Who's skipping MVMCP and why?

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Just curious. Still tossing the idea around and I've heard praises sung, but I'd like to hear from those who decided against it and why.

Thanks

Shel

 

[speakupjc]

We are skipping it because we are leaving at 6 am the next morning. I am very upset about it but there is nothing we can do because the only night we are there for it is 1.

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

We are skipping it because we are leaving at 6 am the next morning. I am very upset about it but there is nothing we can do because the only night we are there for it is 1.

Ahh, but you wouldn't be skipping it if you didn't have to, right? I'm interested in the thoughts of those who will be available to go but are not going. In our case, an extra $200 on the budget is definitely something to consider carefully. At the same time, I suspect my girls would really love it.

Any more thoughts?

Thanks

Shel

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'm choosing not to go. There are so many wonderful things to do at WDW that are free (CP, tree-lighting ceremony, jingle-jungle parade, etc.) that I just don't have any desire to spend the time and money for MVMCP.

 

[TDC Nala]

Been there. Done that. And it cuts into my club time.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Shel - If budget is really concern, I would say you could skip it.

We went this past December and while it was nice, it was very crowded and I didn't think it was worth the extra $400 it cost for our family.

The ride lines weren't bad at all, very minimal waits for those, but we didn't even get our picture taken because the line was so long and Main Street was totally packed. If you don't get to the shows early enough, they fill up, then you can't get a seat.

The castle show was good and the MVMCP version of Wishes was beautiful, but I just didn't feel like it justified the extra cost. There was a fun show in Tomorrowland, but it was pretty long and the kids lost interest in that one.
The snow on Main Street was very cool, but they also make it snow at the Osborne Lights set up at MGM and that is free to see. If we went again in December we would skip MVMCP.

 

[Gerweniel]

We are skipping it because of the cost and what I have read about the crowds. I have been in a quandry about it for several months and just can't seem to justify it. I have also hoped to possibly go to DisneyQuest or LaNouba, but because of our budget, may not be able to swing it.
I think the fact it will snow at the Osbourne Lights and we are going to the CP, and all the decorations, we'll be covered.
LOL - I keep on forgetting that I will still need to Christmas shop! I have concentrated so much on the trip that I sort have conveniently forgotten that not-so-little expense.

However, if the $$$ was not the issue, I'd probably get the tickets.
I hope everyone going has a GREAT time!

Jill

 

[mmcguire]

We're skipping it. Did it several years ago, thought it was too crowded and didn't offer much value for the money. We'd rather spend a couple of hours at Epcot for free and call it a night.

 

[LindaBabe]

After having done it in 1998, 1999, twice in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004, I finally said Enough!

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Any more thoughts?

Thanks

Shel

 

[lovehoney]

I've been debating back and forth whether to go or not. Right now we are leaning towards not doing it because it starts so late. We also don't want to spend the extra $$.

I just think there are plenty of other Holiday sights to see at WDW without paying for an extra one.

 

[SkipperBubba]

Our only reason for not going is that we have so much other stuff planned that there's really not any time this trip. We have Backstage Safari, Hidden Trasures and Undiscovered Future World... in addition to Fantasmic and CP packages.

Maybe next time.

 

[Merriwind]

We decided against as well. We just did MNSSHP and it was awesome. However, the parties are a lot of extra $, our trip is short and we can see nearly all of the decorations--and the parade--during the day. Maybe another year, but we'll spend this year's evenings at Epcot or MGM. Whatever you decide, enjoy!

 

[Lucky4me]

We will decide once we get there. A lot will depend on the weather, our moods and if the night we choose is sold out or not. In other words, all the stars have to align.

I've been a couple of times. The first time was fun, the second was fun until the party actually started. Then it became way too crowded to enjoy. I'd probably always go if they did limit the tickets like they say they do, but they really don't, so I won't be crushed if we miss it and do something else instead.

 

[WendyMichaelJohn]

Well, this certainly has helped. I've been debating it for a while but I've decided against it based on things listed here. What it comes down to is that for some reason I have completely forgotten about PARK HOPPING! I read too much about "best days to go" that I got in the mindset of going to only one park a day. Plus, touring plans from various sites rarely seem to make use of hopping.

Anyway, after reading these posts I realized that park hopping to MGM that night would give us a really nice, leisurely night to see Osborne and grab some hot chocolate. Maybe we could see one show or ride one ride. Keep it laid back and head back to the hotel early. So we'd get a Christmas fix and utilize our park hoppers. We'd also save several hundred dollars! Now that I think about it, watching the parade on tv Christmas morning will be a HUGE treat for the girls. It will be like reliving the trip, only getting to see something new. And I won't have to worry about the toddler getting cranky that night.

OH! And I booked a sleigh ride for that night too! Only $35. I just hope it is at least cool outside when we go and not hot!

Thanks for the help!

Shel

 

[huskies90]

We will be ther during several nights of the xmas party and I am really struggling with why someone on an extended wdw vacation would pay an extra $40 per person just to be in the MK on nights of these parties. If money is no object or if it is a short vacation and the ticket is in lieu of a day on the hoppers, then I guess it makes sense. But when you are there 10 days (like us) and will have more than enough MK time during your stay why would anyone pay the $160 for this?? From what I can tell, other than addtional time in a crowded MK to ride attractions, it is a special parade (like all the other parades aren't enough) special fireworks (which we'll be seing from the CG one of the nights) and cookies and hot chocolate. Please help me understand why.

 

[5infam]

In our group, there will be a total of 13 of us; 6 adults and 7 kids, ages from 3 to 14. We all decided against it. The number one reason was due to the ages of the smallest kids and them not being able to stay up that late to enjoy MK til midnight. Plus we are early park people as we get so much done in the first hour or two, before the parks get too crowded. If we stayed up that late, we would need to sleep in, hence we would not get our jump start the next day. I may be wrong, but I believe I read on these boards that the parade will be shown after MVMCP is over, and since we will be there from the 15th to the 23rd, we figured we would see the parade anyway (after the 20th). The second reason was cost, but that was solely based on how much time we would get to spend at the party, and to pay that much and leave by 10:00 would be a waste. I like the idea of watching the parade on TV Christmas morning, since we will have just gotten back home, that will be fun.

 

[WaltD4Me]

It's so interesting to read the change in the MVMCP party advice!

When I was planning our December 2004 trip and reading these boards, most every post I read said it was a MUST do, you HAVE to go to MVMCP, it's so great, not to be missed, ect, ect....opinions have totally changed this year though, with many people saying it's just too crowded and not worth the extra $$$. I wonder if the "trend" will be felt by Disney and if they will make any party adjustments or go back to really limiting the tickets.

 

[JenniferW]

It just doesn't fit into our schedule well. I am pg and very tired in the evenings so we are trying to mainly spend the day hours at the parks when they first open. We will go to the evening shows, but to pay the extra money doesn't make sense for us since we have a bunch of hopper days left.

Jenn

 

[The6ofUs]

We've been going back and forth, too, and decided against due the cost for our family of six, plus the crowds. We'll just make do with the rest of Disney's magic!