MVMCP or $80 shopping

[kittysmom]

I am taking my DD (8) on her first trip to WDW next week!! Its a suprise trip so I cannot ask her what she wants to do. I can't decide if she would have more fun going to the MVMCP or spending the $80 shopping and bringing back souviners? Can anyone tell me what their child would enjoy more? Anyone who has DD around age 8 that loved MVMCP? Its looking the the weather will be around 55-60 degrees for that night. TIA!

 

[Tinkerbell424]

Thats a tough one but for her first trip,I would say 80$ shopping..Your going to the Magic Kingdom though rught?
If you are then I would spend the money for soviners.

You cant come back from your first trip from the World without any soviners,now can you?lol

Have tons of fun!

 

[Cass]

My DD loved being at MK at night, the snow on main street the cookies and hot chocolate. Riding an empty Splash Mountain over and over and seeing the Christmas parade. It was well worth the 80.00 for the party, it was special and fun.

Are you saying she can't have any souveniers if she goes to the party?

 

[Happy4Disney]

My DD is 7 and we went to the party and had a wonderful time. In Frontierland a CM picked my girls for an official contest to see who would be sheriff at the shooting range, they had the range all to themselves. DD5 was the winner. Then they had a little ceremony with announcements and were both awarded badges with their names on them. Not to mention being able to go on the rides over and over again and the cookies and hot chocolate, it just is a really was a lot of fun for us. We were there Nov 17 and it was colder than what is predicted for your party.

You can always save money on souvenirs by going to one of the Disney outlets or buying something small at the party. They sell pins and other things at the party that are not available at any other time.

Eckerds had the small Disney princess photo albums and I made one for each of my girls, that photo album is their favorite souvenir!

 

[kittysmom]

No, I wasn't saying she isn't getting souviners if we go to the party. I just think $80 is quite a bit of money and want to make sure she will really enjoy it before I buy the tickets. Sounds like I should go ahead and make the purchase though. Its hard not being able to ask her what she would like to do, but thats just part of keeping it a secret! Thanks for your quick replies.

 

[Cass]

We had such a good time 2 years ago at the party - I have tickets for 2 nights this year. It really was a lot of fun, especially when it was cold and we had our christmas hats, scarves and mitts. It really felt like christmas.

 

[Vickie46]

I vote for the party for sure! I think 80 is too much for stuff to bring back.. but I could have fun spending it though!

 

[CarolA]

Why not just wait until you tell her to decide? If it sells out your decision is made and if not it can be part of her surprise to pick what she wants to do.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

No, I wasn't saying she isn't getting souviners if we go to the party. I just think $80 is quite a bit of money and want to make sure she will really enjoy it before I buy the tickets. Sounds like I should go ahead and make the purchase though. Its hard not being able to ask her what she would like to do, but thats just part of keeping it a secret! Thanks for your quick replies.

Then I would go to the party if she is allowed sovieners.lol.I eman im not obessed over sovieners but on my first trip i would buy some.lol..Anyway,I went to MNSSHP so I think it will be the same,meaning short waits,special parades,shows and fireworks.

lol..Have fun!

 

[kittysmom]

I guess I am being kinda cheap. If I buy the tickets now I save $12 by buying them early, if not then I pay more at the gate. I think I am just going to buy them though. You all have sold me! I guess the next question is, is one day of the week any better than the others? Days offered during my trip are 12/11, 12/12, and 12/14. Monday, Tuesday or Thursday? Monday we are in MK (park closes at 7pm), Tuesday MGM (park closes at 8pm) and Thursday at AK (park closes at 5pm). I am thinking Thursday would be best, what about you?

 

[mamalle]

for mine- it wasnt worth the $178 that I spent to go 12/1/06. the kids could hardly see the parade and the lines were soooo long for the rides. it was hot, humid and crowded. I was really disappointed. I would ask her prior IMO...

 

[kittysmom]

Wow, it was hot and humid? I am expecting it to be cold! What was the daytime weather like there? What did the kids weear, shorts? I am hoping to pack the right type of clothing, but I have never been to Florida.

 

[Cass]

There are two parades, I suggest skipping the first one to ride rides and then viewing the later one when families with little ones have left the park.

We had no crowding and no trouble seeing anything

 

[CarolA]

OK. I love MVMCP.

However, if you go thinking "its short lines and I can ride everything" I think you are going to be disappointed and miss the point.

However, the shows, the atmosphere, the parade, etc make it great.

Also, if your DD can't stay awake until the late parade I would skip it.

 

[aprince&princess]

We went to the party on Mon 11/27. MY dd is 9 and my ds is 12. We have been a few times but never for the MVMCP, so we thought it was a nice treat. We did ride some of the rides, but we also made sure to see some of the shows and parades. We were in the park for late hours the night before, so we rode quite a few things then and just enjoyed being there at christmas time!

 

[kittysmom]

My DD can usually stay up until midnight if she has something to do. I think the excitment of Disney should keep her awake. Would it be a good idea to do this early in the week so she won't be as tired?

 

[TiggerStac]

There are two parades, I suggest skipping the first one to ride rides and then viewing the later one when families with little ones have left the park.

We had no crowding and no trouble seeing anything

I agree w/the above post. Hubby and I waited for the 2nd parade and enjoyed rides during the first. It was great!!

 

[mamalle]

I think if you can stay late then you should be fine with a nap in the afternoon. Mine arent like that and really dont do well standing in lines over 30 minute to ride Buzz, etc... so we went earlier to ride what we knew they wanted to ride and then did the shows.. we left at 9pm since they were ready for bed.. and yes it was 86 degrees on friday here.....

 

[bettyann29]

I would say go to the party.. if she's already going to be able to get a few souvenirs than this would be memorable for her.. and besides alot of those souvenirs get tossed aside when they get home but she will undoubtly talk about that party when she gets home..

 

[Cool-Beans]

I haven't done the party (yet!), but I'm voting party. Souvenirs are nice, but real memories are nicer.