Park day or Party? What to do...

[4Hawks]

We are taking a short 3-day trip right before Christmas and have only 1 day to visit the park. Our choices are: 1 day at MK, 1 day at DHS, OR the last MVMC party on 12/22 (we've never been to one of the parties). The park ticket and the party ticket cost exactly the same. We are not early risers, so no EMH or rope drop for us.

What would you do?

 

[siren0119]

It really depends on what would make YOUR trip special. We only had the cash for a single park day on our last trip, and gave the kids the option of a full day at one park, a water park day, or some other activity at DS of their choosing. They felt REALLY strongly about spending the full day at HS (we are big SW fans, and in general it's their favorite park), so for us that was the right choice. YMMV.

 

[TinkSassy]

MK I would be split on as you are not early risers. Park will be pretty empty in the morning as people without park hop passes will avoid it as it is closing early due to the party. The crowds will build at 4pm when the party guests arrive. Party will give you access to all the holiday items - parade, fireworks, snacks and character meets - but if you want rides usually the parties are more packed than they should be for the abbreviated time frame. So for MK it would depend on your priorities - rides or holiday stuff. (Note day guests are usually allowed to stick around through the lighting of the "ice castle" which is fun!)

HS would be my one day right now as I haven't been to SWGE. Note both rides will be open by then and we have no idea what that will do to the crowds and this is Christmas week so crowds will be high in general.

 

[4Hawks]

To elaborate a bit, we've been to all the parks and MK is our favorite. We love Star Wars, but can easily wait to see SWGE next year. My priority is to minimize crowds as much as we possibly can (I understand it's a super busy season).

I've read recent reports about the Halloween parties being more crowded than before (i.e. Disney is selling more tickets) and I worry that it will be the same for the Christmas parties. A downside to the party is that we can't use Fastpass (neither DAS, apparently), BUT we'd get all the Holiday stuff.

Ugh. I just can't make up my mind. I guess letting the kids decide would be a good option...

 

[mumzie2three]

To elaborate a bit, we've been to all the parks and MK is our favorite. We love Star Wars, but can easily wait to see SWGE next year. My priority is to minimize crowds as much as we possibly can (I understand it's a super busy season).

I've read recent reports about the Halloween parties being more crowded than before (i.e. Disney is selling more tickets) and I worry that it will be the same for the Christmas parties. A downside to the party is that we can't use Fastpass (neither DAS, apparently), BUT we'd get all the Holiday stuff.

Ugh. I just can't make up my mind. I guess letting the kids decide would be a good option...

I thought it is possible to book Fastpasses during regular park hours? So from 4 till whenever closing is, you could book FPs. I was able to do that at a DAH at MK and got Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear before the park closed.

 

[siren0119]

I thought it is possible to book Fastpasses during regular park hours? So from 4 till whenever closing is, you could book FPs. I was able to do that at a DAH at MK and got Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear before the park closed.

This is correct - you can get into the park at 4pm if all you have is a Party ticket, so you can book fastpasses for the 4pm-6pm timeframe.

 

[Klayfish]

My vote is an extra park day. We've never done a party, but I think they're a waste of money. It's not like there are any new rides that are only available during the party. You're paying a ton of extra money to do pretty much the same things you can do in a normal park day. I'd rather have an extra day in the parks.

On a side note, I feel the same way about the dessert parties. Total waste of money. You see the same show that everyone else sees for free, and all the extra money you'd pay gets you a few cookies. I know there's more choices than that, being sarcastic. However I simply don't see the value in it. In MK, we let the kids pick out the dessert of their choice from Goofy's Candy Shop and then get a good spot to see fireworks. Costs us a tiny fraction of the dessert party, and we still get the same show and good food.

 

[kwdw]

Given how oversold the Halloween party was that I went to - no way I would recommend the Christmas party as part of a three day trip. Do another full park day.

 

[GAN]

Given how oversold the Halloween party was that I went to - no way I would recommend the Christmas party as part of a three day trip. Do another full park day.

And that date usually is at capacity(sold out). Honestly, the best option would be to “become” early risers for 1-day. Try it, you might like it.....

 

[4Hawks]

Given how oversold the Halloween party was that I went to - no way I would recommend the Christmas party as part of a three day trip. Do another full park day.

This is what I fear. That it will be oversold and we will not enjoy it. But going during the day on such a busy week might be even worse.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

To elaborate a bit, we've been to all the parks and MK is our favorite. We love Star Wars, but can easily wait to see SWGE next year. My priority is to minimize crowds as much as we possibly can (I understand it's a super busy season).

I've read recent reports about the Halloween parties being more crowded than before (i.e. Disney is selling more tickets) and I worry that it will be the same for the Christmas parties. A downside to the party is that we can't use Fastpass (neither DAS, apparently), BUT we'd get all the Holiday stuff.

Ugh. I just can't make up my mind. I guess letting the kids decide would be a good option...

This is what I fear. That it will be oversold and we will not enjoy it. But going during the day on such a busy week might be even worse.

If your goal is to minimize crowds, I would choose regular park hours on a MVMCP party day. Crowds are typically lower as party guests without regular tickets don't enter until 2 pm (DVC) or 4 pm (non-DVC party guests) and those with base tickets usually think they will get a bigger bang for their buck at a different park with longer hours. The last MVMCP will almost certainly sell out and it will be crowded. We've gone to MK on party days where we have no intention of staying for the party and crowds were definitely lower. I would suggest going to MK during the day, leaving at 6 pm and then do some holiday things around the MK resorts - check out the GF Christmas tree and gingerbread house, perhaps go to WL to see the decorations (they are gorgeous!), even consider going to Ft. W and doing a private sleigh ride to see the camper decorations. You can also view the MK fireworks from the MK resorts (Poly beach, GF boat dock, etc.). I feel like you will get the best of both worlds - lower crowds at MK plus some Christmas activities without having to deal with tremendous crowds in MK.

 

[TinkSassy]

This is what I fear. That it will be oversold and we will not enjoy it. But going during the day on such a busy week might be even worse.

I think you would be ok going during the day. It surprises me how empty the park can be on party days. Sounds like you are more interested in rides. The party will be VERY busy and you will only get the basics done.

 

[MrsDuck]

I'd do the party.

 

[Unvoiced_Apollo]

My vote is an extra park day. We've never done a party, but I think they're a waste of money. It's not like there are any new rides that are only available during the party. You're paying a ton of extra money to do pretty much the same things you can do in a normal park day. I'd rather have an extra day in the parks.

On a side note, I feel the same way about the dessert parties. Total waste of money. You see the same show that everyone else sees for free, and all the extra money you'd pay gets you a few cookies. I know there's more choices than that, being sarcastic. However I simply don't see the value in it. In MK, we let the kids pick out the dessert of their choice from Goofy's Candy Shop and then get a good spot to see fireworks. Costs us a tiny fraction of the dessert party, and we still get the same show and good food.

Dessert parties - aside from RoL, which I agree is no good value, you're paying for having a spot at the fireworks where you don't have to stake out a spot an hour ahead of time. Instead you gorge on dessert then head to fireworks (or in the case of the After Fireworks party, watch fireworks then gorge). Don't get me wrong, I don't mind staking out a spot an hour early to make sure I get a good view. But if I have the cash, I'm going to instead use that hour for AYCE desserts (plus they do also have assorted cheese and fruits).

The value of the parties (MNSSHP & MVMCP) come from the rare characters, shows you don't get to see during normal hours, and complimentary cookies, pretzels, & hot chocolate. If you don't care for these and only want to do rides, then yes,the value diminishes greatly.

 

[MarkinNM]

If you have never been to a party I say do it! I think they are a GREAT value as like was stated there are usually rare and different characters in the park and usually dressed to fit the party theme! We went to the MNSSHP in Aug 30th a friday night and was a BLAST! it was semi crowded BUT I can say we NEVER stood in line for any ride, they were all mostly walk-ons! Lots of different types of party exclusive snacks, and music, parades, fireworks, WELL WORTH IT.

Also for what it is worth, we were talking to our bus driver when heading over to the MK and she stated she used to work in the parks and is now a bus driver due to leg issues and her lack of mobility, she stated the desired selling capacity for MK is right around 85K, the Halloween party is capped at 25K(ish) her quote, she told us tickets sold for that night was at 19K, also take all of this with a grain of salt as YMMV on this, but it did seem like the park in places was empty and was a bit creepy to walk around with so few people there. Had plenty of viewing places for the parades and fireworks but the ride situation alone was worth the cost, I guess it depends on what you want out of your limited time......have fun!

 

[4Hawks]

I'm more interested in the experience than the rides, actually. My kids have been on all the rides they can/want to ride at MK, and we can just do a couple of their favorites before 6pm. My biggest concern are crowds in general, since DD and I both have severe anxiety and don't feel comfortable in very crowded spaces (which is why we normally visit during the "off" season and always use her stroller as a wheelchair). If it's going to be shoulder-to-shoulder everywhere we go in the park, neither of us will enjoy it. I'd rather do a no-parks trip, to be honest.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I'm more interested in the experience than the rides, actually. My kids have been on all the rides they can/want to ride at MK, and we can just do a couple of their favorites before 6pm. My biggest concern are crowds in general, since DD and I both have severe anxiety and don't feel comfortable in very crowded spaces (which is why we normally visit during the "off" season and always use her stroller as a wheelchair). If it's going to be shoulder-to-shoulder everywhere we go in the park, neither of us will enjoy it. I'd rather do a no-parks trip, to be honest.

I would recommend not going to the party. MK is decorated for Christmas during the day and you can enjoy that with a regular park ticket. The party offers you a few shows, unique character meet and greets (with long lines), "free" snacks (which aren't very good, IMHO), snow on Main St., fireworks (which will be crowded) and a parade (which will be crowded). If you aren't interested in the meet and greets and have severe anxiety in crowds, I, personally don't think the last party of the season is a great idea. If it were MNSSHP, maybe, as the rest of WDW doesn't really "do-it-up", so to speak, for Halloween. On the other hand, WDW goes all out, everywhere for Christmas including resort decorations and in-park shows and experiences that are included in your ticket price at every other park than MK. In looking back at your original post, you are also considering DHS which may not be a bad idea. The decorations there are really cool and you will get to see all of their holiday offerings, including the JBJB show with the price of your ticket. So, in essence, you get a full day park experience with holiday offerings as well. I see EP is not a consideration, but their holiday offerings are fantastic, IMHO.