MNSSHP crowds? vs MVMCP crowds?

[kldmom2000]

DH and I always did the MVMCP in early December on our trips prior to 2000... it was always so much fun because the parks were virtually empty except for those people waiting to see the holiday parades. We were able to ride everything over and over again with no wait whatsoever.... but then we went for the first time in almost 5 yrs w/ our girls in Dec. '04 ( Dec. 7, 2004 to be exact ) The park was JAM-PACKED! We couldn't move! It was busier than I'd seen it any day that we were there for normal hours. We couldn't ride anything without an extensive wait. The girls were irritable because everything was so crowded. It took away the fun of the event for us and we left after merely 2 hours My question is, this time we are going Sept 29-Oct. 4. I'd like to do MNSSHP, but I'm afraid we're going to run into the same thing? Do you think it would be just as crowded if we went to one of the 1st ones of the season (thinking that first Sunday night in Oct.)????? Just debating whether or not to get the tix... we've never done the MNSSHP-only MVMCP and I would like to do it if it's worth it???? TIA for your responses!

 

[wscato]

I'm sure you will get a lot of different answers. But for DH and myself, we found MNSSHP to be much more crowed than MVMCP. We attend MVMCP in Dec 04 and MNSSHP in Oct 05. Both were fun, but we liked MVMCP better. (We are not really halloween people, didn't dress up, no children). You get A LOT of candy at MNSSHP, so you children would probably like that.

Have a great trip.

HTH,

Ginger

 

[Waseller77]

We went to MNSSHP last year as well and found it to be much more crowded than we had expected. We went the first night of it (I believe), so that might have had something to do with it. But given that experience, we probably would not do it again. It just wasn't worth the extra cost in our opinion!

 

[salmoneous]

I think there is something funny going on will all crowd reports from either party. On the same night, you will hear back that it was both jam-packed, and near-empty.

I believe there aren't enough people in the parks for the whole park to be crowded, but that the people who are there tend to "clump". So at any given moment, it park is packed in some places and empty in others.

That was my experience last year at both MNNSHP and MVMCP. I hit huge crowds at both, but just walked to another part of the park where things were better.

For what it's worth, I was at a sold out 10/31 HP, and an early weekday CP and the crowds didn't seem that different overall.

 

[BABYJOSIE98]

We did the MVMCP in early Dec and it was great!! We are going this year and plan to attend the Thursday Dec 14th party. I do think the day of the week you pick will affect the crowds.
Friday nights are probably really busy and maybe even Sunday nights.
So we are trying Thursday.

We did MNSSHP on Oct 31, 2003 and it was packed!! (SOLD OUT)

I agree with the other poster. People tend to hang out in certain spots like Mainstreet USA. If you venture out you can ride with practically no wait and we managed to get our picture done and watch both parades. The first parade was crazy crowded, but by 10:00 pm it was getting empty and we sat on the curb in front of Tony's and had a great spot to see the Headless horseman come running by.

Another tip is get there by 4:00 pm...If you have tickets they will let you in and put a bracelet on you. You can get a lot done before they start running everyone out for the party.

We loved both and I can not wait to go back this December!!

 

[jcemom]

We attended the first two MNSSHP last year, and while I thought the walkways felt crowded we didn't wait more than 5 minutes for any attractions. We thought it was more than worth the cost of the tickets. When our Splash Mt log pulled into the exit gates there was nobody waiting to get on...nobody! The parade was pretty crowded, actually both parades were pretty crowded. I had no problem finding a fireworks spot right in the middle of Main Street though.

 

[Mamu]

I think with different people you'll get different answers.

The past couple of years Disney attendence has picked up. If your European it the dollar vs the euro. It actually cheaper to visit Disney then vacation in you own country.

Another reason more and more people are vacationing during these time frames.

Also the first week of these special ticket nights are becoming crowded. Plus the weekends are always crowded.

I've found you need to go the week before the holiday. In 2004 we went the 3 week of December, on a Tuesday night. MVMCP was a little crowded up until the Fireworks then the park was empty. We were there till after midnight and in some area's we were the only people around.

We did MNSSHP a week before Halloween on a Thursday night. We never saw crowds on this night. All rides were walk on's.

I read here there were large crowds that first week and on Columbus week.

 

[jcemom]

I hope your reasoning is on target Mamu! We went to the first two MNSSHP last year and had a great time, this year we're going the week before Halloween and I was worried it would be packed. If the pattern holds from the past couple of years we'll choose Tuesday and Thursday over the weekend. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you're right and we get great nights!

 

[logella]

We do MNSSHP every year. The first year we did it we did all of the traditional MNSSHP events (trick or treating, family picture, the parade, etc.) and it was crowded. Nothing like MK during the day but crowded nonetheless. Every year since then we've bought MNSSHP tickets and skipped all of the events and simply focused on riding rides and have never waited more than 2 to 5 minutes for any ride. Most are walk-ons. Now we schedule this as our only visit to MK during our trips. We always do Sunday night in the middle of October. This year it will be Sunday, October 15, 2006 assuming they have it on that night (which they probably will). We no longer go to MK during the day. The crowds and lines simply are not worth it.