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

[Minniekins]

Thanks! I will try for LTT. The mixed reviews of TOny's made me nervous!

Between the two, I'd definitely go for LTT! We went to Tony's last year and we really didn't care too much for the food, so we were disappointed. We watched the Spectro parade from our table we had out on Tony's porch. We could see well enough for that as we'd seen the parade other times, but watching from there was the reason we tried Tony's that night. But, for the Xmas parade I'd think you might miss more that you'd want to see, but there are so many on the walkway watching that that might impair your view. I don't think you could really see much at all if you didn't have a table outside, either. But, overall, I'd still go to Cosmic Rays, myself. I like the food and they have that Xmas dance party Goofy and Chip and Dale(others?) that is fun especially for kids! Have fun whichever you pick!

 

[digskat]

Make sure to do the photopass card that night, and order your prints when you get home 'cause you can order any and all prints from your trip and get the 40% off discount on your entire order

 

[wdwfan16]

I'll start:
• Plan to arrive very early for Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas show or you won't get a seat. We were in line at least 30 minutes early and almost did not get a seat.
• If you can do the late parade it will be a lot less crowded than the early parade.
• Lines for rides will be short during the parades.
• Even if the daytime temps are warm the evenings can be pretty cool. You may want to check a weather website before you leave home to better plan what clothes to pack. I have been VERY happy to have a winter jacket, hat and mittens some years (and I am used to Minnesota cold!) A blanket is great for sitting on cold curbs or covering up.
• Get there by 4:00 PM to have the maximum amount of time. If you are using tickets rather than an AP, the day of MVMCP may be a day you can do things that don't require a park ticket, like visiting resorts to see decorations or going to DTD.
• It is fun to wear a special hat or sweatshirt or other Disney Christmas apparel/jewelry.
• I think it is wise to eat a late lunch/early dinner so you don't waste time during the party. If you want to sit and eat you REALLY need an ADR.
• Don't miss the marching tin soldiers in the parade. IMHO they are worth the price of admission.

BOLD - Due to the theater being used for the SM rehab TTNBC will not be shown there. Rumor has it that the show will not happen this year. I love this show and hope they still have it at a new location (but where?).

 

[ugadog68]

If you are in the MK during the day on your regular ticket/AP, do you have to exit and re-enter w/the MVMCP ticket? How does that work?

 

[wendyt_ca]

Make sure to do the photopass card that night, and order your prints when you get home 'cause you can order any and all prints from your trip and get the 40% off discount on your entire order

What photopass card is this? I remember reading you get a free photopass picture is this what you mean? I didn't know that also gets you 40% off others from the trip.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Scrooge McDuck's Christmas Tree Farm area in MK Fantasyland- last year it was open during the day, not just during MVMCP.
So keep an eye out for it during a normal day so you can have your picture with Scrooge McDuck early in the day and save time during MVMCP.

Belle is out with the Beast. She is wearing her red dress.

The Princes were out with the Princesses last year during MVMCP.

Mickey and Minnie were in their Christmas finery but not together. You had to stand in seperate lines for them.

That's the only things I can think of that others haven't mentioned.

 

[beattyfamily]

What photopass card is this? I remember reading you get a free photopass picture is this what you mean? I didn't know that also gets you 40% off others from the trip.

That night, when you get a Photopass picture taken, they will hand you a special MVMCP Photopass card and it will have a special discount code on the back for 40% off prints.

They no longer offer a free picture at parties...only the discount on prints.

 

[wendyt_ca]

That night, when you get a Photopass picture taken, they will hand you a special MVMCP Photopass card and it will have a special discount code on the back for 40% off prints.

They no longer offer a free picture at parties...only the discount on prints.

Thanks that is good to know. I will have to remember that.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I can't echo enough about taking it easy the day of the party. If you can last the whole party you'll see some very short lines for rides late in the evening. Some people could make this their MK day if they planned appropriately. We love the second parade and all the ride time following it.

Good luck!!!

Loving the tips. Right now we have two days of park hopper passes for our Dec 1-6 trip. I am thinking of buying MVMCP tickets rather than buying another day pass. This will mean no food plan for us since I won't need to purchase any other tickets but I think that will be ok. I don't think we can get the free dining that is coming out due to I have a gift certificate that says retail only. MVMCP would be our only trip to MK but I think that will work just fine. As long as I can ride the mountain rides I am happy. SM is my all time favorite ride so it better be open by Dec. Won't have any kids so hopefully as long as we sleep in staying out until midnight shouldn't be a problem. I like the idea of a late lunch and late dinner at a CS.

 

[Mommytobree]

Subbing

2 Questions:

1. My ticket to MVMCP serves as my admission to the park at 4pm, correct? So no need to use my regular park ticket that day as well?

2. DO I call and add the tickets to my reservation? How does that work? DO I get charged in full when I add them?

Thanks!!! This is our 1st time going to mvmcp and I can't WAIT!!!!!

 

[swankybeth]

Subbing

2 Questions:

1. My ticket to MVMCP serves as my admission to the park at 4pm, correct? So no need to use my regular park ticket that day as well?

2. DO I call and add the tickets to my reservation? How does that work? DO I get charged in full when I add them?

Thanks!!! This is our 1st time going to mvmcp and I can't WAIT!!!!!

Yes to your first question. You can get in starting at 4 pm, they will probably have separate turnstiles set up. This is how it worked for the MNSSHP last year and I'm guessing MVMCP will be the same. The turnstiles for the party entrance were to the right.

Second, you call up and purchase the tickets separately. You pay for them in full when you order them and they will mail them to you.

Hope this helped!

 

[Twende]

If you can wait until nearer the party date, do not buy tickets for a time that may sell out. We are DVC members and got tickets through them for a special price good only on certain dates. It turned out to be a sold out night and the park was wall to wall people all night. It really spoiled the evening.

We have gone several other years and never had this problem.

 

[cab0ad]

Does the park close to people who don't buy tickets to this party or do they have access to the normal rides and just not the party? I guess I'm worried I'll be kicked out of the park early if I don't buy the tickets. That would stink!

Pretty much all of the activities in the party are offered free for the last week before Christmas, right? Christmas parade will be out after the 18th? No free cookies and cocoa but that won't hurt me...I'd rather have the Dole Whip!

 

[Mommytobree]

Does the park close to people who don't buy tickets to this party or do they have access to the normal rides and just not the party? I guess I'm worried I'll be kicked out of the park early if I don't buy the tickets. That would stink!

Pretty much all of the activities in the party are offered free for the last week before Christmas, right? Christmas parade will be out after the 18th? No free cookies and cocoa but that won't hurt me...I'd rather have the Dole Whip!

I think after a certain time the park is only open for those who have tickets to mvmcp.

 

[Mommytobree]

Yes to your first question. You can get in starting at 4 pm, they will probably have separate turnstiles set up. This is how it worked for the MNSSHP last year and I'm guessing MVMCP will be the same. The turnstiles for the party entrance were to the right.

Second, you call up and purchase the tickets separately. You pay for them in full when you order them and they will mail them to you.

Hope this helped!

Yes, thank you!

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Thanks everyone! Keep the tips coming!

My general plan is to go to MK early that morning (Dec. 10th) get DD's birthday fun card, tour a few hotels then take it easy at the resort until 4ish.

I just can't decide where to eat. It's DD's 4th birthday and I was orginally just thinking cosmic rays, but then I thought about making an ADR at Tony's (if I can get one). Any suggestions? Could we see the parade while dining at tony's?

When we did MVMCP we had an early dinner at CP. If your DD likes Pooh & friends, that's a wonderful choice! Such a gorgeous setting, good food & lots of fun. We were lucky enough to be seated by the windows & it made for special viewing during dinner too, building our party anticipation!

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Does the park close to people who don't buy tickets to this party or do they have access to the normal rides and just not the party? I guess I'm worried I'll be kicked out of the park early if I don't buy the tickets. That would stink!

Pretty much all of the activities in the party are offered free for the last week before Christmas, right? Christmas parade will be out after the 18th? No free cookies and cocoa but that won't hurt me...I'd rather have the Dole Whip!

I think after a certain time the park is only open for those who have tickets to mvmcp.

MVMCP guests were given wristbands when I went in 2006

 

[princessmom29]

MVMCP guests were given wristbands when I went in 2006

We got wristbands last year, and yes they close the parks to everyone without a wristband when the party starts. This was just personal experience from last yrat, but I highly suggest doing MK earlier in the day on a MVMCP day. We did the sunday after thanksgiving last year and almost everything was walk on from rope drop untll we left at 1 to go get a nap.

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Does the park close to people who don't buy tickets to this party or do they have access to the normal rides and just not the party? I guess I'm worried I'll be kicked out of the park early if I don't buy the tickets. That would stink!

The park will close at 7 p.m. unless you are staying for the party. So yes you will be made to leave if you don't have a wrist band. The party is in the entire park!

 

[Mommytobree]

We got wristbands last year, and yes they close the parks to everyone without a wristband when the party starts. This was just personal experience from last yrat, but I highly suggest doing MK earlier in the day on a MVMCP day. We did the sunday after thanksgiving last year and almost everything was walk on from rope drop untll we left at 1 to go get a nap.

Thanks for that tip! We are arriving the Sunday after Thanksgiving