Trying to maximize our time at mickeys merry Christmas party?

[AmberMK]

I don't have any tips for you, but I'll tell you my plan in case it gives you a helpful idea. We are also doing a All Day at MK with Party day for Nov 14th (see you there! lol), starting with an 8 am breakfast at the Wave, then the Monorail either to the gates OR since we have 4 first timers in our party of 6 maybe to the transportation center for the boat ride which is something I really enjoy and love the memory of on my first visit that I can remember, still a toss up there for me, I feel a little extra time is worth the everlasting memory of turning that corner and seeing the castle come into view.

The plan from there is to meander down Main Street and hope the munchkins don't spend all their money before we get to go anywhere else, hang a left, and do Adventure, Frontier, and Liberty Square, possibly dipping a tiny toe into Fantasy (just Small World or Peter Pan) before our Liberty Tree reservations at 1 pm. The mid day parade is at 2 pm and we are going to watch it in Liberty Square somewhere abouts, then follow the parade to the hub, and hit Monsters Inc hoping that the parade makes for a super fast queue time.

At this point, I think we will probably go back to the hotel til right around 5ish, which should put us back in plenty of time to get a decent spot for the Frozen castle lighting, then a quick hop to Crystal Palace for dinner at 630. I know this isn't a popular choice, but we will not be doing many character lines, if any at all, I booked us *solid* with character meals for most of the 5 full days we will be there, so other than Elsa at Epcot, we will be devoting our entire time to rides, fireworks, and Christmas cookies.

From the Chrystal Palace, the plan is to hit Jungle Cruise cause Christmas Lights, catch the parade in Frontier land, then mosey over to Fantasyland, hitting up cookies and hot drinks along the way, and we will be spending most of the night, with maybe a jot into Tomorrowland for the Christmas show, til the fireworks and the Merriest show, which takes us til 1030ish. From there, it depends on the munchkins, but I suspect we will be heading back to the motel soon after that, since I made a 730 am O'hana reservation that I now can't change before it was decided we would do the Christmas party.

Just to be sure that we miss out on nothing, I do also have that Friday without a party planned as an MK day til at least 4 pm, then Disney Springs for the evening, so if lines are just too long, something is closed down, or whatever, we get time for Tomorrowland AND a second shot to ride some favorites, catch what we missed, or get just one more picture.

Hope that helps spark some magic for you!!

 

[leebee]

If they do this party as they have done the parties in previous years, you'll be able to enter Magic Kingdom at 4pm with your MVMCP ticket. Here is what DD and I did for our visit in 2015:

>Relax at your resort for the morning. We slept in, hung out by the pool, and tried to reserve our energy for the big, late night ahead.
>We had a 1:30pm lunch reservation at The Wave. Ate a big meal there, put on our Christmas shirts, and took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom, arriving about 3:30. They let us into the MK around 3:45.
>I had made my FP+ reservations (which you can do for times up until the party officially starts) at 4:20 for PP, 5:30 for Splash, 6:30 for BTMRR. Between PP and Splash we managed to do Haunted Mansion and Small World. (DD rode Splash twice, first with her FP+ and then with mine, because I don't do Splash).
>As soon as we were off BTMRR we ducked into Pinnochio House for a fast supper.
>We spent the rest of the evening doing rides and seeing the shows and parade. We aren't character meet fans, so we didn't do any of this but that could change your planning. We stayed until the very end of the party.

 

[Ouida]

I don't have any tips for you, but I'll tell you my plan in case it gives you a helpful idea. We are also doing a All Day at MK with Party day for Nov 14th (see you there! lol), starting with an 8 am breakfast at the Wave, then the Monorail either to the gates OR since we have 4 first timers in our party of 6 maybe to the transportation center for the boat ride which is something I really enjoy and love the memory of on my first visit that I can remember, still a toss up there for me, I feel a little extra time is worth the everlasting memory of turning that corner and seeing the castle come into view.

The plan from there is to meander down Main Street and hope the munchkins don't spend all their money before we get to go anywhere else, hang a left, and do Adventure, Frontier, and Liberty Square, possibly dipping a tiny toe into Fantasy (just Small World or Peter Pan) before our Liberty Tree reservations at 1 pm. The mid day parade is at 2 pm and we are going to watch it in Liberty Square somewhere abouts, then follow the parade to the hub, and hit Monsters Inc hoping that the parade makes for a super fast queue time.

At this point, I think we will probably go back to the hotel til right around 5ish, which should put us back in plenty of time to get a decent spot for the Frozen castle lighting, then a quick hop to Crystal Palace for dinner at 630. I know this isn't a popular choice, but we will not be doing many character lines, if any at all, I booked us *solid* with character meals for most of the 5 full days we will be there, so other than Elsa at Epcot, we will be devoting our entire time to rides, fireworks, and Christmas cookies.

From the Chrystal Palace, the plan is to hit Jungle Cruise cause Christmas Lights, catch the parade in Frontier land, then mosey over to Fantasyland, hitting up cookies and hot drinks along the way, and we will be spending most of the night, with maybe a jot into Tomorrowland for the Christmas show, til the fireworks and the Merriest show, which takes us til 1030ish. From there, it depends on the munchkins, but I suspect we will be heading back to the motel soon after that, since I made a 730 am O'hana reservation that I now can't change before it was decided we would do the Christmas party.

Just to be sure that we miss out on nothing, I do also have that Friday without a party planned as an MK day til at least 4 pm, then Disney Springs for the evening, so if lines are just too long, something is closed down, or whatever, we get time for Tomorrowland AND a second shot to ride some favorites, catch what we missed, or get just one more picture.

Hope that helps spark some magic for you!!

That's so cool, we have a reservation for the liberty tree tavern for 2:40, so we may be able to catch part of that midday parade. I decided this morning to scratch the all day plans. Half of us can do it, but my 2 little ones just won't make it. And I really want to try and stay for the second parade at 11, thought the Littles ones will be asleep. Are you planning to go to the first showing of mickeys once upon a Christmas time parade? I won't ask where you'll setup, I know people have their favorite spots, but what time do you think we need to pick a spot? I'm thinking 7pm to get any place on main street? Thanks a bunch for your post, it really does help to see what others are doing.

 

[Ouida]

If they do this party as they have done the parties in previous years, you'll be able to enter Magic Kingdom at 4pm with your MVMCP ticket. Here is what DD and I did for our visit in 2015:

>Relax at your resort for the morning. We slept in, hung out by the pool, and tried to reserve our energy for the big, late night ahead.
>We had a 1:30pm lunch reservation at The Wave. Ate a big meal there, put on our Christmas shirts, and took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom, arriving about 3:30. They let us into the MK around 3:45.
>I had made my FP+ reservations (which you can do for times up until the party officially starts) at 4:20 for PP, 5:30 for Splash, 6:30 for BTMRR. Between PP and Splash we managed to do Haunted Mansion and Small World. (DD rode Splash twice, first with her FP+ and then with mine, because I don't do Splash).
>As soon as we were off BTMRR we ducked into Pinnochio House for a fast supper.
>We spent the rest of the evening doing rides and seeing the shows and parade. We aren't character meet fans, so we didn't do any of this but that could change your planning. We stayed until the very end of the party.

Yep I think this is what we are going to do, except we will enter at 2ish, as we have regular tickets too, and if hubby wants to do an all day, me and the little ones can stay behind, if there's not too much crying. Lol. I'm planning a late day at HS the next day, so we can sleep in. I've been told HS doesn't take a full day anymore. The only ride I like over there is toy story. Hubby can ride ToT and Rocking Roller coaster all he wants. No reservations available for 50s prime time cafe yet, hope I can get in. Thanks for helping.

 

[Ouida]

If they do this party as they have done the parties in previous years, you'll be able to enter Magic Kingdom at 4pm with your MVMCP ticket. Here is what DD and I did for our visit in 2015:

>Relax at your resort for the morning. We slept in, hung out by the pool, and tried to reserve our energy for the big, late night ahead.
>We had a 1:30pm lunch reservation at The Wave. Ate a big meal there, put on our Christmas shirts, and took the monorail over to the Magic Kingdom, arriving about 3:30. They let us into the MK around 3:45.
>I had made my FP+ reservations (which you can do for times up until the party officially starts) at 4:20 for PP, 5:30 for Splash, 6:30 for BTMRR. Between PP and Splash we managed to do Haunted Mansion and Small World.

Thats a very big tip, I had no idea, and planned a FP for SDMT after dark, will have to fix that. Will they let us make FP for the party in the park? I'm told it's pretty crowded, like you can't just walk on a the big rides? Thanks

 

[LuvMyEAR]

The really big beautiful gingerbread house is at the Grand Floridian Resort, and may be nearing completion during your stay. Likely not "open" but I never consider that a big deal, frankly. After all, open doesn't get you inside, it just functions as a little storefront, selling high priced gingerbread and chocolate treats. And yes, we have bought our share.... cute treats that are nice to take home for friends. I am almost relieved when I can have a good look at it without being lured to spend extra $$$. There are some other very cool gingerbread structures at resorts, too. The Yacht Club usually has a fantastic carousel, for one. And yes, where there is a gingerbread display, there will be more to buy! These displays gear up for full production (aka sales) going into Thanksgiving week but you can view most in the weeks before that.

There are no Fast Passes issued for party times. YAy... Nice to dial back the frantic FP+ competition, I think. I believe people with party tickets can book one or two FP+ between 4 - 6:30 pm on that day but nothing after the official party starting time. The rules tend to change and with MK closing at 6 for non-party people, it wouldn't surprise me to see that scaling back. You really won't mind not having Fast Passes during the party. Several years ago, we were not able to get a single FP+ for 7DMT at any point in a 2 week visit but rode repeatedly later in the evening of our MNSSHP night! They actually rechanneled the exit line to branch into the FP line for those who wanted to ride multiple times. It was easy to get on everything else with minimal waits as well.

Just thinking about what is ahead, I am getting excited all over again. MVMCP has been a favourite tradition and I am so glad we are going again this year. I hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as we have so far. We do the same things again and again, but experience and appreciate them differently as the children grow. Of course, we no longer have to ride the carousel 9 times, but we still get one it at least once that night!

 

[AmberMK]

That's so cool, we have a reservation for the liberty tree tavern for 2:40, so we may be able to catch part of that midday parade. I decided this morning to scratch the all day plans. Half of us can do it, but my 2 little ones just won't make it. And I really want to try and stay for the second parade at 11, thought the Littles ones will be asleep. Are you planning to go to the first showing of mickeys once upon a Christmas time parade? I won't ask where you'll setup, I know people have their favorite spots, but what time do you think we need to pick a spot? I'm thinking 7pm to get any place on main street? Thanks a bunch for your post, it really does help to see what others are doing.

I would love to offer you a spot recommendation for parades, but this is the first time in my memory where we are PLANNING to see the parades, so I just don't have one to give. I did as my mom about the times I went before I remember (I've been a total of 6 or 7 times, I only remember 3 of them, and one of them was an employee Christmas party that did not have a parade that I know of, if it did we were on the wrong side of the park and I had no clue, and the last one we decided to skip the parade all together to get a look at new fantasy land while most of the crowd was busy with the parade.) She said that we always watched it from between Frontierland and the hub, main street was just SUCH a disaster, especially with me. I apparently have always gotten a little freaked out by large tight crowds.

I think we will likely aim to watch the first parade, and that we will be watching it probably from the same location (Frontierland to Liberty Square area), just because I really feel like we have to be able to leave at 1030 without missing too much if the kids aren't holding up well. The munchkins are 8 and 11, so they are in that spot where they might make it all night and still be ok for a 730 am breakfast reservation the next morning... but then again they just as easily might not. Not to mention my 61-year-old mother, my 41-year-old self, and my 36-year-old Sister and her man... WE might not make it on that little sleep just to be honest. I'm actually kinda considering canceling O'hana... like I said, I made it when I thought we had to leave MK at 6pm, which meant an evening at the pool and early to bed.

While I think main street is awesome, I just don't think a little bit of fake snow is enough to overcome how much of a nervous wreck I will become because it is THE spot for parades. I'd rather be more comfortable and have a really good time somewhere else along the route. And honestly, and this is ONLY my personal opinion mind you, I just can understand or see sitting on the sidewalk for an hour and a half to see a 15 min parade. Even a Disney parade isn't awesome enough to give up that much time in the park for.

 

[Ouida]

The really big beautiful gingerbread house is at the Grand Floridian Resort, and may be nearing completion during your stay. Likely not "open" but I never consider that a big deal, frankly. After all, open doesn't get you inside, it just functions as a little storefront, selling high priced gingerbread and chocolate treats. And yes, we have bought our share.... cute treats that are nice to take home for friends. I am almost relieved when I can have a good look at it without being lured to spend extra $$$. There are some other very cool gingerbread structures at resorts, too. The Yacht Club usually has a fantastic carousel, for one. And yes, where there is a gingerbread display, there will be more to buy! These displays gear up for full production (aka sales) going into Thanksgiving week but you can view most in the weeks before that.

There are no Fast Passes issued for party times. YAy... Nice to dial back the frantic FP+ competition, I think. I believe people with party tickets can book one or two FP+ between 4 - 6:30 pm on that day but nothing after the official party starting time. The rules tend to change and with MK closing at 6 for non-party people, it wouldn't surprise me to see that scaling back. You really won't mind not having Fast Passes during the party. Several years ago, we were not able to get a single FP+ for 7DMT at any point in a 2 week visit but rode repeatedly later in the evening of our MNSSHP night! They actually rechanneled the exit line to branch into the FP line for those who wanted to ride multiple times. It was easy to get on everything else with minimal waits as well.

Just thinking about what is ahead, I am getting excited all over again. MVMCP has been a favourite tradition and I am so glad we are going again this year. I hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as we have so far. We do the same things again and again, but experience and appreciate them differently as the children grow. Of course, we no longer have to ride the carousel 9 times, but we still get one it at least once that night!

I think I'm the only one that really wants to see the gingerbread house. Now that I think it will be up, I'm putting it in the plans. Who wouldn't want to see a huge gingerbread house?
The more I read on this fourm, the better I feel. Like I know what to expect and how best to handle it. Like you, my kids are growing up fast, and I'm hoping for some great memories too. Thanks very much. Hope you have a great time as well.

 

[AmberMK]

The really big beautiful gingerbread house is at the Grand Floridian Resort, and may be nearing completion during your stay. Likely not "open" but I never consider that a big deal, frankly. After all, open doesn't get you inside, it just functions as a little storefront, selling high priced gingerbread and chocolate treats. And yes, we have bought our share.... cute treats that are nice to take home for friends. I am almost relieved when I can have a good look at it without being lured to spend extra $$$. There are some other very cool gingerbread structures at resorts, too. The Yacht Club usually has a fantastic carousel, for one. And yes, where there is a gingerbread display, there will be more to buy! These displays gear up for full production (aka sales) going into Thanksgiving week but you can view most in the weeks before that.

There are no Fast Passes issued for party times. YAy... Nice to dial back the frantic FP+ competition, I think. I believe people with party tickets can book one or two FP+ between 4 - 6:30 pm on that day but nothing after the official party starting time. The rules tend to change and with MK closing at 6 for non-party people, it wouldn't surprise me to see that scaling back. You really won't mind not having Fast Passes during the party. Several years ago, we were not able to get a single FP+ for 7DMT at any point in a 2 week visit but rode repeatedly later in the evening of our MNSSHP night! They actually rechanneled the exit line to branch into the FP line for those who wanted to ride multiple times. It was easy to get on everything else with minimal waits as well.

Just thinking about what is ahead, I am getting excited all over again. MVMCP has been a favourite tradition and I am so glad we are going again this year. I hope you and your family will enjoy it as much as we have so far. We do the same things again and again, but experience and appreciate them differently as the children grow. Of course, we no longer have to ride the carousel 9 times, but we still get one it at least once that night!

.... aaaaaaaand now I have to figure out how to squeeze a stop at the Yacht Club into my already jam packed itenerary... dang...

But really... a CAROUSEL???? must!

 

[Ouida]

I would love to offer you a spot recommendation for parades, but this is the first time in my memory where we are PLANNING to see the parades, so I just don't have one to give. I did as my mom about the times I went before I remember (I've been a total of 6 or 7 times, I only remember 3 of them, and one of them was an employee Christmas party that did not have a parade that I know of, if it did we were on the wrong side of the park and I had no clue, and the last one we decided to skip the parade all together to get a look at new fantasy land while most of the crowd was busy with the parade.) She said that we always watched it from between Frontierland and the hub, main street was just SUCH a disaster, especially with me. I apparently have always gotten a little freaked out by large tight crowds.

I think we will likely aim to watch the first parade, and that we will be watching it probably from the same location (Frontierland to Liberty Square area), just because I really feel like we have to be able to leave at 1030 without missing too much if the kids aren't holding up well. The munchkins are 8 and 11, so they are in that spot where they might make it all night and still be ok for a 730 am breakfast reservation the next morning... but then again they just as easily might not. Not to mention my 61-year-old mother, my 41-year-old self, and my 36-year-old Sister and her man... WE might not make it on that little sleep just to be honest. I'm actually kinda considering canceling O'hana... like I said, I made it when I thought we had to leave MK at 6pm, which meant an evening at the pool and early to bed.

While I think main street is awesome, I just don't think a little bit of fake snow is enough to overcome how much of a nervous wreck I will become because it is THE spot for parades. I'd rather be more comfortable and have a really good time somewhere else along the route. And honestly, and this is ONLY my personal opinion mind you, I just can understand or see sitting on the sidewalk for an hour and a half to see a 15 min parade. Even a Disney parade isn't awesome enough to give up that much time in the park for.

We live by new orleans, so it's nothing to sit for hours waiting on a parade. So I guess that's why I feel I could do it. And sadly, the snow is a big plus (just seems so christmas), but I do hate crowds. Lol. I will have to see how bad it is and decide then I guess. I'm guessing you can't bring chairs, so sitting on the ground may get old real quick.
My delima is, I wanted to enjoy what is suppose to be a fairly low crowd day in MK. It's our favorite park, but the little ones might not be able to handle so much. I still remember our first Disney trip when my oldest was 7 or 8. We have a video of that melt down. After 3 days of nothing but park, she lost it. Now 13, she and her dad will likely stay till the midnight closing. But if I want the little ones to function the next day, I'm leaning to more down time. So if they make it to the 11 pm parade even if they fall asleep, then we will have a late start the next day at HS. No meltdowns equals a happy trip. Or I hope so. . Thanks again, and hope you have a wonderful time.

 

[MelanieRI]

.... aaaaaaaand now I have to figure out how to squeeze a stop at the Yacht Club into my already jam packed itenerary... dang...

But really... a CAROUSEL???? must!

The Beach Club has the carousel and the Yacht Club has a train.

 

[AmberMK]

We live by new orleans, so it's nothing to sit for hours waiting on a parade. So I guess that's why I feel I could do it. And sadly, the snow is a big plus (just seems so christmas), but I do hate crowds. Lol. I will have to see how bad it is and decide then I guess. I'm guessing you can't bring chairs, so sitting on the ground may get old real quick.
My delima is, I wanted to enjoy what is suppose to be a fairly low crowd day in MK. It's our favorite park, but the little ones might not be able to handle so much. I still remember our first Disney trip when my oldest was 7 or 8. We have a video of that melt down. After 3 days of nothing but park, she lost it. Now 13, she and her dad will likely stay till the midnight closing. But if I want the little ones to function the next day, I'm leaning to more down time. So if they make it to the 11 pm parade even if they fall asleep, then we will have a late start the next day at HS. No meltdowns equals a happy trip. Or I hope so. . Thanks again, and hope you have a wonderful time.

You are more than welcome! I hope you and yours have a truly MAGICAL vacation!!!

Oh, I wanted to mention... unless they have changed a stage show time that I'm not aware of yet, if you go to the park closer to 1 or 130 pm (depending on what your mosey speed is) instead of the 2 pm you mentioned earlier you could mosey to liberty square through the castle. It's a beautiful walk, and the mosaics are awesome in the castle, maybe catch the fairy godmother or other Cindy cast members who are known to sometimes be about around lunch times, peek into bibbity boppity boo to see some FGM's in training if it won't send the girls into fits, and even do a little bit of Haunted Manson creepy picture shopping (again, depending on the speed of your mosey and what characters you run into), then be in liberty square for the mid day parade at 2, which takes about 15 mins total (maybe closer to 20 in front of Liberty Tavern including lead time) and check in for your lunch pretty much as early as they will allow you to once the parade is finished. Just make sure you are on the opposite side of the street from the Liberty Boat, and almost literally you can walk into the Liberty Tree when the tail of the parade passes. EVERYONE should see the fire breathing Maleficent at least once!!

 

[AmberMK]

The Beach Club has the carousel and the Yacht Club has a train. View attachment 265415

OMG! MUST GO!

That is just too much awesome for my little Disney heart right there! Thank you for sharing!!

 

[mindeola]

We like to do a 3:00 early dinner /late lunch before a party. Generally at a resort table service. Do not waste time at TS during a party.

 

[LuvMyEAR]

Thank so for the correction on the carousel location! Really hope to see it and the train. We love the g-bread creations of all sizes and shapes. We always come home in a festive frame of mind, ready to start our own Christmas preparations.