Strategies for kids at the "Parties"

[Mrs~Incredible]

We (dH, 6yo Dd and myself) will be attending our first party this year- MVMCP in November.

DD is a bit of a disney commando. On our last day she did PPO to wishes (no break) with a more pleasant demeanor than the adults in our group, with just a year of sadness in her eye when it was over.

i find for us, mid-day breaks are tough and it is easier to either (A) end the day early and relax at the resort or (B) relax at the resort early and head in to the park a little later.

I do love early mornings and all the benefits of RD. However I want our family to be able to make it through most of not all of the party.

What do you suggest?

Should we go early until 12-ish and then break until 4? Or just plan to stay at the resort until 2-3 ish? I hate missing prime early morning touring time though!

I also find the flow of things affects our energy level. If there's a lot of waiting in lines or waiting for shows to start, it can wear on us.

Since I know waiting in general is a fact of life at wdw, what MVMCP activities should I prioritize? Any strategies you would recommend for a 6yo? Should we make a list of 3 top things to do, and the rest is icing on the cake?

Thanks in advance for your sage advice

 

[wilkeliza]

I would do a lazy day at the resort in the beginning. IF you don't have extra tickets or an AP you can't get into MK until 4pm anyways. Schedule a few FP+ for 4-7 (4-5,5-6, and 6-7) then go do party stuff. I would definitely prioritize the stage show, parade, and fireworks. Then do a few rides and about 30 - 45 minutes before end of night go trick or treat when the lines will be lower. If special characters are your thing this it is a completely different story and changes everything.

 

[pammydw]

I'm excited to see what others reply. We are planning to go to MVMCP in late November, and plan to hit the park early, go back to the resort (Contempory this time) to chill, and then head back to the park for the party. We've been to 3 parties (1 MVMCP and 2 MNSSHP)and I will say that the party we were nice and rested for was the most fun. The first party we ever went to was our travel day and we were exhausted! I will avoid that mistake any time we can in the future.

I'll be excited to see what fun things people suggest to do at the party! Can't wait to experience the MVMCP again!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I'm excited to see what others reply. We are planning to go to MVMCP in late November, and plan to hit the park early, go back to the resort (Contempory this time) to chill, and then head back to the park for the party. We've been to 3 parties (1 MVMCP and 2 MNSSHP)and I will say that the party we were nice and rested for was the most fun. The first party we ever went to was our travel day and we were exhausted! I will avoid that mistake any time we can in the future.

I'll be excited to see what fun things people suggest to do at the party! Can't wait to experience the MVMCP again!

Hmmm nice and rested makes sense in my head. But can I resist the call to RD? Lol!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

I would do a lazy day at the resort in the beginning. IF you don't have extra tickets or an AP you can't get into MK until 4pm anyways. Schedule a few FP+ for 4-7 (4-5,5-6, and 6-7) then go do party stuff. I would definitely prioritize the stage show, parade, and fireworks. Then do a few rides and about 30 - 45 minutes before end of night go trick or treat when the lines will be lower. If special characters are your thing this it is a completely different story and changes everything.

Thanks! We are actually doing MVMCP not Mnsshp- do you a different recommendation for that? Appreciate your insight

 

[wilkeliza]

Thanks! We are actually doing MVMCP not Mnsshp- do you a different recommendation for that? Appreciate your insight

Oh yeah. MVMCP is a lot easier to time manage because no candy stops. I would look over what is going on and see what you would like to do. The fireworks and parade are pretty good so definitely those. The stage show was meh if I'm being honest. I prioritized characters and rides because I wanted a photo with Dopey and the parties are the only time he is pretty much guaranteed. So I got in line at like 4 and waited until 7 for him (crazy I know haha) and then went about enjoying the party. Whatever you do do not schedule a table service during the party. I find a good idea if you want to rope drop to close is Rope drop and do a big lunch break so either go to one of the monorail resorts for lunch or do a table service like Liberty Tree or Skipper's where they are good food but don't have a "show" that keeps you too on.

Caffeine is also your friend if you want to make it to midnight haha.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Great advice, thanks!

 

[pammydw]

Hmmm nice and rested makes sense in my head. But can I resist the call to RD? Lol!

Okay, honesty time here...we have NEVER been to Rd before. I know, I know. WHAT?? Lol! We usually have early ADR's so we're already in a park, or we get there early enough that it we haven't missed too much. We Plan to Rd drop this coming trip though!

 

[Planogirl]

How interested are you in meeting characters? That can eat a lot of time.

Definitely see the parade. Just the toy soldiers make that worthwhile.

I would research which characters will be there and the special treats that will be offered. Also buy special Christmas souvenirs early because they tend to run out.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Okay, honesty time here...we have NEVER been to Rd before. I know, I know. WHAT?? Lol! We usually have early ADR's so we're already in a park, or we get there early enough that it we haven't missed too much. We Plan to Rd drop this coming trip though!

Once you try it you'll be hooked. Or you'll hate it and come back to the dis to pm me lol!

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

How interested are you in meeting characters? That can eat a lot of time.

Definitely see the parade. Just the toy soldiers make that worthwhile.

I would research which characters will be there and the special treats that will be offered. Also buy special Christmas souvenirs early because they tend to run out.

Good thought. We usually do try to meet characters- maybe we will pick 1-2 special ones to focus on. It will be tough because I would love to meet Jack, the princes, and the dwarves. Can't see all that happening though. Good tip on the souvenirs- thanks! And yes the parade will be a must-do. Thx!

 

[hiroMYhero]

How early in November will you be attending the Party? Will you have time to watch for posts regarding character wait times?

You'll need to be in front of the Castle to watch the Frozen Castle lighting show... unless you watch this on another MK evening.

Dwarves can be a 45 minute wait or more. So characters, the Castle Stage show and the Totally Tomorrowland Stage show take up some time. But if you know you're staying until midnight, watch the 2nd parade.

What are your plans for the next morning? No rope drop? If not rope dropping the day after, you'd probably want to rope drop the day of... with a lunch with downtime at a Monorail resort.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

How early in November will you be attending the Party? Will you have time to watch for posts regarding character wait times?

You'll need to be in front of the Castle to watch the Frozen Castle lighting show... unless you watch this on another MK evening.

Dwarves can be a 45 minute wait or more. So characters, the Castle Stage show and the Totally Tomorrowland Stage show take up some time. But if you know you're staying until midnight, watch the 2nd parade.

What are your plans for the next morning? No rope drop? If not rope dropping the day after, you'd probably want to rope drop the day of... with a lunch with downtime at a Monorail resort.

We are going the second week in Nov, so good idea to watch for posts from the first week of parties!
Thanks for all the advice! And I am pretty sure the following day will be a non rope dropper! I was thinking the same thing about lunch at a monorail resort- we did that once before and it was a really nice break.
The frozen castle lighting show- will this also be on non-MVMCP nights? Would be nice to stretch that to a different night!

 

[hiroMYhero]

The frozen castle lighting show- will this also be on non-MVMCP nights? Would be nice to stretch that to a different night!

Yes. It's nightly and begins a few days before the first MVMCP.

 

[IrishNYC]

We will be there in September for 5 days for MNSSHP with our 8 year old who is an early riser, and likes to go to bed, but can be a trooper as needed most of the time.

My plan is 2 park days, party day, 2 park days. The first two park days will be PPO ADRs, and we'll stay in those parks until 11 or 12, then go back to the resort to rest and swim for a bit. Then one day we have an ADR at Ohana at 4:30, and another at Biergarten at 6:30. We'll stay as late as DD can make it those nights.

On party day we have a breakfast ADR at another resort at 9:30, then we'll go back to the resort, relax, swim, and dress for the party and be out the door by 3. Hopefully stay until 11.

The next 2 days we have hopes for morning EMH at DHS to get a jump on Jedi sign up, and AK to get a ride in at Pandora without a FP. We'll stay in DHS until around 11, have lunch, go back to the resort until we feel like coming back or not. On AK day we plan to just take in Pandora in the evening after we break for the afternoon again.

The breaks are to give DD some down time and pool time, and because it will be hot hot hot in September.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

Yes. It's nightly and begins a few days before the first MVMCP.

Omigosh, so excited! ::squeal!::

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

We will be there in September for 5 days for MNSSHP with our 8 year old who is an early riser, and likes to go to bed, but can be a trooper as needed most of the time.

My plan is 2 park days, party day, 2 park days. The first two park days will be PPO ADRs, and we'll stay in those parks until 11 or 12, then go back to the resort to rest and swim for a bit. Then one day we have an ADR at Ohana at 4:30, and another at Biergarten at 6:30. We'll stay as late as DD can make it those nights.

On party day we have a breakfast ADR at another resort at 9:30, then we'll go back to the resort, relax, swim, and dress for the party and be out the door by 3. Hopefully stay until 11.

The next 2 days we have hopes for morning EMH at DHS to get a jump on Jedi sign up, and AK to get a ride in at Pandora without a FP. We'll stay in DHS until around 11, have lunch, go back to the resort until we feel like coming back or not. On AK day we plan to just take in Pandora in the evening after we break for the afternoon again.

The breaks are to give DD some down time and pool time, and because it will be hot hot hot in September.

Sounds like a great plan!

 

[SaintsManiac]

We went to MVMCP in 2015 on a Thursday night. It was toward the end of the trip, so we were pretty tired. We slept late, had a late lunch and made our way to the Contemporary to see the gingerbread decorations. Then we rode the monorail to MK and entered right before 4pm. We used 3 FP and then lined up for Flynn and Rapunzel at about 6:15. We were 2nd in line. After that we headed to grab our cocoa and cookies and then made our way to the old Wishes FP section to camp out for the fireworks.

We caught a view of the first parade, but we really saw it the 2nd time up near the main entrance to MK. By then we were done, so we headed out.

We would not have made it if we had not slept in that day, but like I said it was toward the end of the trip and we were dead tired.

 

[Mrs~Incredible]

We went to MVMCP in 2015 on a Thursday night. It was toward the end of the trip, so we were pretty tired. We slept late, had a late lunch and made our way to the Contemporary to see the gingerbread decorations. Then we rode the monorail to MK and entered right before 4pm. We used 3 FP and then lined up for Flynn and Rapunzel at about 6:15. We were 2nd in line. After that we headed to grab our cocoa and cookies and then made our way to the old Wishes FP section to camp out for the fireworks.

We caught a view of the first parade, but we really saw it the 2nd time up near the main entrance to MK. By then we were done, so we headed out.

We would not have made it if we had not slept in that day, but like I said it was toward the end of the trip and we were dead tired.

Thanks for your insight! Yes Disney is definitely one of those places where you "need a vacation from your vacation!"

 

[Figmentmommy]

We go to a park (not rope drop but early) - but never a visit to MK the morning of our party. A half day or 3-4 hours at another park with a stop back at the resort to refresh and unwind a bit was our go to. In fact on our last trip a couple of years ago we just went straight from EPCOT to MK around 3:30 -but our boys were older by then at 13 & 11. We also enjoy heading to MK a little earlier around 3:00 (we do Park Hoopers) and having an early TS dinner in the park - then heading to a ride or two and staking out a spot in Frontierland for the first parade. (our favorite location for parade viewing) We then have the rest of the night to see the shows and fireworks and ride the rides. Even when my kids were younger we never had an issue with them making it until the end of the party. In fact we often still talk about walking down Main Street at the end of the night to snow falling all around us. My big tip is to watch the latest castle show and head over to 7DMT to get in line just before midnight. The wait time said 30 min but was more like 15min. A great end to a great night. We usually make our day after the party more relaxing. Sleep in a bit, lounge by the pool, and head to a park or HDDR later on. We've found we need the rest more the next day vs the morning of the party.