MVMCP with an 8 year old. Is it worth it?

[Abigail Broughton]

Asking people who have attended with children... Planning my December 2018 trip and I can't decide if MVMCP event is worth attending with my 8 year old daughter and I. It will be a mom and daughter evening. From what I have read and watching you tube videos I am thinking this is more for people without children. Big crowds, long character waits. Is the parade, fireworks, stage show and snow on Main Street worth not missing? Looking for an unforgettable holiday memory.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

In my opinion, MVMCP is definitely not geared more towards people without children.

My son is 7 and we’ve frequently done ‘boys trips’ for the sole purpose of doing MNSSHP or MVMCP over the last few years. We really enjoy them. Occasionally he’s not up for making it to midnight, and that’s OK - we just go with the flow.

We mostly do the parties for low ride wait times, the parade, and special fireworks. We opt not to spend time on character lines as we’re not that into charachters and it eats party time.

While we don’t quite enjoy MVMCP as much as MNSSHP, we find MVMCP is a great experience to get us in the holiday spirit.

Obviously “worth it” is highly subjective, but it works for us so far.

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Thank you for your reply. Perhaps I should change the title. Every moment at Disney is worth it of course.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Thank you for your reply. Perhaps I should change the title. Every moment at Disney is worth it of course.

Yeah, but your question is a good one. These up-charge parties aren't cheap and it's hard to make sure you're making the best decision, especially with kids in tow for what is essentially a late night event.

I'm sure you'll hear various pros and cons of MVMCP. Good luck deciding!

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Thank you for your honesty. This is what I am hoping for. I love everything Disney of course and when we are there "yes" is my answer to my kids and I love spending it if its truly "magical".

 

[pitpat]

If you're looking for an unforgettable holiday memory, do the party with your daughter. We did it a few years ago when my daughter was 4 and she was still awake to meet Santa just before midnight. Just take it easy during the day, maybe try to take a nap. Prioritize a character or two if she wants and you can make it happen. The parade and snow are great.

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Thank you! That's check one for my yes side!

 

[Abigail Broughton]

This is our September Irma do-over trip. 11 nights, 5 just my daughter and I. Our plan is more resort stay, park meet and greets and just enjoying the beautiful Disney surroundings. Not so go, go, go.

 

[jerseyjersey]

My 8 y/o loved the MVMCP when we attended last year! He wasn't really interested in meeting characters, but loved the short waits for all the rides (except for Mine Train, we didn't wait more than 15-20 minutes for anything, and many rides were less than 10 minutes--and the party we attended was sold out, so max crowds), enjoyed the special holiday fireworks and the dance party, and we had fun hitting the treat stops and just checking out all the decorations and people. We did get a bit of a later start that day (we're normally rope drop people), and took a break for a late TS lunch, so we were good to go for the party. I think we left between 11 and 11:30pm, he's pretty good about knowing his limits, so when he was ready to go, we headed for the exit.

 

[kiford]

MVMCP runs from 7 to midnight (1 pm?). I find that we tend to see families with young children in the earlier part of the night and they leave after the fireworks. Adult groups then will stay until it closes or at least until much later. We (no children) usually head in about 8:30-ish just in time to catch the parade and then stay until closing or near until then. It is definitely less crowded after the fireworks but still quite reasonable earlier. Last time we went, we went with a friend who is a Florida resident so knows the place like the back of her hand. She made us go from start to finish, head to every single snack station, and ride every single ride at least once (Mine Train 3 times). And we took some breaks. We'd never be able to do that at MK during the day. We didn't do the character greetings (though we did watch the 7 dwarves one for a bit) which may be a bit longer. So I do think you can get value out of it whether the group has children or not.

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Wow you had an amazing night! More added to my yes side. Thank you for responding.

 

[reluctantredhead]

We took our D to MVMCP when she was 6 and MNSSHP when she was not quite 4. She LOVED both of them and we had an incredible time! In fairness we lived in CA at the time and it was the first day of our trips, so midnight felt like 9 pm to her, but she has always been a night owl anyway and has easily (unfortunately) been able to stay up well past midnight for most of her life. She's still like that today at 16 (I think she's just wired differently, lol). The year she was almost 4 we just made sure to all take a nap in the afternoon, and I'm guessing that would work for many kids. I hope you and your D end up giving it a shot! We have many wonderful memories from going to the parties with our D.

 

[Abigail Broughton]

How sweet and now 16. We would definitaly have an easy resort day prior to the party. We are not an all day park family. It looks like the later part of the event is best. What time do you recommend arriving? All these magical memories are giving the lean towards going!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Asking people who have attended with children... Planning my December 2018 trip and I can't decide if MVMCP event is worth attending with my 8 year old daughter and I. It will be a mom and daughter evening. From what I have read and watching you tube videos I am thinking this is more for people without children. Big crowds, long character waits. Is the parade, fireworks, stage show and snow on Main Street worth not missing? Looking for an unforgettable holiday memory.

Personally, unless there are character at MVMCP you absolutely have to meet, I don't think it's worth the extra expense. DS10 and I did both MNSSHP and MVMCP last year. We LOVED MNSSHP (and will do it again this year), but MVMCP was kind of boring to be honest. The parade was cute, but, compared to HEA, Holiday Wishes is really dated at this point. You could watch Holiday Wishes from a monorail resort and almost get the same experience, IMHO. DS and I had far more fun doing our own monorail tour (we started at Trader Sam's at 4 pm, made our way to GF to see the gingerbread house, had dinner at Cali Grill and then ended the night at HEA dessert party) and, I think the holiday offerings at EP far exceed what MVMCP has to offer (and those are included with your regular ticket purchase). I also thought the decorations at DHS, last year, were better than the MK decorations. I think there are so many more things you could do for a special evening than spend extra for what is essentially a parade and an outdated fireworks show.

 

[Abigail Broughton]

Thank you for your reply. We will be staying at the Polynesian and will be able to watch the fireworks from there. We attended the garden view dessert party at MK in September and was very disappointed.

 

[Babs1975]

My son was 7 the first time we did the party and 9 last time. Plan on doing it again with my kids this year, 11 and 15. It is absolutely worth it and absolutely for kids! If they like MK on a regular day, they'll love it on a party night. Get matching Christmas shirts and have a festive time!

 

[Disney Duchess]

I took my 6 yr old daughter and she loved it. Meeting Santa in MK was magical for her. She especially loved the short lines for the rides. She wasn't too interested in the meet and greets, but the parade was a great way to see the characters in their xmas clothes. And free cookies and hot chocolate are always a hit.

 

[StephenM84]

My daughter was 8 last year and loved it. We went for the rides and walked in everything which was a big hit. Worth the price and the highlight of the trip. She made it till 10 that night.

 

[BarbieGal457]

My boyfriend and I did MVMCP (although we do not have children) and found it magical! We also loved to see the reactions of the children around us, it was absolutely adorable. We really got into the Christmas spirit! I definitely don't think it's geared more towards adults personally. I know it can definitely be an expense but if you can swing it I would totally take your 8 year old! I think it will be a highlight for all of you. We had hot cocoa, cookies, and danced with a reindeer!