MVMCP, worth it or no?

[MushyMushy]

We're going on a 5-day trip coming up and I'm wondering if MVMCP is worthwhile. We're not on an unlimited budget and the money for the four of us would come out of souvenir money.

 

[mrsv98]

We're going on a 5-day trip coming up and I'm wondering if MVMCP is worthwhile. We're not on an unlimited budget and the money for the four of us would come out of souvenir money.

You will get a lot of opinions, but I would say no. We went twice, once with DD who was then 6 or 7 and once on our own. Yes, the first 45-60 mins was nice with a bunch of rides walk on, but really, for the cost it isn't worth it. The lines for everything were really long, unless you stand around for ages, you can't see the parade and in general is just too crowded. If they limited the number of tickets they sold and made it more exclusive, I would do it again. But paying that much on top of a regular ticket just isn't worth it IMHO.

 

[MushyMushy]

You will get a lot of opinions, but I would say no. We went twice, once with DD who was then 6 or 7 and once on our own. Yes, the first 45-60 mins was nice with a bunch of rides walk on, but really, for the cost it isn't worth it. The lines for everything were really long, unless you stand around for ages, you can't see the parade and in general is just too crowded. If they limited the number of tickets they sold and made it more exclusive, I would do it again. But paying that much on top of a regular ticket just isn't worth it IMHO.

I keep waffling on it, and my opinion is starting to lean towards yours the more I read about the party. We usually do the whole go to park opening, ride before it gets too crowded, then head back to the resort for a rest before going to another park in the evening for a few hours. I don't know if I'm all that keen on staying til midnight since we're such early risers.

 

[hopemax]

While I do think the Halloween Party is worth it, I do not think the MVMCP is. I don't find the holiday fireworks and parade as nice and unique as the Halloween versions. Plus, Halloween is fun because the guests really get into it with costumes and such, while at Christmas that doesn't really happen. And as previously mentioned, there are too many people.

 

[Magpie]

I would say no, as well.

My family and I went a few years ago, and even though I had a plan to try to see everything and avoid the crowds, we ended up getting derailed. My husband doesn't cope well with crowds and started to melt down so I ended up parking all of us in front of the castle, and we didn't move for the rest of the evening.

We had a great view of the parade and castle shows and fireworks, but honestly it wasn't worth the money. The cookies, apple slices, and hot chocolate were very, very basic - similar to what you get at McDonalds. And it was crowded, with lots of cranky, tired parents and children around us.

My family all agreed that we had a better time at the parks during the day, when we had more room to move around and see things. There were lots of other Christmas parades and shows to see during the day, that we didn't have to pay extra for.

We *loved* the Candlelight Processional in Epcot. We also really enjoyed the Animal Kingdom's daytime parade.

 

[Kathi OD]

I think it depends on when you're going. If you'll be there in the height of the Christmas craziness, then no, not worth it. However, if you're going to be there in a slower time (like next week), then I would go. We went once (in November, not at Thanksgiving), and it wasn't bad at all. Were able to see the parade quite well and the lines for the cookies and hot chocolate weren't that bad. The lines for the characters I can't give an opinion on because it was just DH and I and we weren't interested in those things. The fireworks were, by far, the best I've ever seen, anywhere!

It was kind of fun to go on Thunder Mountain 10 times in a row with no wait.

If I were going w/ children, I would let them decide. Party or souvenirs.

 

[wilderness01]

I think it depends on when you're going. If you'll be there in the height of the Christmas craziness, then no, not worth it. However, if you're going to be there in a slower time (like next week), then I would go. We went once (in November, not at Thanksgiving), and it wasn't bad at all. Were able to see the parade quite well and the lines for the cookies and hot chocolate weren't that bad. The lines for the characters I can't give an opinion on because it was just DH and I and we weren't interested in those things. The fireworks were, by far, the best I've ever seen, anywhere!

It was kind of fun to go on Thunder Mountain 10 times in a row with no wait.

If I were going w/ children, I would let them decide. Party or souvenirs.

I respectfully disagree. We went during one of these "slower times" and it was busy.

No, it isn't worth it.

 

[RitaZ.]

You will get a lot of opinions, but I would say no. We went twice, once with DD who was then 6 or 7 and once on our own. Yes, the first 45-60 mins was nice with a bunch of rides walk on, but really, for the cost it isn't worth it. The lines for everything were really long, unless you stand around for ages, you can't see the parade and in general is just too crowded. If they limited the number of tickets they sold and made it more exclusive, I would do it again. But paying that much on top of a regular ticket just isn't worth it IMHO.

ITA

I remember when we used to pay $25 for an adult ticket. That was a really good bargain back then.

The first time that we went was in 1999. The park wasn't crowded at all. We really got to take our time and enjoy it all. We were so impressed that we continued to return for several years.

As the party has grown in popularity, Disney has increased the prices to ridiculous levels and also the number of tickets sold per event. The last time that we went (can't remember the year, but it has been a while), the park was packed. We couldn't watch the parade due to the crowd. It's all about packing guests in. Disney did away with the free picture that they used to include in the price of admission. Not a big deal, but when you take into account how much you're paying for the tickets and what you get in return, it's definitely not worth it.

Now, I'd be willing to pay a premium price to attend the party if Disney would cut back on the number of tickets sold and the park wasn't so crowded. I doubt that will happen.

 

[Tuffcookie]

When oldest DS & his family joined youngest DS and me 3 yrs ago at WDW, I sprang for the tickets for this.

As luck would have it, it rained the night of our tickets!

That was a lot of money to kiss goodbye, so, no, I would not do it again.

Pretty nice that Disney charges twice to get into the parks!

TC

 

[chyam]

I have to agree with another poster...it DEPENDS on when you go and what day of the week..I always plan to go on a week night early in Dec. I have never missed a party since they started way back in the 80's. The weekend partys get very crowded, since let's face it if you are local you work during the week so you go on the weekend...much like the F&W Fetival. I am one who enjoys the less crowded atmosphere, the parade and the whole atmosphere of the holidays there at night. But I do have to agree with someone else, it is getting to expensive for what you get, years ago you not only got the hot chocolate and cookies you also got a photo mailed to you and a button, now they rope you into that photo pass thingy! But if you never went it maybe worth a try.

 

[SaraJayne]

As someone who's been, no, it isn't worth it.

 

[Rora]

I've been twice and I love it.

Personal preference, I guess!

 

[Magpie]

I respectfully disagree. We went during one of these "slower times" and it was busy.

No, it isn't worth it.

We went on a weekday and during a "slow" time. All day the park was dead - we were walking on rides! But then at three the crowds started to build and by the time the party started it was packed.

 

[Binnie]

We went on 11/18, and I had always been skeptical about the parties, but I LOVED it! The park was quiet, and we had the chance to ride anything we wanted. The snacks weren't great, but the access to characters was.

That said, we avoided the parade and the castle at fireworks time, but I would do it again and again--in spite of the money.

 

[SaraJayne]

I'd use that almost $300 for something else.

 

[ICF]

IMO....

I pay enough for my family and I to go to the parks that day. I dont see the point in having to pay so much extra just to stay there for a few extra hours in order to see a few "special" things...especially since by most accounts the park is pretty crowded and it's not as if you can spend hours riding whatever you want over and over again with no waiting.

 

[MushyMushy]

Thank you all so much for your opinions! I knew I could count on the DIS.

I think we'll save the money for something else. As I said before, we're going to be there at park opening that day anyway. I'm not very patient with the parade crowds either.

 

[Momvic5]

I say, no. We have been twice, and the first year(2008), the park was almost empty, and we were able to enjoy the night and bring home great memories. However, our expereince with the party in 2009 was the exact opposite. It was so crowded that it was almost unbearable....and we were told that we were going on one of the slowest days of the year. The lines were long. The streets were jammed and at moments, completely stopped with people. People were piled on top of eachother at the parade....it was awful in my opinion. We left the party feeling frustrated....not a great feeling after paying for tickets for a family of five. It is a lot of fun if the conditions are right, but honestly, you are not missing much if you do not go.

 

[Kathi OD]

IMO....

I pay enough for my family and I to go to the parks that day. I dont see the point in having to pay so much extra just to stay there for a few extra hours in order to see a few "special" things...especially since by most accounts the park is pretty crowded and it's not as if you can spend hours riding whatever you want over and over again with no waiting.

Well see, that's just it. The day of the night we're going to go to the party, we do something else, rather than go to the parks. That way we're not paying twice.

 

[MomRN]

When we ( me and ds 4) went this year (Nov 16), the rides were walk-ons and the character lines were maybe 5-6 deep. We went to Epcot that morning, came back to nap, then headed out to MK about 5pm.

We had a bad start...ds had an "accident" about 30 minutes after we got there, and it took an hour to get to the store, buy a change of clothes ($50), and get him cleaned up and changed. By that time it was about 7pm. That whole issue was just frustrating (I know, I know... he's only 4, but I had just asked him 5 minutes before that if he had to use the bathroom type frustrating) and we ended up leaving about 10pm.

I would do it again when he was older and could stay the whole time or close to it. I wouldn't do it with a younger child again.