To do or Not to do MVMCP?

[asa'smom]

Were planning a trip to disney for Christmas 2005. The dates we're going down are towards the end of MVMCP dates according to past years. We're getting there the day before the last MVMCP date. Does it snow on Main street any other time than the MVMCP? Can the same parade be seen at another time than the party? Are the Fire works the same as other nights? We want to go to the party, but just don't want to wear ourselves out at the beginning of the trip. If these things can be seen at another time. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[FatCow]

Do not do it. I went there three times (due to many raving reviews from DIS members) during my recent trip and feeling extremely disappointed.

It's an overpriced E-Night with fake snow (soap, actually).

Wishes a bit different (just the ending part)

Parades and musical productions are sub-par

Overly crowded

If you're looking for an E-night alternative (where the rides are virtually walk-thru), this is good moment. Not worth the $$ IMO.

 

[Blueberry]

We agree..been two times, two differnt trips. Both times it was packed, longer waits for rides than during the day. Far more people then they said would be in the park each night of it. All we ended up doing both times was have our picture taken and watch the parade, one show and fireworks. Save your money, closer to Christmas they run the same parade during the day as they run at MVMCP..just my two cents.

 

[Kevenswife2]

FatCow, I have a question for you, since you've been to MVMCP three times. Are the shows always the same? I was very dissappointed to see this years shows were the same as last year. Last year just seemed so 'magical' to me (maybe because it was my first) but this year left me feeling dissappointed. Lines were short and we saw many shows and walked right on many rides but, with it being Disney, I expected this years shows to be different than last. I guess I expected 'more' out of Disney than a repeat.

 

[scarboroughmom]

We went this year on a not-sold-out night. I thought it was a rip off. Park was mobbed, Space mountain was broken, there were longish waits for rides. Walt Disney must be turning in his grave. The park ticket should be for the WHOLE day. This is just another grab for your money. I predict that the "Extra Magic" evening hours will morph into an "Extra charge" to come into the parks after 6:00PM.

 

[FatCow]

FatCow, I have a question for you, since you've been to MVMCP three times. Are the shows always the same? I was very dissappointed to see this years shows were the same as last year. Last year just seemed so 'magical' to me (maybe because it was my first) but this year left me feeling dissappointed. Lines were short and we saw many shows and walked right on many rides but, with it being Disney, I expected this years shows to be different than last. I guess I expected 'more' out of Disney than a repeat.

Maybe I won't be so much of a help. I went three times on the 2nd, 7th and the 10th of December 2004. The shows are exactly the same but the parade was the most disappointing on the 2nd. It took 37 minutes for the entire thing to go past us whereas on the 7th and 10th only took 26th... and even then there were too long of a gap between floats.

Wishes was the best on the 2nd, the 7th only part of the all-around fireworks worked (and the purple coloured one didn't even splashed), the 10th is almost like the 2nd but not the entire circle was shown.

Oh, and no Tink on the 7th either.

I guess for an experience once in a lifetime, it's good. NOT good value, but good overall experience. More than that, I'd rather donate the money to go to MVMCP (was it around US$160-ish total for 2 nights for party of 3?) to a charity or something.

 

[crazee4mickey]

We went on Thursday the 9th (this night was not sold out)--this was our first time to WDW and first time to MVMCP.
We enjoyed it, the weather was terrific and had little, if any waits in ride lines-to me it didn't seem busy at all but my husband kept remarking how crowded it was! Our older kids(16 and 18) really enjoyed the short lines and the younger ones(6 and 8) weren't too crazy about any of it as it was too much (our 8 year old fell fast asleep on a bench at about 11:00--1/2 our family would go again the other 1/2 never again-not much help are we )!
It is overwhelming as there is so much you want to see and do(shows and rides) but not enough time to do it!
We had a very little wait to get our MVMCP photo taken and never did enjoy the hot cocoa and cookies--by the time we remembered these were even offered at the party it was over.
We loved Wishes, the snow on Mainstreet(there is snow at Disney MGM Osborne Lights, if you decide not to go to the party) and the short ride waits.
I was glad we went, only wished we had gone 2 nights instead --one for shows, one for rides--then I wouldn't have left feeling like we hadn't seen or done as much as we wanted.

 

[northern michigan]

We were there at this years final night December 17th. Initially, I loved it! It was a GREAT start to our holiday and really put us in the spirit for our Christmas vacation. However, as our vacation progressed, I realized that all the shows were the same during the day. The only things I believe are unique to MVMCP are the hot cocoa (good), cookies (okay), and family picture. Although the 17th was sold out, we found the crowd fine. We saw the snow on main street many times this vacation so we weren't impressed with that feature. I think it's great if you have a purpose for doing it: adding another park visit to your trip (you wouldn't need it w/long visit), soaking up the atmosphere, or enjoying it once for something different. We stayed two weeks w/AP and didn't find it was necessary. However, we were looking for something different than the usual. I loved it at the time, but doubt we'll do it again unless we want a half day access to the MK.

 

[crazee4mickey]

We used to always go to Disneyland right at Christmas which is extremely busy and we were able to see the Christmas shows and parades scheduled throughout the entire day and evening.
The difference with MVMCP is that the Christmas parades and shows are not shown until mid-December so going to the party is the only way to see them if you plan on going to Disney at the less hectic time which is end of November to mid December. During the day the "regular" parades and shows are scheduled.
Going at this time you get the benefit of experiencing the beautiful Christmas decorations, trees, etc.--plus the extra bonus of smaller more tolerable crowds but you miss out on the "full blown" Disney holiday extravaganza that happens for approx. 2-2 1/2 weeks right around Christmas. So the MVMCP is about the only way to see the holiday shows and parades earlier in December!

 

[sunny04]

I agree with most of the others -- I was sooo excited about the Christmas party because we love the Halloween one. However, we went the last day on the 17th as well. Not only was it crowded, but everything we did that night could be done another time. The parade, the shows, even the snow! When I saw it snowing the next day on main street, I was really upset! The Halloween party is special - everything is special just for the party nights. I expected the same from this one. However, if you are going right at the end, you will get to see all the same things for free once they transition into the Christmas season (which starts the day after the party ends.) I vote no - don't waste your money and be disappointed.

 

[asa'smom]

Thanks to everyone for your info

 

[Digger In FLA]

We did MNSSHP and the 1st day of MVMCP this year, and we did enjoy the halloween party better. it was more crowded for the XMAS, but the crowds weren't bad. Splash was a walk-on for both parties. we loved the X-mas parade, and I know the snow is soap, (we're in florida, duh) but it's still cool to see. UO uses soap as well. my main complaint about the Xmas party was the lack of characters. they we EVERYWHERE for NSS, but not so in december. we still like it. if you want to see pics from the party, take a look...http://community.webshots.com/user/brandondigger

 

[FamilyGuy]

We purchased annual passes for our 10 day trip early December, as well as tickets for a Thursday MVMCP. What I found was that almost everything on MVMCP night could be done on Satuday(s) in December. For our family of five, purchasing in advance, we spend (if I remember correctly) $167.00 additional for the MVMCP, and felt that, though it was a special night for us, we could have had just as special of a night the following Saturday without paying extra for the MVMCP.

As a matter of fact we did have a special night on Satuday the 11th. We had Mickey hats & gloves (we purchased them very reasonably priced from Wal-Mart before we left home) that were really cute for all three kids, and it was a quite chilly 45 - 50 degrees. We seemed to be the envy of many people there that night. Best of all, we were some of the few people in the park after about 9:30. The park was open til midnight, and the lines were non exisitant. We rode all the headliner attractions with no wait. We even rode splash mountain in the cold! Then to make the night even more magical, we did not wait for the parade as we were riding and re-riding all of our favorites, yet some how we caught the parade just as it was coming towards us, without even knowing that there was a parade at that time (10:30 or 10:45 I think)! There was no crowd to fight for a view either!

One of the absolute best tips that we got here were about the hats & gloves for December - February visits. It was very hot and balmy for much of the time we were there. But for the nights that it wasn't, we were prepared. We even had the hand warmers for extra measure!

Back to the original question, I would definitely not do the MVMCP as an AP holder. Maybe in a couple of years, if we do not have APs I may do it again in lieu of a full day @ MK. And I would definitly pick a Wed or Thurs MVMCP, the Friday night ones tend to be the 1st sell outs and therefore the most busy ones.

 

[scrump]

We are going this year because we enjoyed ourselves during our last trip, and because we loved the Halloween party so much (but admittedly, they don't compare in our book). The last time we went was in 2003 and it didn't seem crowded at all, and the cocoa and cookies made for a very nice ambience. The decorations are pretty much the same, and the parade wasn't that great, so if more recent party-goers are saying that crowds numbers have been intolerable, you may want to take that all into consideration. If your budget is tight, then it may not be worthwhile. Otherwise, if you just want to say you've done it, go for it!