MVMCP specifically about the parade......

[scrapbook35]

As many others, I am still undecided if my children (dd8 and ds6) will be able to stay awake long enough to enjoy any of this party. How about a specific question about the parade. What kind of parade would we see during the day during regular admission? A regular happy parade with xmas decorations around the park, but not in the parade? And then at night during the MVMCP the parade completely changes, and the characters that march with the parade are decked out in santa hats? And the dancing girls look like the NYC rockettes? But they don't during the regular day parade? Is this correct? Because We live in NY and my kids see snow all the time, and we drink hot chocolate at home.... (LOL) so what's the really special part? The free photo.... I am a photo nut and will find some character in a santa hat somewhere during the week, and well I guess it all boils down to the parade...

 

[Dan Murphy]

The parade is TOTALLY different, and very long. It is a super parade.

 

[helenk]

You do not indicate your dates, but if you are going before the week before Christmas, the parade at night is completely different than the parade at night.
If you go the week of Christmas then the parade during the day is the parade from MVMCP.
There are 2 showings of the parade at night, if you decide to go with your children go to the earlier parade. The enjoy some of the shows, go on a few attractions and have a great time!

 

[kerri0616]

The parade you see during the day depends upon which week you will be visiting the World.

During the holiday season (Thanksgiving through New Year's) the daytime parade is just the new one--name escapes me!!

However, if you visit during the week between Xmas and New Year's the daytime parades (there are 2 per day, not including the evening Spectro) are the same Xmas Parade you see would see at MVMCP.

For what it's worth, we really enjoyed MVMCP in 2003. We went on a weeknight in early December and experienced light crowds. (Well, except for the free photo which we skipped due to the lines.) We took the day off from the parks and enjoyed the resort/swimming. Then we entered MK at 4:00 and got our wrist bands. Kids were well-rested since we didn't drag them around another park all day. We ate a late lunch/early dinner before we entered, so we could focus on rides/parade/Christmas scenery. We're parade people, so we loved the Christmas Parade with the snow. Swimming and snow all in one day--only at Disney!

Just my 2 cents.

Kerri

 

[Dan Murphy]

Here is about 4 minutes I found on youtube. The parade is probably 20 minutes long.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7HQ017YCQ4

 

[MermaidMommy]

Ah, you've got to love youtube! Thanks, Dan!

We took DD when she was almost 5, and, as she's was very early riser with a 7:30 bedtime, I had my worries about how much of the party we would be able to see. Well, I had to drag her out of there at midnight, and we had so much fun we decided to add one more party for our last night there. We did an easy park day in the morning, rested in the afternoon before the party, and took the next day off from touring, so DD didn't get too worn out.

The parade, as others have said, is completely different from the afternoon one. Different floats, characters, music -- all Christmas music of course -- and it's fantastic. DD was thrilled by it, and DMother and I just looked at each other, laughed giddily, and said "WOW!!" when it was done. It's one of our favorite trip memories. As for the rest of the party, the fireworks were amazing, and different than the regualr Wishes, and just the whole atmosphere and experience of the party was so festive. Personally, I wouldn't go at Christmastime without doing the party!

 

[MINNIE OF TWO MICE]

I have to agree. We love it. We had a great time. The parade is very nice. We will go this year for the fourth time. No complaints here.

 

[Minnie824]

We went for the first time last year to MVMCP w/DDs then aged 4 and 1.5. We went twice and the girls sat for the parade both times. They loved the parade! It was different than during the day, and my DDs liked it better than Spectro. It has Christmas music, etc. My little one still loves to watch our vacation videos of the parade that I taped, and she gets up and dances. To us, it was worth it to go to MVMCP just to go to the parade. Hopefully this year, we can stay a little later and do more stuff there. They have special shows, a different Wishes also, that we'd like to try to make this year. Try to rest during the day w/your kids if you think that may help.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.......The parade, as others have said, is completely different from the afternoon one. Different floats, characters, music -- all Christmas music of course -- and it's fantastic.....

And smells too!!!

 

[Mcqueen Fans]

Our two boys 3 and 5 loved the parade. It was late but they stayed awayke until we got one the bus them they crashed. We just did a park early in the morning and then went back to the hotel and rested before the party. We always stay and watch the last parade. I love all the lights and the snaow on mian street. This is my favorite part of our trip. If you go early the lines for the picture is not bad. That is the first thing we do is go get our picture taken.

 

[scrapbook35]

It does seem like the parade is the best part. I am glad you all answered my question. I will be ther during first week of Dec. so If I don't do MVMCP then I would miss out on the special xmas parade. It seems like we will go, I agree with many people that It's kinda the point of going during xmas time in the first place. I will try to get the kids to rest or nap during the day, so they can last longer that night. I am very excited.
And thanks dan for looking up that video. That was amazing and may have sealed the deal with hubby !
***Also, thanks for not laughing at my ticker !! ***

 

[BlindTyldak]

At risk of blasphemy, from anothr who grew up in snow, hot chocolate, and with Macy's jammed down their throat every year, it's not worth it. or at least wait until they are older and you KNOW they'll be able to handle it.