WWYD: AK or MVMCP??

[mshanson3121]

So, while I had been hoping to get one more family trip in, in 2020 after the opening of Star Wars, being realistic, thanks to the rather large price increase coming, and the fact that, they're only going to continue to go up with the opening of Star Wars... we are officially priced out. There is no way we will ever be able to justify the cost of the tickets (which as of tomorrow, at full price will cost our family $2400 for a 5 day pass for tickets only). Which means, that our upcoming trip in November (just myself and kids who will be 11 and 8, and MIL and her first-timer (!) sister), is probably going to be the last one for a very long time, if not forever.

So, I'm wondering what to do. The original main point of the trip for MIL (who is financially helping a bit), was all things Christmas. So, we have planned on HS, EP and MVMCP, taking in all the Christmas offerings at each.


However, if this is our last trip, part of me feels bad that we're not doing AK, especially since my son loves animals, and not seeing Avatarland. Plus it would allow us to go to MK on a non-party day and see the new HEA which looks beautiful, and FoF parade which we missed last time. We can buy the 4 Canadian resident tickets for $15 less than it will cost us to do 2 days plus the party.

But on the other hand, if we do AK instead, it'll mean not doing MVMCP, and I'm worried we would regret that, since we always wanted to experience "Disney at Christmas", and my kids love all things Christmas. But maybe HS and EP shows, plus the MK decor would be enough of a "Disney Christmas" feel?

So, if you were planning a trip to WDW, knowing it's the last one you'll take for several years, possibly ever, would you:

a) add the 4th day and do a regular MK day and do AK?
b) keep things as planned and do MVMCP?

 

[Ensusieasm]

AK for Flight of Passage for sure! No question about it!

 

[mom2rtk]

None of us can answer that since we aren't privy to the financial arrangements and family relationships you are balancing.

It just seems that if you're wanting to do "all things Christmas" you really should do MVMCP.

But if that comes at the expense of a full day in the MK, it gets complicated.

If it was me I'd ditch any of the other parks to make sure I had ample time in the MK. But I'm funny that way.

Regardless, I hope you find the balance that makes everyone in your group happy.

 

[JerseyJanice]

My family went to MVMCP this past December and had a terrible experience. Bad enough that when they complained to Guest Services, they were given tickets for another night.

The problem? It was packed both nights. They were barely able to get anything done. Lines to meet the characters and ride attractions were crazy long.

They liked the parade and fireworks, but said they’d never do it again and won’t ever bother with the Halloween Party.

 

[cassie58]

I would definitely do AK - there are so many cool things there to experience, and you will still be able to take in the Christmas decor at MK - MVMCP is really just adding special parade and firework in terms of sights - I would much rather do a full day in MK to do as much as possible, and you will still see all the decor, the castle lighting, Jingle Cruise etc, and as you mentioned you will get FoF parade and HEA fireworks, as well as OUAT projection show if offered that night. In AK you will have the Safari ride and animal trails for your son, the Lion King show is fantastic, EE if kids like big coasters, and of course to be able to check out Pandora and FoP ride. The kids might also enjoy doing the Wilderness Explorer program around the park, and we love seeing the musicians and performers that you happen upon during the day.

 

[mshanson3121]

I would definitely do AK - there are so many cool things there to experience, and you will still be able to take in the Christmas decor at MK - MVMCP is really just adding special parade and firework in terms of sights - I would much rather do a full day in MK to do as much as possible, and you will still see all the decor, the castle lighting, Jingle Cruise etc, and as you mentioned you will get FoF parade and HEA fireworks, as well as OUAT projection show if offered that night. In AK you will have the Safari ride and animal trails for your son, the Lion King show is fantastic, EE if kids like big coasters, and of course to be able to check out Pandora and FoP ride. The kids might also enjoy doing the Wilderness Explorer program around the park, and we love seeing the musicians and performers that you happen upon during the day.

They LOVED Wilderness Explorers last time. We missed Lion King last time too, really want to see it.

 

[CynBeth]

When are you going in November? If it is before Thanksgiving you won’t have the storytellers and CP at Epcot.

 

[mshanson3121]

When are you going in November? If it is before Thanksgiving you won’t have the storytellers and CP at Epcot.

Nov 28-Dec 3

 

[cassie58]

They LOVED Wilderness Explorers last time. We missed Lion King last time too, really want to see it.

You will definitely have to see it if you go - so good! If they saved the books for WE from last trip, they can bring them and continue(if they didn't finish of course - it took my DD a few trips) - there are new pages for the Pandora section, but they can work it out for you somehow so you don't have to start over - they helped my cousin's kids out with that in Aug.

 

[Davey Jones II]

I've heard, many times over, that the Christmas party is disappointing and oversold. The Halloween party is good, though.

I say Animal Kingdom is a must, and we loved everything about Pandora, not just FOP.

 

[izzylovesmickey]

We'd do AK over the party. We did the party for the first time in December and while we had a good time we would have been disappointed if we hadn't been able to go to AK. The party can be crowded and you may still have long waits for rides, not to mention how long the lines can be for characters. It will most likely be cheaper to have a park day over a party ticket also. Now if you were talking about MNSSHP I might answer differently.

 

[SaintsManiac]

AK

 

[mom2rtk]

If your MIL is helping out with the cost and wants to do all things Christmas, what is her thought on it?

 

[Mome Rath]

It is a tough call because you feel as though it may be your last time for a long while. I do think it is entirely possible (re: easy) to get plenty of Christmas at WDW without the party. In fact, I doubt I'll return to the Christmas party unless something drastically changes with it. I would do whatever your heart tells you, but since you asked for opinions, I'd choose the normal day and MK and AK over the party.

 

[ottawamom]

Skip the party and do 4 days. You'll still get lots of Christmas vibe during the day at MK. Be sure to tour the World Showcase at Epcot and take in the Festive talks (loved those). I'm really looking forward to AK this trip, I've got two days planned to make sure we can take it all in.

Watch the Christmas parade on You Tube, it's nice but given that you can't exchange tickets if the weather is bad I would opt for more days/parks than 1 party.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I think if it was my last trip forever, I would want to see all four parks

 

[mshanson3121]

If your MIL is helping out with the cost and wants to do all things Christmas, what is her thought on it?

"I'm good with whatever you and the kids want to do."

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Do AK, the party gets more over priced and over crowded each year. The draw used to be short lines during the party, but that doesn’t really apply as much anymore. The parade is cute but IMO not worth the price or missing out on AK.

 

[mshanson3121]

Do AK, the party gets more over priced and over crowded each year. The draw used to be short lines during the party, but that doesn’t really apply as much anymore. The parade is cute but IMO not worth the price or missing out on AK.

How much does the price go up each year?

 

[mom2rtk]

"I'm good with whatever you and the kids want to do."

Then she sounds like the perfect travel companion.

What do the kids want to do? Would they do FOP?

I might be tempted to do AK as the 4th park. But I do love the Christmas parade at MVMCP. If you're looking for the quintessential Christmas experience at Disney, that's it to me. Sitting on Main Street with the snow falling and the toy soldiers marching by.

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