OT---Need opinions on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

[YesDear]

Ann: I would have to agree with DW, Rwetheryet, that I was underwhelmed, with MVMCP. I much more enjoy MVSHP. I think the MVSHP parade is much more original than the Christmas one. BUT.....

I think if you have never done it before you should and make up your own mind. I am also a big Christmas fan and love the whole place at Christmas! I just did not think that event was that special.

 

[annnewjerz]

Ann: I would have to agree with DW, Rwetheryet, that I was underwhelmed, with MVMCP.

Smart man, agreeing with DW

I'm currently in the process of trying to convince DH to take a ride (16+ hours) to WDW in October for our wedding anniversary. We would spend the day driving, go to the Halloween party and then spend the next day and a half working our way back. Who knows---maybe I'll get to see both this year!

 

[fitzperry]

You can count me in the crowd that enjoyed MNSSHP more than MVMCP, though my relative enjoyment level may have had something to do with the fact that the Christmas party was more crowded. That said, I'd gladly do either one again. I'd suggest you go for it--you'll probably regret it if you don't.

 

[WVDisGeek]

Sorry to be late to the party with my reply, but I will leave my 2 cents worth anyway....

We went last year, second week of Dec. Our night was a "sellout". VERY crowded for shows, parades, fireworks etc. Rides were very short lines or walk on. We actually rode POTC during the first parade and we did not see another soul on a boat as far as we could see either in front or behind!

However, we will be going to the World Dec 6-12 this year and we will NOT be going to the party again. Our chief complaint is that they no longer clear the park before the party. The large crowds on Main Street, in the shops and watching the parade were due to the large number of people that had not bought tickets, but just stayed in the park. Granted, they could not ride the rides or go to the shows without their wristbands (in theory anyway) but they did make getting around much harder. We went in 2004 and they made a better effort to clear the parks.

DW and I just decided that it was not worth the $100+ for the two of us to go again. We weren't really sure what we were paying for.

Again, I respect other opinions and if they feel it is worth it for them, I hope they have a great time. It is really pretty at night with the "snow" on Main Street!

 

[RweTHEREyet]

This is not true. At least not until the few days before Christmas.

The day time parade and the MVMCP are completely different. The day parade (currently Celeberate a Dream Come True) has no Holiday theme to it what so ever. The MVMCP has each float decorated in Holiday theme's, there are also different characters in the the holiday parade along with Mr and Mrs Claus.

Now the parades at DHS and AK during the day DO have a holiday theme to them.

It has been more than a couple of years, but it was certainly true when we were there. I remember specifically thinking that it had been a waste of money to see something I could see on any other given day of our trip. Maybe it was just a flue, but it was true with our experience. Actually it may have been the week of Christmas because our son was doing the College Program in 2003 and we were there the week of Christmas. At any rate, still underwhelmed.

That being said, I would go and experience it once and then you would know if you ever wanted to do it again. We now know that we would do the MNSSHP as a repeat attraction, but probably not the MVMCP. that being siad, we will potentially be there in December with folks that have never done MVMCP, and I may have to eat those words.

 

[annnewjerz]

That being said, I would go and experience it once and then you would know if you ever wanted to do it again. We now know that we would do the MNSSHP as a repeat attraction, but probably not the MVMCP. that being siad, we will potentially be there in December with folks that have never done MVMCP, and I may have to eat those words.

Thanks for all of the input. Even if you didn't love MVMCP, I still appreciate getting everyone's opinions---good and bad!

I've never been to MNSSHP but have thought it looked so cool, so we decided to take a drive down to FL from NJ just for that this year in October. It better be as good as everyone says!!

Going down in December this year, huh? Mr. YesDear failed to mention this (which is not really a shocker since he didn't even tell us you all were going to the F&G Fest in May)! When will you folks be in The World?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

One thing they used to do at MNSSHP (not sure about MVMCP) is a free "posed" photo with the appropriate backdrop. They stopped that a couple of years ago, but the price of the event never went down. That was a big disappointment because those photos were always fun.

The Dec trip is not definite yet. And I think that since this is where YesDear hangs out, I should probably leave this area to him and say no more. F&G was a very last minute trip--some great Ding fares showed up and we were able to book a DVC room at the last minute and it all just fell into place. It worked out great though that we were then able to meet Jeff and the rest is history for DS and FDIL.

So, again, I am leaving now and YesDear can have this space to himself. Besides, I use a point and shoot and a Flip, so other than Park talk, I don't have too much to contribute here.

 

[boBQuincy]

However, we will be going to the World Dec 6-12 this year and we will NOT be going to the party again. Our chief complaint is that they no longer clear the park before the party. The large crowds on Main Street, in the shops and watching the parade were due to the large number of people that had not bought tickets, but just stayed in the park.

We were at MK last December on Sunday and Tuesday, both MVMCP nights. The sudden influx of guests at 4 pm made Main St very crowded for party and non-party guests alike. I hope WDW does not repeat the plan of not clearing the park before MVMCP. It made for unpleasant conditions for everyone (except maybe the accountants).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I agree about wishing that they would clear the park - it would bring a greater value to the event IMO. We have attended MVMCP the past two years and it was very crowded - especially in the Main Street area. Yes, they do check for the rides, and yes, they did do a couple of checks when walking into Tomorrowland etc. but it still was no problem for day guests to stay and watch shows, fireworks and the parade. I'm very torn over it b/c of this aspect but at the same time I do enjoy the special shows, parades and fireworks.

As far as the fireworks and parade being the same - during the Christmas and New Years week they stop doing the MVMCP at night as a separate ticket event and perform the shows and special stuff during normal park hours. If you happened to go on the last night of the MVMCP and then went to the park again later you probably would wonder what was so special about it!

 

[mom2rtk]

I can tell you that we have done both MNSSHP and the MVMCP, and while we love the MNSSHP, we did not care if we did the MVMCP again. Did it once, don't need to do it again. IIRMC, the parade is the same as seen other nights, not exclusive to the MVMCP, you get some hot chocolate and cookies, the decorations are nice, but you can see them anytime. We were just underwhelmed.

This depends on when you are going. The xmas parade only shows up during regular park hours after the last party of the year.

We went last year. It was very busy, but very enjoyable. I say do it if you have never done it before. The stage show and Twas the Night show are awesome and not to be missed!

 

[OceanAnnie]

I can tell you that we have done both MNSSHP and the MVMCP, and while we love the MNSSHP, we did not care if we did the MVMCP again. Did it once, don't need to do it again. IIRMC, the parade is the same as seen other nights, not exclusive to the MVMCP, you get some hot chocolate and cookies, the decorations are nice, but you can see them anytime. We were just underwhelmed.

Same experience. MVMCP was waaaaayyy overcrowded for us. Shoulder to shoulder with little relief here and there. We left early that night. Underwhelmed is the perfect word. That's exactly how we felt.

On the other hand, the MNSSHP was fantastic!

 

[racreel]

We attended the MVMCP in 2007, found it quite enjoyable. It wasn't as crowded when you got away from Main Street. Also, if you're a collector, there are items only sold during the party.

We're attending the MNSSHP this year.