MVMCP or not??

[MrsJ Henry]

I have read and read and I still don't know if we should do it or not! So many mixed reviews.
My DH has back problems so is this going to be a crowded event where we are standing for everything? When seeing that there would be each prince there with his Princess and Santa and the festivities I knew our 7 year old daughter would love it..... But if it is going to be crowded and not worth it then I don't know!
We would be there either Wed 11/20 or Thurs 11/21.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Also, are there many photo pass photographers there and can I use a regular photo pass or does it need to be photopass +?

 

[kmb584]

I would say that the party is a definite must-do at least once, especially if you know that your DD is going to love it. It WILL be crowded with most of those crowds centered around the Hub. Most people attend for the chance to see Holiday Wishes and the Once Upon a Christmastime parade. Character meet and greets are another huge aspect of MVMCP. The Princesses with their Princes will certainly see long lines as with the 7 Dwarfs and other characters that aren't available to meet on a regular basis.

If you do decide to go be sure to remember that you're allowed admittance to MK at 4pm with your party tickets. While the party starts at 7, you'll see people begin lining up around 6 or so for the rarer characters. Decide how you'll spend the night. If the fireworks and parade are the main objectives, stay close to the Hub to ensure good viewing spots. If character meet and greets are the priority, do that. Know that most of the attractions will have NO wait times so it's a good time to get in a ride or two as well.

As for PhotoPass, you do not need PP+ for pictures!

 

[fabulousfive]

It was very crowded when we went. In fact, the most crowded we had seen at MK all week! But, it was definitely a highlight. We had so much fun experiencing the holiday spirit in the park with the parade, hot chocolate & cookies. However, like the poster said before me, you simply can't do it all as the night does go fast. We didn't have time to see the princesses or 7 dwarves as we were trying to get a good spot for the parade. At the end we went on a few rides & did manage to see a few other characters around the park. I will say that it was definitely more crazy & not as relaxed as I would have liked. We were able however to find seats and eat a snack at Sleepy Hollow.

If the party is really important to you, you should get tickets ahead of time to make sure you get them & to receive a discount. If you're unsure and could go either way, consider waiting until you're there to make a decision. Last time we decided that day we were up to going that night. It was so easy to make a simple phone call while at the resort to get the tickets. Sure, we didn't get the discount, but we had the convenience of making sure we really felt like going & that it would be a nice night weather - wise. This time we want to make the party a priority so we've already purchased our tickets.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[DisneyGirl4188]

I absolutely love the parties! I think they are something that you should experience at least once.

There will be crowds, but I like just being there and soaking up the atmosphere.

 

[kittycruize]

We too are considering the party for the 1st time. My question is, in order to get an idea of the crowds, can anyone tell me on a scale of 1-10, what you would guess it is? I think it would really help me get an idea of how crowded it will be. We are used to crowds around a 6. We will be attending the November 15th party FYI.
Thank you!!

 

[fabulousfive]

We too are considering the party for the 1st time. My question is, in order to get an idea of the crowds, can anyone tell me on a scale of 1-10, what you would guess it is? I think it would really help me get an idea of how crowded it will be. We are used to crowds around a 6. We will be attending the November 15th party FYI.
Thank you!!

I think if you're used to 6 levels you'd be fine. We had crowd levels of 2 all week and then the party just wasn't what we had been used to. But even with higher crowds, it was a blast!!!!

 

[MrsDuck]

We love it and recommend it!

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Do you think that going on a Wednesday or Thursday will be a little lighter crowds? The week before Thanksgiving week?
We won't be doing rides at that time. Our main priority for the Party would be Santa, Princesses, Parade and Fireworks.
And hopefully we will be able to keep our daughter awake for the late parade. I heard it would be less crowded then.
And I'm happy to hear that we could use our regular photopass for pictures!

 

[larryz]

Do you think that going on a Wednesday or Thursday will be a little lighter crowds? The week before Thanksgiving week?
We won't be doing rides at that time. Our main priority for the Party would be Santa, Princesses, Parade and Fireworks.
And hopefully we will be able to keep our daughter awake for the late parade. I heard it would be less crowded then.
And I'm happy to hear that we could use our regular photopass for pictures!

Weekdays (not Friday) are usually lighter than weekends, but that can vary depending on which groups are in town, Thanksgiving week, and the week around the Holiday Show taping.

 

[pieface]

Love the party if your not in the Christmas spirit when you enter the party you will be when you leave. It is some what crowded but not really that bad I always go on Tuesday night. I go every year won't miss it.

 

[mmorano88]

I went for my first time with my hubby and loved it!! I thought it was such a blast and really got us into the Christmas spirit! We are a young couple with no kids, but the kids we did see looked happy to be there! Lol

 

[Bertnie20]

I have read and read and I still don't know if we should do it or not! So many mixed reviews.
My DH has back problems so is this going to be a crowded event where we are standing for everything? When seeing that there would be each prince there with his Princess and Santa and the festivities I knew our 7 year old daughter would love it..... But if it is going to be crowded and not worth it then I don't know!
We would be there either Wed 11/20 or Thurs 11/21.

I would do it at least once... Depending on what you want to do, depends on crowds and if your going on a weds or thurs you should be fine.. Avoid the Friday and sat party's. I went last yr and had plenty of chances to sit and watch things, besides the fireworks they did everything twice. And we went to the later ones. The wait for the princesses with the princes lasted maybe 10 mins?

 

[DisDreamsAshley]

We have gone several times. The longest characters we had to wait for were the dwarfs....I think 40 minutes which included a 10 minute break for them. We've waited about 15 minutes for Pooh and friends, and the princesses. Mickey and Minnie we have always been able to walk into. I would strongly recommend doing the 2nd parade. While everyone is waiting on the curb for that one, you can snag some characters! And then easily get a spot for the next parade without having to steak claim to a good spot. We have always found a spot on the curb up front, last minute, for the parade. We usually sit in Frontier Land. Hope this helps! I love MVMCP and hope you decide to go!

 

[Peachkins]

We did MVMCP on our last trip in 2011, and while I don't know if I'll do it again, I'm still glad I went. I was with extended family and they were fixated on staking out a spot for the parade, so the first couple hours of our experience was spent on Main Street. One tip I've heard is to go to the second parade- it is supposed to be much less crowded. Unfortunately I had a crabby SIL as well as a 5-year-old who wanted to see the parade early and pretty much go home. We did enjoy the parade and the fireworks a lot. Once we got to the rest of the park, we found it to be almost empty, although to be fair, it was pretty cold the night we went.

Whether you like the party or find it to be "worth it" depends on what you're looking for. The crowd levels can vary depending on how many party tickets are sold, so I'm not sure I would count on shorter ride lines. I have frequently heard that this can be the case though, and I'm sure that gets better the later into the evening you stay. I wouldn't go just for decorations. It was neat to see it snow on Main Street, but it's not a "can't miss." There are characters you don't see often, and more opportunities to interact with them during the dance parties they have. The parade and fireworks especially were great.

As for the standing, I don't think it would be any different during the party than a normal day at the park.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Thank you so much for all the good info everyone

 

[siskaren]

We would be there either Wed 11/20 or Thurs 11/21.

There isn't a party on the 20th.

 

[Haley]

I would do it if your daughter can stay up at least until 10-

I used to always say the parties were 100% worth it when it was just my DH and I

But after going with my daughter who was tired and cranky by 9pm- it was not worth it. We just saw the parade and rode 2 rides and left.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I would do it if your daughter can stay up at least until 10-

I used to always say the parties were 100% worth it when it was just my DH and I

But after going with my daughter who was tired and cranky by 9pm- it was not worth it. We just saw the parade and rode 2 rides and left.

This is another one of my big concerns. But we are thinking of moving some of our plans around so that would be more of a sleep in day.

 

[MrsJ Henry]

There isn't a party on the 20th.

I did see this last night. I had messed up the dated. So it will be Thursday or not at all. Not even going to attempt a Friday.