Why would I want to go to MVMCP?

[thisismyusername]

I guess what I'm asking is what makes this event worth $350 for a family of 5? (Particularly a family who has been to Disney 4x this year, but this is our first holiday season…)

Obviously, we don't mind spending money at Disney, but I'm having a hard time understanding why these parties are so popular and worth it when it seems the only difference between a regular park day and a party is a fireworks show, free cookies, a different parade and an emptier park? I just want to make sure I'm not missing something as I sort of cross it off our list of things to consider for this trip...

 

[mesaboy2]

And some unusual characters.

But I agree, it doesn't sound to me like this is your thing.

 

[christianweecare]

I don't know about the emptier park part. DH & I have attended the Christmas parties in past years but probably won't go again for several reasons:

1. Ever increasing costs of the special tickets.
2. Ever increasing crowds.
3. Been there. Done that.

We enjoyed the Christmas parties in the beginning. The Christmas parade & fireworks along with the special Christmas shows made it a real treat. We have been visiting WDW for almost 40 years so it's not a "must do" anymore.

 

[Amanda999]

We didn't even think the xmas party was worth the cost (yes, it seems like some extra special things, but we were there 1st week December and enjoyed lots of xmas decor, good cheer, short lines without the significant extra hard ticket cost).

 

[CinderElsa]

I can't tell you if it's right for you, but we decided to go for these reasons:

• Access to characters that are generally not out in the parks (or are in different costumes)
• Christmas lights on the castle
• Snow on Main Street (much nicer than snow at home)
• Christmas show, fireworks & parade
• Santa

The "free cookies" aren't really free. You're paying for them.

Also, not really a reason to go, but there may be an LE MagicBand that requires party admission to purchase, if you care.

 

[RnbwSktles]

Personally, I LOVE Halloween. Even though the parks are decorated for the fall, it just feels extra special during the party. The ambiance is different, and the parade is my absolute favorite parade in Disney. I liked the trick-or-treating part of it as well, and I don't really know why lol. Also, seeing some of the elaborate costumes people come up with is fun!

With all of that said, I love Christmas time too, but the MVMCP doesn't appeal to me as much. I think because Christmas is pretty well represented throughout WDW and I don't feel like I need to pay extra for more.

 

[JimmyV]

I agree that they are overselling these events so the "lower crowds" benefit is evaporating. It is true that many party-goers go to character meets, dance parties, sing-a-longs, etc., and don't clog up the lines at the rides making the wait times for popular attractions somewhat shorter. But if riding rides with lower waits is your goal, then make use of free EMHs and not a $350 party. The cost of the party is only worth it if you are enthused by the party events that transcend the rides. If that does not describe you then save your $$$.

 

[xApril]

I think the Halloween party is much better than Christmas. We tried Christmas last year because we'd never been before. Some of the other Disney parks and even SW/Uni have better Christmas happenings than the party, in my opinion.

 

[thisismyusername]

Thanks for the feedback, and I think I'm making the right decision to save my money--even though as diehards, I think we're like, "But we HAVE to go! It's something we haven't done!" But I really am having a hard time wrapping my brain around finding the value in it since we're not a character-hunting group; we don't usually watch shows; we never do dance parties; and 2 out of 3 of my kids don't even ride the Barnstormer, much less the bigger thrill rides, so our regular FP+s of the day work just fine for what we need to accomplish in the parks. (Plus, we've been on and done so much this year anyway… No one is going to be devastated if we don't get to ride something.)

I'm sure we'd love to see the fireworks in the MK, but we'll be staying at the GF, so we can see them from there (less the music, I'm guessing?); we can see it snow at the Osborne show; and I feel like the Christmas spirit is very well celebrated throughout the resorts and the parks. There's nothing extra or special that they do in the MK with decorations specifically during the party, right?

So I guess that leaves us with "free" cookies and a parade, the latter which would be awesome to see, but is certainly not worth $350--particularly when I could buy my kids 5 years' worth of cookies for that price?

 

[kohlby]

We're a family of 5 as well and have been to Disney several times during the Christmas season. We have not done the Christmas party - and likely never will. It just doesn't sound worth it for our family at all. However, we're doing MNSSHP for the first time - that one does sound worth it to do at least once! (Plus, we usually go during the winter, so this might be our only chance as well for the Halloween party).

 

[DisUniversal]

I guess what I'm asking is what makes this event worth $350 for a family of 5?

Nothing. It's not worth even half what they charge. On the other hand, MNSSHP is worth every penny...or it least it always has been in the past. Haven't been this year yet.