Tell me it's okay NOT to go to MVMCP....

[KingLlama]

We're headed to WDW in two weeks. Surprising our two girls(10 and 6) with the trip. And I am about 95 percent satisfied with our meal/FP reservations. We're trying a few new things, eating at a few new places, and going at a time of year when we've never gone before.

But....

We decided not to do the MVMCP, for two primary reasons....1)Cost, and 2)Poor reviews

We just felt comfortable with our plan for those nights when we have to leave MK, and we felt like that money could be better used elsewhere. Still, as we get closer and closer to the trip, and as I'm reading reviews of MNSSHP that seem to be better than previous years, I'm still wondering if we're missing out on something really special.

So tell me it's okay that we're NOT doing it.

 

[mesaboy2]

We're headed to WDW in two weeks. Surprising our two girls(10 and 6) with the trip. And I am about 95 percent satisfied with our meal/FP reservations. We're trying a few new things, eating at a few new places, and going at a time of year when we've never gone before.

But....

We decided not to do the MVMCP, for two primary reasons....1)Cost, and 2)Poor reviews

We just felt comfortable with our plan for those nights when we have to leave MK, and we felt like that money could be better used elsewhere. Still, as we get closer and closer to the trip, and as I'm reading reviews of MNSSHP that seem to be better than previous years, I'm still wondering if we're missing out on something really special.

So tell me it's okay that we're NOT doing it.

It's okay that you're NOT doing it.

 

[5forDis]

Of course it is OK. If you aren't planning to go & have other plans, you won't miss it.

I think the Halloween & Christmas Party are very much worth the extra money. We've gone twice to the Christmas party and only once to Halloween. I preferred Halloween, but I'd do Christmas again if I was in Florida at that time.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

It's ok. I've done both (including bf MNSSHP this year) and the Christmas party is fun but not epic. It's pretty much an ok parade, ok fireworks, cookies and hot chocolate. Not many special meet and greets, no trick or treating.

 

[Itinkso]

It's definitely okay not to go to MVMCP!

Just be sure to watch the Holiday Wish Castle Lighting with Elsa @ 6:15 and view the decorations in the park. Those are probably the most impressive things about MK during the Holidays - the Castle encased in lights and the decor. You don't have to go to a Party to experience that!

 

[wdw&sonny]

What date do the decoration go up in MK? Are all parks and resorts decorated at same time?
What time of day do lights go on? Are the decorations spectacular during the day? Or, is it a must to see them lighted?

We will be there on a MVMCP night, but are not planning to go to MVMCP. Wondering how much of the decorations we will experience before our ADR.

 

[tsme]

It's okay not to do MVMCP. Disney is very expensive and there's no way possible to do every activity during a stay. You have to pick and chose. You've chosen your activities, don't feel bad about not doing one thing. You're going to have a terrific time. Relax, have fun!

 

[mesaboy2]

1. What date do the decoration go up in MK?

2. Are all parks and resorts decorated at same time?

3. What time of day do lights go on?

4. Are the decorations spectacular during the day?

5. Or, is it a must to see them lighted?

We will be there on a MVMCP night, but are not planning to go to MVMCP. Wondering how much of the decorations we will experience before our ADR.

1. By the first MVMCP (this year November 7), everything will be up in MK except for the Town Square Christmas tree. It will go up after the first weekend in December to accommodate parade taping.

2. No. Except for MK, they will all be in various stages of dress throughout November until Thanksgiving.

3. Around dusk, funnily enough. So, 6:00p to 6:30p-ish.

4. Eh, they're nice but not in my opinion spectacular.

5. I highly recommend Cinderella Castle and the Osbornes at DHS at night. Otherwise, not so much.

 

[saskdw]

It's definately ok to not go to MVMCP.

We are going, but we don't care about the party itself. We go because while everyone else is crammed on to Main Street for parades, fireworks, and meet and greets the rest of the park is almost empty. We go specifically because we can ride all the rides with little of no wait all night!!

As far as the specifics of the party though, we wouldn't go just for that.

 

[JenG]

Totally ok! We've gone to WDW every October for the past 7 years and my kids just figured out that there was a Halloween party at the MK. I just don't tell them about those events. We go 3-4 times a year (DVC and AP) and I'd rather spend the $335 on airfare for a quick weekend trip than for 4 hours in the MK watching a parade.

 

[wdw&sonny]

1. By the first MVMCP (this year November 7), everything will be up in MK except for the Town Square Christmas tree. It will go up after the first weekend in December to accomodate parade taping.

2. No. Except for MK, they will all be in various stages of dress throughout November until Thanksgiving.

3. Around dusk, funnily enough. So, 6:00p to 6:30p-ish.

4. Eh, they're nice but not in my opinion spectacular.

5. I highly recommend Cinderella Castle and the Osbornes at DHS at night. Otherwise, not so much.

Great. Just the info I needed.
I greatly appreciate the trouble you take for itemized, detailed responses (you and Robo). Even when they are not answers to my posts, your answers are most helpful. Thanks.

 

[Crystal824]

Of course it is ok to not go. With that being said, I think the party is a lot of fun, but it is expensive. We went to MVMCP two years ago and enjoyed it. I would probably go again, but if you have other plans you are happy with; missing it isn't the end of the world.

 

[POOHsie]

If you were asking about MNSSHP, I would tell you to go. It's definitely a winner -- fun and memorable for everyone. But MVMCP is meh. Just a whole lot of nothing-very-special. Save your money for other things at the parks, like nicer dining, special souvenirs or WDW clothing, etc.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

We're not doing it either for a few reasons. I don't think MVMCP is as good as the other parties, MNSSHP, and the now defunct Princess and Pirate Party, and I don't think we'll miss it much.

 

[nkereina]

We did MVMCP last year and while we're glad we went, we wouldn't do it again. The cookies/cocoa were the same every station (mediocre at best). The snow on Main Street could kind of be seen if you look up and into the light. Lines were about the same length as they were during the day. Parade and fireworks were good but not worth the price of admission. We aren't character people so can't speak to that. We felt MNSSHP had more activities and more of a unique element to it.

 

[KimBean]

We're headed to WDW in two weeks. Surprising our two girls(10 and 6) with the trip. And I am about 95 percent satisfied with our meal/FP reservations. We're trying a few new things, eating at a few new places, and going at a time of year when we've never gone before.

But....

We decided not to do the MVMCP, for two primary reasons....1)Cost, and 2)Poor reviews

We just felt comfortable with our plan for those nights when we have to leave MK, and we felt like that money could be better used elsewhere. Still, as we get closer and closer to the trip, and as I'm reading reviews of MNSSHP that seem to be better than previous years, I'm still wondering if we're missing out on something really special.

So tell me it's okay that we're NOT doing it.

You will still see a lot of christmas stuff and it will have a holiday vibe everywhere. I've never been and will never go. I really don't think I'm missing much.

 

[shyjade]

I've been to the party and will never waste the money again. For us, it's just not worth the extra cost.

I agree with Mesaboy2; Osborne Lights and seeing Cinderella's castle lit up are must-do's, and they don't cost extra.

 

[saskdw]

The cookies/cocoa were the same every station (mediocre at best).

Yes, for me the cookies are a huge disappointment. I would like to see them offer some good choc chip cookies or something along those lines.

 

[ArwenMarie]

We've gone during the party seasons (Halloween and Christmas parties) and we've never done either. I just can't pay that much extra for tickets on top of the regular tickets. My crew just gets too cranky in the evenings to make it worth it. I also don't like being tied down to a certain event (see crankiness above)

 

[Belle5]

We will never to the MVMCP again. The best things are included in your park admission: the castle and lights all over the park.