MVMCP reviews from 2004 event....

[yogibigdog]

Did anybody else read all the reviews on allears net about how disappointed many people were with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party last year? They said in almost every review that the park was overcrowded. Also they said they no longer give out the buttons! I am going this year and was hoping to get some additional reviews here. I have been to 6 parties in since 1988 and was so looking forward to this year. Since I am only going to the party while I am there (no other parks) will they still let you arrive after 4 pm before the official time of 7pm?

 

[helenk]

We went last year on 12/2 it was a Tuesday, it was crowded but doable. We skipped the first parade and went on the rides, saw the shows and then the second parade. After that we had our hot chocolate and cookies and then shopped a bit and then meandered out of the park.We had a great time.
The last time I had gone prior to last year was 2002 so yes there was a difference in the crowds but we still had a good time. I have my tickets for this year for 12/6, and I am really looking forward to going.

 

[glawgirl]

My family and I went last year to MVMCP - it was our first time - we were so excited. We thought it was going to be a lot less crowded than a regular day at the MK - unfortunately it wasn't. It was super packed. The ride lines were super long. We were not able to get out family pictures taken because again - the line was super long. We had dinner reservations for Liberty Tree Tavern we were seated 30 minutes after our original reservation time - the waiting area at the restaurant was so packed with people I started to feel clautrophobic. We were able to find the hot chocolate and cookies and the line went by pretty fast. The parade was great and we got a good spot right in front of the Liberty Tree Tavern. People were packed in like sardines to watch the fireworks. I don't think we will be going to MVMCP again - I love the MK but I rather just go on a day that they open until late at night and just be there all day.

 

[disney queen]

i think it depends on which night of the week you attend. weekends are very crowded as to the local folks attending. we always do a party in the early week and never have had a crowd problem. seems we got buttons last year.

 

[Mickey99332]

Did anybody else read all the reviews on allears net about how disappointed many people were with Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party last year? They said in almost every review that the park was overcrowded. Also they said they no longer give out the buttons! I am going this year and was hoping to get some additional reviews here. I have been to 6 parties in since 1988 and was so looking forward to this year. Since I am only going to the party while I am there (no other parks) will they still let you arrive after 4 pm before the official time of 7pm?

I am worried about this too. I am going on Dec 8 and am very worried about the crowds. If the lines for the rides are over 25- 30 minutes, it will not have been worth it to me.

 

[Northstar]

Went last year on Tuesday Dec. 13th. with a 6-year-old... first time in MK for her. We spent the whole evening in Fantasyland with a quick trip over to Haunted Mansion and LTT for cookies and chocolate, then saw fireworks and left. It was NOT crowded at all but then, we didn't see the point in standing in line to get a photo... what are digital cameras for, anyway?? Going on a Thursday this year... hope it will be similar crowd levels.

 

[Northstar]

Adding on previous post: I should also have mentioned that it was about 35 degrees F. Not scary for us, but it might have kept some local people shivering at home!

 

[jordancej]

We went last year i think it fell on Friday, Dec 17?? anyway, crowds werent too bad, we got there early, was able to get the picture taken. No buttons, just postcards they handed out. We found the hot chocolate and cookies. Wasnt able to find the shirts or the pins for MVMCP. Guess i wasnt looking to hard. We were debating on going again this year, since we are going Nov 30-Dec 4, but we went ahead and purchased tickets for Dec 1st. We were scared that if we didnt get tickets we would of regretted it when we got to Disney. Anyway, what a way to start off December!

 

[WaltD4Me]

We went last year on Thurs. Dec 9th and I thought it was VERY crowded.
I was surprised at the amount of people and sort of un-impressed by the whole event. Main Street was so packed, you could hardly get down it and the lines for pictures were so long we didn't even get one!

The ride lines themselves weren't bad at all, but the shows were packed and we couldn't get a seat on Main Street for the parade, people got their seats there an hour or more ahead of time. We went to Liberty Square for the Parade and even that was crowded. We had an easier time getting seats for SpectroMagic and I think it was only done one night the week we were there.

All in all, I'm glad we went to MVMCP I guess, but I doubt I'd ever do it again.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We had been to a couple MVMCP's in the mid and late '90's and found them to be very uncrowded and a really good time. But I have to say that our experience on 12/7/04 (I think - it was Tuesday of that week, at any rate)was different - we felt it was much more crowded and that many of the lines were quite long. To be honest, we don't go to MVMCP so much to ride the attractions as we do for the other events, so ride lines weren't a great concern to us. But there did seem to be many, many more people than we remembered, almost wall to wall bodies at times. We didn't bother with photos because the lines were long whenever we checked them, and we had a lot of trouble even finding the location for the hot chocolate and cookies - not that it was crowded, just hard to find. The first parade was incredibly crowded, so we passed that up for the late parade, which was better, but still a lot of people. I know there are a lot of people who love MVMCP and had very different experiences. But for us, I'm not sure we'll do it again.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Fun lots of fun. I love the interaction with the characters.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Oh! And to answer your other question, yes, you can get in before 7pm. We went at 4:30pm last year and we just showed our party tickets, we had park passes, but didn't need to use them.

 

[goofy4tink]

We did MVMCP in mid Dec in '03 and loved it. So, we couldn't wait to do it again last year. We went on Nov 30, a Tuesday..our last night. And I have to say it was a whole different experience from the first time we went. The numbers of people was incredible. Relatively long waits for the attractions. And no buttons!! I was so disappointed...dd got one last year but I couldn't, seems they ran out very early in the evening. Last year they handed out postcard type things with the characters on it. No comparison at all. I am doing it again this year, on Dec 1. I still love the Holiday Parade and the snow falling on Main St. I'm just resigning myself to not doing all that I would like to do.

 

[kerry34]

I read the reviews but decided that I wanted to experience it anyway. I am going with the expectation that it will be crowded. We are looking forward to it and will be happy with whatever we get the chance to do.

 

[danny1649]

Had a great time both times.I was not happy with getting post card instead of button that I had gotten each year since 1992.So I brought post card home and took to print shop and had picture on post card put on 3 inch button with Title MVMCP 2004.So I guess if they don't give us buttons this year I will do the same thing again.Going this year to MVMCP on 6th and 8th this year.

 

[jwann]

We went last year on Thurs. Dec 9th and I thought it was VERY crowded.
I was surprised at the amount of people and sort of un-impressed by the whole event. Main Street was so packed, you could hardly get down it and the lines for pictures were so long we didn't even get one!

The ride lines themselves weren't bad at all, but the shows were packed and we couldn't get a seat on Main Street for the parade, people got their seats there an hour or more ahead of time. We went to Liberty Square for the Parade and even that was crowded. We had an easier time getting seats for SpectroMagic and I think it was only done one night the week we were there.

All in all, I'm glad we went to MVMCP I guess, but I doubt I'd ever do it again.

We were there on that very day last year and I say "ditto" to all your remarks. We missed the fireworks so we could get the picture, though. My DH says he's never going again. I would go again just to see the shows and parade but I'll go on a different day of the week.

 

[ms.ojo]

We're going on 12/6 also!! I was really looking forward to it....this thread is making me nervous. But the tickets are already purchased...so onward we go!

A few yrs ago we went to MNSSHP and it was a blast. Other than a few rides on Peter Pan and Buzz Lightyear, I don't think we went on other rides. Not b/c there were lines, but b/c we wanted to see the shows, trick or treat, get our treats, pictures, etc. Not to mention the parade and the FWs which were outstanding. Was it worth the $$$....I don't know. But we had a fun night. And since we're touring in early Dec...I figured we ought to give the Christmas party a chance too. Sure hope it isn't mobbed.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We were there on that very day last year and I say "ditto" to all your remarks. We missed the fireworks so we could get the picture, though. My DH says he's never going again. I would go again just to see the shows and parade but I'll go on a different day of the week.

Hey jwann I THOUGHT I saw you there!

Do you think it was more crowded because of Pop groups, seems like I saw alot of them that night? We decided to go on a Thursday because Tour Guide Mike recommended it as a slower night!.........NOT!!!!!!!!

Maybe MVMCP is just getting more crowded, maybe Disney is selling more tickets than in past years? -- We didn't even buy our tickets until the day we got there so I really thought it wouldn't be bad crowd wise.

 

[krbq]

We were there on Tuesday, December 7th and thought it was VERY crowded. We didn't have to wait in lines for the rides for very long (except for Buzz Lightyear), but the parades and fireworks were jammed. It just didn't seem much different than any other night.

 

[DemonLlama]

We have been to MVMCP each trip, in 2000, 2002, and 2004. We go near the end of the dates, usually on the last night offered, although this past trip we got there on a Thursday and attended the party that night.

It was PACKED in places. Fewer spots to take pics meant HUGE lines. We skipped it as the first two trips' pics were OK but nothing to wait an hour to get.

This past year felt far more crowded than the other two. The first one, in 2000 was heavenly. Imagine being in Fantasyland all alone. They have most certainly increased the numbers of tickets over the years, but we still love it. Nothing like that "snow" on Main Street, carols over the sound system, and "dancing" snowflakes projected on the buildings as you wait for the Christmas parade to come at night.