MVMCP...the good, the bad, and the ugly

[laceemouse]

Well, I have heard mixed reviews about MNSSHP and MVMCP for years. We went to MNSSHP last October and I came away with mixed feelings. Some rides were no wait at all, some rides/shows were awful waits! Seeing the parade was a zoo, very congested. The parade inself was kinda weird. It started off "scary" and turned into "hoedown." It was a sold out party that night, over Colimbus Day weekend, but no one has ever found out the true number of guests they let into these parties though. Now we have ressies for VWL for 12/18 thru 12/26. I thought we were going to miss all of the MVMCPs but after finding out that there is one on 12/20 I called and got tickets to it today. Now I am having mixed feelings about going. We have 4 kids and my youngest talks all the time about going to Mickey's Christmas Party, so I guess we will go. However, after MNSSHP I really had a "been there, done that" attitude. We will not be trying that again anytime soon. Soooo.....tell me about MVMCP. How did you like it? Have you been multiple times? Any tips to make sure we all enjoy it???? TIA....Lacee

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I know that this is the same parade they show on television on Christmas day, and when I went there earlier in the month in the past, the only way to see it was at the MVMCP. I always went a few times every trip. I didn't do it to see it as how many times I could go on the rides, though. It was always a family get-together holiday thing. It was just a really cool experience walking down Main Street and watching it snow. Going to MNSSHP for the first time this year, so I can't compare the two.

 

[babar41]

DH and I went to a 3 years ago and loved it! The last 2 years we have gone in November because of the great deals. I told DH last year I didn't care what the deals were, this year we are going back for MVMCP! I'm sorry you didn't care for MNSSHP, but I think you will experience less crowds at the Christmas one. Hope you enjoy it!

 

[tink2]

We went to our first MVMCP this past Dec. and left very disappointed. It was a unique experience and I'm glad we did it once, not sure if we'll return. We actually went to two in Dec.- a Tuesday and Thursday night the first full week of Dec.- the 7th and 9th I believe. Anyway, the crowds were much, much larger than I expected. The crowds were much heavier at both parties than we experienced all week! The crowds were very low in the parks during the day, so we had already ridden the rides we wanted- we just did the Christmas shows, parade, etc. Every show was packed! People were camping out for the 8:00 parade before the party 'officially' began- Thursday night there were people sitting on Main Street for the parade by 6:30! We saw characters out, but the lines were huge! The lines for the photo were so long we didn't bother either night- and we knew to try that first thing and at the different spots. I had done my homework on these boards and knew the basic schedule of things and where we wanted to be and when- thank goodness or the night would have been a total bust!!! Now, I know this sounds very negative. We did see the main Christmas shows- the first one is at 6:45 in tomorrowland. I'm glad we went and experienced it- the parade is fabulous and the snow on main street is spectacular! I had just read how wonderful the parties were before and that there weren't many people there. I think my expectations were set too high! I just couldn't believe we spent that much money to see the biggest crowds we saw the whole vacation! If you've never been, I say go. Just be prepared. Definitely go on a Tues. or Thurs.- they are supposed to be the least crowded- I can't imagine what a Fri. night would be like! Try to get a schedule ahead of time- there will be one posted here shortly after the first party. Know what you want to do and when. If you want to watch the parade on main street- try for the second parade (do this either way)- my kids are small so this wasn't possible. If you want to see Santa, get there at early before he arrives- I think he starts seeing people at 7:00. Be sure to take in the snow on main street at some point in the night! Have a magical night! Just be prepared and you should be fine.

 

[DemonLlama]

We have been to MVMCP three times: in 2000, in 2002, and in 2004. The 2000 and 2002 dates were the last night the party was offered. This past year we went to the Thursday night, next to last party date.

By far, the crowds were MUCH worse in 2004. We did the photo with no waiting at the beginning of the night on the first two trips. This year, it was wall to wall people in fewer locations. We skipped it.

Shows were packed -- you will need to go very early to get a seat.

Got a nice spot for Wishes, which featured Tinkerbell's flight and the 360 degree fireworks that aren't always seen. Spots were filling up about an hour before the show, although we didn't pick out a spot until a half hour before.

We stayed until close, got a good spot for the second parade on the curb of Main Street about an hour beforehand and traded off going into the stores while the others held our spot until about 20 minutes before.

We enjoyed the castle forecourt holiday show at midnight, as crowds had thinned a good bit by then. But the earlier part of the evening was quite packed.

We met a lot of characters, rode all the mountains, Pirates, Aladdin's carpets, Teacups, Pooh, Buzz, and Stitch with very little waits except for Space, which was a wait of about 40 minutes.

The snow on Main Street and the "dancing snowflakes" in time to the music (lights on the buildings) are always lovely. We will go again in 2006 and will attend the party, but it has gotten more crowded over the years.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We also found the December 7 MVMCP to be much more crowded than we expected, especially given the lack of crowds during the day. Like Tink2, we knew to plan carefully for the shows we wanted to see, and we did get to see them, and we didn't focus much on rides, just on the special events that night. The early parade was ridiculously crowded - we didn't even try. The late parade was much better - there were good viewing spots to be had in Frontierland right up to parade time. We also found very long lines for the photos and didn't bother. It was fun, and I'm glad we went and had the experience, but I honestly don't know if I'd do it again. I think every should try it at least once - many people have posted that they had an absolute blast, so it certainly varies by individual experience. Definitely know what the schedules are in advance so that you have a game plan, and just go with the flow.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

We did MVMCP in 2002, 2003, and 2004. I decided after last year, that it just wasn't worth the extra money. Not sure if DGS feels that way, but the next time we go to WDW in Dec., we will not attend MVMCP. It's festive and fun, but crowded, and I think we'll spend the money on something else. We can get free "snow" at MGM's Osborne Lights.

One of the things that bothers me a little about MVMCP, is that the maps are vague and hard to read. They don't make it easy for you to find the photos, cookies, and hot chocolate. They put an icon on the map, but you can't tell exactly where the location is. Plus, it's darker than normal in the parks, since they dim the lights, so it's hard to see what the icons are and its hard to read the map. We did have fun at all the parties, but I just don't think we will go again any time soon at that price.

Tink

 

[Kteacher]

We went for the first time last December ( 12/5 ). It was definitely more crowded than I had expected. It was just me and my then 14 year old son. We still had a blast We did the pictures, and it took about 10-15 minutes tops. I lost track of how many cookies and cups of hot chocolate my son had . We didn't do any of the shows, but did watch the parade-the " snow " is very cool! We stayed almost till closing, and were able to ride pretty much everything with minimal waits even with the large crowds.

 

[Leota]

MVMCP used to be fantastic. I have noticed that they are selling WAY too many tickets to both MVMCP & MNSSHP now. When we went to the Parties in the 90's, they were very intimate events. After the last time I was at one of them, I swore I wouldn't waste the money again......
But now we are taking the Grandchildren & we want them to see the Christmas Parade......

It's still special - It's just special for a Whole LOT of People & can get pretty crowded!

 

[goofy4tink]

I went to MVMCP for the first time in 2003 and loved it. The crowds weren't too bad, we got to do a lot of stuff. But last year it was hugely crowded. Not too sure what the difference was. We were there the week right after THanksgiving so I figured it wouldn't be crowded. I was so wrong. But, I did get to meet up with some great dis'ers. That made it all worthwhile.

Going to WDW from 11/30-12/4....not sure if I'll be going to MVMCP. If I do, it will be on 12/1.

 

[dolphindan1]

This past Dec....was way more crowded than the previous 3 years....I think in large part due to people rescheduling for Hurricanes...we went Tues Dec 7th and walked very upset....couldnt get on the rides only a couple.....shows were packed...picture line was packed but moved quickly....parades were packed....It was horrible trying to get to a bathroom....We will probably not go to the party again unless Disney makes some changes to the cap....We spent 200 buck to ride 3 rides, watch parade and fireworks....If it goes back like it was in 2003, 2002 we will go in a heartbeat

 

[laceemouse]

Wow, thanks for all the great responses! Sounds like it is still mixed reviews. I must add that when we did MNSSHP we did notice the crowds thin out A LOT after the second parade. Folks with little ones head out then. We were able to get our picture with little wait then and got more candy as there was almost no one in the lines and the CMs were calling us over to give it away. Our kids are 14, 12, 10, and 7 so we can easily stay until the party ends and jump on a boat back to VWL!! I will certainly be looking for the schedule and plan accordingly. We also had a problem in October that we had eaten an early dinner in our unit at OKW and even with the candy the kids needed a snack later in the evening. The only thing we could find open was Pecos Bills, so we had junk. If I know ahead of time what food places are open that will help if we get the munchies! I guess we will just plan for big crowds, we are going on a Tuesday night which should keep locals away, but it IS the last party so who knows?? It seems like there are more dates this year, I hope that helps!!

 

[KittyKitty]

Hi, One thing I noticed is that you are going at the busiest time of the year, so MVMCP may not seem that crowded compared to the crowds during the day at MK. IF you've gone during this time before, I'm sure you know this.
I went last year 1st time, and did enjoy the decorations,parade,rides at night, but I think the parade is the same after 12/14-15 or so, as the one during MVMCP.

It is expensive, and don't know if I would do it again, but glad I did go.

Have fun

 

[HollyJoy]

We went to MVMCP last year, and while the park was VERY crowded, we had a good time. I'd have to say, that during MVMCP was the highest crowds we experienced during our entire trip (we were there December 4-10). I think we waited 40 minutes for Peter Pan... the longest wait of our trip. The rest of the time it was like 10 min max. With that said, it defiantely was a neat experience. Expect the crowds and plan for them, and you'll enjoy yourself.

 

[Skatermom23]

We went this past December, the first Tuesday of the month. Crowds were greater than expected. Thankfully we had seven days in the parks that were not crowded! The shows were good and the atmosphere was something to see. I would go again but with the expectation that I wouldn't be going on rides. My kids are also older and we closed the place down...