MVMCP worth it with an "early" bedtime?

[BugsDaddy]

I am taking my 3 year old to the first party. We are doing the 9am rope drop and leaving after the 3pm parade for a break. We will come back at 6 and I am planning to make it until 12. If we had to leave at 10 we wouldn't be doing it. I am crossing my fingers that she is still awake for the 11 parade. I want to hit meet and greets during the first parade.

Wow, 15 hours in the park with a 3 year old and only a 3 hour break? Not sure I could do that but each child has a different tolerance level.

 

[jms]

Wow, 15 hours in the park with a 3 year old and only a 3 hour break? Not sure I could do that but each child has a different tolerance level.

She's quite spunky! We went in April when she was 2.5. We did Chef Mickeys at 9, Animal Kingdom from 11 to 4 and Magic Kingdom from 7 to 1. She slept 30 min at AK and then fell asleep about midnight at MK. I rent a comfy stroller so she can sleep in there. I also have a 9 and 10 year old involved in lots of sporting activities so she is used to crazy schedules

 

[RedStars]

We're going to the MVMCP the day before our cruise (it's our only Park day) .

We land around Noon and will be taking both kids (3 and 6) to the party that night. I plan on staying through the second parade.

They will be up from 6am that day until they fall asleep in the stroller. Lol

 

[Shelby109]

We just did MNSSHP with our 4 year old (and did MVMHP last year). She typically falls asleep around 630 or 7pm when we are home. We did RD in the morning. Stayed in the park until around 1130am (when the lines started getting long anyway) and then went back to the hotel. A quick lunch and then nap time. Went back to the park around 5ish. It helps to have the break and all you are missing is the heat of the day and the long lines.

Have fun!!

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

This is what I'm predicting: non-party guests will hide among the Party guests for CtS > Castle Lighting > Parade. The CMs last year weren't very successful in moving along the non-party guests from the Hub area. We found it much easier to watch a later CtS.

With the addition of the Frozen cast, it will be beyond crazy because it will be the first sighting of Olaf for most of the Party guests - Olaf will be in CtS and the Castle Lighting.

The problem of clearing guests is going to increase with Olaf in the shows. Hopefully Disney has a plan on how to clear guests from the hub better as paying guests will be upset if they can't find a spot for the shows only to see non paying guests there.

 

[trainingupmy4princes]

We went to 2 MNSHP last year with our 3 YO. The first party we stayed at the hotel slept in, swam, and relaxed entering the parks at 4 PM. We had dinner at LTT (pretty low-key but the kids like it ) and were out by 5:30 for lining up for the Dwarves. Our little princess didn't fall asleep until we were leaving the park in her stroller.

Now the second party we had our older boys with us as they joined us later in the trip. Since they had limited time, we tried to do some running around in the morning and then break at the hotel for 4 hours then heading in for dinner at CP around 4:30. Of course dinner was hectic because of the characters combined with the morning she wasn't well rested. I think she fell asleep in her stroller sometime during the second parade or right after. I went to get her out for a picture and she was snoozing away. So we still took the boys picture with Minnie/Mickey without her but they said they felt silly in a Minnie picture without their sister.

 

[jms]

One trick to share is I also change her into her pajamas when I know she's starting to get sleepy. We are staying at Shades of Green so if she's sleeping we take the monorail to the Poly and walk to Shades then I can just transfer her to bed

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

This is what I'm predicting: non-party guests will hide among the Party guests for CtS > Castle Lighting > Parade. The CMs last year weren't very successful in moving along the non-party guests from the Hub area. We found it much easier to watch a later CtS.

With the addition of the Frozen cast, it will be beyond crazy because it will be the first sighting of Olaf for most of the Party guests - Olaf will be in CtS and the Castle Lighting.

Wow, didn't realize this was a problem. That's pretty insane that guests feel entitled to stay for free if they can get away with it.

 

[Itinkso]

Wow, didn't realize this was a problem. That's pretty insane that guests feel entitled to stay for free if they can get away with it.

Buzzin - you must have missed all the Threads where DISers ask if they can make an ADR for 6:55 on a Party night and watch the parade before they leave!

If you decide to go to MVMCP, you should work more time into your scheduling for finding a parade viewing spot or plan on viewing the 2nd parade. It only snows on Main Street and the Town Square area and I think your son would enjoy that.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Buzzin - you've must have missed all the Threads where DISers ask if they can make an ADR for 6:55 on a Party night and watch the parade before they leave!

If you decide to go to MVMCP, you should work more time into your scheduling for finding a parade viewing spot or plan on viewing the 2nd parade. It only snows on Main Street and the Town Square area and I think your son would enjoy that.

What time is the 2nd parade again? I might have to make you my personal Touring Plans if we decide to go for it, lol. As well versed as I feel I am in all things WDW, this is one area I am completely clueless This is what happens when you book a spontaneous trip and you are normally an uber planner )

 

[Itinkso]

The 2nd parade is at 10:30. I've watched the 2nd parade from the City Hall area where it isn't too crowded if you arrive at least 30 minutes before. I've also watched from the 2nd level of the Train Station but there is more character interaction from street level.

 

[Aurora0427]

Haha, I felt the same way with EMHs last trip and my parents with us to bring lil' guy back to the room.




TP has our days at 2s-3s, Josh has them at 4s. I can't wrap my head around a 2 day, so I'm inclined to believe you and Josh more.

My pro to bringing him is he's Toy Story obsessed so a dance party with Woody and another one with Buzz would blow his mind. Also those Dwarfs.

My con is people say the hot cocoa and cookies aren't worth it, and I can see the nighttime shows the next day when it is a non-party day.

Very conflicted.

It'll be interesting to see what the crowds are like. We are there 12/11-12/17. Right now all of the resorts have available rooms in all or most room categories. But dining is packed!

We are doing MVMCP with our 3 year old on 12/16. But we are doing Epcot in the am, then a break. I am guessing we will leave after the fireworks. It's worth it to us, because I am not sure when we will be back at the Holidays.

 

[Aurora0427]

She's quite spunky! We went in April when she was 2.5. We did Chef Mickeys at 9, Animal Kingdom from 11 to 4 and Magic Kingdom from 7 to 1. She slept 30 min at AK and then fell asleep about midnight at MK. I rent a comfy stroller so she can sleep in there. I also have a 9 and 10 year old involved in lots of sporting activities so she is used to crazy schedules

The third child is always the most flexible!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

It'll be interesting to see what the crowds are like. We are there 12/11-12/17. Right now all of the resorts have available rooms in all or most room categories. But dining is packed!

We are doing MVMCP with our 3 year old on 12/16. But we are doing Epcot in the am, then a break. I am guessing we will leave after the fireworks. It's worth it to us, because I am not sure when we will be back at the Holidays.

We are there the same time, only for a shorter trip 12/11-12/15. I hear you about dining. On our DHS day there are literally zero ADRs available for lunch or dinner. On one of our MK days there are none for dinner. For the duration of our entire trip there are no CP breakfasts available, even after RD. I'm actually thinking of switching to the QS Dining plan instead of the DDP, because it looks like we may not get any TS ADRs.

 

[Itinkso]

For the duration of our entire trip there are no CP breakfasts available, even after RD. I'm actually thinking of switching to the QS Dining plan instead of the DDP, because it looks like we may not get any TS ADRs.

It's actually more cost efficient to pay OOP than do the QS plan. And, if you keep searching for ADRs up until the night before you need them or even the morning of, you'll probably find something.

 

[lovethattink]

Last year, I didn't know how ds would be for MVMCP. We had no plans to go to a party. But the one day of the party we were at MK and it was empty. DS was doing well, so we decided to stay. Went to town hall to see if there were any tickets left. There were so bought tickets.

The snickerdoodles were really good. They had apples as the gluten free alternative. The hot chocolate is made from water, I prefer milk, but it was fine.

Looking at the pictures we saw the castle lighting, the castle stage show, stopped at a couple cookie stops, saw Phinneas and Ferb, the A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage, saw the castle projection show, fireworks, Santa M&G, Donald and Scrooge M&G, danced a couple seconds at Club Tinsel (enough to see Chip and Dale), and exited the park during the 2nd parade and actually found an open spot on the street before the parade ended and only actually missed a couple of the floats because we were walking faster than the parade was going.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Last year, I didn't know how ds would be for MVMCP. We had no plans to go to a party. But the one day of the party we were at MK and it was empty. DS was doing well, so we decided to stay. Went to town hall to see if there were any tickets left. There were so bought tickets.

The snickerdoodles were really good. They had apples as the gluten free alternative. The hot chocolate is made from water, I prefer milk, but it was fine.

Looking at the pictures we saw the castle lighting, the castle stage show, stopped at a couple cookie stops, saw Phinneas and Ferb, the A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas at Rocket Tower Plaza Stage, saw the castle projection show, fireworks, Santa M&G, Donald and Scrooge M&G, danced a couple seconds at Club Tinsel (enough to see Chip and Dale), and exited the park during the 2nd parade and actually found an open spot on the street before the parade ended and only actually missed a couple of the floats because we were walking faster than the parade was going.

That's encouraging! Regardless if we do the party, we'll be in the MK that morning/afternoon anyway. Maybe playing it by (Mouse) ears is a way to go. If it isn't crowded see if any tickets remain. What time of the month were you there?

 

[lovethattink]

I'm always here. But the party date was in Nov.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

I'm always here. But the party date was in Nov.

Tinks, always the best!

Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the early December parties typically sell out?

 

[Itinkso]

Tinks, always the best! Out of curiosity, does anyone know if the early December parties typically sell out?

Yes! I was there from Dec. 4 - 14 and the only party that wasn't sold out was Tuesday, the 10th. DD, from her vantage point, reported the crowd was very light that night.