MVMCP Touring Tips & Plans

[TammiMcMan]

I found something that might help other MVMCP "newbies" with their scheduling. It's the 2003 schedule and park map showing photo locations and hot cocoa/cookie stands. Another DIS'er has promised to post the 2004 schedule as soon as it's released, but I would think it's going to be similar to what's shown here. We'll be going for the first time on 12/12, so I don't have any advice to give yet, but I have picked up a lot of tips from the DIS boards. The most valuable seems to be arriving at 4pm to make the most of your time.

2003 MVMCP Schedule & Park Map

Tammi

 

[sunnygirl]

I love this thread! Thanks for all the great info!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

We went to two MVMCP's last year and had a wonderful time.

I think people have different wants and needs. I went for the Christmas events and maybe rode one ride. I also have small kids and even with a nap they just don't make it past 10PM so I don't have the option to wait for the second parade.

Lucky4me is on the money about the shows. The TL show reminded me of an old time Christmas Variety Show with the thread of Twas the night before Christmas as the "plot". Lovely singing and dancing, my DD's loved it!! That show and the castle show you should arrive early for seating, although how early I don't recall.

The castle show was similar, singing carols, dancing and maybe ice skaters. There is no seating for this and the jostling in the crowd can be unnerving.

Belle's show was just her reading and when we were there, there was no crowd and after just watching the other two shows, rather bland. She did pull some children from the audience but we skipped it the second night.

When and where to do things is impossible to judge. Both nights were strikingly different regarding crowds, although I remember that the pictures in TL had a long line while fantasyland had very little lines. The line for Hot Cocoa was very large the first evening and non-existent the second night.

 

[goofy4tink]

We went last year. At at LTT and walked out of dinner around 6:45 and had our photos done at Hall of Presidents just before 7. We never had any cocoa and cookies but saw a lot of people in line for them!!! We didn't do any of the Castle forecourt shows. I don't enjoy the shows where we have to stand and crane our necks and get shoved around!! But we loved the show in TL. Mickey's Night before Christmas was a hoot. Great show. We did a lot of the rides, watched the first parade, saw the fireworks and were pooped so went back to the resort!!

This year I think we'll be more rested and be able to stay for the whole night. I would really like to see the late parade and maybe a few more shows. But just wandering around, seeing the 'sights' is fun. And yes....be sure to get any MVMCP clothing items you want that night!!

 

[Serenity]

Bumping......

 

[FatCow]

no official 2004 schedule yet? this is odd

 

[shannon1219]

I really thought that they would have put the schedule out by now. It is only 2 weeks till the first party.

 

[kda]

We went 6 years ago (and can't wait to go back this year) and had a great time just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere. Just did a few rides and caught part of the castle show and the TL show --- and I have no idea what the shows were like, except there was a holiday theme and I enjoyed them. I tend to remember the feelings, not the details.

We grabbed cocoa and cookies first because I'd read about the lines, but probably won't even bother with that again (they weren't Grandma's home made cookies and I don't need the calories!). Got pictures done early (in TL), too. I believe the picture was about 4 x 5" or 6" --- not as big as the ones you buy when you have your picture taken on Main Street --- and not as good a quality. It was a nice momento, but nothing special. We'll do it again, though.

We're definitely going to find something red/green to wear. We didn't do it last time and wished we'd tried a little harder to look festive. Some families wore red Santa hats and looked so cute.

The parade (2nd one wasn't crowded at all by Splash Mountain) made me feel like a kid again, and the fireworks were absolutely spectacular, with an awesome ending. It's hard to explain why MVMCP was so special, but it was. Guess you just have to experience it yourself.

 

[bjakmom]

We're definitely going to find something red/green to wear. We didn't do it last time and wished we'd tried a little harder to look festive. Some families wore red Santa hats and looked so cute.

kda - I'm so glad to see you post this - I just made the cutest Mickey Santa ears for my sis, little nephew and me. Bought 3 sets of furry black 'mouse' ears (on a headband) at the halloween shop 50% off sale - then picked up 3 little santa hats from Build A Bear - slipped the hats over the ears (already had the holes for ears built in ) then slipped a little "V" of wire up into the hat to hold it up, or bend it around - whatever. They look so cute and I thought they'd be great to wear for our 'special' picture - I'll love wearing mine all night, but was a little worried sis and DN might feel too out of place - oh well, if they do the ears are flat and lightweight so I can slip them into my backpack, which I'll need to do for some of the rides anyway.

 

[kda]

We really enjoyed seeing people who had taken the time to "dress up" a little. It added to the fun, and I recommend it. I'm packing my red fleece Mickey top and my green Mickey sweatshirt, so I'll have a choice. That's about as creative as I can get. And I know DH will just use MVMCP as an excuse to buy something new, so I won't worry about him.

 

[tinkerbellmagic]

Here is a great MVMCP "must-do's" RECAP of TIPS thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=628304

and another one:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=654434

Tink

 

[goofy4tink]

We did buy Mickey 'Santa' hats last year. I have the Minnie one, dd has Mickey and we brought dh a Goofy one. While they were very festive, they also served a purpose...they kept us warm!!! It got chilly at night. We wore them to Epcot and MGM every night.

And we will be wearing our special Christmas sweatshirts and long-sleeved shirts. Most likely will get new ones for 2004!!!