MVMCP or Drawn to Life?

[OwnedByRetrievers]

Hi there! I am finally taking my two grandchildren (10 & 8, boy and girl) to WDW for their first time this December and I couldn't be more excited!

We arrive on a Sunday morning and plan to hit the parks Mon-Friday (we currently have five-day tix). Neither of them are huge Disney fans (yet) but they know enough to know at least who some of the characters are. Neither have they been to any Cirque Du Soleil show.

We arrive early that Sunday and I was looking for something special for them to do that evening. For children who have limited knowledge of the parks, which would you choose? On one hand, I am thinking of the party, so they could see the MK (our first full park day will not be a recommended MK day on crown calendars), and then on the other, I am thinking of Drawn to Life, since that's also a very special opportunity for them.

This trip could be a one-and-done for them, so I want to make it special. The cost of the tickets is around the same, so I am more interested in the experience itself. I have been to MVMCP before and I don't recall thinking it was worth the $$$ but it was also close to 20 years ago. I am, however, a HUGE Cirque fan.

Which would you suggest and why?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Personally, I would think with kids that age, the Christmas party might be more fun. We are also huge Cirque fans (probably have done 10-12 different ones), but found Drawn To Life to be a bit slower moving and more story oriented than actual performers. It could be a little boring in parts for younger kids - but I don't know your grandkids....! Sounds like an awesome trip. Enjoy the trip with your family! 10 and 8 are great ages!

 

[Anna131517]

We took our kids to the MVMCP last year and while it was fun we won’t do that again. It’s just too late. We ended up leaving the park during the fireworks because they were exhausted. For reference, kids were 6, 8, and 10. They were ALL tired. You could do Drawn to Life but I really don’t think you need to do anything else than take them to the parks and let them swim in the pool. They’ll have a blast!

 

[OwnedByRetrievers]

We took our kids to the MVMCP last year and while it was fun we won’t do that again. It’s just too late. We ended up leaving the park during the fireworks because they were exhausted. For reference, kids were 6, 8, and 10. They were ALL tired. You could do Drawn to Life but I really don’t think you need to do anything else than take them to the parks and let them swim in the pool. They’ll have a blast!

It will be our travel day, so that is something to consider. Thanks!

 

[OwnedByRetrievers]

Personally, I would think with kids that age, the Christmas party might be more fun. We are also huge Cirque fans (probably have done 10-12 different ones), but found Drawn To Life to be a bit slower moving and more story oriented than actual performers. It could be a little boring in parts for younger kids - but I don't know your grandkids....! Sounds like an awesome trip. Enjoy the trip with your family! 10 and 8 are great ages!

I have found the resident shows outside of the ones in Vegas to be Cirque-lite. Is Drawn to Life like that?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I have found the resident shows outside of the ones in Vegas to be Cirque-lite. Is Drawn to Life like that?

In our opinion, that would be an accurate description. They tried to incorporate a more Disney aspect with a storyline including art and creativity and imagination. A nice story, but not as exciting as we prefer with some of the more famous Cirque shows and performances. We actually preferred La Nouba.

 

[OwnedByRetrievers]

In our opinion, that would be an accurate description. They tried to incorporate a more Disney aspect with a storyline including art and creativity and imagination. A nice story, but not as exciting as we prefer with some of the more famous Cirque shows and performances. We actually preferred La Nouba.

I never got the chance to see La Nouba. I love Cirque but I want the kids to love it and I'm not sure they'll understand much of it if it's centered too much around Disney animation. I mean I asked my eight-year-old granddaughter if she knew who Tiana was and she didn't.

Decisions, decisions...

 

[PrincessGidget]

C) none of the above!
Drawn to life should be called drawn out and boring.
And a party on a travel day may be a lot!!!

There is a bowling alley that serves food and there is also a huge movie theatre in Disney Springs as alternate, more low key things to do.

Whatever you do, enjoy your trip!

 

[OwnedByRetrievers]

C) none of the above!
Drawn to life should be called drawn out and boring.
And a party on a travel day may be a lot!!!

There is a bowling alley that serves food and there is also a huge movie theatre in Disney Springs as alternate, more low key things to do.

Whatever you do, enjoy your trip!

We normally just hang out at the resort and play mini golf at Fantasia. That would be the third option.

 

[NickC]

Drawn to Life was cool, but not on the same level as O or Ka. My kids were maybe 12 and 14 when we went. They liked it, but I think they got tired of it after a while. I probably could have lived with it being shorter too. Between the two, and with kids 8 and 10, I would pick MVMCP. Another option would be something like Hoop Dee Do Revue or Chef Mickey. Of course, sometimes kids just like swimming more than anything else.

 

[Wayland10]

My kids (13 and 10) loved Drawn to Life and we’d definitely take them again. It was a high point of the trip, while MVMCP has gotten more and more crowded. It would be too much for my family in a travel day, while sitting in a dark theater was both relaxing and exciting.

 

[Specter]

Haven't seen Drawn to Life but have been to a few Cirque shows over the years. I think kids that age would enjoy the party.

Just my opinion but there is something about starting (and ending) a trip with MK that feels right. That doesn't mean we have always done it, depending on arrival time, but we do whenever possible. Plus with the at least slightly reduced crowds it may be a good chance to try a bunch of rides and then you either have those out of the way for the next MK day or you can establish a favorite or two to revisit?

Whatever you do, have fun.

 

[OwnedByRetrievers]

Haven't seen Drawn to Life but have been to a few Cirque shows over the years. I think kids that age would enjoy the party.

Just my opinion but there is something about starting (and ending) a trip with MK that feels right. That doesn't mean we have always done it, depending on arrival time, but we do whenever possible. Plus with the at least slightly reduced crowds it may be a good chance to try a bunch of rides and then you either have those out of the way for the next MK day or you can establish a favorite or two to revisit?

Whatever you do, have fun.

All of this. It's why I am so torn. We could nap and then hit the MK for the party, or we could make it an earlier night with Cirque and hit the MK that Tuesday.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

All of this. It's why I am so torn. We could nap and then hit the MK for the party, or we could make it an earlier night with Cirque and hit the MK that Tuesday.

In the end, you'll be at Disney with family! Whether you do a party, a show, or somewhere in between, you'll be at Disney with family! Enjoy! You don't have a bad choice!

 

[muppets3d]

Thinking back to when I was that age, I would not have enjoyed Drawn to Life personally.

 

[CarolynFH]

I never got the chance to see La Nouba. I love Cirque but I want the kids to love it and I'm not sure they'll understand much of it if it's centered too much around Disney animation. I mean I asked my eight-year-old granddaughter if she knew who Tiana was and she didn't.

Decisions, decisions...

I would choose the party or even Hoop Dee Doo or a character meal for your grandchildren. Drawn to Life is about a young girl using animation to work through her grief at her father’s recent death. For kids ages 10 and 8, it might not be the most positive start to their trip.

 

[OwnedByRetrievers]

I would choose the party or even Hoop Dee Doo or a character meal for your grandchildren. Drawn to Life is about a young girl using animation to work through her grief at her father’s recent death. For kids ages 10 and 8, it might not be the most positive start to their trip.

I did not realize that. Thank you for letting me know. My daughter (their mother) will also be on the trip with us. I will make sure she knows this.

 

[GSDGlitter]

I'd say it really depends on the interests of your grandchildren. Our 11 year old great-nephew still talks about Drawn to Life nearly a year after our trip. It was the above and beyond highlight for him of a 1st visit trip that included building a lightsaber at Savi's Workshop. a Disney After Hours event, and several other splurges. However, this is a kid that LOVES to draw and loves animation.