Planning around MVMCP - WWYD?

[NYEmomma]

This will be our first time being in Disney during the Christmas "season" (aside from when I was a kid and there was no MVMCP). We'll be there in November 10-13 (Friday through Monday). According to past calendars MK closed early (7pm) on Friday and Sunday for the party and stayed open late on Saturday.

So would you rather have to leave earlier than you intended/hoped to or go to MK on the busiest day of the three that you'll be there?

Info: Adults only trip - me & DH.

 

[sharonabe]

I guess it depends on how important the MK fireworks are to you. If you don't want to splurge on park hoppers, you'll need to decide if the fireworks are worth braving the heavier crowds and it will be MUCH more crowded on that Saturday than either of the other two days. I don't know what the numbers are, but let's say Fri and Sun are 5s, that Sat will be at least an 8 if not more.

 

[Zife]

We were there a few years ago and happened into WDW at random one night. Main St and the Hub were insane. We got talking to some CMs, and it was the only day for the next several that Wishes would be happening due to the MVMCP schedule (EDIT: It may have actually been MNSSHP, I can't remember which trip it was, but same effect). So, basically what's happening to you.

We still enjoyed ourselves, and got some free popcorn for helping out a CM, but it's up to you if you want to deal with the crowds.

That said, wait until the official schedule comes out. Maybe you'll get lucky!

 

[Lesverts]

I'd go to Magic Kingdom on the Sunday, get there at open. Have afternoon FP, stay in the park until 4 or 5. Go back to the resort to freshen up then head to dinner at 'Ohana/California Grill/Narcossee's etc and watch the party fireworks from the resorts.

 

[NYEmomma]

Fireworks aren't important to us at all. We've seen them before (although by the time we go it won't be Wishes, it'll be something new) and we'll be going with the kids the following year and will definitely see them then (we NEVER go back-to-back years so the idea of waiting 12 months to do something seems like no time at all to me, lol).

I guess, to me, there's just some *magic* of the park at night that I'll be sad to miss out on. Know what I mean?

We've never visited during a "special event".... if you have a dinner reservation that goes past the time the park closes for the party, what happens? We're really looking forward to trying the Jungle Cruise restaurant (I'm totally spacing on the name right now, sorry) because it's new since our last visit and has food the kids would hate... I was planning dinner reservations but don't really want to have to eat at 5:00 so I can get out of the park in time.

 

[scrapquitler]

Fireworks aren't important to us at all. We've seen them before (although by the time we go it won't be Wishes, it'll be something new) and we'll be going with the kids the following year and will definitely see them then (we NEVER go back-to-back years so the idea of waiting 12 months to do something seems like no time at all to me, lol).

I guess, to me, there's just some *magic* of the park at night that I'll be sad to miss out on. Know what I mean?

We've never visited during a "special event".... if you have a dinner reservation that goes past the time the park closes for the party, what happens? We're really looking forward to trying the Jungle Cruise restaurant (I'm totally spacing on the name right now, sorry) because it's new since our last visit and has food the kids would hate... I was planning dinner reservations but don't really want to have to eat at 5:00 so I can get out of the park in time.

If the park is closing for the party at 7, you need to have a reservation for something like 6:30 or earlier. You don't have to be finished eating before the party starts, but you need to be checked in before the party starts. Once you finish eating your meal you will be escorted OUT, no stopping to shop or linger on the way out of the park. I thought Skipper Canteen didn't do ADRs?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Have you thought about going to the party? A two-day ticket plus a MVMCP ticket will most likely cost less than a 3-day ticket.

Personally, I would either go to the party one night and buy a 2-day ticket (avoiding the Saturday crowds at MK) or buy a 3-day ticket, go to MK on one of the party days and do as a PP suggested - make a reservation at a monorail resort and see the fireworks from there. You could also buy a 3-day park hopper and just hop to another park when MK closes? Or, if you end up at MK on a non-party day, perhaps consider going to the Fireworks dessert party (we like the one with Plaza Gardens viewing), so you can at least see the fireworks without a crowd.

 

[sharonabe]

Have you thought about going to the party? A two-day ticket plus a MVMCP ticket will most likely cost less than a 3-day ticket.

Considering MVMCP tickets last year were $92-99 for adults, it won't be cheaper, could be about the same, but probably will cost more. Plus party tickets are only good at MK and only for a partial day.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

On a party night, the early part of the day is usually very pleasant. As 4 pm draws near and party-goers begin filtering in, it often feels like they are arriving in much larger numbers than guests are departing. Main St can become quite a mob scene. At least some effort to tame that congestion was being exerted last year, as party guests were being welcomed into the park BEHIND Main St and integrated into the crowd close to the hub. It worked much nicer for those of us coming in, and the route was decorated, with character greetings, and special cookies along the way. I hope it gave the guests who were entitled to be there up until 7 pm a better chance to enjoy making their way down Main St.

By your dates in Nov, it is nearly dark by 5 pm, which gives you close to 2 hours of the nighttime atmosphere, and even enough time to see the Castle lighting, I believe. I would have no problem planning an MK day this way but wouldn't want to use that limited time having dinner. Enjoy the sights and lights and have a nice dinner elsewhere once you are out of the park.

For me, the most magical time in any park is when daylight starts to wane and the lights are coming on. Things just seem to glow with a special warmth and the sky is usually full of beautiful shades that change every minute. After dark, it is unquestionably different and very lovely, but never as lovely (to me) as the twilight period.

It is kind of funny being in MK when the crowd is changing over on a party night. Think of all the fresh, eager faces, full of excitement and energy merging with those who are, well, not so fresh and maybe downright pooped. It is kind of cool to people watch and absolutely no trick to sort out who's who.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Considering MVMCP tickets last year were $92-99 for adults, it won't be cheaper, could be about the same, but probably will cost more. Plus party tickets are only good at MK and only for a partial day.

Actually, they were $86 - $99 and I'm aware they are only good for a partial day. You might want to read the original post. OP is already contemplating a "partial day" by going on a party day and leaving at official park close. Trying to come up with options so they can enjoy MK and evening events without crowds, hence, the option of a 2-day ticket + MVMCP ticket. The shorter the trip (like OP's) the more cost effective it is to drop a park day on length-of-stay tickets and add the party ticket if OP has any desire to go to the party and experience the park with less crowds. Plus OP already said they are trying to figure out WHICH day to go to MK, so the fact that they can only get into MK with an MVMCP party ticket really isn't a factor. Go to MK with the MVMCP ticket and 2 other parks with the length-of-stay ticket.

 

[ToddyLu]

First time during Christmas, I would have to build a party night in...JMHO. Would skip MK that Saturday.

 

[NYEmomma]

First time during Christmas, I would have to build a party night in...JMHO. Would skip MK that Saturday.

We'll be going in November next year with our kids (original plan was September but I'm starting to rethink our ability to handle September heat, lol) so we'll do the MVMCP then with them.