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

[CarolMN]

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

Thank you....

In my experience, it's been the day after the last MVMCP event is held. For 2006, the last MVMCP event is scheduled for December 22, so I would expect the Chritmas Parade to replace the afternoon parade on December 23.

Prior to 12/23, the only way to see the Chritmas Parade will be to go to one of the MVMCP events.

Best wishes -

 

[yourgoingagain?]

If the extra money isn't that big of deal, do both! The lights get turned on around 6:00 PM. You can easily walk through them in 30 minutes, then take a bus to MK for MVMCP which "starts" (they start putting on braclets at around 5:30 or 6:00) at 7:00.

 

[castleri]

I have not done the party and did OL when it was still in the residential street so don't know how it is now but if you are using a park day that day I would stick with OL, get some hot chocolate(should cost less than admission to the party) and take a nice stroll through the streets there. I saw the parade on
Christmas Day a few years ago and it really didn't seem that special to me. Of course that may be because my favorite is the Main Street Electrical Parade and now I settle for Spectro. I know my kids were really impressed with the lights and all the little angels on them. You could always go over to the Poly and watch the fireworks from the beach if you really want to see them after you do the lights. With 10 total in the group I would think long and hard before I spent that much for hot chocolate, cookies, a picture and a parade. All the rest is available on an EMH day. We did do the Halloween party one year and while we had a good time we won't be doing it again. The lines for candy and pictures were longer than the ride lines.

 

[NMW]

We've done both several times and all I can say is that the lights are not really an "event." They are pretty, and we did spend about 30 minutes walking around last year, but I'd take the MVMCP any day of the week. The key to enjoying the party is to focus on the special party events and not going on space mountain. We did this in 2002 and even 2003, until we realized we were basicly paying to do the same stuff we could do any day at the MK.

In 2005 we really had a great time. We ate dinner at Kona at 5 PM, took the monorail over and plopped down with perfect seats for the parade. I even did some shopping while my family sat there digesting their dinner and people watching. I sent DH to get the free hot chocolate and cookies-very good. We saw the wonderful parade that was followed by the first showing of the fireworks. After this, tons and tons of people with strollers crush towards the exits. We stayed and saw the Mickey's Night Before Christmas show in the Galaxy theater. We got the family photo, saw some characters (they are everywhere during the party), watched half the show in front of the castle and then left. DD was too tired to stay until the 2nd fireworks-maybe next year! Oh, you can also buy special pins and tee-shirts during the party that you can't buy any other time. I told DH that unless we just go for the party, it's not worth it, and he finally agreed with me. As we were leaving he told me that I was so right about just doing the party stuff and not trying to do the big rides.

PS- We are doing the MNSSHP in Oct for the first time and I plan to do the same thing.

 

[keishashadow]

We all thought the Osbourne lights were magical, did not expect it to be so impressive...thought the snow was charming...sure beats the pile of it we left @ home before the trip.

Had a nice time @ MVMCP, despite the oppressive crowd 2nd week in Dec. during a weekeday. Think they're running into problems where the days guests aren't clearing the park & staying for parade etc. We even were in line @ dumbo w/folks bragging that they were riding for "free" since the CM's weren't consistently checking wristbands (think coats, gloves - it was chilly @ night).

If you don't have AP's & aren't planning on using a MYW tix earlier in the day, the event tix is a bargin, considering in the past they let guests in before 4:00 p.m.

 

[thelobstershanty]

We have done both quite a few times, if we had to pick one it would be Mickey's Christmas Party. Even though this is an additional cost, it is very nice. IMO the closer you go to Christmas the better. It really puts you in the mood.
Osborne Lights are also very nice but can not compare to Mickey's Christmas Party, especially now that the venue has changed--not the same AT ALL. As someone else said, one is an attraction, the other is an event.

 

[VrBchJ]

Does the MVMCP ticket include admission to MK or do you need a MYW general admission also?

 

[jekjones1558]

Does the MVMCP ticket include admission to MK or do you need a MYW general admission also?

Includes MK admission (after about 4:00 p.m.)

 

[Debbie Jean]

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

I would agree! If you love Christmas lights, Osborne lights are not to be missed!

 

[Buckalew11]

I loved them both. We did Disney in Dec. the one year they didn't have the Osbourne Lights (they were working on the stunt show spectacular). So, we did MVMCP. It was a lot of fun.
But, last year on the night of the marathon, they had Osbourne's last night. OMG! It took my breath away. I absolutely loved it and stood in awe of the lights and music. I just couldn't pick my jaw up. LOL
I really didn't expect what I saw and it was after Christmas and I really thought I was just over the whole holiday...until I saw those lights. Magnificent!

 

[Inkmahm]

We've gone to MVMCP the last two years and have our tickets for this year already. I doubt we'll miss it in years to come. We arrive in Florida on the day we want to go to the party and then start our trip with MVMCP. Timing is perfect.

We saw the Osbourne lights 2 years ago and didn't bother with going to see them last year. Lights aren't that thrilling for us, I guess.