MVMCP too late for small kids?

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Thinking about doing this. What time is the Holiday parade and Wishes? Those would be our primary activities. If we got anything else done, we'd consider it a bonus. Maybe some ice cream or something while we sit and wait for the parade to start. So we don't really plan on staying out until 12:00. That would just kill the next day completely.

I'm concerned that the party is too late for smaller kids. What time will the fireworks and parade be over?

Any thoughts?

Thanks

Shel

 

[Eeyore2003]

I am not positively sure of the exact times, but there are two parades. There are usually lots of people there for the earlier parade with small children. I'm thinking 8 or so and wishes at 9??? Not really sure, but it's kind of in the middle of the party, and the later parade almost right at the end or so. Either way, I'm sure you would be back at your resort by about 10:00. For the earlier parade, I would grab a seat early like you said and get ice cream or something if you want a spot on the curb.

 

[beattyfamily]

Parades were 8:15p and 10:45p last year and the firworks are usually at 9:15p

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Whenever we take our little ones to WDW (now 13 yo, 5 yo, and almost 3 yo), they are always the last to crash at night. We went to MNSSHP a couple of weeks ago, and the kids did not fall asleep until around 1 am, as we were heading back to our resort (of course). Once back in the room, they were instantly alive again, eating candy and chatting about how much fun they'd had at the party. Dh and I were EXHAUSTED!!

 

[scarboroughmom]

It really depends on your kids. We took our boys last year. They are 9,7, and 7. It was CROWDED. We didn't stay terribly late, but it sort of ruined the next morning. I am not a big fan of this event, especially w/young kids. I just didn't think it was anything special. It's just another night in the MK as far as I am concerned. For my kids, reasonably early to bed, and early to rise just makes for happier kids. I like to use my kids' energy to get to the parks early. Getting to ride a favorite ride 4 times in a row w/no wait is way more magical than dragging 3 kids around the MK who have already put in 8 - 10 high energy hours.

 

[GEM]

We took our little guy (only 20 months old then) to the Christmas party last year. It was great! We just spent that whole day relaxing at the hotel, swimming, etc. We took a nice long nap and headed to the Magic Kingdom for dinner at about 4pm. He made it for the whole party and didn't fall asleep until we were on the boat back to the Wilderness Lodge after it was all over. He had a wonderful time and was never cranky or upset at all! The next day we just slept late, had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, and headed off to Epcot a little before noon. We're doing it again this year, with the same plan in mind. Now, I will admit, that our little guy is kind of a night owl anyway and he isn't one of those kids that needs a real strict schedule or anything. He pretty much just goes with the flow.

We've been to the Christmas party and the Halloween party many times, and we love them both! We've never been to one that was crowded, but we always avoid the Friday and Saturday night parties because the locals really add to the crowds on those nights.

Have fun!

 

[noodles]

We have done this twice with small kids and will be doing it again this year. The day of the party we sleep in and go to a character breakfast at one of the resorts that we would not normally get to, this year were doing 'Ohana. After breakfast we will go for a monorail ride and then back to the resort for a nap. We make sure everyone sleeps. We make our way to MK for the 4:00 opening for people with MVMCP tickets. We usually stay till the end of the party when there are not very many people left in the park. The next morning we sleep in and will hit the parks at around noon. This may not work for everyone, but my DH loves MVMCP and makes that his only request so this is how we make is work with little ones!

 

[ntburns22]

At MNSSHP my ds2 fell alseep in the stroller from about 7:30-9:30. HE was wide awake for the 10pm parade and ready to finish the night. It was nice because he was in such a good mood when he woke up and we where able to do a lot more.

 

[dmonroe]

We love MVMCP and plan our days to include it without wreaking too much havoc on the kids schedules. The day of the party we don't do a park that morning. We just hang around the resort, enjoy the pool (if it's warm enough, if not we go to DTD) and make sure the kids have a good nap. Then we usually have an early seating at one of the MK restuarants and stay for the party. We stay as late as we can without entering "meltdown territory" . The next morning we don't do a park either. We usually sleep in and have a late breakfast somewhere. Since Epcot stays open latest, we usually head over there in the early afternoon. This works for us, but it may not be for everybody. We try to have enough days in WDW to include down-time anyway. If we were going on a shorter trip, I probably wouldn't want to give up 2 half days of parks!-Dana

 

[danny1649]

Think it depends on the child,we've been to MCMCP each year since 1992.During that time we've seen little ones rip roarin to go and still that way at midnite or 1 am.MVMCP hours when we first starting going were 8 pm until 1 am.That said I've seen just as many asleep or very tired and upset by 9:30.I think most parents are the best judge of what the child is up to doing and the limits before they reach meltdown.We're going MVMCP on Dec 6th and 8th this year.Have a great time on your visit to WDW.

 

[jenjersnap]

DH ended up taking our 16-month old back to the room after the first parade. He was just too tired and cranky, even after a long rest. OTOH, my 4-yr-old made it to the second parade and was fine, though he crashed when we got back to our room. We made the mistake of having concrete plans the next day. I highly recommend scheduling a rest morning the next day. Have fun!