Question about MK and MVMCP in same day...

[shocky5]

For those who have attended Mickey's Very Magic Christmas Party:

This is our first Christmas trip and we plan on taking our kids to MVMCP one evening. Do you prefer to be at MK that entire day of the party, or go to a different park and come back to the MVMCP at MK that evening?

I initially thought we would get to MK for rope drop, spend the day there, go to one of the monorail resorts for dinner and then back to MK for MVMCP. But now... since I have way too much time on my hands to think about this (9 months), I'm considering a different 'day plan' and then to MK that evening for the party...

If this is helpful at all... we arrive late on a Friday night, planned on Epcot on Saturday and MK/MVMCP on Sunday - this will also (based on past historical dates) possibly be the final MVMCP of the season. So second full day of our trip...

Thanks for your insight!!

 

[kellyg403]

Normally we do AK in the morning and then head back to the resort for the rest of the day. Dinner in MK and then MVMCP. We have tried being in the parks all day and then over to the party but it just wasn't fun for us. We usually have a more laid back approach.

Also, the day of the party, MK is usually packed from our experience. We try to stay away from it.

If you can avoid it and go somewhere else I would. But it will depend a lot on how long you are staying, what you are hoping to get from the Party etc.

Kelly

 

[mesaboy2]

That plan will make for a loooooong day. You'll be investing a significant chunk of change to attend the MVMCP from 7pm to midnight that night, so you want to get the most out of it. I think you'll be drained by the time the party rolls around. I don't believe it matters much which park you do earlier in the day, I just recommend a good 3-4 hour break in the afternoon to rest up for the fun in the evening.

 

[Art 1]

I would not go to the MK on the same day as the MVMCP if I were going that night.

As an aside, it's really not worth going to if you are going to the MK during your trip. IMO.

 

[luv2plan]

We loved MVMCP, but I also would not go to MK all day. I would make an ADR in the park at like 5pm, then you are there and ready to enjoy the party after a nice dinner. We like The Plaza or Crystal Palace. You could also have dinner at a monorail resort, too.

As for the morning, maybe DHS rope drop to get to Toystory Mania and some other rides/shows until just after lunch. Then take a nap/swim at your hotel.

Happy planning!!

 

[Katie & Glen]

We did MK with a late start that day. We got there around 11am and left around 11pm. There is plenty to see and do at each park during the holidays so whatever you think fits your family best... Enjoy - its an awesome time of year to visit.

 

[ktlm]

We've done both. We have done MVMCP on an AK day, DHS day, and we have done MK all day. In fact, last December we did MVMCP on an MK day, and we had so much fun that we bought tickets again and did it on our DHS day too (we had started off our trip with Osborne lights at DHS evening EMH so we didn't need to be at DHS at night again). We generally don't take breaks during the day and we do go to the parks right around rope drop even on MVMCP day. It has never slowed us down or made us too tired at the party, but that is just us. It really doesn't make us that much difference which park we are in that day. The only thing I found was that I kind of like to freshen up before MVMCP, so we can get some cute pictures. With doing MK on party day, we wound up never leaving the park or stopping back by the room. When we do a different park, we go from there to the resort, spend about 30 minutes to an hour in the room changing clothes and freshening up and then we head back out. It is kind of nice to get a little cleaned up.

 

[ToddyLu]

I also recommend a 5 p.m. meal. The atmsosphere changes at 7 p.m. We usually eat at WCC at WL becasue we like to ride the boat afterwards to the party. You can also get your party armband at 4 p.m. Don't forget your tickets...luckily I writeen down the numbers on ours when we realized my MIL had left them at home,,they were quickly replaced at Guest Relations.

 

[sweetdana]

I also rec. you will not enjoy the night after being tired from all day there. Have a relaxing morning at the hotel, ideas

a little swimming if weather allows 1st choice but Dec is hit and miss.
Do something resort specific like walk around the BW, or fishing at POR or FR, or go to the beach and play in the sand at BC, WL, GF. AK easy.. visit the animals. SSR spa or walk to DTD
Do a later char breakfast
Round of mini golf
Go shopping at DTD, (if you have kids) maybe do the BBB in DTD

Plan on heading over to MK at 1-3 PM, have a sit down relaxing dinner at about 4-5 PM and then start your night this gives you PLENTY of time, but you are not rushed and not tired. You will enjoy this more.

 

[clairemolly]

We did MK the day of MVMCP this past year, but it was in early November so it wasn't very crowded at MK that day. The only reason we did it that way was because it was my DD's 3rd birthday, and what better park to spend it in? We started at BBB at 8 am and were there all day!

My kiddos did great, with my 3 year old taking a nap mid-day in the stroller (she is not a nap on command kid and trips to the room are a waste of time). My 2 oldest fell asleep in the stroller right at midnight as we were walking to the bus (my youngest was only 14 weeks and slept on and off all day ) We do tend to be a open to close family and just take it easy throughout the day rather than head back to the hotel mid-day.

In 2008 though, we did AK in the morning and then had a 5pm dinner ressie at Liberty Tree Tavern before MNSSHP. That was fun too.

 

[MayzDisney4]

We did MK and MVMCP in the same day a few years ago. Both my kids were out cold in the stroller very early into the party (but they were 5 and 1).
We did MK that day and did a 5pm dinner at Chef Mickeys then back for the party!

I vote for stay with MK for the day.. I don't think its too much to do in 1 day but that is our family. We will spend open to close at a park most times anyway.

 

[nooneshome]

Looking back on it I would have to say that being at MK all day before one of their night parties ruined the whole experience for me. It just didn't seem special enough a difference to warrant paying all that extra money.

 

[lindseynleah]

We typically do an early opening breakfast in MK...like Crystal Palace, Cinderalla and then head to Fantasyland rope drop and do some other rides until lunch. My girls were little on the times we did this and we just went back to the resort for a nap/lunch/pool time etc. We would head back to MK about 4:00 pm since they start letting people in at that time for the party and then we would just grab a counter service meal and make our rounds. You could still visit a resort for dinner and then head over too!!

 

[shocky5]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Love all of the ideas! I think right now am leaning towards a lazy morning and day with party that evening! We will have other days to hit MK on our trip for a full days worth!