OFFICIAL 2010 Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) Tips and Tricks

[stacyleigh1978]

One last question we have an adr at CRT at 7:00 on our MVMCP, will we miss a lot of what is going on??

I hate to say it, but you probably will. I would plan on your dinner being at least an hour and a half. That's a big chunk out of the party time. We made early ressies at CP for 4:30 so we wouldn't miss any of the party.

 

[Berlioz70]

We have never been to WDW during Christmas and are possibly sneaking in a trip early November this year. When I read Osborne Lights Show was up and running so early, I got excited that all holiday happenings would be running by then. I am trying to learn what is and what isn't but my question for the party is:

Is this the only way to see holiday-related fireworks and parades prior to Thanksgiving?

Thank you,
Dreams

You can see the Fireworks from the Magic Kingdom Resorts during one of the party nights (Poly is my favorite location). However, you can only see the Holiday parade by attending the party before Thanksgiving.

Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at DAK adds a holiday element as well, but I do not know when that will occur this year. You can see this parade without extra party admission.

Does the snowp fall at intervals or constantly?

In intervals.

 

[DisneyDude_82]

So quick question for those who have gone and such. The DW and myself are going to the first MVMCP on Nov 8th. The way our schedule is working (because of F&W Fest and Hanson) we'll be at epcot the 8th and 9th. Now two questions...

1) I don't think we'll be there for the lighting of the castle before the park closes to non partiers, but do we need to be there at or before 7 to get into the park? I have a feeling we'll get there for 7 but just wanna make sure there is no denying of entry after 7.

2) What's the best way to get from Epcot to MK?

btw, gotta say I'm gonna be disapointed if Scrooge won't be there, I was looking forward to him being there, really wanted to meet him. The FLE is kinda putting a damper on the trip already, hopefully it won't affect the party too much.

 

[momof1+1+2]

Is it better to have a dinner reservation or is it ok to just do CS? My plan was to enter at 4pm (I hope) or we will already be there (we have regular park tickets), eat at a CS around 5:30-6pm and be ready to party at 7pm. I've never been to a party before and don't know what to expect. Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

Hey Berlioz!

Any idea when there will be an update to the character list?

Any chance Peter Pan or Wendy will be available at the party?

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Is it better to have a dinner reservation or is it ok to just do CS? My plan was to enter at 4pm (I hope) or we will already be there (we have regular park tickets), eat at a CS around 5:30-6pm and be ready to party at 7pm. I've never been to a party before and don't know what to expect. Thanks!

That is my plan too.

 

[bigAWL]

So quick question for those who have gone and such. The DW and myself are going to the first MVMCP on Nov 8th. The way our schedule is working (because of F&W Fest and Hanson) we'll be at epcot the 8th and 9th. Now two questions...

1) I don't think we'll be there for the lighting of the castle before the park closes to non partiers, but do we need to be there at or before 7 to get into the park? I have a feeling we'll get there for 7 but just wanna make sure there is no denying of entry after 7.

2) What's the best way to get from Epcot to MK?

btw, gotta say I'm gonna be disapointed if Scrooge won't be there, I was looking forward to him being there, really wanted to meet him. The FLE is kinda putting a damper on the trip already, hopefully it won't affect the party too much.

You can enter the park with the party ticket after 7pm (not a regular Magic Your Way ticket). Actually, many are assuming you'll be able to enter any time after 4pm. But the point is that they don't close the gates.

Epcot to MK, I would take the monorails. Just transfer at the TTC. Very easy.

Is it better to have a dinner reservation or is it ok to just do CS? My plan was to enter at 4pm (I hope) or we will already be there (we have regular park tickets), eat at a CS around 5:30-6pm and be ready to party at 7pm. I've never been to a party before and don't know what to expect. Thanks!

My opinion is that I would never want to spend this much money on a hard ticket event, and then spend that time in a restaurant that is no different than any other night. You're going to the party to see the party. Eat a quick CS meal, and spend your time seeing things that you can't see during any other day. Or take advantage of short lines at the attractions (assuming they are short).

 

[love2disney]

We are doing the last MVMCP on Dec 19th. I am assuming it will sell out. How are the crowds on sold out nights? LIke on a scale of 1-10 compared to regular park crowds?

Also if they do let us in at 4om will they give us wristbands then or will we have to come back to the front and get them like we used to to with EMH earlier?

 

[mom2rtk]

We are doing the last MVMCP on Dec 19th. I am assuming it will sell out. How are the crowds on sold out nights? LIke on a scale of 1-10 compared to regular park crowds?

Also if they do let us in at 4om will they give us wristbands then or will we have to come back to the front and get them like we used to to with EMH earlier?

A sold out night is much worse than a busy park day. That's because on a busy park day, people are pretty evenly dispersed throughout the park. On a party night, everyone congregates on Main Street to see the parade and fireworks. Plan on finding your spot really early.

On a sold out night ride lines will still be pretty short, but character lines will be very long. People spending the money on a party tend to want to do the things they can't do during a regular park day.

The 19th probably will sell out, there's a small chance maybe not. We were there on the last party night in 08 and it did not sell out. We were also at the second to the last party and it did. There was a noticeable difference. Part of the reason is that the day following the last party, the parade and fireworks become available during regular park hours for free. Many who are there then will opt to pass on the party and see it for free the next day.

If you do go on a sold out night, just be sure to adjust your expectations and you can still have a magical time.

 

[RachaelA]

Is it better to have a dinner reservation or is it ok to just do CS? My plan was to enter at 4pm (I hope) or we will already be there (we have regular park tickets), eat at a CS around 5:30-6pm and be ready to party at 7pm. I've never been to a party before and don't know what to expect. Thanks!

We're planning the same thing as you. An early CS meal (probably at 5. we'll be at AK that morning and then go to MK a little after 4) because we don't want to get tied up anywhere and miss time spent at the party. If the 7 dwarfs are still going to be at the party we plan on lining up at 6:15-6:30 for them so that's why we would eat earlier.

 

[Berlioz70]

Hey Berlioz!

Any idea when there will be an update to the character list?

Any chance Peter Pan or Wendy will be available at the party?

The list is still current, so unfortunately no sign of Peter and Wendy.

If there are any changes I'll probably know them about two weeks before the first party.

 

[mom2rtk]

The list is still current, so unfortunately no sign of Peter and Wendy.

If there are any changes I'll probably know them about two weeks before the first party.

Well, that's a bummer. The list really does seem to be on the light side this year.

As always, I appreciate the fast answer!

 

[dsdevlin]

Really trying to decide whether or not MVMCP is worth it for us during our Nov. trip. We would go on Thursday, Nov. 16 if we go at all. Did MNSSHP a few years ago and were all very disappointed. My main concern is crowds. Can anyone estimate what the crowds will be like on a discounted non-sold out (hopefully) early Nov. night? Even just an estimated rating (1 being not crowded, 10 being out-of-control!) would be really helpful. Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

Really trying to decide whether or not MVMCP is worth it for us during our Nov. trip. We would go on Thursday, Nov. 16 if we go at all. Did MNSSHP a few years ago and were all very disappointed. My main concern is crowds. Can anyone estimate what the crowds will be like on a discounted non-sold out (hopefully) early Nov. night? Even just an estimated rating (1 being not crowded, 10 being out-of-control!) would be really helpful. Thanks!

Should be one of the lightest crowds of the season. I'd be all over it!

 

[ptted]

Really trying to decide whether or not MVMCP is worth it for us during our Nov. trip. We would go on Thursday, Nov. 16 if we go at all. Did MNSSHP a few years ago and were all very disappointed. My main concern is crowds. Can anyone estimate what the crowds will be like on a discounted non-sold out (hopefully) early Nov. night? Even just an estimated rating (1 being not crowded, 10 being out-of-control!) would be really helpful. Thanks!

Sorry you didn't like MNSSHP. What was the propblem? Just too crowded? I went to MVMCP November 13th last year and it was not very crowded...(maybe a 2 or 3 on your list) as I would say I was less crowded when I went the year before (around the same time). Lines are typically longer for childrens rides, especially Peter Pan and Winnie the Pooh earlier in the party. The crowds for those rides and the BTMRR go down significantly later in the evening. Same thing for the Tomorroland Speedway. Still the longest waits are no longer than 20 minutes which in my honest opinion is amillion times better than during the day 50 minute waits. Longest waits at the park most times during these events are to get pictures taken. I typically circle my way from Tomorrowland around to Frontierland when the party starts and the wait time are all very short.

 

[ptted]

Is it better to have a dinner reservation or is it ok to just do CS? My plan was to enter at 4pm (I hope) or we will already be there (we have regular park tickets), eat at a CS around 5:30-6pm and be ready to party at 7pm. I've never been to a party before and don't know what to expect. Thanks!

I have been to MVMCP twice and MNSSHP three times and I typically arrive at or around 4pm and have a dinner reservation or do CS around that time. Once you are finished eating, the lines (especially in Tomorrowland which is where I always start my evening at the park) will already have started to die down. I use that time before the party to hit up Monster's Inc, Stitch, and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority.

 

[ptted]

Just to reiterate, you should be let into the park anytime after 4pm for these special ticket events (was just there two weekends ago for MNSSHP). My experience is they have started handing out the wristbands (which is how they can easily determine if you have paid for the party) at 4pm inside and outside of the park (after you get off the monorail or ferry you will see signs pointing you to the party entrace on the right). If you call the ticket office they may or may not confirm the 4pm arrival time (they told me 4 when I purchased my tickets over the phone without even having to ask). They will allow admitance, with a party ticket all evening until the event ends. The folks at the parking booths will also be there to remind people that the park closes early unless you have party tickets.

As others have said, Main Street tends to be pretty crowded between 4pm and 7pm with folks leaving and entering the park, people going to Guest Services to purchase event tickets, people picking up their wristbands and the parade/show. This is why it is a great idea to grab your food during this time.

 

[ptted]

It'll be interesting to see if SM makes the MVMCP map this year!

I think SM was only off the list last year because it was down for updates. It has been on the list for all other party events.

 

[ptted]

Are the weekday parties typically less busy than the weekend parties? Just wondering - we purchased for Dec 7!!!

I haven't seen too much difference in weekday vs weekend dates (have been to some of each) I think it more depends on whether it is closer to or further from the actual holiday itself.

 

[Berlioz70]

I think SM was only off the list last year because it was down for updates. It has been on the list for all other party events.

We were referring to MNSSHP, SM was not on the map but is open during the party. So we're wondering if the same will be true for MVMCP. I think it's safe to assume it'll be open.