MVMCP Crowds

[Dr. M]

We will be in the World, celebrating our DD10 b'day, from Nov 28 (sun) to Dec 5 (sun). We've never been to WDW during the holiday season and are looking forward to all the Christmas festivities.

We would like to try MVMCP for our first time. It will cost us over $300, but it will only be worth it if the crowds are bearable. MVMCP is showing on Sunday (our arrival day), on Tuesday, on Thursday, and on Friday of the week that we are there.

Are the weekdays the least crowded? I was leaning toward Thursday--to have something to look forward to the 2nd half of our vacation. Or should we do Sunday, our arrival day, so that we can make use of a partial day at the parks? Also, if we wait to buy the tickets when we arrive at our resort, will the price for the tickets be higher or is it higher only if you buy at the gates on party night? Will they tell you which party they've sold the least number of tickets to? I'm not worried about the party being sold out --We wouldn't want to be at a sold out party anyway. Just wanting to have a good time without fighting the crowds.

What do you think? Thanks in advance for your input

 

[wdwfan1]

Generally weekdays are less crowded. However, last year we went on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the crowds were very manageable. We did everything we wanted to.

That was also our arrival day and it was a nice start to our vacation.

 

[Daddy_of_Princesses]

I've never been to MVMCP before, we will be there on the 16th. I think whenever you go will be a good time since most kids will be back to school that week, so crowd levels should be low.

 

[civileng68]

Its worth it. The crowds are very manageable, go on a weeknight.

You'll hear things about high crowds. i've griped on this before too, but it's all perspective. I remember when the parties had few people. I mean literally it was like you had the entire park. Its heavier now but definately better than during normal hours IMO (on weeknights),.

 

[gandbsmom]

Any thoughts on what the crowds will be like on Dec. 19th, the last party? This is our first day at Disney and we are considering going, but I'm thinking the very last party may be wall to wall people and not worth the extra money. This is a premium day - does that make crowds more or less do you think? My family doesn't mind crowds - we've done Disney at Christmas before, just didn't know if its worth the extra expense.

 

[Lou Holtz]

I was thinking of going to that party as well just because it works with the schedule, but there are going to be three or four other parties during the time we're there (13-22), so I'm not sure. Might not go to a party at all even.

 

[katybugsmom]

I've never been to MVMCP before, we will be there on the 16th. I think whenever you go will be a good time since most kids will be back to school that week, so crowd levels should be low.

We will be there on the 16th too!

 

[JennyDrake]

I have been three times in the last 5 years. The crowds can be ANYTHING--so spend your money accordingly. One year, the first week in December, on a Friday night, waits were 45 minutes and up for EVERYTHING. I waited in line 50 minutes for a Coke. Parade spots were staked out over 90 minutes before it started. It was packed and miserable.

I would expect the final night to be very crowded.

If at all possible, go during a week night. I go to WDW every year the first or second week in December--there is no longer a true SLOW week of walk ons like there used to be 7-10 years ago, and teh closer you get to Christmas the thicker the crowds get.

Don't count on school schedules to help much as so many schools are now on year round seasons.

 

[ZehnJahren]

We'll be there from the 29th of November until December 4th and we're going to MVMCP on the 30th. At first I was really wanting to go Thursday (same reason as you!), but we want to see Fantasmic and it's only on Thursday that we can go.

I would think a Tuesday would be fairly benign, but hey, it's WDW!

 

[civileng68]

if crowds are a concern, do this..............

hang around during the party. You can stay on Main Street (just cant go into other areas). If you think crowds are ok, then go buy a ticket.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

I have been three times in the last 5 years. The crowds can be ANYTHING--so spend your money accordingly. One year, the first week in December, on a Friday night, waits were 45 minutes and up for EVERYTHING. I waited in line 50 minutes for a Coke. Parade spots were staked out over 90 minutes before it started. It was packed and miserable.

I would expect the final night to be very crowded.

If at all possible, go during a week night. I go to WDW every year the first or second week in December--there is no longer a true SLOW week of walk ons like there used to be 7-10 years ago, and teh closer you get to Christmas the thicker the crowds get.

Don't count on school schedules to help much as so many schools are now on year round seasons.

OH NO, I'm planning to go on the first Friday in December

 

[mitsybella]

We'll be there from the 29th of November until December 4th and we're going to MVMCP on the 30th. At first I was really wanting to go Thursday (same reason as you!), but we want to see Fantasmic and it's only on Thursday that we can go.

I would think a Tuesday would be fairly benign, but hey, it's WDW!

Im still hoping they add more Fantasmic shows like they did last year, When I booked it was only a few nights and then they added and had it every night the week starting after Thanksgiving and sometime 2 times per night...

 

[Lou Holtz]

I have been three times in the last 5 years. The crowds can be ANYTHING--so spend your money accordingly. One year, the first week in December, on a Friday night, waits were 45 minutes and up for EVERYTHING. I waited in line 50 minutes for a Coke. Parade spots were staked out over 90 minutes before it started. It was packed and miserable.

How is that possible? You wouldn't wait 50 minutes to buy food on a day when MK was at complete capacity. You had to wait 45 minutes to get on a ride? That doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

We'll be there at the same time (arriving Nov 29 leaving Dec 3) celebrating our DD's 11th birthday

Anyway - if you buy the tickets in advance - even the day before they'll be cheaper than on the day of.

There are 2 parties while we're there the 30th (Tuesday) and the 2nd (Thursday). Our plan is to wait to buy tickets until we get down there - mainly for weather related reasons. I know rain is probably less likely in December but I read plenty of horror stories of the Halloween Parties being basically rained out. We're going to meet the characters and see the parade so rain would put a big dent in those plans. If it looks clear for Tuesday we'll buy the tickets on Monday and go then. If Thursday looks better weatherwise we'll aim for it and buy the tickets on Wednesday.

As far as I know they won't tell you any kind of figures on how crowded any party will be (ie how many tickets they've sold etc). Probably because that can of course change fairly quickly.

Have a great time - maybe we'll run into you!

 

[Rekenna]

Hi!

We too are going during the same timing as the OP. We chose Tuesday, Nov 30th for our first MVMCP. I figured it's a Tuesday (at least weeknights seem to work for MNSSHP), it's early in the Christmas Holiday Season and most importantly it is our 2 oldest DS's B-Day (born 7 years apart, same B-Day)-so this is part of their B-Day gift after their B-Day lunch at T-Rex.

I am determined to have a great time no matter what!

Good luck, have fun!

 

[siskaren]

if crowds are a concern, do this..............

hang around during the party. You can stay on Main Street (just cant go into other areas). If you think crowds are ok, then go buy a ticket.

If you don't have a ticket for the party, you're not supposed to be in the park at all. CMs will be checking for wristbands regardless of where you are.

 

[civileng68]

They typically (if ever) check bands on Main St. within the first half hour to hour of the party starting. Bands are typically checked at the entrances to the "lands" and within the lands when the party first begins.

You can judge the crowds towards the beginning of the party by the crowds. thats what Im saying. Yes it is a ticketed event, and yes they SHOULD get guests out like they used to (they used to close the park for an hour to clear the park and then open it to party guests) but the way they do it, you can get a bit of an idea on crowds.

 

[Redbudlover]

Sundays are the lightest because that is the day a lot of folks arrive at the resort and are tired from traveling (something to keep in mind) By Tuesday all the hype from Disney make that party very crowded. The locals come on the weekends so I would try to avoid Fri and Sat. Personally I like Thursdays the best - for all the above reasons. In fact I just made plans to attend the Thursday we are there in December!

 

[GrtWtNorth]

When Disney sells the MVMCP tickets, they will likely offer discounts for certain dates. These are dates when smaller crowds are expected, usually weeknights in early December.

And please don't try and sneak in. CMs check wristbands, even if you're not going to shows or attractions. All you will do is embarrass your family.

 

[RMulieri]

Any thoughts on what the crowds will be like on Dec. 19th, the last party? This is our first day at Disney and we are considering going, but I'm thinking the very last party may be wall to wall people and not worth the extra money. This is a premium day - does that make crowds more or less do you think? My family doesn't mind crowds - we've done Disney at Christmas before, just didn't know if its worth the extra expense.

It will probably be a sell out.Last year all of the parties the least week of them sold out and were PACKED.