MVMCP - Tips, Tricks, Secrets newbies should know...

[tinkerrn]

Just booked a suprise trip in Dec. hope to go to the MVMCP on the 15 or 17th!!

 

[Dee77]

There are attractions that close during the party too, right? I asked this earlier today on another thread and did get a few responses. Hall of Presidents, Jungle cruise etc. Any others?

 

[cgorn]

We'll be there with our DD2 and still trying to figure out if MVMCP is worth it for us. Based on what I'm reading, the real advantages favor those who stay late, and since we're likely to be among those with small children who fizzle out early, it sounds like we would be wise not to go.

Or, since we were planning on going on a Tuesday (12/8) (we're arriving on a Friday, 12/4), do you think it would be possible to wait until we get there to get tickets?

Thanks,

Chad

 

[boswellnakia]

Just booked a suprise trip in Dec. hope to go to the MVMCP on the 15 or 17th!!

I'm going to sneak in a fourth trip this year just for me. Leaving the wife and kids at home, going for my birthday. In 2005, we went to MVMCP for my birthday, looking forward to going back.

 

[MeLaNie9]

We'll be there with our DD2 and still trying to figure out if MVMCP is worth it for us. Based on what I'm reading, the real advantages favor those who stay late, and since we're likely to be among those with small children who fizzle out early, it sounds like we would be wise not to go.

Or, since we were planning on going on a Tuesday (12/8) (we're arriving on a Friday, 12/4), do you think it would be possible to wait until we get there to get tickets?

Thanks,

Chad

I would have to say "don't do it" with a young child. We had DS2 and DS4 and went on a premium night (general tip - avoid these nights) and did not see a single show or much of the parade because it was so incredibly, ridiculously crowded. The cookie/cocoa spot was pure chaos. Both boys were asleep by the time we could get into a show and so I sat with them while the rest of my party saw the show. They cost is so not worth it unless you are going to be able catch the late showings. I think we left after this one show and holiday wishes. And, it was so cold...probably between 30 and 40 F. We had layers but did not expect that, before they fell asleep I had to put the boys into their rain coats over their sweat suits and I bought a blanket!

 

[WDWLODGE]

We have done MVMCP about 6-7 times. Our daughter was 2 the first time we went and she did great. What we have done, is on the day of the party we go to the Park that has early entry or get up early for breakfast if there is no early entry that day. By noon we are all ready for a nap. So after a 2-3 hour nap at the resort we are all ready for the party. We have always stayed at the party until closing without any of us wearing down. But of course every child is different. We usually arrive by 5PM and head straight to Cosmic Rays for dinner. Next we get in line for Twas the Night Before Christmas, after watching the show we do some rides, character greetings, etc. We'll catch the special version of Wishes and then watch the stage show. Then we'll watch the 2nd parade and do as many rides as we can squeeze in before midnight.

 

[cgorn]

I would have to say "don't do it" with a young child. We had DS2 and DS4 and went on a premium night (general tip - avoid these nights) and did not see a single show or much of the parade because it was so incredibly, ridiculously crowded. The cookie/cocoa spot was pure chaos. Both boys were asleep by the time we could get into a show and so I sat with them while the rest of my party saw the show. They cost is so not worth it unless you are going to be able catch the late showings. I think we left after this one show and holiday wishes. And, it was so cold...probably between 30 and 40 F. We had layers but did not expect that, before they fell asleep I had to put the boys into their rain coats over their sweat suits and I bought a blanket!

Thanks! I think you just saved me over $100! It would appear that MVMCP isn't going anywhere, and we're unlikely to quit going to WDW, so we'll have our chances when the kid is older.

 

[cgorn]

We have done MVMCP about 6-7 times. Our daughter was 2 the first time we went and she did great. What we have done, is on the day of the party we go to the Park that has early entry or get up early for breakfast if there is no early entry that day. By noon we are all ready for a nap. So after a 2-3 hour nap at the resort we are all ready for the party...

I thought about about that, too. The day we're thinking about is late on our trip, so if we decide she can handle it (depending on what her nap/sleep/crankiness schedule is), we'll see if we can get tix there. If it's sold out, then there will be other times.

 

[SweetMommy]

I want to thank everyone for posting all these awesome tips and tricks! We are headed to the MVMCP on 12/11 and it will be the first time! I will definitely be remembering a lot of these tips to help maximize the party!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

We have done MVMCP about 6-7 times. Our daughter was 2 the first time we went and she did great. What we have done, is on the day of the party we go to the Park that has early entry or get up early for breakfast if there is no early entry that day. By noon we are all ready for a nap. So after a 2-3 hour nap at the resort we are all ready for the party. We have always stayed at the party until closing without any of us wearing down. But of course every child is different. We usually arrive by 5PM and head straight to Cosmic Rays for dinner. Next we get in line for Twas the Night Before Christmas, after watching the show we do some rides, character greetings, etc. We'll catch the special version of Wishes and then watch the stage show. Then we'll watch the 2nd parade and do as many rides as we can squeeze in before midnight.

Thanks for this great info - We'll be taking our DD2 and were thinking of doing this exact thing! Thanks for giving me hope that it'll work for us

 

[glasslipper]

Hi everyone, great tips! We'll be there for the last party night, Dec.18th. Our tentative plan is to hit MK early that day with breakfast at Crystal Palace, ride as many rides as we can, take a nice break, eat dinner at Ohana at 5, then hit the party. What do you think? The youngest person in our group is 17, so I don't see an issue with being able to stay up late for the entire party. I want to be able to take in the party events and not be worried about riding rides while the party is taking place.

 

[exwdwcm]

we enjoyed MVMCP---we spent the day not going too hard and had a long 3-4 hour break for naps and rest before heading into MK at about 5 or so. We had dinner at Cosmic Ray's. Back when we went, they used to start closing the park at 6pm to non MVMCP guests. As we were leaving Cosmic Ray's, we saw guests asking to just come in and use the bathroom and they were told no, unless they had on a MVMCP wrist band. They were being pretty strict about shooing folks out of the park during that 6-7pm time frame.

We did not catch any of the shows, we simply aren't patient about waiting in lines 30 minutes to get a seat. Instead, we rode a ton of rides, with no lines during the first parade and enjoyed lots of hot chocolate and cookies! We saw lots of characters, checked out the dance party too. We did catch WISHES and LOVED It, my fav fireworks ever. We watched the second parade and the 2.5 yo with us managed to stay up for it. However, my mom and great aunt were fizzling out by then. THey grabbed seats in front of the ice cream shop and just relaxed and saw some of the parade by sitting way back. We pretty much left shortly after the parade, but we found we were able to ride a TON of rides that night with little or no wait. We went on a Tuesday night in early Dec.

we already ahve our tickets for this year for 12/15- again, on a tuesday, trying to avoid weekend crowds.

 

[dawnandnala]

Does anyone want to help me pick which date to pick for MVMCP?
Sun 12/13
Tues 12/15
Th 12/17
Fri 12/18
Reasoning?
Or should I wait until park hours are released to make a decision based on when other things are happening such as Fantasmic?
Thanks for any advice you might have!

 

[meowmarie]

Does anyone want to help me pick which date to pick for MVMCP?
Sun 12/13
Tues 12/15
Th 12/17
Fri 12/18
Reasoning?
Or should I wait until park hours are released to make a decision based on when other things are happening such as Fantasmic?
Thanks for any advice you might have!

Sunday the 13th... cause we'll be there!

Seriously though, we kind of "eenie meenie miney mo" picked that day with the idea that it wouldn't be as busy on a Sunday night as a Friday night, which is the only other day it will be happening while we're there. Sunday should still be a "school night" for some of the locals we're hoping Plus it's the last night of our trip and we thought it would be a nice way to end it. But I would think any night besides Friday would be a good choice, but I have nothing to base this on but common sense, since the tickets are higher priced those nights.

 

[dawnandnala]

Sunday the 13th... cause we'll be there!

Seriously though, we kind of "eenie meenie miney mo" picked that day with the idea that it wouldn't be as busy on a Sunday night as a Friday night, which is the only other day it will be happening while we're there. Sunday should still be a "school night" for some of the locals we're hoping Plus it's the last night of our trip and we thought it would be a nice way to end it. But I would think any night besides Friday would be a good choice, but I have nothing to base this on but common sense, since the tickets are higher priced those nights.

Thanks!

Anyone else?

 

[f15robyn]

dawnandnala,

We're trying to decide between three of those same dates.

I was looking at Sunday, Dec 13th or Tuesday, Dec 15th for most of the same reasons MeowMarie mentioned.

I've also read that the equivalent Tuesday last year, 12/16/2008, sold out. Which surprised me about a Tuesday because I was also thinking "school night." So we're leaning towards Sunday too.

I've heard that the equivalent Thursday show last year (12/18/08) didn't sell out, but that surprises me given that it's the second to last one.

And I don't think anyone could pay me to attend the last one of the season on a Friday (12/18/09).

 

[natenapril]

I want to thank everyone for posting all these awesome tips and tricks! We are headed to the MVMCP on 12/11 and it will be the first time! I will definitely be remembering a lot of these tips to help maximize the party!

There are a few of us going on the 11th!! Are you going to have your LGMH?

 

[dawnandnala]

bump....

thanks f15robyn
anyone else want to give an opinion?

 

[rhiansmom]

We will be there the week before Thanksgiving and there is a party on Thursday and Friday night. My wisdom would say go Thursday night but I have been known to pick the wrong park on the wrong days... so any suggestions?

 

[Marquibiri]

I'm going either Tuesday Dec 8th or Thursday Dec 10th. Anyone know if Pop Warner kids attend this event? Don't know which date to pick to avoid crowds.
Thanks.

Marquibiri