MVMCP vs. a MK park day in December

[Raya]

Hello!
We'll have one day in mid-Dec for a Disney visitand are trying to decide if we're better off buying a one day park ticket vs. attending MVMCP. We're not interested in character photos and because we don't celebrate Christmas, probably wouldn't watch the parade. We do like holiday lights, snow, cookies, and hot cocoa. For the day time trip, we're most interested in the Festival of Fantasy parade. If we go with the one day park ticket, we'd be unlikely to make it at RD due to travel time. Crowd calendars say to go to MK on a party day, so we'd probably follow that advice, even though it means less park time in total.

So, given all that, and with the cost of a party ticket being pretty close to the cost of a one day ticket, which would be better (fewer crowds/more fun)?

Also, when do we need to make this choice? How likely are the mid-Dec (like 15th or 17th) parties to sell out?

 

[memo10]

I personally find the party tickets to be a good value because you get all that park time with considerably less people. Especially if the parade ins't an interest to you... ride lines should be really short!

 

[sbbobe]

The MVMCP ticket will allow you to enter the MK at 4:00. Unfortunately the Festival of Fantasy parade is held at 3:00. If this parade is what you are most interested in you would be be served buying a 1 day ticket.

 

[sharonabe]

So, given all that, and with the cost of a party ticket being pretty close to the cost of a one day ticket, which would be better (fewer crowds/more fun)?

Also, when do we need to make this choice? How likely are the mid-Dec (like 15th or 17th) parties to sell out?

I wouldn't expect those dates to sell out too early; they might once we get into December, but even with a sell out, it's still less crowded than a normal day at MK.

Since you can't make rope drop, and don't really know what time you will get to the park, I'd wait just a bit to make this decision. Right now, Disney's calendar has MK closing at 6:00 pm for ALL MVMCP parties. If you don't get there until 10 or 11, that's cutting into those low crowds. Historically, ticket holders get in at 4 pm and the hours from 4-7 (6 this year) are/will be a madhouse and you won't get much done. So that's only 5 or 6 hours of touring. Lots of rumors and theories floating around that they may also take away the early 4 pm entry for party ticket holders. If they do that, it would be better for day guests who gain back those last hours. It would not be as good a value for ticket holders as they lose 2-3 hrs of extra park time.

Too many unknowns to really make an informed decision now. If you can wait, I'd wait until at least Oct/Nov to see if Disney gives anymore clues as to what they are going to do for this party. The Halloween party is operating as usual with MK closing at 7 pm, but hopefully, Disney will clarify what they're wanting to do with MVMCP.