Would you do MVMCP or Osborne Lights if only 1 choice?`

[JandD Mom]

I am hoping this question will be kept here since I think my fellow DVCers are the most critical of Disney guests.

We will be staying in November at BWV, and leaving 11/14. On the night of 11/13, Osborne Festival of Lights starts, as does the Very Merry Christmas Party at MK. As most of you know, Osborne is included in park admission, which MVMCP will cost $150 for our family of 4 (approximately).

My kids will be 9 years old, other family members will be there, including grandparents, and an 8 year old boy, and a 5 year old boy.

So if you have 1 night, when faced with this choice, which would you choose and why?

Thanks for your help!

 

[coasterbob]

I am hoping this question will be kept here since I think my fellow DVCers are the most critical of Disney guests.

We will be staying in November at BWV, and leaving 11/14. On the night of 11/13, Osborne Festival of Lights starts, as does the Very Merry Christmas Party at MK. As most of you know, Osborne is included in park admission, which MVMCP will cost $150 for our family of 4 (approximately).

My kids will be 9 years old, other family members will be there, including grandparents, and an 8 year old boy, and a 5 year old boy.

So if you have 1 night, when faced with this choice, which would you choose and why?

Thanks for your help!

Well, MVMCP is a complete evening of events, and Osborne, although beautiful, is a walk-thru experience. If $$ is not an object, go for the MVMCP. The snow on Main Street during the parade was really cool.....

Bob

 

[JerJan]

We did both of these things last year and I would do the Osborne Family lights if I only had one choice. I personally didn't feel that MMVMCP was worth the money and my kids thought the "SNOW (bubbles) were dumb! My DD6 got some in her mouth because she thought that it was snow like we have at home....YUCK!!! It was pretty funny though.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Mvmcp

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think it depends on the 5 year old boy's need for sleep! If the Holliday Wishes are at 10, could he stay up and enjoy them? There are 2 parades with the fireworks between them. I wouldn't go to the MVMCP if I thought we would miss the parade and fireworks.

We enjoy the party very much and it's a "must go to" event for us whenever we're at WDW in December.

Bobbi

PS. I'm also surprised that no one has said, "do both." IF you are first in line for the lights, you could probably hurry over and get enough done at the party to make it worth your while. Officially the party doesn't begin until 7.

 

[Candace]

Osborne Lights. We did the party a couple of years ago, and for my group, it wasn't worth it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

With a group that large, I personally do not think MVMCP is worth the extra cost. It will likely be crowded (it has been when we have done it), and the only really special thing is the special parade. Everything else is just the standard park experience.

While Osborne lights are also just part of a park experience, there is some excitement to the "start" time for the festivities with the hot chocolate etc, and no additional cost.

 

[JandD Mom]

With a group that large, I personally do not think MVMCP is worth the extra cost. It will likely be crowded (it has been when we have done it), and the only really special thing is the special parade. Everything else is just the standard park experience.

While Osborne lights are also just part of a park experience, there is some excitement to the "start" time for the festivities with the hot chocolate etc, and no additional cost.

I am grateful for everyone's response so far. I just wanted to say that our thinking to date is similar to Diane's. I have been told there is nothing that special about MVMCP except the CHristmas parade and hot chocolate and cookies. I have been told the parade is the same parade shown during park hours later in the holiday season. Is all of this true?

We typically don't go to Disney over the holidays, so we extended our trip a little to try to do Osborne. TO our suprise MCP was also starting that day.

Also, yes, we have a group of 10. I don't know what the grandparents' tolerance of the crowds will be, or mine for that matter.

Just a side note, of all of the kids, the 5 year old is probably the one who could tolerate the late hour the best!

 

[mbhoxsie]

With the grandparents your best bet might be Osborne... Like others have said, you can go as soon as it gets dark, and take your time strolling through it...

MVMCP is nice... But it really isn't that different than the normal night time park experience... I believe that the parade is different than the daytime holiday parade.. One year when we went, the fireworks were done in a 360 deg. fashion around the park... But that was about it..

Hot chocolate and cookies and family pictures really aren't worth it...

I think the coolest thing I can remember is one year when we stayed right up to when the party was over and my buddy and I rode on Splash Mountain four times without getting out of the log... (Of course, you can do this too if you stay for extra magic hour now...)

 

[kimberh]

I would do Osbourne! We love it!! We try to catch the Snowflakes even if they are bubbles. The music and the amount of lights is unreal. Go on a Hidden Mickey hunt. They are everywhere. We stroll through and I am taking pictures until I am almost dizzy.

 

[kda]

Don't know about the plans for he parade this year, but in the past the MVMCP parade was shown during park hours, but not till it got very close to Christmas.

DH and I have enjoyed MVMCP very much., but have only been twice in 7 years, so we don't love it so much that we go all the time. And, we went to Disney for 15 years before I decided I really wanted to see it.

It gets me in the holiday mood, but not sure if I would say that if I went Nov 13 (we've always gone ~ Dec 10). And I agree with others that the cost adds up, and Disney already costs a lot! I'd recommend it, but only if it fits into your budget. There's plenty to see and do if you choose not to go.

We also liked the Lights very much, but be prepared that if you're there at he very beginning of the eve, it can be very, very crowded. Literally wall to wall people, which makes it tricky for small kids trying to see. It wasn't a mob scene ...... just crowded. And beware of anyone pushing strollers --- watch your ankles!

 

[fivefordisney]

I would do the Osbourne lights!!! We almost skipped it last year and decided at the last minute to drag our three kids (DD9, DD6 and DS2) there. There were audible gasps when they saw that unbelievable vision... I used our little digital camera to get some video and am happy I did. It really was breathtaking and quite an experience--unforgettable, really.

We did not do MVMCP because we were there until 12-23 and could see the Christmas parade for free on the 22, I believe. The parade was lovely and also got us in the Christmas spirit. However, it wasn't as much as an unexpected delight as the Osbourne Light show.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Scraper]

We have done both we and our kids enjoyed the Osborne lights best. We all got the lighted hot chocolate mugs. We got some awsome pictures and everyone enjoyed the fake snow. We live in Fl. so the snow was special.

 

[jekjones1558]

I don't have strong feelings either way, but if you do end up doing MVMCP I would recommend the live show in Tomorrowland. Very enjoyable. Get there ahead of time to be sure you get a seat. I also enjoy the show in front of the castle. And the soldiers in the parade are the BEST.
Osborne has to be experienced to be believed.
One more thing: I wonder if they ever do Osborne the night BEFORE it is scheduled to begin, just as a practice run? Just a thought--maybe someone knows. One year they had Osborne for at least one extra night at the end, so you never know...
Have a great time whichever you choose!

 

[buzz5985]

The Lights take your breath away. But MVMCP - I have watched that parade on TV for more years than I care to remember - since the beginning?? To be finally there - to see it in person - it brought tears to my eyes. It is a very festive atmosphere. You just smile and laugh with everyone around you.

Janis

 

[lisaviolet]

Does anyone know the exact date that MK starts the Christmas parade during regular hours?

Thank you....

 

[house_of_princesses]

Because you're planning on going early November, I don't think it will be as crowded as if you went after Thanksgiving. Our family thoroughly enjoyed our time at MVMCP! Our private party consisted of my DH, 4 DDs, DM, DF and DSis. We enjoyed the night time experience, the non-existant crowds, our up front view of the parade, etc... We didn't even do the picture, we were having too much fun! And I don't know that we even stopped for a cup of hot chocolate. Whichever you choose... have fun!

 

[paslea_pooh]

Osbourne Lights without a doubt. They are the most beautiful thing EVER !!!

We did MVMCP last year. It was nice but I didn't feel it was worth the extra money. JMO

 

[joepoe]

I would do the OL if I had to choose, because it is free.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I'd bet you could really do them both if you go to the party a bit later. Hit the OL as soon as they open for the evening (they are not nearly as nice as they were in previous years when they had the neighborhood street to set them up. Just not the same on NY Street). That really doesn't take that long. Then head over to the MK for the party. It goes on for a long time and it is very fun. The parade is so neat at night (better than when they start showing it during the day).