MVMCP questions.....

[Kteacher]

I am thinking of taking my DS14 to WDW 12/3-12/6 for a quick weekend trip. We've never traveled to WDW this time of year before. Should I be buying the tickets now, or can I wait a few weeks? Also, how do PSs work for this event. We will probably be staying at the CR (his favorite ) My son has been going through kind of a rough time lately-he is recovering from a lacerated spleen, and was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease . He missed out on a trip to Hershey Park, his eighth grade dance, and his end of the year class trip to Six Flags, and is also not able to play any more baseball this season , so I'm trying to find a way to make him feel better. I want this trip to be really special for him-any tips?

 

[DebbieB]

You would be safe waiting until the fall. Friday nights usually do sellout but not until about a month or so before. Sunday & Tuesday nights do not sellout (at least not in prior years). We've gone on Sunday or Tuesday the past 3 years and bought the tickets when we got to WDW, you get the advance price up to the day before.

You can enter as early as 4:00pm with your MVMCP ticket and get your wristband. We've found the lines short before the 6:00pm regular close. The past 2 years they've had all the rides in Tomorrowland open between 6 & 7 for those with wristbands. The second parade is less crowded than the first.

 

[wannabee princess]

First, I'm sorry your ds has had such a rough time! I think you are super for planning this special trip!!

If you can choose between Fri and Sun nights, I would go with Sun for MVMCP, and if you know for sure that you are going, you may as well order your tickets now, IMHO, if the money is not an issue.

Even though the party probably won't sell-out, at least it is one more thing you have done! Also, when you call to order your tickets, you can go ahead and make your PS for dinner if you are going to do that. You may get a better choice of times for your meal if you do that now.

As stated, you can probably enter the park earlier than the stated start time (last Dec we entered around 4:30 on the MVMCP ticket only). If you are already in the park that day, you can get a wristband inside the park - no need to leave and re-enter.

The party is a great night for the rides, the shows and the whole atmosphere! If you are both up for it, the party is a great way to ride the biggies - as it gets later the lines get shorter! We also found the second parade much less crowded!

The whole World is a beautiful place at Christmastime, so you are choosing an awesome time to go! We had a great time, are planning a return this December, and I'm sure you will have a great time too!

 

[DebbieB]

If you decide to buy now, keep in mind that the tickets are non-refundable. If you change your mind or something comes up, you'll have to find a way to sell them. That's why I wait until we get there since Sundays or Tuesdays don't sellout.

 

[trola2]

I hope your son is doing much better and well onhis way to a full recovery!

Most likely if you are planning the Sunday night MVMCP, it won't sell out. One advantage to waiting to buy the tickets is that they are non-refundable and if you find yourself there in torrential rains (Yes, it happend to us!), then you can decide to pass if you want to. A rain in July is annoying, but a very cold rain in December will send you back to the hotel!!

Have fun. You will have a magical time in December!

~~Beth

 

[bounceytigger]

I think your son will really enjoy this trip!! I actually just ordered MVMCP tickets for my family for 2 different nights in December, and was able to get a PS reservation for Liberty Tree Tavern when I ordered my tickets. That's the only restaurant allowing PS at this point....places like Crystal Palace or Cinderella's Castle still have the 90-day window.

The person I spoke to at CRO said that I will be able to enter the MK about 30 minutes prior to my PS time (5:10pm) using my PS # and my MVMCP ticket. From everything I've read on-line, it sounds like MK has been pretty lenient in the past to letting people into the park earlier than the 7pm start time for MVMCP. And if you have a PS reservation, you are definitely allowed in. I think I could have scheduled my PS for as early as 4:30'ish, if I'm remembering correctly.

If you are not wanting to get the MVMCP tickets just yet, I would bet that you could still make PS reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern in the meantime (if you explain your son's health situation.) At least, it's worth a try! The earlier you make the PS reservation, the earlier you can get into the park for the evening....and the more time you'll have to enjoy the rides!! And obviously, you're not out any money if you have to cancel your PS at the last minute (in case you don't go to the MVMCP).

Hope this long-winded reply helps to some extent! I hope you and your son have a wonderful trip!
--Sarah

 

[goofy4tink]

We already have ours for 11/30. But, not because we were afraid they would sell out. I just liked being able to say 'I have 'em'!!! I don't think you have to worry about them selling out that early in the month. We went last year 12/12-12/17 and bought our tickets to the party about 1 month before. Had no problem getting them. If I remember correctly, only 2 Friday night parties sold out and they were the last two in Dec.

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by bounceytigger
I think your son will really enjoy this trip!! I actually just ordered MVMCP tickets for my family for 2 different nights in December, and was able to get a PS reservation for Liberty Tree Tavern when I ordered my tickets.

Does anyone know that, at this character dinner LTT on MVMCP nights, is Mickey in his colonial garb or Christmas garb?

Just wondering-

Sorcha

 

[goofy4tink]

Originally posted by sorchamac
Does anyone know that, at this character dinner LTT on MVMCP nights, is Mickey in his colonial garb or Christmas garb?

Just wondering-

Sorcha

Mickey isn't at Liberty Tree Tavern. Minnie is tho. And they were in holiday outfits.

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
Mickey isn't at Liberty Tree Tavern. Minnie is tho. And they were in holiday outfits.

What do you mean Mickey isn't there?? Isn't he usually? Why bother going then? Nothing against Minnie....

What about in the 4-6 o'clock time before the MVMCP?

Sorcha

 

[F1Julie]

From what I'm reading here, it seems Friday is not the night to go. During my stay (W-Sun), we could go Thursday or Friday. Is Thursday the better way to go? Friday would be better for us since we don't plan to do a park the night we go, but now I'm concerned about crowds. Any insight?

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by sorchamac


What do you mean Mickey isn't there?? Isn't he usually? Why bother going then? Nothing against Minnie....

What about in the 4-6 o'clock time before the MVMCP?

Sorcha

Okay - I've been reading it wrong for days - I just assumed Mickey was there too. Oh well.

I do like Pluto - but I don't know if it's worth a character dinner for it...

On to Plan B-

Sorcha

 

[sorchamac]

Originally posted by F1Julie
From what I'm reading here, it seems Friday is not the night to go. During my stay (W-Sun), we could go Thursday or Friday. Is Thursday the better way to go? Friday would be better for us since we don't plan to do a park the night we go, but now I'm concerned about crowds. Any insight?

I'm a bit in the same boat. Friday would probably work out better for us than Thursday, but I'm afraid of the crowds. I have to go to the 1st parade because the kids would never make it to the second parade. But, I think if you're going earlier (like the 1st or 2nd Friday) you'll have better luck than later and closer to Christmas.

Sorcha

 

[Kteacher]

well, we're definitely going It looks like we will do MVMCP on Sunday the 5th. What's open for counter service in the MK for that event?

 

[erinz]

You will be so glad you are going on Sunday!! We went last year on 6-7, a Sunday, and it was perfect. No crowds at all.

In terms of counter service. From what I saw, there was nothing. They hand out free hot chocolate and cookies...

I may be totally wrong about the counter service, I just didn't see anything.

I hope you will have a wonderful trip! You are going at the absolutey BEST time! The decorations everywhere are too beautiful for words.

A suggestion about where to see the parade. We were at MVMCP in 1999 and 2003 and this worked for us. Now I'm 99% sure the parade starts in the same place each time, right next to Splash Mountain. At least the first one does. I'd double check that though with a CM, it may be different this year.

About 20 minutes or so before the parade, walk through Frontier Land as though you are going to Splash Mountain. Right where the path goes to the right off to Splash Mountain, get a spot. It dosn't have to be exactly there, but in the general area.

Both times when we were there the crowds never really gathered until about 5 minutes before the parade. And it's cool because you can see how the parade starts.

Another thing we did that was SO WONDERFUL! was stay until the end for the Christmas show they do right in front of the castle. When we were there it started right at midnight (they might be having it at different times when you are there so this might not work) which I thought was a bit strange since the park closes then. We got an ice cream on main street and went and saw the show. The thing that was so great was that hardly anyone was left in the park. And when the show was over, we walked slowly down mainstreet. It was practically empty and so peaceful. And I remember thinking that I had seen very few things so beautiful in my life.

Wow, this was long.

My best to your DS. Both of you have a magical time!!

 

[Kteacher]

Thanks erinz We have never gone this time of year, so I have absolutely no idea what to expect! What # do I call to order MVMCP tickets ahead of time?

 

[erinz]

I THINK it's the Central Reservations number......but I can't remember. I have the number at home and can get it to you when I get home, but I'm sure someone else could probably tell you before that.

 

[mommyflower]

According to my map from MVMCP last year:
Casey's Corner- Hot dogs & fries
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
Main Street Bakery
Pecos Bill's Cafe- Cheeseburgers & hot dogs
Westward Ho- quick bites
Frontierland Turkey Leg
Sleep Hollow- quick bites
Scuttle's Landing- Frozen treats
Mrs. Pott's Cupboard- ice cream
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe- Cheeseburgers & Chicken
The Lunching Pad- quick bites

You can also order tickets online on disney's site.
Just go to tickets and then special events. It will show you the dates and you pick which one and how many tickets. I did it that way to avoid paying for the long distance call.

The party is lots of fun. You will have a great time!

 

[erinz]

thanks mommyflower!

Wow, I must have been too full from dinner to notice all those counter service choices!

kteacher: I just thought of something else. If for some reason you don't want to have dinner at LTT on MVMCP night (if you do, call in for reservations asap) or if it is full, another option would be to take the boat from CR to WL and have dinner there. It would give you a chance to see the fantastic Christmas decorations, and the Whispering Canyon Cafe is a really fun place to eat. Then you could just take the boat from WL to MK.

 

[kimbac3]

Maybe I missed this somewhere..
Can you enter the park early with just the mvmcp ticket if you don't have ps anywhere?
And if so, can you just go to a counter service restaurant for dinner?
If not then I'm goning to assume that we should eat before we go..so we don't waste time.

Any thoughts?????

Thanks,
Kimba