What would you do?

[celina14]

I'm currently planning our November trip and am so excited to come back to Disney and actually stay onsite this time! It's myself, DH, DD(5) and DS(2). We will be arriving late on Friday, 11/25 and are staying for 10 glorious nights! Here's my "WWYD" question. If you could only do 1 or the other would you do a day at Sea World or MVMCP?

I asked DH last night if we should try and do Sea World while we're there and he surprised me by saying yes, and actually looked at me like I was crazy for considering not doing it?? He totally caught me off guard on that one. I'm a little torn on whether I want to sacrifice a day at Disney to do Sea World but it could be the last time we'll have a chance to see it before they change everything there. I'd also love to do MVMCP but I'm just not sure it will be in the budget to do both since they'd both be additional expenses.

The other thing is if we did SW it would most likely need to be either the first full day (Sat, 11/26) or the following day (Sun, 11/27) as those are the highest crowd levels at WDW and I don't want to spend low crowd days off site if that makes any sense. And I'd need to re-work all my plans! LOL! I want to be in the parks on the least crowded days. But I'm not sure how my kids would take to not being able to go to Disney on our first day in Disney. I'm so torn, I feel like I'm trying to talk myself out of SW but I remember loving it when we were there many, many years ago and I'm sure my kids would like it. But is it worth sacrificing MVMCP? Taking my kids' ages into consideration, WWYD?

 

[loves to dive]

I'd go to Sea World. You have a lot of days there so plenty of time to see and do things at WDW. I can't speak to the party as I've never to been to any of them, I have an AP and it just doesn't make sense to me to pay extra to get back into the park just for a parade and different fireworks. I know the parties are more than that, but that is basically what it would be for me. Sea World is a lot of fun and it might be good for breaking up the trip.

Edited to add:
I wouldn't worry about the crowd calendars, the parks have been so wonky lately from what I understand they haven't been as accurate as in the past. I personally don't use them, have never even looked at one but if you want to just keep that in mind.

 

[holden]

We did MVMCP once and don't feel the need to do it again. IMHO, you aren't missing much if you skip it, especially with kids that young.

 

[AshleeH]

MVMCP - Sea World will always be there. Will you definitely be back in Disney for the holidays? I've been several times, but can never make it during the time that party occurs (that will change in 2017, but it's taken 5 years to make it a possibility). I always lean toward the themed events because I might never get to do them again if they change/go away or I just don't travel to Florida at that time of year again.

 

[happymommy]

I've done Sea World, and my kids thought it was "meh".

At Disney, my kids stuck to their normal sleep schedule, so they never even saw fireworks when they were quite small. A day at the parks with a nap in the stroller was enough; at 2 and 4, they were in bed by 7 or 8.

Personally I'd skip both. Disney has enough. No way my kids could stay awake for a late night party, and if they did I would pay for it with cranky overtired children the next day! We would be back in the room by 6 so I could get them bathed and in their jammies for time to wind down.

 

[heath92681]

I went to Sea World once as a child, and don't remember liking it all that much. I wouldn't want to deal with transportation there either (unless you have a car). I also found the MVMCP kinds of "meh" too. I agree with happy mommy in that I'd skip both and spend time at Disney Springs or seeing Christmas decorations at some of the resorts. If I absolutely had to pick one, it would definitely be MVMCP.

 

[Pkltm]

I would do SW before it changes too. We love Disney but our last MVMCP experience made us want to skip it.

 

[Amanda Hall]

I've done Sea World, and my kids thought it was "meh".

At Disney, my kids stuck to their normal sleep schedule, so they never even saw fireworks when they were quite small. A day at the parks with a nap in the stroller was enough; at 2 and 4, they were in bed by 7 or 8.

Personally I'd skip both. Disney has enough. No way my kids could stay awake for a late night party, and if they did I would pay for it with cranky overtired children the next day! We would be back in the room by 6 so I could get them bathed and in their jammies for time to wind down.

This. My kids can not handle the late nights and need a schedule even on vacation. Sea World is ok.

 

[celina14]

Thanks for all the thoughts and suggestions everyone! Looks like we've got a lot to think about in regards to this. I am a little concerned about the party being so late. My daughter would be fine but I'm not so sure about my son. We did MVMCP back in 2013 when my DD was 2 and I definitely don't feel like we got our money's worth because we did have to leave early since she was so little. I'm just torn because I think she'd really enjoy that this time but then we're in the same position with my son being so little. As for SW, the transportation aspect is another large concern as we won't have a car so we'd have to get that all situated. I tried talking to my husband about it last night and he wasn't that impressed with MVMCP when we went last time and seems to be leaning more towards SW. But maybe we'll also decide to just skip both like some suggested. Decisions,decisions!

 

[cjbcam]

We took the kids to sea world, they thought it was ok. They didn't like it enough to want to go back.

 

[celina14]

We took the kids to sea world, they thought it was ok. They didn't like it enough to want to go back.

This seems to be a common theme... Starting to think we should just stick to Disney. I'd hate to spend all that extra money and them to not even really like it. It would be around $240 to get SW tix or like $30 to add a day to our Disney tix. I don't mind spending the extra money if it's worth it but it's starting to sound like it's not.

 

[sk!mom]

I thought Sea World was just, OK. Certainly not in the same realm as WDW. Then I saw Blackfish and will never go back to SW.

I've never been to a party at WDW, so not sure about that. In general, I find that it's hard to do everything included in the ticket price at less than a breakneck pace so I lean toward not paying for extras.

If I truly wanted a day away, I'd venture to Universal for the day.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I really love the MVMCP but it is a nice price We did not stay late as I have medical issues but it was truly magical to me and made my stay.

SW is nice enough but I would not give up a day to go there. I enjoyed Aquatica very much though espically the cabana for $60! But we went in August.

In the winter time my vote would be MVMCP or as others have said just enjoy what you already paid for. The resorts are just beautifully decorated. We meet Santa and Mickey and Minnie at the Beach Club after a lovely meal and ice cream at Beaches and Cream.

 

[glassslippergirl]

We went to Sea World last summer and left early. The shows are struggling as, I assume, they react to the Blackwater backlash. Whoever came up with the idea of the Sea Lion High show should be ashamed-- what a waste. Sad to say about a park that focuses on animals, but the best part is the roller coasters, which your kids are too young for. Is there a quality aquarium near home? I think you might have a better experience there. I've never been to MVMCP, so I'm no help there.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We've spent a total of 11 days in SW/Aquatica in the last year, so my vote's gonna be pretty obvious - Sea World!

 

[henry72]

At your kids ages, I would not be sure MVMCP would be worth it. I know even with my kids being older, I don't think the party is worth it. (We aren't that into characters and shows.) But they have been going to Sea World since they were babies. (We live in San Antonio and alter between having Sea World or Six Flags passes.) They have always enjoyed it Sea World thought we often hit the park in October or December for park activities and then in the summer only visit the water park.

 

[ariane37]

Last time we did SW (2011) DS's were 9 & 6, and thought it was just ok. We planned to stay the whole day but left around 2:30. We do have a couple really good aquariums close to us so that might have had something to do with it, but they weren't impressed and haven't had any desire to go back.
The first party we did was a MNSSHP in 2007 so the boys were 5 & 2. Even though younger DS slept through most of it, older DS lasted until about 11:30 and had a blast. Our first MVMCP was when the boys were 8 & 5 and they enjoyed it for the parade, the snow on Main St and the special shows. I think if you decided to do one and think your DD can handle staying up until at least 11, the party is a good choice even if DS sleeps through it

 

[ElenaRN]

Here's my take....

We went to Sea World a few years ago. We actually liked it a lot more than we thought we would. We also loved MVMCP. I mean Disney at Christmas?? Is there a better combo?

To help you make your decision ask yourself this question... Will you ever be taking another trip during the holidays? If not choose MVMCP. If you think you will, then go to SW before all the changes occur.

 

[roseaster]

My kids really enjoyed SeaWorld, but they are very into nature and animals and things.

We have been to MVMCP and, honestly, it isn't worth the ticket price (you do know it is a separate ticket from your regular park ticket, right?} It is a differently themed parade, which wasn't any better than the regular parades, and some mass produced cookies and watery hot chocolate. The Christmas decorations you will get to enjoy whether you attend the party or not.

Now if it was a choice between MNSSHP and SeaWorld I might change my mind, but I thought the Christmas party was definitely not worth the extra money.

BTW, it is usually pretty easy to find discount SeaWorld tickets.

 

[celina14]

My kids really enjoyed SeaWorld, but they are very into nature and animals and things.

We have been to MVMCP and, honestly, it isn't worth the ticket price (you do know it is a separate ticket from your regular park ticket, right?} It is a differently themed parade, which wasn't any better than the regular parades, and some mass produced cookies and watery hot chocolate. The Christmas decorations you will get to enjoy whether you attend the party or not.

Now if it was a choice between MNSSHP and SeaWorld I might change my mind, but I thought the Christmas party was definitely not worth the extra money.

BTW, it is usually pretty easy to find discount SeaWorld tickets.

Thanks. I think I've decided to not to MVMCP. We did it the last time we were there and I do agree we didn't feel like we got our money's worth but I think it was due to the age that my daughter was because she couldn't really hang that late. But then this year it would be the same situation for my son. My husband also doesn't really want to do it again so it's probably out unless I decide to maybe make it a mommy/daughter night and just the 2 of us do it. Still need to decide whether I think SW is worth it. I think my daughter would really enjoy it along with myself and DH but again just worried about my 2 year old. His attention span is not the best (as with most 2 year olds) so I'm not sure if there will be enough to keep him interested. I just don't think he's going to sit through a bunch of shows so maybe I'll wait until we get closer and see if I think he'll handle it ok. I also need to finalize my Disney plans and see if I can realistically fit it in because I don't want to overwhelm my kids and would like to make sure we all get some down time. Thanks so much everyone for all your input!