MVMCP "must do's" RECAP of TIPS!!!

[SnoWhiteRabbit]

MVMCP MUST DO'S, TIPS, HINTS & SUGGESTIONS!!

Thanks for the tips - RECAP HERE!

Thanks everyone for the great responses. Here's a recap of the tips:

TIMING
* If you are eating before the party, plan to eat early enough to be finished by 7:00. Eating during the party wastes party time!

* The parks close at 6:00. If youa re inthe parks, you will be able to ride rides in Tomorrowland for the hour, with very little lines.

* People are *usually* allowed to enter the parks at about 4:00 without using a park ticket - just a party ticket. A good way to save a day on your park hopper pass.

* Ride lines are not too long, especially during the 1st parade.


EVENTS
*Pick up a map with a schedule of events for the evening.

* The most recommended shows are:
- the show at the castle (Celebrate the Seasons)
- Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas
- the Christmas parade
- Christmas Wishes

* The Christmas Wishes fireworks show is done 360* and can be seen from anywhere in the park, but standing directly infront of the castle may limit your view a bit. The Tomorrowland bridge is a good spot!

* The parade is excellent and is exclusive to the party (different from the day parade at MK) until the after the last party. Then the Christmas parade from the party is used as the parade at MK. The second parade is less crowded.

* Other events include:
- Goofy's Country Jamboree - Holiday Style
- Riverboat Cruise w/ Christmas Carolers
- Belle's Enchanted Storytelling - Fantasyland Pavillion
- Snowflakes Special Storytelling - Fairytale Garden

* Visit Santa next to City Hall in Town Square.

*Watch for snow on Main Street.

* Enjoy the free cocoa and cookies, but be careful - the cocoa is HOT! (Check the map for Santa's Helper Stations.)

* Don't forget to get you family photo taken for FREE. There are 4 sopts inthe park to do this (Adventureland, tomorrowland, Fronteirland, and Fantasyland - check the map). The photo is free and will be mailed home. At that point, you can order more if you choose.

Photo tip: It is usually one free photo per group, but if you have more than one party in your photo, each party can request a photo. When I went to MNSSHP, we were a group of 7 - my family of 5 (me, DH and three kids) and my parents. We took one photo as a large group of 7, but I filled out a card and and my parents filled out a card, and we both got a copy of the photo! Two photos total for the group of 7 -- Like I said, it is supposed to be one photo per group so you can't have 5 people from a group of 5 each ask for a photo, but if you are sort of like two groups mixed into one group, you can probably each get a photo. If not, you can always order more later, but it can't hurt to ask, if you have more than one family in your party.

MISC
- Strollers may be free that evening.
- Ride lines are not too long, especially during the 1st parade.
- A limited edition MVMCP pin is available - a different one for each party night.
- MVMCP shirts and T-shirts are available - only during the parties.

Thanks for all the info everyone. Hope the re-cap is helpful!

___________________________________________________
Originally posted by SnoWhiteRabbit on 08-19-2004 05:29 PM
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi All,
I've got my tickets for MVMCP for 12.7 at LTT PS for 5:20 that day. We've been to MNSSHP but we've never been in December -- I can't wait!

It will be me, DH, DD 6, DD4 and DS almost 3, and my in-laws. We will be able to stay until about 10 pm. We will get our photo taken and stop for cookies and hot chocolate. Other than that, I have LOTS of questions.

Here are my questions:

* Which of these shows are must sees? *
- Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas
- show at the Castle
- Goofy's Country Dancing Jamboree
- Belle's Enchanted Storytelling
- Wishes (holiday version)
- the parade

* How long are these shows? *
I can't tell if we would just be going from show to show or if we would have time for a few rides in between.

* Is the parade the same as during the day?*
I heard it used to be different but that last year it was the same.

ANY details and suggestions about the above shows would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[LibertyBelle]

I have not seen the shows (we just usually go to the rides).

Don't know who told you that the parade used to be different but was the same last year as that is not the case. The Day parade is Share A Dream Come True, the Party parade is the Christmas Parade (always has been like that...they don't put the Christmas parade in the park for regular day guests until after the last party is over...it is a party exclusive until that time). The only way they would be the same is if you are going to the last party in December and you are there when the day parade at MK switched over to the Christmas parade...

The shows are usually about 15-20 minutes long, I would plan for a couple if that is what you are interested in.

There is also a Riverboat Cruise with Christmas Carolers which is nice and don't forget about stoping for Hot Cocoa and cookies...they are hand out all over the park and are included in the price.

Have fun

 

[DVCconvert]

I would highly recommend the castle show, and Mickey's Twas the night before Christmas shows - they are both outstanding!

 

[hdnmickey]

Originally posted by DVCconvert
I would highly recommend the castle show, and Mickey's Twas the night before Christmas shows - they are both outstanding!

Ditto

I would have said to see the Diamond Horseshoe show, but they gutted the place of all that was Diamond and made it Goofy's Country Dancing Jamboree. Once was too much for that mess.


The changes to the fireworks were definately worth seeing if you can make it.

 

[te2077]

definately twas the night before christmas show. the castle show is cute also. dont miss the parade and fireworks. the parade is a christmas parade and the fireworks are 360 degrees all the way arround you. however, i did find that if you stood directly in front of the castle you missed alot of the fireworks. the tomorrow land bridge was an awesome place to see them.

ride some rides too. the lines will be short. have fun.

 

[Toad]

If you are into souvenirs, they also sell a limited-edition pin - a different one every night of the party. As well, there is a MVMCP t-shirt and sweatshirt for sale. Both of these you can only get at the party.

We have been going for the last few years and only found out about the pin last year becasue there was a mad-dash and then a line up outside the Emporium store on Main Street.

 

[beattyfamily]

Christmas parade at the party is GREAT! They changed it a little last year from when I saw it in 2001 and for the better! All the Princesses were on horses and Cinderella was in her Carriage!

 

[Pattymouse]

Is one night enough time to see all, or should I purchase tickets for 2 nights? No kids - just me and DH, but I don't want to miss a thing. We will probable not do this again for years, if ever!

Thanks,

Pat

 

[Sumac]

I notice you have smaller kids. For the MVMCP nights, you can get a free stroller rental. Pick yourself up one of the double strollers and it will make your night much easier! We did it last year with a 6&4 year old and it worked out great. They eventually passed out and my husband and I were able to enjoy a little more of the evening while they snoozed.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Sumac
I notice you have smaller kids. For the MVMCP nights, you can get a free stroller rental. Pick yourself up one of the double strollers and it will make your night much easier! We did it last year with a 6&4 year old and it worked out great. They eventually passed out and my husband and I were able to enjoy a little more of the evening while they snoozed.

I have a question. I've heard about the strollers being free at the parties but have never had luck with it.

I tried last year but they were charging...but this was before the park closed I think around 5:30?? Did you pick up the free stroller after 7:00p or before?

Thanks.

 

[Mickey_Maniac]

Where do they show Mickey's Twas the night before Christmas ?

And what is the castle show?

 

[FatCow]

I want to know too.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Mickey_Maniac
Where do they show Mickey's Twas the night before Christmas ?

And what is the castle show?

The Mickey show is in Tomorrowland at the Galaxy Theater.

The Castle show was called "Celebrate the Seasons". I saw bits of it from a distance. It seemed very festive. I saw white (fake) horses, raindeer and snowpeople and characters...

 

[HollyJoy]

Originally posted by SnoWhiteRabbit
Hi All,
I've got my tickets for MVMCP for 12.7 at LTT PS for 5:20 that day. We've been to MNSSHP but we've never been in December -- I can't wait!

No suggestions for you, for this will be our first time going as well. But we'll be there the same night, and have PS for LTT at the same time as you!!!! See ya there!

 

[Sumac]

Originally posted by beattyfamily
I have a question. I've heard about the strollers being free at the parties but have never had luck with it.

I tried last year but they were charging...but this was before the park closed I think around 5:30?? Did you pick up the free stroller after 7:00p or before?

Thanks.

I picked up the stroller when we entered the park at around 4:30 or 5 o'clock. It was a slower night - first Tuesday MVMCP in December so I don't know if that would make a difference or not. We loved having this last year - made the whole night much better. The kids were rolling along singing 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' at one point.

 

[daisy112878]

We went last December to MVMCP. It was so much fun. The castle show was really good last year even my niece and nephew loved it. We actually watched this first and then rode some rides. As we were watching the show people were already getting spots for the first parade. We went to the second parade and loved it. It was not nearly as packed as the first one. My niece and nephew fell asleep during it but while we were there they showed the christmas parade on friday during the day. I don't know if it was b/c we went during the last week of MVMCP or not. Someone else may know. Do not miss the christmas parade. It was the best parade.

Also don't miss the hot chocolate and cookies. They were both really really good. We did the picture during the first parade and we walked right into the Hall of Presidents and got it done.

Have fun!!

 

[tink2]

This is my first MVMCP so this thread is very helpful! We are planning on going December 7- a Tuesday night. Can anyone give me an idea of how long I have to stake out a spot for the first parade? My children are 5 and 3 and I know they won't make it to the second one. Also, when does it snow on Main Street? Is it during the parade? We want to see it snow but are also thinking Main street may be packed for the parade..... suggestions?

 

[HollyJoy]

Another question here... do they give you a schedule of events on these nights?

 

[tink2]

Hollyjolly- they do give you a schedule of events when you get there.
Here are some copies of last year's from wdwmagic.com:

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=6312&password=&sort=1&cat=all&page=4

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=6311&password=&sort=1&cat=all&page=4

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=6311&password=&sort=1&cat=all&page=4

http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=6311&password=&sort=1&cat=all&page=4

Hope this helps!

 

[HollyJoy]

Thanks!!!