Questions about MVMCP info in the Unofficial Guide

[JoannaOhio]

I have the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2005 (copyright 2004). On page 48 there are several paragraphs about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, including comments from a reader who wrote that she would never go again - that it was wall-to-wall people, and they didn't get to do anything, etc. The UG's comment about this is:

Until last year, most reader mail described huge crowds and long lines. More recently, however, either because of the dip in Disney World attendance or because Disney limited the number of tickets sold each night (supposedly to about 20,000), readers reported very tolerable crowds and short lines at the Very Merry Christmas Party. (The Magic Kingdom can absorb 20,000 guests quite handily; that's a couple thousand fewer than average attendance on an off-season day.) Our advice is to nail Disney down on the max-attendance number before you plunk down your cash.

Has anyone ever successfully nailed Disney down on the max-attendance number? How the heck could we, as individuals, accomplish this if the tour guide authors can't get this information? Also, the statement, "Until last year....", printed in the 2005 Guide, would seem to refer to the years prior to December 2004. Did things really change that much in 2004 from previous years? If anybody has any "solid" information about all this, I would certainly appreciate knowing it.

 

[mickeysaver]

Go on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday and you should be fine. Fridays are for the birds....way too busy. IMO Maggie

 

[JoannaOhio]

Go on a Sunday, Tuesday, or Thursday and you should be fine. Fridays are for the birds....way too busy. IMO Maggie

We're going on a Tuesday, but it's the final MVMCP on December 20th - the only day we can go - and that's bound to be a sell out - right? Which still begs the question - what is the maximum number of tickets that they sell? Did they reduce the maximum last year as compared to previous years? I know, I know - we'll probably never know for sure - and we've already bought our tickets, so we'll go and make the best of whatever we encounter. I just thought it was kind of odd that the UG advises its readers "to nail Disney down on the max-attendance number before you plunk down your cash." But it gives no suggestion as to how one would go about getting this information from Disney.

 

[wilsonjen]

I would love to get the information on max. capacity during MVMCP as well. We will be there Dec 17-21, so I think we'll try for Sunday, Dec 18th for the party.

We had not planned to do MVMCP due to some negative feedback, but I want the kids to see MK at night. Since we plan to visit MK on Tuesday Dec 20th (per the UG's advice), we will only have until early evening when they shut down the park for MVMCP.

If anyone gets an "official" word on this from Disney, please post! There are a ton of DISers going to MVMCP--see the December Roll Call--who would be very interested in this info.

 

[DHSsenior007]

We're going to be there Dec. 18-24 and attending MVMCP on the 20th. We've had several trips in the past, but none in December before Christmas. (We went week between Christmas and New Years, we knew it would be crowded, but NEVER EVER again) As far as this thread goes, Disney has never released their attendance for any time of the year. All of the stuff we've heard has to be estimated. We already bought the tickets, so if it's crowded, it's crowded. We'll still have a good time, though, because due to all of this great information on these boards and elsewhere, we know what we want to do and what we can skip.

 

[kizmac]

We went in 2003, the second week of December on a Tuesday. I think the crowds were fine. I do recall Tomorrowland being busy when we first arrived because of everyone being held there until 7:00 and the lines there were a tad long. Also, you do not want to get your family photo taken their either. We considered it but the line was terrible! We went over to Liberty Square and had practically no wait at all.

I think as long as you aren't planning the week of Christmas or on a Friday, Sat or Sun....don't worry about the crowds too much.

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

We went on a Sunday and it was SOOOOO crowded, never again for me. We never made it past Main St.. No cocoa, cookies, or picture for us. I felt it was a waste of time/money. You can see the same parade during the day, and we saw the "snow" at MGM. I was a little irritated because I was told you could get in the park by 4:00 even if you didn't have admission tickets for the day, however really you couldn't enter until 7:00. It was really crowded getting in and trying to get out. Maybe during the week there is low attendance, but not on the weekend.

 

[Tarzan]

We went to MVMCP on a Tuesday last year and although it was busier than we expected, we were still able to get the photos, cocoa and cookies, and see the parade and shows. We got into MK at 4.15pm using our MVMCP tickets and immediately received our wrist bands. I would definitely do it again. In fact, we enjoyed it so much that we are trying MNSSHP this year.

 

[mickeysaver]

We did MVMCP twice in 2003 and were able to get in at 4pm both dates with only our MVMCP tickets. The first one was on Sunday 12/14/03. It was magical...no crowds...hardly any lines...major pixie dust. We had our picture taken, had dinner at Cosmic Rays, rode many rides multiple times, and generally fell in love with the experience. The second one was on Friday 12/19/03 and was a sold out party and the last night of all the parties. It was a far different experience. We had our picture taken, we ate at Pecos Bill's, we watched the second parade, we saw Wishes, but other than shopping some on Main Street, we didn't get much accomplished because the ride wait times were insane. The place was more packed than it was on the MK EMH morning day, which I think had been the day before, if memory serves. Main Street was one huge mass of humanity with people packed in from pretty tight from one sidewalk to the other, which is more than what this value season tourist is prepared to endure. LOL I swore that if possible, I would never do a sold out MVMCP again.....too many people to enjoy it as much as we did the first night. Maggie

 

[DHSsenior007]

Mickeysaver, where did you get your countdown from?

 

[goofy4tink]

We did MVMCP on a Sunday in mid-Dec in '03 and on the Tues after Thanksgiving last year. Last year was much more crowded than '03. But, from what I understand, that whole time period was more crowded than usual.

So, get there early. We try to get a PS (ADR) inside MK for around 5:30 or so. That way we can have a nice sit-down meal and then just amble on out just as the party is getting started.The parade is one of the hightlights for us. It is not the same that you see in the afternoon, at least it wasn't when we were there. I do believe that you can catch the holiday parade closer to Christmas though. Or be there the SAt that they are taping it.

Get a guide before you go so that you can have an idea of the things you want to see and do. People have said that MVMCP is not the time to try and do all the rides. I tend to agree. I try to do those things that I can't do at any other time...the special holiday shows, or the parade. If I'm passing an attraction that I would like to ride, and the wait time isn't too bad, then terrific...I'll do it. But we tour during MVMCP very differently than we do during a regular day.

 

[lentesta]

Hi JoannaOhio,

Thanks for reading the book. Because of questions similar to yours, both Bob and I attended a MVMCP last year. It was on a Friday during Mousefest - I think December 10, 2004. IMHO, it was one of the most crowded events I've ever seen in the MK. I waited almost 40 minutes for Country Bear Jamboree! Sheesh! Crowds throughout the park were just insane, and it looked more like a typical post-Christmas day.

I'll check with Bob to see whether we can get more specific info on the maximum number of tickets Disney sells to MVMCP.

My guess is that MVMCPs that fall on Fridays (and Saturdays) would be more crowded, as people generally don't have work or school the next day. Just a hunch.

Len

 

[dis boohoo2]

We went on a Sunday and it was SOOOOO crowded, never again for me. We never made it past Main St.. No cocoa, cookies, or picture for us. I felt it was a waste of time/money. You can see the same parade during the day, and we saw the "snow" at MGM. I was a little irritated because I was told you could get in the park by 4:00 even if you didn't have admission tickets for the day, however really you couldn't enter until 7:00. It was really crowded getting in and trying to get out. Maybe during the week there is low attendance, but not on the weekend.

We went last year (Dec, 04) and it was unbelievably crowded. We were very diappointed in the fact that we thought we paid for an exclusive, limited attendance party, but the reality was, the park that night (tues I believe) was more crowded than during any time the entire time we were there.

The snow was cute, fireworks cool, cocoa and cookies nice, picture fine since we raced there when they dropped the rope. Overall, we were disappointed at the crowds and won't do it again. Not worth the money and we had more fun during the day with less crowds.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We went last year on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. BIG MISTAKE. It was extremely crowded compared to the previous 2 years. I think this year we will go on Tues./Thurs. or skip it all together.

Lori

 

[JoannaOhio]

We went last year (Dec, 04) and it was unbelievably crowded. We were very diappointed in the fact that we thought we paid for an exclusive, limited attendance party, but the reality was, the park that night (tues I believe) was more crowded than during any time the entire time we were there.

This was my impression when I talked my DD into buying tickets for MVMCP. Now I'm getting nervous that it might have been a mistake - and we would have been better off just visiting MK with one of our park days. (We bought 7-day non-expiring passes, knowing that we won't use all 7 days this trip.) This is our first Disney visit in five years, (and my DD's fiancee's first time ever), and we'll have a limited number of days there. I will be very disappointed if we wind up thinking the MVMCP was a waste of time and money.

 

[kima86]

My DH & I have been doing MVMCP since '03 and have always gone on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving without any problems - we can usually walk right onto any ride and were one of the first ones to be in line to get our free photo. We already have our tickets in hand for this year (be there on 11/29). It has always been a great experience for us. Hope this helps a little.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We went last December, I think it was a Thursday night, I think December 9th and I couldn't believe how crowded it was....BUT, I admit, I think my expectations of low crowds were a bit too high.

I'm glad I got to go to an MVMCP, but doubt I would do it again myself. Here again though, I do think that my expectations were too high, but I was disappointed.

One thing is, STAY AWAY from Main Street! It was constantly wall to wall people. You couldn't even get into the shops. As you go further into the park it gets better. I will say, the ride lines really weren't too bad for all the people that seemed to be there. Head to Liberty Square or Frontierland to watch the parade (which was AMAZING) -- we couldn't find a spare inch of space to watch anywhere near Main Street or the Castle. Also Wishes isn't to be missed, try to get a spot on the Tomorrowland bridge, it was incredible!

Also if there is a show you REALLY want to see, get there early, they fill up quick!

 

[twotoohappy]

You can see the same parade during the day, and we saw the "snow" at MGM. I was a little irritated because I was told you could get in the park by 4:00 even if you didn't have admission tickets for the day, however really you couldn't enter until 7:00. .

Sorry you didn't have a good time.
I had a different experience....

1. The parade is the Christmas parade. My dd loves seeing the gingerbread men and the toy soldiers. It's not the "snow globe" parade that you see during the day.

2. We got in at 3:30 with just our MVMCP tickets because we had PS at LTT for 4pm. I guess you need the PS. Honestly, I don't remember them asking us, but I'm not sure if they did or not.

I'd say it's a must do atleast once in your life. We don't go for the rides. We go for the Christmas shows, character interactions, and storytellings that you can only get at MVMCP. We went on a Friday, sold out night, and yes it was very crowded. We were staying at the Contemporary so atleast it wasn't too bad getting back.

 

[JoannaOhio]

Hi JoannaOhio,
Thanks for reading the book. Because of questions similar to yours, both Bob and I attended a MVMCP last year. It was on a Friday during Mousefest - I think December 10, 2004. IMHO, it was one of the most crowded events I've ever seen in the MK. I waited almost 40 minutes for Country Bear Jamboree! Sheesh! Crowds throughout the park were just insane, and it looked more like a typical post-Christmas day. I'll check with Bob to see whether we can get more specific info on the maximum number of tickets Disney sells to MVMCP. My guess is that MVMCPs that fall on Fridays (and Saturdays) would be more crowded, as people generally don't have work or school the next day. Just a hunch. Len

Len, was it after 7pm when you waited so long for Country Bear Jamboree? Do you know whether most people who attend MVMCP wait until 7pm to arrive - not realizing that they could get in earlier? In the midst of my panic over whether I made a "wrong" decision is touting MVMCP to my DD, other thoughts have occurred to me. I'm wondering if the "average" park guest on 12/20 might choose a different park for that day - knowing that they'll be chased out of MK at 6pm unless they also have MVMCP tickets. If that's the case, then maybe MK will be less crowded than normal between 4pm & 6 or 7pm, and we can get in a couple of hours of rides with fewer crowds. Anybody have any experience with this?