MVMCP a tip or two

[fairestoneofall]

I definitely agree with taking it easy that day of the party. Last time, we made that morning a pool day and didn't hit the parks until after lunch and a nap. My DD lasted until midnight without getting cranky!

When we were there, they ran out of hot chocolate and cookies. Thankfully, we had gotten them earlier. And it really wasn't too terribly crowded while we were there, so I don't know what the deal was.

Definitely see the parade and shows! And get an early dinner so you don't miss the fun.

 

[beattyfamily]

I thought we couldn't get in before 7? Will they let you in early?

They will start letting party goers enter with just their party ticket after 4:00p. It's an unpublished and unofficial policy. They've been doing this since 2001.

 

[DSNY4ever]

Ohh I am so excited . We'll be there Dec. 14th!! I hope they don't run out of hot chocolate when we are there...but if they do it will probably be because of my husband and I!

Do lots of people wear Christmasy stuff? I am trying to think of something that I could talk my husband into wearing (he doesn't really do hats). I think I might be able to get him to wear a matching scarf with me, but if it is not very cold- that won't work!

 

[Mickey's biggest fan]

We went last year on Nov.27th and had a 5pm dinner at Kona Cafe. We were so full from our dinner that we didn't have room for the hot cocoa and cookies! This year we are going on Dec 2nd and are having our dinner at 3:35 pm at Crystal Palace. This way we will have lots of room for the goodies!

The fireworks are awesome and the parade is a lot of fun too! Get in line early for the parade so you can get a good view! Enjoy!

 

[december14disney]

Here is my humble advice:
Do the first twas the night before Mickey show and get there EARLY. If you do the second it throws off the other events including the parade ect. If you do the first twas the night and hit the first parade you can spend the rest of the evening doing the "smaller" events, riding rides, getting the cocoa and just taking it all in. If you do the second, you will be waiting for it during the first parade and miss getting a good spot for the second...not to mention a good spot for xmas wishes. There are also some smaller shows...I believe a princess one?? that you will miss.

I just wanted to say that people go on back and forth whether it was worth the 45 or so bucks a ticket for this event and I can say that I would have paid double. It was just SUCH a great atmosphere and it was so wonderful. It brought tears to my eyes. I wouldnt miss this for the WORLD.

 

[mommy2kaiden]

Ok, here is my question. We have 5:15 ressies at Whispering Canyon the night of the party. Do you think that is a bad idea? I want to make sure that we are there for the 7 pm Christmas show. I would also like to see the castle lighting ceremony,etc. I know that there is no posted times yet for this year but I really don't want to miss anything. We are only going on a short trip (4 nights-5 days) and I want to make sure we maximize our time. TIA!

 

[beattyfamily]

Ok, here is my question. We have 5:15 ressies at Whispering Canyon the night of the party. Do you think that is a bad idea? I want to make sure that we are there for the 7 pm Christmas show. I would also like to see the castle lighting ceremony,etc. I know that there is no posted times yet for this year but I really don't want to miss anything. We are only going on a short trip (4 nights-5 days) and I want to make sure we maximize our time. TIA!

The castle lighting is at 5:45p so you definitely will miss that. You may get to MK by 7:00p though. An hour to eat (hopefully) and then time to get there.

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

The castle lighting is at 5:45p so you definitely will miss that. You may get to MK by 7:00p though. An hour to eat (hopefully) and then time to get there.

We'll be there on December 9th!! Our first time at Christmas. We're very excited. DS tells everyone we meet "We're going to Disney at Christmas!" I guess I probably do, too.

I was tentatively planning a morning in Futureworld at Epcot. A no-no? We'll be at the Yacht Club for that half of our trip and wanted to spend a whole day in the WS and at least half a day in Futureworld. We're there for eight days and doing one day in the parks, one day relaxing/half day in the parks, one day in the parks...

So, should the morning if MVMCP be an off day?

 

[mommy2kaiden]

The castle lighting is at 5:45p so you definitely will miss that. You may get to MK by 7:00p though. An hour to eat (hopefully) and then time to get there.

Thanks so much! I think we're going to cancel the ts and just do a qs meal that night.

 

[beattyfamily]

We'll be there on December 9th!! Our first time at Christmas. We're very excited. DS tells everyone we meet "We're going to Disney at Christmas!" I guess I probably do, too.

I was tentatively planning a morning in Futureworld at Epcot. A no-no? We'll be at the Yacht Club for that half of our trip and wanted to spend a whole day in the WS and at least half a day in Futureworld. We're there for eight days and doing one day in the parks, one day relaxing/half day in the parks, one day in the parks...

So, should the morning if MVMCP be an off day?

The majority of people you ask might say 'yes', but not me. I like to do a different park in the am, sometimes getting a late start and then leave that park around 2:00p, go back to the resort and either swim or nap or just relax and great ready for MVMCP.

I'd rather take it easy the next morning myself and either have that be an off day or a resort day or again, get a late start and head to a park.

Have fun planning!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We have done MNSSHP, MVMCP, PPP (twice) and are doing MVMCP again on 12/11.

Here is what has always worked for us:

1) See the characters first- the lines get CRAZY long quickly. We like to be line for this by 6:30 pm. In the past, Mickey and Minnie, dressed for the holidays, were in Toontown Hall of Fame NOT the Judges Tent.

2) Watch the second parade. We have been curbside on Main Street for all of them when arriving 30 minutes prior (I send DH to get the cookies and hot chocolate for the 3 of us to munch on while we wait).

3) We always see Wishes from the hub area, but don't show up until about 15 minutes prior. We are not picky about being "straight" in front of the castle. Almost everyone is seated up there so viewing is never a problem.

4) We like to dress Christmasy for the party. It made for great pictures to display around the house during the holiday season

5) If you want to ride the rides, during the parades and Wishes is a great time to do it. So many guests go strictly for the extra events that ride lines are usually pretty short. After the second parade the park really empties out and that is a GREAT time to ride the headliners with little to no wait

6) We never go to a park on party day. We sleep late and maybe go to DTD or spend a couple hours at the pool. When DS was younger and still napped that was a big priority too. We have never left any of the parties before midnight (even when he was 2) since he had so much energy and loved being there "Cinderella Late". We also plan a pretty easy day the day after as well (sleep late, and usually head to EPCOT for a second time).

7) Try to eat dinner in the MK or at one of the MK resorts. We usually have a 5pm ADR so we can be at the park to get in the character lines by 6:30 pm.

HTH someone! Have a great time at the party

 

[MinnieNurse]

We are going for the first time on 12/18. I am so excited and these tips are really great. I am taking notes!!!

 

[TotalSnowWhite]

The majority of people you ask might say 'yes', but not me. I like to do a different park in the am, sometimes getting a late start and then leave that park around 2:00p, go back to the resort and either swim or nap or just relax and great ready for MVMCP.

I'd rather take it easy the next morning myself and either have that be an off day or a resort day or again, get a late start and head to a park.

Have fun planning!

We'll be going home the next day, so we're planning just to stay around the resort, (if it's warm enough) play around in SAB, poke around the Beach Club and just be lazy (well, Disney lazy) until it's time to catch DME.

 

[jenb1023]

We are going 11/20 too! It will be our first MVMCP but we loved the P&PP in January. Keep the good tips coming!

 

[kacaju]

You can find last year's schedule and map right here on the DIS under "Events" and then under December.

They do not release this year's schedule till the first party.

Thank you!! I am assuming I can get that schedule before 11/20 when we are going?

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Thank you!! I am assuming I can get that schedule before 11/20 when we are going?

The DIS will have it posted the day after the first one, rest assured

 

[beattyfamily]

Thank you!! I am assuming I can get that schedule before 11/20 when we are going?

Oh yes. As soon as the first party happens, people will be posting the information. The DIS had this year's MNSSHP map on the website the very next day after the first party.

Anyway, most times for the shows do not change much, if at all, from year to year so looking at last year's map/schedule may give you a good idea of how to plan your night this year, at least until the first party on Nov 10.

 

[beattyfamily]

We'll be going home the next day, so we're planning just to stay around the resort, (if it's warm enough) play around in SAB, poke around the Beach Club and just be lazy (well, Disney lazy) until it's time to catch DME.

Well, the party is a perfect way to end your trip! If you aren't doing anything that last day besides going home, then I would do a park the day of MVMCP if you feel up to it. Just take it easy, seeing whatever you missed till about 2:00p - 3:00p.

Good luck deciding.

 

[askfrog]

I am so gald someone started this thread. We are planning on going Dec 14. We are only going to be there for 2 days, and our 2 older kids want to go to epcot and the 2 younger want MK. So I thought epcot on the 13th and MVMCP on the 14th. And go check out downtown disney during the day. None of us have ever been to Disney so we are very excited.
April

 

[DeblovesPoohbear]

We went to the first one last year~ Nov 12
We loved that the rides had no lines

My DS7 and I rode Splash Mtn 2 times in a row with no on else around
Our boat was empty and the boats in front and back of us were empty
too, we had such a blast