MVMCP: IMHO it's worth it

[chigirl]

Went to the 11/20 sold-out party. I know there are the big debates on here if it is "worth it"...yes, the cost is HIGH. I personally used the savings I received for complaining about the pool closure at Wilderness Lodge ($75 a night credit) and bought the tickets.

For me, the party was about 2 things: the parade and the fireworks. We also wanted to see Santa Goofy and get some party pins for a friend who collects them. We arrived at MK at about 5pm, got our bands and our Elsa cards with no problem, and then ate at Pecos Bills. We did a few rides and waited for the party to start.

My only complaint is the park map and cast members do not know where the special meet and greets are...but if you want to see Sandy Claws Jack Skellington or the Dwarves, line up at 6pm, because their lines were DONE, shut off, at 7:30. Crazy!!! The Dwarves were next to the 7DMT, nearish to Be Our Guest, and Jack Skellington was to the side of the Big Top, near Minnie and Scrooge McDuck...get there early, too. LONG LINES. No wait at all for Goofy, and he was fun city...he did a Rockettes kick with us and spent a lot of time with us.

We ate some cookies and cocoa at PVH. All of the cast members were working VERY hard to clean up, pass out treats, and be cheerful.

We watched the fireworks next to the Plaza...the walls for the hub construction are low enough to see the fireworks perfectly and nobody was there, except for a few souls from the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party who walked past to use the bathroom. The fireworks are AMAZING!!!! We staked out a spot shortly after for the 10:30 parade (we rode rides during the earlier parade) and got a front-row curb on Main Street...we took turns holding the spot as we shopped for souvenirs. The parade was AWESOME...most characters who were walking versus on floats came to us, and the dancers/performers all did. One young African American performer on a scooter saw how much fun I was having and he said, "You made my night, give me a hug!" and we hugged and he tried to get me to ride the scooter. He was a great cast member!!! The floats smelled great and the "snow" was amazing!!! Pure Disney magic!

We really had a good time, but we had a plan....not gonna lie, I also took a tranquilizer because I have crowd-related anxiety, but I was fine. In Chicago, we have a Disney parade (tonight) every year called Mickey's Maginificent Mile Lights Festival and the crowd is estimated at 800,000...did that for YEARS and the crowds at MK were a cake walk in comparison.

I always had a dream to be at MK during Christmas, and I had fun...best of all, everyone leaves after the 10:30 parade, so we had a good while in the park by ourselves to take in the decor and more rides, and had to share a bus back to WL with just 9 people!!! Priceless!

 

[PrincessTaylorsMom]

Thank you for the review. I'm so glad to hear of your great experience. We are planning on going to the party on 12/11 and I'm going to use some of your insights in planning our night!

 

[Texas Barbie]

We were there on 11/20 also! Agree it was a great parade and excellent fireworks. The low wait times for rides were a bonus too. The party is well worth the extra $.

 

[Lsdolphin]

Went to the 11/20 sold-out party. I know there are the big debates on here if it is "worth it"...yes, the cost is HIGH. I personally used the savings I received for complaining about the pool closure at Wilderness Lodge ($75 a night credit) and bought the tickets.

For me, the party was about 2 things: the parade and the fireworks. We also wanted to see Santa Goofy and get some party pins for a friend who collects them. We arrived at MK at about 5pm, got our bands and our Elsa cards with no problem, and then ate at Pecos Bills. We did a few rides and waited for the party to start.

My only complaint is the park map and cast members do not know where the special meet and greets are...but if you want to see Sandy Claws Jack Skellington or the Dwarves, line up at 6pm, because their lines were DONE, shut off, at 7:30. Crazy!!! The Dwarves were next to the 7DMT, nearish to Be Our Guest, and Jack Skellington was to the side of the Big Top, near Minnie and Scrooge McDuck...get there early, too. LONG LINES. No wait at all for Goofy, and he was fun city...he did a Rockettes kick with us and spent a lot of time with us.

We ate some cookies and cocoa at PVH. All of the cast members were working VERY hard to clean up, pass out treats, and be cheerful.

We watched the fireworks next to the Plaza...the walls for the hub construction are low enough to see the fireworks perfectly and nobody was there, except for a few souls from the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party who walked past to use the bathroom. The fireworks are AMAZING!!!! We staked out a spot shortly after for the 10:30 parade (we rode rides during the earlier parade) and got a front-row curb on Main Street...we took turns holding the spot as we shopped for souvenirs. The parade was AWESOME...most characters who were walking versus on floats came to us, and the dancers/performers all did. One young African American performer on a scooter saw how much fun I was having and he said, "You made my night, give me a hug!" and we hugged and he tried to get me to ride the scooter. He was a great cast member!!! The floats smelled great and the "snow" was amazing!!! Pure Disney magic!

We really had a good time, but we had a plan....not gonna lie, I also took a tranquilizer because I have crowd-related anxiety, but I was fine. In Chicago, we have a Disney parade (tonight) every year called Mickey's Maginificent Mile Lights Festival and the crowd is estimated at 800,000...did that for YEARS and the crowds at MK were a cake walk in comparison.

I always had a dream to be at MK during Christmas, and I had fun...best of all, everyone leaves after the 10:30 parade, so we had a good while in the park by ourselves to take in the decor and more rides, and had to share a bus back to WL with just 9 people!!! Priceless!

Interesting that you got $75 a night at WL as far as I know the rest of only got $50!
Glad you had a great time!

 

[taythecray]

Great review! Sounds like it was a lot of fun We went to MVMCP last year and I had a blast as well. Granted it was just my fiance and I so characters weren't our top priority, but we walked right on to a lot of the rides (Buzz, SM, BTMRR etc) once the party started at 7. They didn't seem to be overly annoying asking to see wristbands either. Just when we were going back and forth between lands and inside stores. We ONLY paid for the party though and went from 4pm-12am so in my opinion the price was worth it because we got all the rides we wanted to done and managed to see the parade/fireworks for cheaper than a day pass. I don't think I would pay the extra on top of a day pass but that's me being a cheap college student

 

[CampbellzSoup]

It's totally worth every penny

 

[got2sammies]

I agree! The finale of the fireworks is the BEST! When all of parameter ones go off.. Not the ones around the castle but the whole park! Makes me cry! Per a cm he told us the Christmas parade is the longest parade they have! I just love how they smell!!

 

[CanadianPaco]

Thanks everyone for sharing!!! It sounds so wonderful!! CANNOT WAIT!!!

 

[cattywampus]

We agree that it was with every penny and we used it mostly to ride attractions with low wait times to maximize a 6 day trip. Walked on everything except 7DMT. Literally walked right onto ride vehicles for Space, Splash, BTMRR, and most everything else Had fireworks perfectly exploding around us on exterior part of Splash Mountain. The holiday wishes finale was breathtaking.

Would highly recommend.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Great review! Sounds like it was a lot of fun We went to MVMCP last year and I had a blast as well. Granted it was just my fiance and I so characters weren't our top priority, but we walked right on to a lot of the rides (Buzz, SM, BTMRR etc) once the party started at 7. They didn't seem to be overly annoying asking to see wristbands either. Just when we were going back and forth between lands and inside stores. We ONLY paid for the party though and went from 4pm-12am so in my opinion the price was worth it because we got all the rides we wanted to done and managed to see the parade/fireworks for cheaper than a day pass. I don't think I would pay the extra on top of a day pass but that's me being a cheap college student

I love your picture!

Yes, we've been 3 times and every time has been worth it to us! This time we will have 4 MVMCP virgins with us, so it will be fun all over again!

 

[kevdad]

We agree that it was with every penny and we used it mostly to ride attractions with low wait times to maximize a 6 day trip. Walked on everything except 7DMT. Literally walked right onto ride vehicles for Space, Splash, BTMRR, and most everything else Had fireworks perfectly exploding around us on exterior part of Splash Mountain. The holiday wishes finale was breathtaking.

Would highly recommend.

We're looking for a good place to view the fireworks, can you describe where you were when you say "exterior part of Splash Mountain"? Would you recommend that spot over other places? Thank you!

 

[got2sammies]

If I were you I would position in front of the castle as best as you can... They do projections on the castle during the fireworks.. If you can't get a good spot for the parade as well after the fireworks head over to frontier land.. Less crowded...you really want front row.. The floats have something special...