MVMCP Friday, Dec 2. - How CROWDED?

[DJmommy]

Been going back and forth about whether to go to the MVMCP and have decided to go Dec. 2, because that fits into our plans the best and I don't want to change all our other plans and ADR's I got.

How Crowded do you think it will be on a Friday night? We will have already done most, if not all of the attractions as we will have aready had two partial days in the MK by the time Friday arrives, so I am not worried about lines so much for the rides.

How early will I have to stake out a seat for the first parade, as my two little ones will most likely not make the 2nd one and I don't want to take a chance on that?

Will I have trouble getting into the shows with the crowds? We plan on getting in around 5pm and trying to get our picture done early, then hit the first show in Tomorrowland at 6 something, play it by ear after that.

Anyone who has gone early Dec like this on a Friday - please fill me in on your experience.

I can deal with crowds - it's my DH that has a problem with crowds. So I am trying to keep everyone happy.

Thanks in advance!

J

 

[Stacy's a freak]

Bump!

 

[zzammmi]

DJMommy,
Fridays are relatively crowded Christmas parties; I can't tell you how that translates into wait times or numbers of guests but you can be confident the crowds will be worse Friday compared to weekdays. That being said, sometimes you opt for a more crowded option because it fits better in your itinerary and that's ok, it's probably helpful to be prepared though. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

 

[Steamboat Marti]

We thought the same things about the crowds for MNSSHP - but Friday fit into our plans. Would you believe it actually turned out to be the least crowded day in the past six parties (according to one CM). We only asked that CM because we had set ourselves up for a crowd, and it wasn't as crowded as we originally expected.

 

[n2mm]

They will be taping the Christmas parade at MK during the day on Friday Dec. 2, so not sure if that will add to the crowds also because of more folks being at WDW. We will be there Dec. 1-5, but have decided to pass on the party this year. We went last year and it just didn't wow us and was a waste of money for us--but that's just our opinion. (We will be part of the parade taping that Friday morning!)

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Well, my thoughts on the Christmas Party is it is a party. I like it crowded in the theatre, crowded at the parade, it just seems so festive to me.

The line for hot choclate and cookies LOOKS large but moves very quickly. They aren't doing anything except passing out two things and the CM's don't have to ring anyone out so don't be put off by the line there.

What I don't try to do is ride attractions. I see the shows and do the Christmas type things. I don't use my time there like I do for EMH's.

The only thing I don't like is the long lines for the photo. I know some people have posted that they've haven't had a problem but I'm trying to get it in between shows just like everyone else. I hope they speed that up this year because we passed on it last year at both MVMCP's we went to because the line was huge every time we got there.

I hope they have snickerdoodle cookies like they did last year. Normally, I'm not a sweet eater but I ate mine and the rest of the families cookies. Yummy.

So to answer your question. Crowds aren't a problem for the special things but might if you want to ride Buzz or SM when they herd you into Tomorrowland instead of watching the show in the theatre. (just a little vent here, the CM's need to do a better job of seating people - if they had people move in there would be plenty of room)

 

[plutolovr]

I believe the party is sold out for Dec. 2. So crowds may be large.

 

[beattyfamily]

I haven't heard of any parties being sold out yet...usually the last party sells out first and then the Friday one before the last one.

Fridays are usually more crowded then weekdays but you can still have a great time if you plan accordingly; have a plan and set priorities.

Sounds like you do have some kind of plan, that's good. I'd stake out a seat early, around 7:00p because what happens with the first parade is people stake a spot as soon as they enter the park so Main Street is crazy for the first parade. Unless you want to see the parade in Liberty Square/Frontierland, then you can probably get a spot about 1/2 hour before.

Have fun!

 

[lindsey]

We will be there Dec 2, because it fits into our schedule best. This is an adult only trip and we are hoping to catch shows and 2nd parade. This is our first MVMCP. We've been 4 times at Christmas and always after MVMCP dates.

 

[DJmommy]

Thanks for all the responses. I do wonder how much the taping of the Christmas parade that day will affect the party that night. I am thinking about trying to switch things around for Sunday night instead. It would mean cutting our AK day short so we could try to do naps and reschedule BOMA, but that may be an option. We would still have time to go back to AK on Tues, so I am leaning towards that now.

How long do you think it will take to get back from MK to the AKL on a MVMCP night?

We are doing a split stay with the 1st part of our trip at the Poly, including that Friday night, which I know would be so much easier and faster. So do I want to deal with a potentially busier MVMCP and a fairly easy commute back to the Poly, OR a less crowded MVMCP and a longer, more crowded bus ride to the AKL with 2 smally kids??? We will probably be leaving the park with all the other hordes of parents with small children right after Wishes.

 

[k_k_100]

My Sister had always done MVMCP - She found it best to do it at the end of her trip - their choice was to do it the last night of their trip - then not go into a park the next day - giving them some time to sleep in. It was always a late night - and a good time to let the kids stay up extra late

 

[princesspiglet]

We have always gone on the first Friday in December. Last time we went in 2004, it was not crowded at all, except for the 1st parade on main street. Remember, they only sell 20k tickets to each party. We waited to watch the second parade, and got a seat right outside of the bakery, it was a perfect spot. We also caught a glimpse of the 1st parade because we were in frontierland at the saloon watching the show. We had no problems getting into any of the shows and walked onto POTC, Buzz, SPM and Small World. We got our pictures taken at POTC and also grabbed some cookies and cocoa there, then rode the ride twice in a row. We had an awesome time and my DD (2 at the time) stayed awake until midnight! She just did not want to miss anything. We took our time and didn't really have a plan. We just mossied around and enjoyed the atmosphere. We stoped at the candy store on the way out and bought some cookies for the monorail ride home! Byt he time we left the candy store, it was easy getting out of the park.

 

[DJmommy]

Thanks for the encouraging news about the crowds. I have pretty much moved my schedule around so that we have the option of doing MVMCP either on Friday night or Sunday night.

The real reason I wanted to do it on Friday is that we will still be staying at the Poly and it would be easy enough to get back there after the party with 2 exhausted kids. We are changing resorts, so if we do it on Sunday night we will have to return via bus to the AKL. I am still trying to weigh which is the best option for us. If anyone has any suggestions or tips for me -please chime in. I am nearly driving my poor husband crazy with all this shuffling around.

thanks,

J

 

[firsttimemom]

We are going the same time and finally decided on Sunday vs Friday. Honestly, it probably isn't going to make much of a difference bcs Sunday is an AP discount night so that will draw crowds, too. If you do Sunday, we'll have 2 exhausted kids on the AKL bus so you'll be in good company.

Liz