Which Moonlight Magic location is best?

[DianaMB333]

Hi.. i am a new DVC member and got curious on the Moonlight Magic events... which location do you prefer? Why?
If going with 5yr olds in 2021.. is there entertainment for them? Is all standby lines?
Thanks!

 

[JETSDAD]

We've done AK, Epcot, and MK... MK was my favourite though I did enjoy them all. The only one that really doesn't interest me is the waterpark.

All standby but the lines are short (headliner rides will still have a bit of a wait) but we don't do rides during the parties. There are rare characters and dance parties that kids may enjoy.

I just enjoy MK at night and especially with low crowds. It had the most rare characters and the special fireworks were really good.

 

[bwvBound]

My favorite is Disneyland as there is much to do in a small space. I fit 11 attractions + food + [talk to the execs] + Fantasmic! into the few hours offered last year, Jan 2019. Awesome!

For reference, we've been to MM at five parks, some multiple times: Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon.

If your question is limited only to WDW, my favorite was Typhoon Lagoon as we don't typically visit the water parks. We had a blast! Loved every minute except, perhaps, for the crazy long food lines.

 

[disland7]

I’ve been to California adventure and typhoon lagoon. We loved typhoon lagoon and had an absolute blast. We don’t normally go to the water parks and it was fantastic. California adventure was fun enough but we waited in line for food for so long which was really annoying.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I liked MK and TL the most. The extra fireworks at MK were wonderful. Had less stellar experiences at EPCOT and AK, but they were weather related problems.

Have been to TL experiences three times!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Can I ask a tag a long question? Is the earliest time to get in the park (without an additional ticket) 6pm for a 9pm event? Thanks!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Can I ask a tag a long question? Is the earliest time to get in the park (without an additional ticket) 6pm for a 9pm event? Thanks!

I was wondering that also. And I understand you get a voucher for a free QS meal. If so, when is the best time (lowest crowds) to use it? Near the early part or late?

 

[JETSDAD]

Entry as early as 6:00 (same time given whether the event starts at 9 or 10).

For vouchers, I prefer to use it right away before there are a lot of people there trying to get free meals as the lines can get long.

 

[minthorne]

I think you can use the voucher anytime after 6 - but I may be wrong.

I did Epcot 2 different years and it was ok but not super fun. I'm going to MK next week and am looking forward to it.

 

[disland7]

I was wondering that also. And I understand you get a voucher for a free QS meal. If so, when is the best time (lowest crowds) to use it? Near the early part or late?

I like to use them during the "overlap hours" before the event actually starts. It was impossible for me to do that during the DCA event and the lines were insane during the event. Although I have heard that DCA is particularly bad.

 

[Simba's Mom]

So best to enter at 6 :00, then use my voucher as soon as possible? Thanks! Frankly, I didn't know you could use your voucher before the official 9:00 start.

 

[bwvBound]

I like to use them during the "overlap hours" before the event actually starts. It was impossible for me to do that during the DCA event and the lines were insane during the event. Although I have heard that DCA is particularly bad.

Agree! We use the vouchers in the overlap period.
And yes, trying to secure food using those vouchers at DCA was particularly bad in my two experiences thus far. The vouchers themselves are flexible for location and style ... but the time wasted sorting out confusion over how a restaurant accepts them is boggling and, thus, creates the longer lines and wait times.

We were fortunate last Nov (MM at DCA) to go immediately to our table service dining of choice and "demand" a table before the staff had fully absorbed the details of the voucher. The voucher was good ... but waiting for them to understand it before being seated would have pushed us beyond the moment of last seating as the venue was closing at regular park schedule (that is, not remaining open for the event).

 

[JETSDAD]

So best to enter at 6 :00, then use my voucher as soon as possible? Thanks! Frankly, I didn't know you could use your voucher before the official 9:00 start.

That's what we do. That way we're also not spending party time going and getting food. So many characters to meet, so little time!! lol

 

[bwvBound]

So best to enter at 6 :00, then use my voucher as soon as possible? Thanks! Frankly, I didn't know you could use your voucher before the official 9:00 start.

Yes! But do read the fine print on the voucher as soon as you get it. We've found that things change from visit to visit. Read, decide and act. Notice I did not include steps for waiting, indecision, mumbling, grumbling or fighting. Just read, decide and act. Get your food. Make it a "mission." ;-)

 

[TraderSamWDW]

I have been to all and liked MK the best. It was almost like having the park to yourself. But, it was not the best weather when I went. Trying it again next week and very excited

 

[disland7]

Yes! But do read the fine print on the voucher as soon as you get it. We've found that things change from visit to visit. Read, decide and act. Notice I did not include steps for waiting, indecision, mumbling, grumbling or fighting. Just read, decide and act. Get your food. Make it a "mission." ;-)

“Make it a mission” haha. Great advice.

 

[TraderSamWDW]

Agree! We use the vouchers in the overlap period.

I like that idea. The line for the food can get long. At TL last year, it looked to be a half hour plus at one point. Im not doing that for a few free theme park burgers. It did die down and became a reasonable wait. But that free food isnt worth chewing up valuable time.

 

[bwvBound]

I like that idea. The line for the food can get long. At TL last year, it looked to be a half hour plus at one point. Im not doing that for a few free theme park burgers. It did die down and became a reasonable wait. But that free food isnt worth chewing up valuable time.

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhh, thanks for the reminder. We used an entirely different strategy for the water park! Our Water Park approach is "Eat Last!" mainly as I don't wish either swim or be seen in a bathing suit on a fully tummy. (I was not alone in this plan. The food lines at the end of the event were crazy long. But fun none the less. The crowd was largely chatty and amusing.)

 

[disland7]

I like that idea. The line for the food can get long. At TL last year, it looked to be a half hour plus at one point. Im not doing that for a few free theme park burgers. It did die down and became a reasonable wait. But that free food isnt worth chewing up valuable time.

That was my conclusion about DCA afterwards. The free food isn't even worth anything to me...next time I'll eat before I go and bring more snacks.

 

[DianaMB333]

Are the characters also available during the “overlap” time? Or only after 9pm?