MVMCP vs. Addl Park Day

[Ma-to2]

We are doing a split stay the week before Christmas with two days at Universal and then moving over to Disney. We've been to Disney a number of times but never at Christmas and the kids have never been to Universal. I can easily plan a trip for one but adding in a different park and well Christmas makes it very hard We have 3 days for Disney do we do 3 day park hoppers, 2 park hoppers and MVMCP or 3 day tickets (no park hopper) and MVMCP? Is MVMCP worth the price for the hard ticket? Overwhelmed mama!!

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

We are doing a split stay the week before Christmas with two days at Universal and then moving over to Disney. We've been to Disney a number of times but never at Christmas and the kids have never been to Universal. I can easily plan a trip for one but adding in a different park and well Christmas makes it very hard We have 3 days for Disney do we do 3 day park hoppers, 2 park hoppers and MVMCP or 3 day tickets (no park hopper) and MVMCP? Is MVMCP worth the price for the hard ticket? Overwhelmed mama!!

We always count MVMCP as a "park" day, so do not get park passes for that day. Instead we relax, then head to MK and,arrive between 3:15 and 3:30 pm. So far we've always been allowed in at 3:45.
I would read the thread MVMCP...
http://www.disboards.com/posts/56615251/
That will give you an idea if your family would like it. We love it, and plan our Disney vacation around it. (We also like MNSSHP, but haven't been in 5 years - I just like Christmas at WDW better)
You don't say the ages in your family, but we also love Candlelight Processional in Epcot at Christmas time.
I would decide on:
1. Party or no party,
2. Most important parks.
3. Touring style (Do you go all day commando, or do breaks between - which sort of lends itself to hoppers?)
Whatever you chose to do, there are no "wrong" choices.
We are all blessed to be able to go to Disney and have these vacations! Enjoy your trip!

 

[Ma-to2]

Thanks so much - it's so much to decide as our 60 day window opens at the end of the week!! I have two boys 7 and 11 and they have a TON of energy. I had it all figured out until they added the Jingle Bell, Jingle Jam at DHS we had planned on one day Epcot (plus Illuminations), MVMCP (just heading there at 4) then one full day at Magic Kingdom as we probably wouldn't get to all the rides because of party activities. Now I feel I need to fit DHS in somewhere.

Very blessed for this trip!! Cannot wait to get there.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Thanks so much - it's so much to decide as our 60 day window opens at the end of the week!! I have two boys 7 and 11 and they have a TON of energy. I had it all figured out until they added the Jingle Bell, Jingle Jam at DHS we had planned on one day Epcot (plus Illuminations), MVMCP (just heading there at 4) then one full day at Magic Kingdom as we probably wouldn't get to all the rides because of party activities. Now I feel I need to fit DHS in somewhere.

Very blessed for this trip!! Cannot wait to get there.

Yeah, we are REALLY looking firward to the Jingle Bell, Jingle Jam as well. We loved Osbourne lights and I'm happy to see HS has done something holiday oriented!
Your boys are great ages for the party!
Enjoy!

 

[kathy884]

People love the parties especially those who like the characters as they have unusual ones that aren't typically there. I'd say that if you have never done the party before, do it as one of your days and see what you think. Some of my relatives really love these.

All that said, we did a party the week you are talking about and it was fine, but more crowded for sure than I would have preferred. We're also not into the characters. Everyone in our party is 21+ too. I wouldn't do it again.

The parties make it tough to pick a good MK day too (not so bad if you have hoppers). Party days are very light compared to other days in the mornings - but you have to leave at 7 and things get crowded at 4 when party people arrive, and non party days are more crowded when there are parties during the week because so many people without hoppers want to do a full MK day and see night time fireworks too. If you aren't doing a party and go for a hopper, I'd seriously consider doing the MK till 3 on a party day and then hopping somewhere else when the craziness starts.

 

[sharonabe]

If you do the 3-day, no hopper, plus MVMCP then you should be able to do everything you want to do. One day EP w/Illuminations, one day MK w/MVMCP, one day at HS w/Jingle Jam. It will be three very busy days after two very busy days at Universal, so you need to really think this through. Do you have a down day for your transfer from Universal to WDW or are you moving and going to a park on that day? If not, try to build some time into your day to sit down and rest a bit. Do a TS meal for lunch. Maybe take a round-trip ride on the Monorail. Just something that gives you a breather from the go, go, go.

 

[Ma-to2]

If you do the 3-day, no hopper, plus MVMCP then you should be able to do everything you want to do. One day EP w/Illuminations, one day MK w/MVMCP, one day at HS w/Jingle Jam. It will be three very busy days after two very busy days at Universal, so you need to really think this through. Do you have a down day for your transfer from Universal to WDW or are you moving and going to a park on that day? If not, try to build some time into your day to sit down and rest a bit. Do a TS meal for lunch. Maybe take a round-trip ride on the Monorail. Just something that gives you a breather from the go, go, go.

I keep telling my boys we need some downtime!! My originally scheduled downtime was the day of MVMCP because I know I will need it. We also have Beaches and Cream scheduled for that afternoon (need our kitchen sink!!). I may do two day tickets with MVMCP and then if we still have energy upgrade our tickets to 3 day tickets at that time and stay the entire day at MK. We just miss the getting FP+ early, but thats a small concession when I consider the cost if we don't use it because we need a break.

So many options - no matter what I know we will all enjoy ourselves. We are all very much looking forward to this trip.

People love the parties especially those who like the characters as they have unusual ones that aren't typically there. I'd say that if you have never done the party before, do it as one of your days and see what you think. Some of my relatives really love these.

All that said, we did a party the week you are talking about and it was fine, but more crowded for sure than I would have preferred. We're also not into the characters. Everyone in our party is 21+ too. I wouldn't do it again.

The parties make it tough to pick a good MK day too (not so bad if you have hoppers). Party days are very light compared to other days in the mornings - but you have to leave at 7 and things get crowded at 4 when party people arrive, and non party days are more crowded when there are parties during the week because so many people without hoppers want to do a full MK day and see night time fireworks too. If you aren't doing a party and go for a hopper, I'd seriously consider doing the MK till 3 on a party day and then hopping somewhere else when the craziness starts.

I agree I really think we need to go to this party as we have never experienced it!! We did go to the Pirate & Princesses one maybe 8+ years ago and LOVED it, I cannot imagine us not liking and enjoying this one.