MVMCP on a Friday Night?

[wilderness01]

We are thinking of going to MVMCP on December 3rd. Do you think the crowds will be that much bigger than on Thursday December 2nd? We also have the option to go on Sunday December 5th or Tuesday December 7th. We would like to attend the party twice during our trip. We had originally thought we would go on Thursday but Friday is the first day our whole group will be there so we don't want to be so worn out and tired for that day. That is why we were thinking of going on Friday night as usually on Saturday we take it as a down day due to crowds. Has anyone done the party on Friday? I think they may be taping the Christmas parade on Saturday December 4th so we will avoid the MK that day for sure. Any thoughts?

 

[wilderness01]

We are obviously looking for the day with the smallest crowds. My relatives went last year and even though they went on a Sunday which was sold out they said it didn't feel crowded at all. I think now we are spoiled because when we went in Feb of 2003 we literally were walking on all rides. The ONLY ride we waited in line for was Pooh in the MIDDLE of the day and that was a 15 minute wait. We are bringing some first timers and really want their experiences to be happy and full of magical memories. I think I am sweating this trip more than anyone else trying to make it "perfect"!

 

[DebbieB]

I believe only Fridays soldout last year, at least in advance. We've gone on Tuesday the past 2 years and it wasn't crowded. In 2002, we bought tickets the same day, last year we bought them when we arrived on Saturday. It's always a highlight of our trip.

 

[beattyfamily]

How about you go Sunday and Tuesday?

I thought only the last couple of MVMCP sold out?? I didn't know it was all Fridays.

 

[wilderness01]

The only reason we were thinking of going on Friday night was due to being out late and not doing anything on Saturday except for HDDR at night. We went to two e nights a few weeks ago and we were pooped the next day.

 

[Cinderella37]

Last year we went on Friday (12/12) and Sunday (12/14) and Sunday was nowhere near as crowded as Friday. It was still crowded, though. We always go in July and are used to large crowds, but we weren't expecting such enormous crowds in December. We only went to see the Christmas decorations and do the special Christmas events- it was just an additional trip - so we didn't mind.

My advice is to do 2 MVMCPs:

On Friday, watch the shows and parades and do the special Christmas things, like character pictures (but don't do the "free" picture)

On the second night, ride and get your picture taken. It will be less crowded and you won't have to wait nearly as long.

IMO, there is no possible way to see all of the shows and the parade and ride much of anything. Have a wonderful time. We were planning to go this year as well, but I got a teaching position (which in PA is like hitting the lottery - a one in a million chance) and I can't take any time off to go.

 

[wilderness01]

Thanks Julianne. I do think there is a difference between the summer crowds and the winter crowds. Was it like that? Do you think that Friday nights always sell out? Or do they only sell out closer to Christmas? Were you dead the next day? I just felt going to the e-night and staying in the park until 1:00 am zapped our energy for the next day and we didn't get up and going until 10:30 am. That is very late for us. We are usually the ones on the bus stop by 7:30 am! Maybe we will go Thursday and then Sunday. It is up to everyone when they want to go for the second night. We'll see. Thanks.

 

[Tiziminchac]

I went on a Friday last year. The crowds were minimal. A CM told us that they only sell 20,000 a night. Your talking about a park that holds 60,000+ people. I can't imagine it ever being crowded with those numbers. Of course I never confirmed this info with Disney, so it may be wrong. We walked onto everything we wanted to do. The only real lines I seen were the ones to get your free family/group picture. And the parade route was conjested. But other than that, no crowd problems.

 

[wilderness01]

Can I ask you what Friday night you went on? We are thinking about the first Friday night it is scheduled for. Thanks.

 

[Cinderella37]

The closer to Christmas, the heavier the crowds. We heard from people that crowds in December were very low, but we encountered very large crowds during our stay (12/12-16). One evening at the MK (not at MVMCP) there were so many people, it felt like the 4th of July (there were some other people who were there that same night and posted the same thing). Waits at MGM and AK were longer than times in July. For example, TOT was over an hour wait, as was Dinosaur. A few weeks ago (7/9), we waited 20 minutes for TOT and on 7/9, we walked onto Dinosaur. We just weren't prepared for just how large the crowds were.

MVMCP usually sells out closer to December, but I'd get my tickets soon just for the peace of mind. Fridays usually sell out. We love staying up late at night and we don't have any kids, so we prefer events like MVMCP and E-Ride Nights. My fiance gets up early, even on vacation (no later than 7:00am), but is never tired after late nights in WDW. We're very active at home, plus as I've stated, we don't have little kids to worry about yet. We've never at a park at opening and prefer later touring. My fiance even had tee times at 7:30 days after E-Ride Nights on our last trip (7/7-17) and was fine, so we aren't the best people to ask about being tired. It must be adrenaline!

 

[wilderness01]

Julianne,

We were also there July 15 through July 21. I thought the crowds were moderate July 15 through 19. On July 20 the crowds came in and it was PACKED. 90 minute waits for TOT and RnR. I think we hit a "slow" pocket those first few days and were lucky for the summer.

 

[Cinderella37]

It seems like there is a lull in attendancein the middle of July. We used to go the week prior to July 4th and stay until a few days after, but the crowds were awful. We always go in the middle now and enjoy lower crowd levels (still not empty, but manageable). We've heard that towards the end of the month, it gets crazy.

 

[wilderness01]

We used to go the week prior to July 4th and stay until a few days after, but the crowds were awful.

We made that mistake the first time we ever took the kids and it was awful. Crowded and very hot! Mid July was very nice. Have you ever gone the beginning of June? We are thinking of the first few weeks in June for a cruise/park combo. We know about Gay Days and would just avoid Saturday (we do anyway) at the MK. Was the beginning of June like the mid July crowds we just saw?

 

[danny1649]

We're going on 7th and 9th this year we've been going twice each year for last several years we love it.

 

[Mark P.]

We'll be there Friday, December 10th.

 

[wilderness01]

Danny,

When do you go to the party? Beginning, middle or end of the trip? I do not know if I want to go the first full day as I think we will go to the parks that day and then if we stay out until midnight we might start the trip off tired? My husband and I will be fine. Its the kids I worry about.

 

[wilderness01]

Does anyone know if the crowd is also affected by the Pop Warner kids that are there?

 

[Cinderella37]

Originally posted by wilderness01
Have you ever gone the beginning of June?

I've gone in the beginning of June a few times, years ago. The crowds weren't bad, but the hours were shorter. I'd rather have the extended nighttime hours and deal with crowds.

 

[wilderness01]

Thanks.

 

[danny1649]

I sent you PM,hope you got it. Thanks Danny