Should I purchase Christmas Party tickets?

[mojo4395]

My wife, my 8 year old son, and I are going to WDW from December 6-12, and we purchased park hopper tickets for the 7-11. We weren't planning on doing the Christmas Party, but I don't want to regret missing it. We'll be likely spending at least 1 full and 1 half day in the Magic Kingdom. If we don't do the Christmas Party, will we really miss out on a lot of unique stuff, or, since we're going to be there for at least one non-party night, is it not worth the additional money (it would be well over $200 for us to do the party). Thanks!

 

[thr33boys]

Welcome to the Dis.

The parties are always a personal choice. We did MVMCP on our first trip in 2012. I'm glad we did it, otherwise, I'd always be wondering. We found it pretty busy and because our boys were rather young, we couldn't take advantage of the whole party time. We didn't buy it on our last trip, nor are we planning to for our upcoming trip. For a family of 5, it's just a lot of money. Having said all that, the parade was beautiful and so were the fireworks. If you think you can stay to enjoy the whole party, then I'd say give it a try.

Keep in mind, MK will be busy on those non-party nights, plan accordingly.

 

[Disbug]

For our family, it was not worth it. In the past, we have loved the Halloween party, but as ticket prices escalate, even that party has lost much of its charm...

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We did the party last year with DS (who was 7 at the time). We enjoyed it, but didn't really take advantage of all that was offered. We rode some rides, saw the dwarves (though didn't wait in line), checked out a dance party (but DS wasn't interested). We saw the parade, which I must admit, was really wonderful. Got some cookies and cocoa and watched the fireworks, (which were beautiful). Was it worth it? I guess in the sense that I'm glad we went, yes. I don't think we would do it again, though.

I would say, if you want to give it a try, maybe switch that half MK day you are planning and go to another park and see more of something else. With the parties, you can enter at 4 pm, so if you purchase the tickets, you may as well go in from 4 pm - 12 pm (if you can stay up that long) and take full advantage of the extra expense.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We've never been and it's only 3 of us, so we bought tickets. It's our "splurge" of the trip. I can't wait to go!

 

[tinkerbella16]

MVMCP is one of my favorite "extras" to do each trip. But with the prices increasing this year, this upcoming trip may be the last time I do it for a while. I paid $10 more than last year, and last year I only paid about $3-4 more than 2013. It was a little surprising. It really is a personal perference. I do enjoy it. Last year we went to a party that was not sold out and it happened to be the best MK night we had all trip because of the LOW crowds- that alone, made it worth it last year. I walked on all of my favorite rides over and over, which was great. The parade is always awesome. And Holiday Wishes was amazing as always! We actually love the hot chocolate, not so much the cookies but the hot choc is good. The snow on Main Street is beautiful. The sights and sounds are just amazing. The prices hiking is the only thing that would keep me from going in the future after this upcoming trip.

 

[luvallprincesses]

Our family did the party once and we didn't love it. Glad we did it to see if it was for us, but it was not. We're not night owls and thought we could be for one night but we were wrong. It was so much more crowded than I expected, and it wasn't even sold out. If you're on the fence, I would wait until you go and decide while you're there if you want to give it a go. If it's sold out before then, then if I were you I wouldn't want to be there anyway.

 

[lroger01]

The party is fun. When it starts they crank up the volume on the mostly-orchestra-and-instrumental Christmas music, snow falls on Main Street, and everything just seems more festive.

We spent the first part enjoying all the low wait rides. Then focused on the parade, fireworks, and other shows. Main Street was crowded but the other areas were just fine.

Like most things disney, you won't know if it's for you unless you try it.

 

[creatingmemories]

We did it two years ago and are going to do it again in November. We loved the Christmas atmosphere, the show was amazing, and we walked onto the rides. Since we had a 3 and 5 year old, it was a stretch to make it to 10:30, but we packed a lot into those hours.

 

[matheke]

What time are you arriving on the 6th? There is a party that night and we try to attend the party on arrival day if we can. It just seems to set the tone for the whole vacation. BTW we have gone in early December at least 15 of the last 20 years.

 

[mrsR123]

To be honest, unless you are really into characters and/or parades, I would be comfortable telling you to skip it. It IS a lot of money to spend on top of the tickets you already have. You'll be able to see the decorations and the castle lighting on regular days of your trip. They'll play Christmas music everywhere the whole time you're there. You can experience snow at the Osbourne lights. Spring for your own cocoa and cookies at DHS; they'll cost much less.

On the other hand, if $200 isn't a burden, it's a cool thing.

 

[Antonio Wilson]

The prices hiking is the only thing that would keep me from going in the future after this upcoming trip.

 

[dkrauss]

My wife, my 8 year old son, and I are going to WDW from December 6-12, and we purchased park hopper tickets for the 7-11. We weren't planning on doing the Christmas Party, but I don't want to regret missing it. We'll be likely spending at least 1 full and 1 half day in the Magic Kingdom. If we don't do the Christmas Party, will we really miss out on a lot of unique stuff, or, since we're going to be there for at least one non-party night, is it not worth the additional money (it would be well over $200 for us to do the party). Thanks!

So you're arriving on the 6th..........that's a party day! What time are in? If you arrive and can check in by 4pm...........I'd get the party ticket for the 6th! That way you don't waste one of your regular ticket days and you get to enjoy Christmas/MK on your first day when you don't have a park ticket (the MVMCP is a ticket to the MK beginning at 4pm)!!! Since your plan already has a day and a half in the MK you can just enjoy the other things the MK has to offer!

My wife and I are going to the party that day too!!! We're so excited to see snow in FLA............Santa Goofy..........the Christmas parade! Ho Ho Ho

Doug

 

[GC&S]

We went for the first time last year. There was 3 of us. We enjoyed it but probably would not do it again. We love the Halloween party so was hoping we would love the holiday party. I don't regret going (the parade was awesome) but it wasn't the wow factor I thought it would be.

 

[aliyha14a]

This year will be my first time. I can not wait. I was there last year and did not have the extra ticket and had to leave the park.

 

[mojo4395]

We were planning on doing Downtown Disney on the 6th. Our plane doesn't land until 5, so we're thinking we're at the hotel hopefully by 6:30ish, and then to Downtown Disney for food and shopping. If we were arriving earlier on the 6th I'd say just doing the party on that day would work but I don't think we'd plan on it with our schedule.

 

[mojo4395]

I also figured we will be able to see a lot of the stuff on the days we're there, and, since we're early December it hopefully won't be as jammed as it will be later in the month.

 

[HM]

I'd only do it if seeing the Christmas Parade, seeing one of the extra shows (because we never could see two in one night) and having snow on Main Street would be big plusses for your family.