MVMCP - Plan of Attack?

[lucincia]

First time going to MVMCP so need some help planning out that afternoon and evening.

Since it will be a late night, we'll probably take it easy at the resort (WL) that afternoon. How early should we eat? We're flexible. We'll probably eat somewhere in the resort, maybe Whispering Canyon. 4:30 PM? 5:00 PM? 5:30 PM?

From what I have read, we should get our photo taken as soon as possible. So, do they start taking photos before 7 PM (party start time) or starting at 7 PM?

So we eat, go to the park, take the family photo, then enjoy the party right? Is that the kinda general plan to go with?

Thanks.

 

[Liisa]

No one in my group has been before either, so I'll be interested in what the veterans typically do. We are planning on eating at 5 pm (over at Epcot) and then getting over to MK around 6:30 or so.

We are also planning on getting the photo taken first thing and then enjoying all the festivities at a more leisurely pace.

Anyone have good advice for first timers?!!

 

[beattyfamily]

They only open the photo places right at 7:00p except in the land where they hold party goers from 6:00p - 7:00p, which is usually Tomorrowland. That photo stop will be open at 6:00p. The rest will open at 7:00p.

Set priorities. Have some kind of game plan. Ours is the festivies (parade, fireworks, shows), the photo, and maybe a couple of rides.

I usually eat while the park is closed. Finish up right before 7:00p. Get my photo over with while the lines are small and we are fresh.

I usually go to the second parade, except last year I went to the first which also worked out fine (in the LTT area though which is always less crowded).

We ride rides while there's no parade or fireworks or shows going on. We see the fireworks and then do the second parade.

Leave after the second parade since we have little ones...someday we'll make it to the end!

 

[lpizzuro123]

Even though the party "officially" starts at 7:00, you can enter the MK as early as 4:00 with your ticket. I would highly recommend this. From 4:00 to 6:00 you will be with the regular guests. At 6:00 they start clearing out the park of all those that are not attending the party. Those attending the party are usually sent over to I believe Tomorrowland. There is usually an early showing of Mickey's Night Before Christmas in the Galaxy Palace Theater (maybe 6:30 or so). If you are already in the park you can catch this show even before the party starts - which will leave you more time to do all the other activities. We did not do a sit down dinner. We had hotdogs from Casey's while watching the first parade and then finished this off with ice cream from Main Street Ice Cream Parlor.
Linda

 

[nursemelis374]

Not sure when you are planning on going, but we just got a dinner seating for WCC before MVMCP on Sunday, December 4th and the CM told me that was a really popular place for pre-MVMCP dining this year!

 

[lucincia]

Our MVMCP is 12/1. We have a WCC ADR for dinner on 12/2 but I think we'll try to move it back to 12/1 instead. From the sound of it, it seems like a popular dining option now for MVMCP.

 

[oogie boogie]

Yea we'll be there on the 4th too for the event. And what pictures is everyone talking about? With Santa or something?

 

[daipp]

It's our first time to MVMCP so I'll be watching this thread for some valuable information!

 

[beattyfamily]

Yea we'll be there on the 4th too for the event. And what pictures is everyone talking about? With Santa or something?

You get a free souvenir photo taken at various locations throughout the park. One photo per ticket.

 

[CheriePenguin]

First time going to MVMCP so need some help planning out that afternoon and evening.

Since it will be a late night, we'll probably take it easy at the resort (WL) that afternoon. How early should we eat? We're flexible. We'll probably eat somewhere in the resort, maybe Whispering Canyon. 4:30 PM? 5:00 PM? 5:30 PM?

From what I have read, we should get our photo taken as soon as possible. So, do they start taking photos before 7 PM (party start time) or starting at 7 PM?

So we eat, go to the park, take the family photo, then enjoy the party right? Is that the kinda general plan to go with?

Thanks.

We've never been to MVMCP before either, and we are also staying at WL. We'll spend most of the day at WL - after a character breakfast at Chef Mickey's "next door" - maybe swim, do laundry, or possibly take the boat and monorail to visit other resorts to see their Christmas decorations.

I wanted to try to get to MK as early as they'll let us in, since with DS only 20 months old I don't know how late we'll make it. I also liked the WCC lunch menu better than the dinner menu, so I made late lunch ressies for Whispering Canyon Cafe at 2:40 (Th Dec 1st). Then we'll go back to the room to refresh and pack for the evening, then head to MK!

We'll try to do a few rides (probably primarily Fantasyland) until 6:00 when I'm going to try to meet up with the MouseMeet just prior to the Mickey's Night Before Christmas show in Tomorrowland. Hopefully we'll be able to see the parade, get our photo taken, have cookies and cocoa, have a dinner snack (DH likes the turkey legs!), check for special items in the shops, etc. I'm guessing DS won't make it to the fireworks, but I'm hoping maybe he will (or will fall asleep in the stroller so at least we can still see them!)

 

[lucincia]

If we're having dinner before MVMCP outside of MK and finish around 6 PM, and the park closes at 6 PM and party starts at 7 PM, can we enter the park between the hours of 6 and 7 PM with the MVMCP ticket?

Thanks.

 

[flexsmom]

Yes, you can enter before 7pm. You will get your bracelets and be herded to one of two "holding" areas in Tomorrowland or I think in Adventureland.

We had dinner as a party of 16 at Crystal Palace starting at 5:45. Finished up right before the party started and we herded over to get our photo taken (it was great! All of us in either Red or Blue Disney sweatshirts to celebrate DM and DFs 50th anniversary - and EVERYONE was smiling from the 2-year old to the 72-year old!) Then we went counterclockwise through the park.
Fantasyland was insane - it was about the only really ridiculously crowded place. We opted for the second parade and it was less crowed, plus, we were able to hit some of the more popular rides during the first parade that was earlier.

It was cold - probably down to the 40's sometime around Dec 14 or 15- can't remember - but it was a blast!

 

[momsgoofy]

You get a free souvenir photo taken at various locations throughout the park. One photo per ticket.

So, if what you're saying is correct, then our party of 3 will actually be able to get 3 free photos? Or is it one per party, meaning our party of 3 will only be allowed one free photo?

I'm pretty sure it's the first way, which is awesome because then we can give away a couple to family.

Another photo question...are the photos distributed at a location inside the park....kind of like the ride photos or are they on the photo pass thing? I didn't like the results from our photo pass...the only shot they did...in June.

Thanks for the answers!

Now to a more general reply...

We are going to MVMCP on the 20th, last one for the year and our first ever. So far my OCD planning has us doing a late breakfast at Kona at 10am, checking out the Poly decorations, and heading into MK afterward. IF the park has met capacity, not a big deal. We'll head to the Contemporary to see their decorations and do a little shopping there. I'm a little fond of the gift shop there near Chef Mickey's. Where else we might head, not sure, but there's still the GF, WL, and Ft. Wilderness decorations we can check out. We will be in the park at 4pm no matter, eat dinner at CRT at 4:30, which means the food should hit our mouths around 5 and when we finish dinner, head over to Tommorowland for photos and festivities. Oh, and hot chocolate and cookies...which by the way, Where do you find those?

Our DS is 13 so staying up late isn't a problem...actually it's preferred with our night owls so we'll stay till we either have done all we wanted or are kicked out of MK. The next day is our relaxation day...sleep in, spa ressies, and dinner.

Well, I'll keep an eye on the thread to see if there are any more great ideas.

Have a magical day!

 

[beattyfamily]

So, if what you're saying is correct, then our party of 3 will actually be able to get 3 free photos? Or is it one per party, meaning our party of 3 will only be allowed one free photo?

I'm pretty sure it's the first way, which is awesome because then we can give away a couple to family.

Another photo question...are the photos distributed at a location inside the park....kind of like the ride photos or are they on the photo pass thing? I didn't like the results from our photo pass...the only shot they did...in June.

Thanks for the answers!

Yes, you get one photo per ticket. They are mailed to you. You fill out a form and can have them all sent to the same address or different addresses.

 

[momsgoofy]

Yes, you get one photo per ticket. They are mailed to you. You fill out a form and can have them all sent to the same address or different addresses.

Awesome! I may just have one sent to grandparents as a belated Christmas gift.

Thanks so much for the answer!

But still curious as to where I can find those cookies and hot chocolate...

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

awesome thread for a newbie to MVMCP.
Thanks for all the info

 

[allaboutmm]

Not sure when you are planning on going, but we just got a dinner seating for WCC before MVMCP on Sunday, December 4th and the CM told me that was a really popular place for pre-MVMCP dining this year!

It must be the hot spot...we are eatting there at 5:30 12/8, before heading over to MVMCP! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mama22]

We'll be there the Dec. 4th and this is our first MVMCP as well.
I'm curious, what shows are there? Someone mentioned a show we can do at 6:30pm in tomarrowland, plus the pictures at 6pm, sounds like we can do two things before the party even starts! When should we "find a spot" for the parade (we would like to do the first one) and do we just hang out there for the fireworks? We are eating at LTT at 4:30pm, so by 8 or so that hot chocolate and cookies will be great! Where do we find those?
Thanks!

 

[Zip-a-dee-dude-da]

you can get the hot coco at several different dining spots....rocket tower plaza....columbia harbour house are a few i remember. The photo lines are LONG...save this for last not first as the party continues the lines for photos go down. Just bring a sweatshirt cuz it can get nippy and most of all have fun!!!!!!!!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

Just bring a sweatshirt cuz it can get nippy and most of all have fun!!!!!!!!

Just curious as to how the weather is that time of year in WDW. I am trying to decide on whether i need to leave out alot of summer clothes to take or more fall/winter things. When you say nippy do you mean under 50, 40, or 30 degrees? We live in the mountains so waht is considered "nippy" in florida may feel like warm sunshine to us.