MVMCP with a 4yo?

[PrincessV]

I posted some quesitons about MVMCP in the them parks board, but just thought this might be a better spot for one question - should I try it?!
DS will be 4.5 when we go in Dec. Just how crowded might this be? We'd be going on a Mon. Also, what times are parades, fireworks, shows? I don't think I could keep DS up much past 10pm or so.
Thanks for your advice!

 

[lkjasd]

We did the MVMCP two years ago with our kids. The kids weren't the problem, we all took naps in the afternoon and about 11:00 they were tired (usual bed time is 8:30-9:00). They probably could have lasted longer but the park was PACKED. Every comment I read on these boards and elswhere talks about how the park is empty and you can walk right on rides. I guess if you are used to 4th of July crowds, this is true but for us, it was a shock. We had to wait in line for everything after walking onto the rides during the day (we had a 5min wait for Buzz at 3:00 before leaving for the naps, we waited 45min that night). Because everything was so packed, the kids wore down a lot faster and got "bored". We said we will never do it again. (end of rant)

Now that almost two years has passed let me give you a little perspective. We went on a Friday when the even was sold out. We went for the rides, not the shows (which my kids don't really like) which is a big mistake for this event. It was very well decorated, the cookies were very good, they had tons of characters out, fireworks were great, parade was okay, and the picture of the whole family was great.

So, in my opinion it is not worth it. But, if you can catch a night when it is not sold out, you like the special shows, and free cookies and a picture sound like they are worth $40 (or whatever it is now) go for it. Just ignore all the comments about walk on rides and prepare for big lines. That way if they are short you will be pleasantly surprised.

 

[PrincessV]

Thanks! This helps some because the rides definitely aren't part of the equation. (We live in the area, so we save MK rides for the least crowded mornings of the year.) And, MK is open until 11pm another night we're there. So we're really just talking about snow, parade and shows. Hmmm.. I think I just talked myself out of it!

 

[eellis88]

If you are going in the first 2 weeks of Dec I would recommend it. Should not be terribly busy on a Monday that early in the month at least it wasn't for us last year. The closer to end of month the more packed it will be.

 

[laceemouse]

I can't remember the times (anyone??) but there are 2 parades and one fireworks show during the party. I personally did not want to go when my kids were that young because I knew they would get tired. The place clears out tremedously about 10 pm when all the folks with littles go home, then we rode the rides! BTW, we did enjoy the shows!!

 

[golden1]

I decided not to do it this time. I have a 2.5 year old and thought about one of us bringing the 4.5 year old to the party while the other one stays with the little one but I think it will just be too much and too late for her. Her bedtime is normally 8pm at home so I doubt she would make it past 9pm which isn't really worth it.

 

[Mom2Ty&Lins]

I guess I am the flip side of the coin....

We have gone every year since DD was 2. She will be 13 in September. It was a growing tradition when DS came along. He was 4 mos old for his first MVMCP. He will be 9 in two weeks.

 

[beattyfamily]

We LOVE MVMCP and have been going since DDs were 1 and 4 years old.

It's SO magical and so much fun. Crowds are a matter of perspective, what you're comparing it to, or just a matter of where you are in the park at a particular time. Main Street is always crowded. Fantasyland, sometimes but other areas can be dead.

We go for the atmosphere, the decorations, music, the snow on Main Street, characters in their holiday best, the shows going on; There's a show in front of the Castle called Celebrate the Season, with Mickey and friends, some reindeer and snowmen & women. There's Twas the Night before Christmas show in Tomorrowland which was great too. Santa Goofy makes an appearance at both.

There's also the Fantasyland Holiday Hop dance party with Characters dancing.

Then there's the free hot choc & cookies and the free souvenir photo. There's carolers walking around in Liberty Square.

The Holidaywishes fireworks are amazing and totally different then regular Wishes. They are at 9:15p.

The parades are at 8:15p and 10:45p. It's a beautiful, festive and a longer parade than others. Probably my favorite parade of them all.

It's something you really have to decide for yourself. Its hard for others to tell you whether its worth it or not.

 

[allaboutmm]

Last year was our first MVMCP, and we had a great time! The DK's were 9, 7, and 2.9. Like others have said, go early in December( we went 12/8) and nap that afternoon. We went at about 8pm, small crowds in the begin, after the first parade and fireworks show ( 9ish) alot of people headed out ( maybe they had been there since it opened at 6?). Walked on and off the rides with NO lines, great holiday atmosphere, pictures with Santa, second fireworks and parade. DD 2.9 stayed awake until 10, and DS's closed the park 12:00. The next day we slept in and just took it easy. Just a really magical night

 

[PrincessV]

It's always so helpful to hear about others' experiences with these types of things.
We've decided to give it a try! DS managed to stay up for his first Independence Day fireworks this year, so I know it's at least possible to go past his bedtime. What I learned form that experience was DO NOT tell him what's going on that night. I tried to convince him to take a nap that day by saying we couldn't see fireworks that night if he didn't nap. As I'm sure many parents have already predicted... it backfired. The poor little guy tried his best was too darned excited to nap!

So here's the MVMCP plan:
Hit the MK early on another day to experience rides.
Skip the parks and do something physical the morning of MVMCP to wear DS out (swim if warm enough, or a playground - no stroller!).
Not tell him anything about MVMCP.
Get a nap in from 1-3.
Head to the MK at 4 (we have AP's) to do a few rides and have dinner before the big party.
Sleep in the next morning and order room service for breakfast.

I can't wait

 

[Dizneydaz]

I'm sure you'll have a great time! My DD was 4-1/4 yrs. when we went (2003). The crowds weren't too bad. We were there early in the month (our trip was 12/2-12/10). We didn't watch any of the entertainment. We rode the rides-very little wait. We saw the characters in Toontown-again very little wait. In fact we had Mickey and Friends almost all to our selves and got some great pictures of all of us with the characters in holiday clothes. And we got 4 copies of the family photo, which came out pretty nice-even though my DD wouldn't wear her santa hat!

As far as staying up late, for us it's not as big an issue as getting up early. Since we are from Calif. the time change makes it easier to stay up late.

The cookies were good. Fireworks great! As far as the snow goes, since we live here in So Cal (close to DL) and have AP we can go an experience the snow there anytime during the holidays (for no extra cost) but that being said, my DD loved trying to catch the snow and dancing around in it on our way out. It was a magical night and we would do it again (but only early on in the season)

Have fun!

 

[goodeats]

Just a word of warning - it's very cold at MVMCP! I mean long underwear and scarves cold!

 

[beattyfamily]

Just a word of warning - it's very cold at MVMCP! I mean long underwear and scarves cold!

Yes, layers are a good idea. I've been to 4 MVMCPs so far and two were freezing and two were hot and humid.

 

[PrincessV]

Just a word of warning - it's very cold at MVMCP! I mean long underwear and scarves cold!

LOL - spoken like a true warm-climate person! Most years, we make our annual holiday visit the second or third week of Dec. Without fail, it's always the coldest week of the month. What cracks me up is seeing us (Floridians dressed in winter coats, hats, gloves, boots) in line behind the Minnesota family (wearing Tshirts, shorts and flip flops).
Interstingly, my mother and I went to Paris over Thanksgiving last year. Sure enough, it was one of the coldest Nov's on record in France.
I'm hoping by going a week earlier than we ever have to have somewhat warmer weather this year. Anyone want to bet on this one?