of little kids. It might be a bit rough for them (and you!).