MVMCP 2015 Time Strategy

[kvreyes]

Hello! I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on how early to arrive for MVMCP. We are going on 12/11 (Friday) for my DD's 2nd birthday. I'm debating on an early dinner with an ADR, however, I have heard many many opinions on how early or how late to arrive at MVMCP. We will be in Disney for a few days and are APH so meeting the characters won't be at the top of the priority list... I'm thinking parade, fireworks, castle and "snow" on Main Street will be what interests her. My current plan is... Dinner at Akershus @4 and then monorail over to MK around 5:45 ish. Is is imperative to get there at 4 pm? I heard that the lines to get into MK might be crazy if we waited until the Party start time. Also, what do the dance parties entail?

 

[PantherPete]

5:45 is plenty early if you are really only there for the Xmas party stuff. None of it gets going until 7pm, including the special character meet and greets. The party day is no different than a normal day at the parks until the sun sets.

 

[kvreyes]

Thanks Panther Pete, I appreciate the reply!

 

[fairy oma]

Your plan sounds fine. Even with the 4pm ADR at Epcot you will still be in MK long before MVMCP begins. Relax and go with the flow.

 

[georgina]

5:45 is plenty early if you are really only there for the Xmas party stuff. None of it gets going until 7pm, including the special character meet and greets. The party day is no different than a normal day at the parks until the sun sets.

This won't matter to the OP, but last year Jack Skellington started meeting people shortly after 6 PM.

 

[ny0090]

My daughter is turning two around the same time. We are planning to go to the MVMCP at 4pm because after the fireworks she will be so tired and will probably need to go back to the resort.

 

[kvreyes]

I had anticipated the same scenario NY0090... So, I planned an early character breakfast and have left the rest of the day open, so that I can put her down for a long nap. I'm hoping she makes it through the fireworks. She usually sleeps like a rock at Disney, my backup plan is to tire her out at the pool if she seems resistant to the nap

 

[kvreyes]

I'm really more concerned about a long line outside of MK around 6 PM. I had read (while researching MVMCP) that after Cast Members start to escort non ticketed people out of the park, that the line to get in can be crazy... So, I was debating on eating really early to beat the entrance line. I think that I am going to try for a dinner reservation that would allow us to get to MK around 7. I know it's basically impossible to really predict what crowds are going to do, so I am leaving a lot room for flexibility and hoping for the best. Thanks to everyone for the replies though!