Mickey's Xmas party very disappointing

[mickey0624]

I just returned from a week long trip to my favorite place in the world - WDW. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge from 12/9 to 12/16. I've been to WDW over 20 times, but never during the holidays. The hotels were fantastic, the atmosphere was great, the lights were spectacular, but I'm sorry to say that Mickey's Very Merry Christams Party was a huuuuuge disappointment. Basically it was an extra $40 to stay in the park a few extra hours and have free cookies. The only thing unique was the Christmas parade (which was very nice), and the children dancing with the characters (which my two little ones loved). But other than that it was like paying $40 for extra magic hours. Even the Twas the night before Christams show (which was enjoyable) was shown during the day, with regular park admission. also I saw quite a few people walking around without wristbands. I love WDW, but in my opinion it was Disney's way to basically charge 2 admissions for one day. Even though the party was disappointing, we had a fantastic time. The crowds were moderate, not empty but not too crowded and the weather was spectacular. A few cast members told me we picked the perfect week, because they were all told to expect BIG crowds this week. Another great trip, just would have saved the $200 for my family to go to the party.

 

[engle]

As 5 Adults, we ONLY went to MK for the party. Did the whole park plus parades and shows. So for us, it was a money saver as another day would have cost more. I agree if you are going to spend time at MK during your trip...stay away from MVMCP. Not worth the extra expense. But I love the party and only go when I won't get to MK any other time.

 

[DisneyChristmas]

Oh, I have to differ with you! We love MVMCP!

It's a magical night with snow and stars on Main Street. We never get tired of the shows or the very festive parade or the amazing fireworks. And we get to enjoy the rides that we'd never stand in line for on a regular day.

Though we already had tickets for one of the parties last week, we drove up from a vacation in the Sarasota area to take my nephew to the November 13th party. Last week on the two nights when we didn't have party tickets, we watched the Holiday Wishes fireworks and listened to the late parade and 11:45 castle show from our room at the Poly Hawaii building. Yes, I'm a MVMCP junkie.

 

[Good Ol Gal]

We went to MVMCP on Tuesday Dec 12, and LOVED it!

We felt like we had the park to ourselves almost all evening.

We literally walked on every ride we went on, excluding Indy cars which was a 10 min wait.

Walked on Buzz, Stitch, Tea Cups, Pooh, Snow White, Dumbo, Carousel, Philharmagic, Small World, Haunted Mansion, Splash, BTM, Pirates, Aladdin.

We rode many rides over and over. It was a great time!

 

[welovedis]

I just returned from a week long trip to my favorite place in the world - WDW. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge from 12/9 to 12/16. I've been to WDW over 20 times, but never during the holidays. The hotels were fantastic, the atmosphere was great, the lights were spectacular, but I'm sorry to say that Mickey's Very Merry Christams Party was a huuuuuge disappointment. Basically it was an extra $40 to stay in the park a few extra hours and have free cookies. The only thing unique was the Christmas parade (which was very nice), and the children dancing with the characters (which my two little ones loved). But other than that it was like paying $40 for extra magic hours. Even the Twas the night before Christams show (which was enjoyable) was shown during the day, with regular park admission. also I saw quite a few people walking around without wristbands. I love WDW, but in my opinion it was Disney's way to basically charge 2 admissions for one day. Even though the party was disappointing, we had a fantastic time. The crowds were moderate, not empty but not too crowded and the weather was spectacular. A few cast members told me we picked the perfect week, because they were all told to expect BIG crowds this week. Another great trip, just would have saved the $200 for my family to go to the party.

I'm curious when this occurred? We went on 12/11 & never saw the info for that show posted the remainder of the week we were there, we left late on Sat the 16th???

We enjoyed the party immensely, I told DH if it was not sold out later in the week we could have gone again, it was that enjoyable. I loved it, from the Twas the Night Before Christmas show, to the parade, the fireworks, the dance parties, the castle show and even the storytime with Belle (which got cancelled--11:15pm, but she graciously spoke with my son at length and posed for many pictures). I would do it again in a minute!

 

[Caitsmama]

I agree, we loved it as well! We went for our first time in Nov. It was great to have the rides to ourselves, and the fireworks and parade were amazing! Also enjoyed the shows.

 

[kaelarad]

I have to agree that after attending the party for the past 6 years we will not spend the extra money again. Having to pay for pictures, the shows and parades being shown during the normal operating hours it does seem like they are charging people twice.

 

[Joanna71985]

I'm curious when this occurred? We went on 12/11 & never saw the info for that show posted the remainder of the week we were there, we left late on Sat the 16th???

We enjoyed the party immensely, I told DH if it was not sold out later in the week we could have gone again, it was that enjoyable. I loved it, from the Twas the Night Before Christmas show, to the parade, the fireworks, the dance parties, the castle show and even the storytime with Belle (which got cancelled--11:15pm, but she graciously spoke with my son at length and posed for many pictures). I would do it again in a minute!

Twas has been showing on Saturdays.

 

[Brer_Mike]

if you ask me its fantastic! its like a e-ride night but just with more perks!

im say they bring e-nights back lol whos with me??

 

[Subrbnmommy]

We went on the 4th and we loved it! We loved the atmosphere on Main street when you enter the park, the snow, the music, the snowflake projection. The castle show was amazing and the parade was great! T'was was ok (and I saw that it was in the MK on Dec 7th afternoon). My DD loved the character interaction and she loved be able to to ride her favourite rides without the wait. Ohh, she got a kick out of the hats on the Dumbo ride! I guess whether it's worth it or not depends on the person.

 

[DIS-NH]

Mickey2624,

While I've never been to the X-mas party, we felt EXACTLY the same way about the MNSSHP in October. I love WDW, but this just felt like one of those events they should run anyway...and not charge the second admission.

We're going back in Dec 07 because we want to see the decorations, but we've already decided NOT to attend the Christmas party.

 

[ransom]

We loved MVMCP. We went on Tuesday the 12th, and spent the whole day at MK and the resorts in the area. We got to see Wishes from the top of the Contemporary during our ADR at California Grill, then we saw the MVMCP fireworks after we got back to the park. We didn't indulge in the cookie or the hot chocolate, but we enjoyed the snow on Main Street. And we're from northern Illinois, so snow is nothing special for us, but this was!

We loved being at MVMCP so much, we tried to get tickets for Friday, too. But they were sold out by the time we made the attempt.

If we're lucky enough to be back at Christmas time, we'll be going to MVMCP again!

 

[northie]

We were stopped several times around 7 and asked to see our wristbands...once coming out of the bathroom in Tomorrowland, the CM was right by the door and checking all of the bands as women exited the bathroom. We saw them stopping a lot of people and asking to see the band. After about 7:30 we didn't see them checking anymore but I never noticed people without them. But then it was cold so everyone was wearing sweatshirts and jackets.

Sara

 

[mittelst]

I also have to disagree with the OP. We went to MVMCP on 12/11. Entered the park at 4:30, and could have ridden many rides w/o waits, especially toward 6pm, as day guests were getting spots for the 6:30 regular fireworks.

Instead, we had a nice meal at the Crystal Palace, rode Buzz twice before getting a seat for the 7pm 'Twas show. I too was miffed that they were showing this during regular park hours on Saturdays, but MK crowds on Sat. are terrible, so I wouldn't have ventured into MK anyway.

We rode many rides multiple times w/o waits. Walked up to practically the curb to see the 8:15 parade, having only to wait 5 min. Leisurely strolled around with our cocoa and cookies, ending up at the Crystal Palace benches to watch the fireworks.

We thought the MK had a special feeling, including the snow, and it also felt like we had the park to ourselves.

 

[C.Ann]

We loved it - and I can't wait to take my sister next year..

It was so nice being able to walk on the rides; loved watching the little kids dancing with the characters; shows were great; parade was great; and the special Holiday Wishes were awesome!! Enjoyed the hot chocolate and thought the sugar cookies were yummy..

We were asked to show our wrists bands whenever we attempted to do anything at all, so that really, really kept the crowds down.. Even my son-in-law was impressed - and he's not a huge Disney fan..

 

[RobInBigKC]

We had mixed feelings about our MVMCP visit last Thursday, 12/14. We enjoyed it but it used to be so much better IMO. While the special Wishes was pretty neat, it felt very much like a normal park visit to us as well.

It had been 9 years since we'd last been to one but it seems like the crowd was much smaller (may have just been the luck of the draw for the night we had that year). Back in 1997, each person got a pin that was about the size of a business card with a picture of Mickey and Minney in a glass ornament on it with the year 1997 in the upper left corner and MVMCP (spelled out) at the top -- it's on my bulletin board right now so it's been worth saving for 9 years. Each "family" group also got a 5 x 7 picture of themselves with Mickey Mouse. Both the pins and the family picture were included in your admission cost along with the hot chocolate, cookies, and special shows.

-- Rob

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I have to agree. I've been to both the MNSSHP and MVMCP and I was disappointed in both.

1st- our friends couldn't come into the park for our ADR's at the CP at 4:00. My friend was asked if she had a ticket to the MVMCP and she said yes and the CM wouldn't let her into the park with her regular ticket at 4:00. He told her she need the MVMCP ticket however the tickets were at Will Call under my name that I planned to get after dinner. So we almost missed our ADR. But that set us back 1/2 so I didn't get to see the Mickey show in front of the castle, and just made Regular wishes at 6:00. I still don't know why they wouldn't let her in the park.

Once I got to Will Call I noticed the sign that said " SOLD OUT" --- The park was more crowded then during the day. If wasn't worth the extra money to have 20-30 minute waits for everything -INCLUDING the FREE cookies and Hot Choc.

We are going when the Pirate & Princess parties are going on and we WILL NOT be attending. I think its a total waste of money, especially if you have small kids. My kids were tired & cold by 10:00 so we got only 3 hours for $160. However, if I didn't have AP's I might buy the ticket to the party instead of going during the day and not visit a park and use up a ticket. But for now I don't plan on going!

We didn't even see the snow on Main St.--- however, we do live in New England so we see enough anyways!!

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I went to mvmcp on the 12th too. I kind of agree with the OP. I found that we were paying extra money for a few extra hours in the park. To us, it wasn't necessary since we scheduled 3 days at MK. We already finished most attractions before the party, so we only did the xmas stuff. Twas the night was fantastic. We loved it. The xmas parade was so good we watched it twice. Holiday wishes was ok. We watched regular wishes at 6pm for day guests and loved that better. Other than that, we didn't do much else. I would have paid just for the twas the night and the outstanding parade, but it shouldn't be $40 extra. $25 seems a bit more reasonable.

 

[RobInBigKC]

We didn't even see the snow on Main St.

That's another thing I forgot. I did see the "snow" on Main Street but I'm pretty sure it was much heavier last time I attended MVMCP in 1997 and I KNOW that the fake snow at MGM at the Osbourne Family Christmas Lights the night before I went to MVMCP was much heavier and better looking than the stuff at MVMCP.

-- Rob

 

[dimoe]

I too was very disappointed in mvmcp. It was my first time going on Dec 5th but what a waste. I wouldnt attend any of there extra parties not worth it.
THe rides had huge waits so maybe it was the time I went. The line ups to get characters to sign were so long.