My Review of DVC Merry Mixer - December 2008

[Anjelica]

So we went to the last DVC Merry Mixer on December 26th, 2008 right outside of the International Gateway at Epcot. It was husband, two children (5/2) and myself.

Short Review - Wasn't worth it for our family; Kind of "lame" in my opinion (sorry if it offends but its just my opinion); won't do it again.

We got to the tent area about 20 minutes prior to the 300 "Opening" time. There was already a line formed so we just stood in line - by the time they "Opened" the line was probably 100+ people deep.

Got in and snagged some seats at a table wayyy in the back from the entrance for husband and kids to sit while I checked it out. They brought Mickey and Minnie in for pictures in their Christmas Outfits so kids and I stood in line (maybe 5-10 minutes) to get a few shots of the kids. While the kids/I were standing in line and getting pictures with Mickey and Minnie my husband filled out the drawing form.

I got back to the table and my husband said they were selling DVC only pins up at the cash registers. We collect pins so I decided to go take a gander/look. The line was about 30 people deep but moved VERY VERY VERY slowly. Believe it or not, we were at Disneyworld from December 22nd-27th and THIS was the longest wait we had for anything - 40 minutes. They only had two registers going but either people were taking way to long to make their decisions (they were selling other DVC memorabilia like shirts/mugs) and/or the people working the registers were a bit slow. The pins they were offering were the same ones you can buy at some of the resorts for DVC Members only AND a Merry Mixer one. I was allowed to buy 2 Merry Mixer ones. Finally - we had to leave as we had ressies at Le Cellier at 4:05 so we had to book it.

While I was in line for the pins they were playing some games with the kids (big adult kids to) with a hula-hoop competition. They had the DJ playing songs as well and they gave free water/apple cider (not bottled water, etc.). They also gave away one per coupon (which was attached to the drawing paperwork) for a snack treat there at the Merry Mixer and it was some rice crispie snow man "thing". While I was waiting in line my husband and kids picked a couple of those up.

So all in all - Wasn't worth it for us. I think we would have enjoyed the park more and had a more relaxing time. I think standing in line for 40 minutes to purchase a pin was not acceptable. They really needed more people to work the cash registers (they had three but only two were being worked). For an event that is 2 hours, 40 minutes really eats up alot of the time.

Oh well - we tried it and formed our own opinion.

 

[aprince&princess]

So I guess we didn't miss much. We were there from Dec 24th to Jan 5th and thought briefly that we should stop by, but didn't want to take the time out of the park to do it.

 

[liznboys]

We were planning to attend the Merry Mixer on Dec 26th, but the timing didn't work out. We did however swing over to that area very fast before our Boma dinner and my dh ran to the mixer just to get the free ornament for me. He would have bought a pin or two but the line was way too long.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've never been able to go to one. For us, a couple, at Christmastime, we would like to go to one. Maybe someday, but we don't hit the days of the week, DH can't get a whole week off that time of the year...and we miss it!

Bobbi

 

[tgropp]

We were there on the 19'th/Dec. It was crowded and we stayed away from the DVC merchandise line. We enjoyed our rice kripy snack, apple cider and when we went to leave away from the main entrance, a cast member standing guard making sure that no one entered there told us to leave by the main entrance to receive a special gift. We did and received a christmas ornament for each of us

 

[vicki_c]

We also missed it on 12/26 even though I had it penciled in my plan. It just became that thing that had to "give" that day. I'm glad to hear we didn't miss much - I had read that from earlier reports.

 

[kid-at-heart]

We went this year and to us also it was a waste of time. The "treats" tasted horrible and the cidar had an odd off taste. We ended up "enjoying" a glass of water. The ornament was made of hard, dark gray medal. Not something I would associate with the holidays. I am glad we experienced the mixer as it was our first. Unless I hear better reviews regarding future mixers we probably will not attend another.

I appreciate DVC providing a party but I cannot say I enjoyed it. Personally I think having kids in a holiday sing-along would have been more enjoyable than the entertainment provided.