MNSSHP or MVMCP?

[JWG]

If you've attended both (and therefore have experienced both), which is better (and why):
- Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Both bring special parades and nighttime shows. Both bring characters dressed in different garb and both offer unique appearances (such as snow on mainstreet or trick or treating).

If you've done both, which is better and why?

 

[LWQuestie]

I like the Christmas party better because I enjoy Christmas and all the trappings more than I enjoy Halloween.

 

[sleeperclan]

Although I enjoyed both, I'm a Christmas person and love the parade (especially the gingerbread men and wooden soldiers)!

 

[DiznyDi]

Having done both, there is more of the park open for MVMCP. We found shops as well as attractions (Tiki Birds) closed for the NSSHP. I also prefer the Christmas decorations over the Halloween decorations. Both have wonderful parades!

 

[hakepb]

I'm a Christmas person, too.

MNSSHP was a lot of fun, but since I prefer Christmas, I prefer MVMCP.

I can see why someone may feel the opposite if they prefer Halloween.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We like MVMCP over MNSSHP because we loved seeing the characters in their Christmas outfits, the Castle lights are gorgeous (I could sit and look at them all night), loved the parade, the fireworks are great, and the little touches like the decorations all over MK, the hot chocolate and cookies, and of course having it snow on Main Street. Don't get me wrong, we live in Chicago and is used to the snow (normally I hate snow), but the snow on Main Street is something else .

 

[Sammie]

Liked both, but Disney does a much better job lately of celebrating Halloween. The park is decorated a lot more for Halloween than Christmas. This has just been a recent change with several majors cutbacks in the Christmas decorations.

The Halloween party parade is one of Disney's best. Plus the weather is wonderful during the times Halloween party is offered.

The weather for Christmas party can be very iffy and one year we honestly were so miserably cold, we left early.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

These days I'd say MNSSHP over MVMCP. Eliminating the Night Before Christmas really took away from the Christmas party IMO and also not setting the main Christmas tree up until after the parade taping makes the decorations not as good either if you attend one of the early parties. Cold and rain has become a norm for the Christmas parties too - at least on days we pick. Halloween is much more temperate!

 

[bnk1120]

I prefer MNSSHP. The parade is awesome. The Christmas decorations are up to see during the holidays and I don't necessarily need the party to enjoy them. The Halloween party felt like more of a special event to me-maybe because of the people in costumes. . Just liked that one more.

 

[tomandrobin]

MNSSHP all the way!!!

 

[RYMir]

Having just returned from the 10/30 MNSSHP and having attended MVMCP last year, here are my 2 cents.

I'll break it down similar to how my football matchups are broken down in the news paper.

Parade = MNSSHP

Both Parades are AMAZING, but the MNSSHP "Boo to You" Parade seemed more original. It stuck out more for me, moreso than the Christmas one (i.e. I'm still humming the jingle for "Boo to You". Last year for Christmas? Not so much.)

Fireworks = MNSSHP

I'm not an expert on Fireworks shows, but in my most subtle interpretation, there were more "Wow" moments in the Hallowishes show, the Christmas seemed to last longer but had marginally less "Wow" moments

Castle = MVMCP

For MNSSHP, the castle seemed lackluster. It is dressed up beautifully for the Christmas event.

Intangibles = MNSSHP

Having the children dress up and stop at different spots for treats is a huge plus. It's a safe and welcome alternative to trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Hope this helps.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I love the harvest decorations at the MK. They seem more original to me, and I really am a Christmas person.

I have to say that I think the MNSSHP is a better party.

 

[mdsd8700]

We have done the Christmas Party and celebrated many times in WDW around Thanksgiving/Christmas/NY. This is our first year doing the Halloween Party as well as F&W. We are totally excited about it. I have wondered which would be better. I am not much of a Halloween person and didn't enjoy it even as a kid, however I cannot wait to see the MK decked out for Fall/Halloween. Will have to wait until after we return to see which I liked better, but I am thinking it can go either way.

Loved everyone's input!

Edited to add: Oops was doing a search and this came up, just realized it was from last year.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We have attended MNSSHP three times and MVMCP only once. The outdoor temperature for MVMCP the night we went in 2010 was in the 40's (maybe upper 30's) which really detracted from the enjoyment. The 2008 and 2009 MNSSHP were incredibly warm, but enjoyable. The parade, fireworks, and overall holiday feel of the park are better for MNSSHP. My wife and I even dressed up along with our son for our October visit in 2011, and we are not Halloween people. We definitely enjoy Christmas more at our home in Indiana (we start putting trees up at the beginning of Nov!), but Halloween at WDW has definitely been more fun and festive.

We will do our second MVMCP in December, and perhaps if we get better weather, I may change my mind on this poll. I have to agree with a PP, the castle is amazing at Christmas!

 

[DoryDorito]

We've done both. I voted for Halloween! Watching the Headless Horseman alone is worth the admission fee. The Legend of Ichabod Crane, to this day, is one of my most favorite Disney movies. I remember watching as a child every Halloween so there is a lot of sentimental memories for me.

Love that horseman!

 

[gatordoc]

I'm much more of a Christmas person. We go all out in decorating, (have had up to four trees some years), multiple Christmas parties, etc. I don't like Halloween at all - don't really celebrate it.

BUT...

MNSSHP is BY FAR my choice between the two. The parade (especially the headless horsemen and the gravediggers) is much better, Hallowishes is the best fireworks show Disney does. I also love the costumes the characters wear.

Then there's the candy. Cookies? Meh. Hot Cocoa? Meh. But candy? Lots of candy? Stay 'til the end of the night and they'll fill your bag with candy? Can't beat it! I know it's irrational, but I still love it.

MNSSHP is an annual event for us. We do MVMCP maybe once every five years, and that's plenty. Now if this was about Candlelight, that would be different, because that's an every year, can't miss, and would be way more worth paying extra for than MVMCP (not that I want Disney to get any ideas like that).

 

[DoryDorito]

I'm much more of a Christmas person. We go all out in decorating, (have had up to four trees some years), multiple Christmas parties, etc. I don't like Halloween at all - don't really celebrate it.

BUT...

MNSSHP is BY FAR my choice between the two. The parade (especially the headless horsemen and the gravediggers) is much better, Hallowishes is the best fireworks show Disney does. I also love the costumes the characters wear.

Then there's the candy. Cookies? Meh. Hot Cocoa? Meh. But candy? Lots of candy? Stay 'til the end of the night and they'll fill your bag with candy? Can't beat it! I know it's irrational, but I still love it.

MNSSHP is an annual event for us. We do MVMCP maybe once every five years, and that's plenty. Now if this was about Candlelight, that would be different, because that's an every year, can't miss, and would be way more worth paying extra for than MVMCP (not that I want Disney to get any ideas like that).

I love the gravediggers!!

 

[PhillyCPA]

The outdoor temperature for MVMCP the night we went in 2010 was in the 40's (maybe upper 30's) which really detracted from the enjoyment.

We must have been at the same party! I went to a MVMCP in 2010 and was so grateful I had my winter coat since I had traveled down from Philadelphia. We had on hats, gloves, and scarves and we couldn't drink enough hot chocolate to keep warm.

Being from the north, I didn't mind this too much because this is pretty typical when you celebrate Christmas anywhere outdoors in December. It was just a huge shock being down on Mickey's turf. That entire week was really cold. I wasn't sure if the snow on Main Street was real or fake!

 

[ToddyLu]

WE too were there for the blistering MNSSHP in 2009 and freezing temps for MVMCP in 2010. Neither made the party fun....but I have to say my pick is the Halloween party. The vibe is terrific and so cute.

I agree the Headless Horseman is worth the price of admission.

DH and I enjoy the parties but mainly use them to stay out later after the other parks close. We do not have children and 9:00 back at the room doesnt seem like a vacation. Last year we did 2 MNSSHP and this year we have tickets for 2 also.

Of course I would love it if they would bring back more merchandise to purchase at both. The last couple of years the quality and overall quantity has been lacking and I really miss that opportunity to grab something special with the date on it.

 

[Kidanifan08]

We must have been at the same party! I went to a MVMCP in 2010 and was so grateful I had my winter coat since I had traveled down from Philadelphia. We had on hats, gloves, and scarves and we couldn't drink enough hot chocolate to keep warm.

Being from the north, I didn't mind this too much because this is pretty typical when you celebrate Christmas anywhere outdoors in December. It was just a huge shock being down on Mickey's turf. That entire week was really cold. I wasn't sure if the snow on Main Street was real or fake!

We were there 12/4-12/11. Being from the Midwest, we had our winter gear as well. We did the first parade and couldn't wait for it to end! We're heading tuner 12/1-12/9 this year and hoping for the 60's and 70's during the day.