"Official" Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2016 - Have Yourself a Very Mickey Christmas.

[LadyRayado]

Thanks. We are going that first week and I really hope something is released before we arrive. I hate not having some sort of schedule planned!

The party doesn't change drastically from year to year. You can use past years' maps, timetables, etc to make a general plan, and then just tweak it once the new ones are released this year.

 

[FabFourteenFamilyFun]

He won't be in Christmas attire until 7pm when the party starts. I think the wait will be lower later in the night.



At the Mickey M&G in MK, Mickey talks. He has an articulated head, so the mouth and eyes move, too. http://thedisneyblog.com/2015/08/06/meeting-talking-mickey-mouse-at-the-magic-kingdom/

Thanks again Lady!

 

[GlowingEye]

For our Dec 2016 trip, my sister, aunt and I are planning to take in a MNMCP party. I also managed to snag BOG dinner ressies for that night at 6:25 pm. My sister (the main uh... "problem child") is adamant that because she wants to meet a couple characters (specifically Abu and Belle, though I see Belle hasn't been at the party in the past) that time is too late and we'll be missing too much of the party. What do you think? I'm not giving up my ressie just yet, but I am keeping an eye out for other dinner ressies...

 

[missangelalexis]

For our Dec 2016 trip, my sister, aunt and I are planning to take in a MNMCP party. I also managed to snag BOG dinner ressies for that night at 6:25 pm. My sister (the main uh... "problem child") is adamant that because she wants to meet a couple characters (specifically Abu and Belle, though I see Belle hasn't been at the party in the past) that time is too late and we'll be missing too much of the party. What do you think? I'm not giving up my ressie just yet, but I am keeping an eye out for other dinner ressies...

A lot of people will tell you that's too late. Dinner can take 1.5-2 hours, so you will be wasting a good chunk of party time, which you are paying at a premium for.

 

[TJDisneymama]

A lot of people will tell you that's too late. Dinner can take 1.5-2 hours, so you will be wasting a good chunk of party time, which you are paying at a premium for.

I agree

 

[TJDisneymama]

I agree

Actually, I agree thats too late but I think chances are slim that dinner would take 1.5-2 hours. Thats a rare occurence for a non-character meal. I would say plan for an hour - 1.5 for worst case scenario. So 5:30 would be the latest dinner I would do.

 

[Becky Mouse]

Side tracking a bit, but was the Holiday Hootenanny Dance Party done last year as well? I would absolutely love if they did it this year! I'm sure with cuts, they won't, but I can dream!

I'm thinking the same thing! My daughter loves Clarabelle!

 

[baivasps]

We are planning to go to the party on Tuesday, December 6th. I'm planning to arrive at 4:00 for some rides and a quick dinner before the party starts. I want to do some character M&G's during the party but my priority is to get a decent spot in the front on Main Street for the parade. I was originally planning to go to the first parade but it sounds really crowded. Will we have an easier time getting a spot on Main Street during the second parade? How early do we have to stake out a spot? Our kids are 10 and 8. It will be a bit late for them but I think we can make it.

 

[Luisfba]

For the parade.. we are going to do the first parade. I'm thinking we would watch from Liberty Square (HOP?) so we don't have to line up too early (line up 15-20 min early?, that enough if doing that area?). To then get setup for a good spot on fireworks, what's recommended? Follow the parade into Hub area and get a spot there? (at that point what's recommended? is the whole thing - including the streets - pretty much available at that point?). I figure that would get us to hub about 30 minutes before fireworks?

I've never done the whole camping out for fireworks thing.. once we grab a spot is it ok to hold the spots even if one of us goes to get snacks and come back, or if a kid has to go to a bathroom?

 

[TAK]

For the parade.. we are going to do the first parade. I'm thinking we would watch from Liberty Square (HOP?) so we don't have to line up too early (line up 15-20 min early?, that enough if doing that area?). To then get setup for a good spot on fireworks, what's recommended? Follow the parade into Hub area and get a spot there? (at that point what's recommended? is the whole thing - including the streets - pretty much available at that point?). I figure that would get us to hub about 30 minutes before fireworks?

I've never done the whole camping out for fireworks thing.. once we grab a spot is it ok to hold the spots even if one of us goes to get snacks and come back, or if a kid has to go to a bathroom?

I don't know whether it's considered okay or not. There's probably a whole debate on such things, like always. ;-) But I'm going to tell you from experience that if you do it, to make sure the person who's holding the spot is prepared to defend it. When we went last year (Halloween, but same difference) it was just my husband and I, and we went to two parades. Both times he left me briefly to use the facilities, and both times I had someone try to take his spot. Once the people around me rallied and told the guy he had to find somewhere else to sit. The other time, a family of four pretended I didn't exist and ignored me telling them my husband would be right back, and we eventually had to move. It was okay and we didn't let it bother us, but the whole experience was weird.

Anyhow, my point is -- either the answer is it's not okay and it's all moot, or it is but be prepared to hold down your spot. I found the whole jockeying-for-position at parades to be my least favorite thing about our visit to WDW. Hopefully it'll go smoother this year for both of us!

 

[Emsmith1117]

We are arriving on Nov 18 with a 10 and 13 yr old. My kids want to spend the majority of time at Universal but I am thinking of going to Disney for MVMCP on the 18th arriving at 4. If my kids only want to ride rides is the party worth it? My reasoning for going is that the only other day we can hit Disney is the week of Thanksgiving so I am thinking that the party will be less crowded then spending a whole day there. They care nothing about the parades and fireworks.

 

[MonaMN]

Can someone tell me about the snow on Main Street? Is it just during the parades? Or throughout the party?

We are thinking we will try to do the later parade, but if we are there and feeling like we (mostly DD) won't make it that late, we'd probably try to catch the parade in a slightly less busy spot - we watched the MNSSHP parade right by HoP which worked pretty well. But I want to make sure we also get to see the snow! (Which is kind of ridiculous for someone from MN who sees WAY too much snow usually...)

 

[missangelalexis]

Can someone tell me about the snow on Main Street? Is it just during the parades? Or throughout the party?

We are thinking we will try to do the later parade, but if we are there and feeling like we (mostly DD) won't make it that late, we'd probably try to catch the parade in a slightly less busy spot - we watched the MNSSHP parade right by HoP which worked pretty well. But I want to make sure we also get to see the snow! (Which is kind of ridiculous for someone from MN who sees WAY too much snow usually...)

Throughout the party! It's nice getting Photopass pictures while the snow is falling!

 

[Lesverts]

I think the print at home option is similar to Will Call. You have a receipt that says you paid for a ticket. You still have to show up and collect your ticket. Sort of like going to the theater or a concert.

There are tapstiles, not barcode readers at the entrance. Your piece of paper does not have a chip that the tapstile can scan.
You can do a sort of virtual will call with MDE. If you have a magic band you are all set because it does have a chip and can be linked. Most people fall into this category. Others will have to exchange their paper receipt for ticket media in order to gain entrance.

That's my understanding from the MDE explanations about MBs and FP over on the FP board. I have not been to a party yet. We have had to collect tickets at the parks because DH does not use an MB.

Most cast members manning the tapstiles also have a barcode reader. When you have printed confirmation tickets the cast member will scan the barcode and transfer the ticket to a KTTK card at the tapstile.

 

[MonaMN]

Throughout the party! It's nice getting Photopass pictures while the snow is falling!

Thank you! That is great news.

This is the only snow I am actually excited to see!

 

[DonaldDuck77]

We are arriving on Nov 18 with a 10 and 13 yr old. My kids want to spend the majority of time at Universal but I am thinking of going to Disney for MVMCP on the 18th arriving at 4. If my kids only want to ride rides is the party worth it? My reasoning for going is that the only other day we can hit Disney is the week of Thanksgiving so I am thinking that the party will be less crowded then spending a whole day there. They care nothing about the parades and fireworks.

For a 1 day trip to just ride rides, this is as good as it gets. Much less crowded than Thanksgiving. You should be able to do more rides than a whole regular day.

 

[Themadhatter21]

I apologize if this has been asked already but what is the best spot to view the parade? I'm sure it is Main Street but I know that will be hard to get a spot. Is it worth watching from the starting point at frontierland? We are hoping to have the grandparents post up while my husband and I take the kids on the some rides. Thank you!

 

[BDL]

I apologize if this has been asked already but what is the best spot to view the parade? I'm sure it is Main Street but I know that will be hard to get a spot. Is it worth watching from the starting point at frontierland? We are hoping to have the grandparents post up while my husband and I take the kids on the some rides. Thank you!

It all depends on your preference. Some people like Main St. Some like in front of the Castle. Some like Frontier Land. They all have their benefits.

Main St. - If you get your spot and can have over 50% (my version of a fair courtesy, not a steadfast rule) of your group to set up shop, the rest can go shopping and get snacks. Plus there is the snow(p).

The Castle - Though there are deep lines, it can accommodate a good amount of people. But, because of room, you won't feel too pushed or shoved or have too many people trying to jockey for position on you. Plus, you are at the Hub. You can go anywhere you want afterwards.

Frontier Land - You get to see the parade 1st. It does seem a little tighter than the other 2 spots. But, if you are into photography, it is darker than the other 2 spots and to me, that makes the floats and performers stand out a bit more. Also, if you're lucky, you can get a rocking chair.

 

[sharonabe]

We are arriving on Nov 18 with a 10 and 13 yr old. My kids want to spend the majority of time at Universal but I am thinking of going to Disney for MVMCP on the 18th arriving at 4. If my kids only want to ride rides is the party worth it? My reasoning for going is that the only other day we can hit Disney is the week of Thanksgiving so I am thinking that the party will be less crowded then spending a whole day there. They care nothing about the parades and fireworks.

I agree with PP that the party is the best way (and a little cheaper than) paying to spend a whole day in the park during Thanksgiving week, especially if the rides are your goal.

However, if the 18th is your ARRIVAL day, I don't know if I would risk buying the non-refundable tickets ahead of time. You just never know what might befall as you travel. If you're okay with chancing a possible sell out and not being able to attend, I would wait until day of to buy your tickets.

 

[Luisfba]

Most cast members manning the tapstiles also have a barcode reader. When you have printed confirmation tickets the cast member will scan the barcode and transfer the ticket to a KTTK card at the tapstile.

Thanks. If I do that, and I had the ticket assigned to a profile in MDE already (and made FP selections), those cards get automatically linked to that profile the ticket was assigned to at the time? Or would it mess up the FP selections somehow?