WWYD: AK or MVMCP??

[MamaBelle4]

I'm right there with you finance wise. We've got 5 kids, luckily 3 are under 10 and 2 are under 3 for this upcoming trip. But Disney is VERY close to pricing us out. I understand they're doing a lot of inprovements, but everything is so bloated cost wise, you can't convince me they NEED to increase ticket prices THIS much, year after year.

This just reminds me of the fiasco where they decided to boot a bunch of families from their standing reservations at CRT to sell a ridiculously expensive party for, I think, 60 or so people. Disney is okay pricing out regular families in favor of deeper pockets.

They will come to regret it, I fear.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I've done MVMCP twice and my vote is to get the 4 day ticket and go to AK. I just really wasn't impressed with MVMCP this year. Honestly, IMHO, MVMCP doesn't scream Christmas the way MNSSHP screams Halloween. The parade was cute, but Holiday Wishes absolutely pales in comparison to HEA. We also have no interest in the special characters. If I were you, I would get the 4-day ticket and enjoy all of that extra time in the parks. The DHS Christmas decorations were extraordinary this year - far better then MK, IMHO. If you have time, go to GF to see the Gingerbread house and go to WL to see the tree. The lobby of WL is truly amazing at Christmas time.

 

[mshanson3121]

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.

She really is. I could throw any idea at her and she would be game. She LOVES to travel.

My son is easy going. He said he's game for anything and will just be happy to be at Disney. He would like to see AK, but he would also be fine missing it, since we're going to SW and he'll get some animals there. He really wants to go back to Epcot.

My daughter really wants to see the Christmas parade, but that's because she saw a video of it (and she loves Christmas parades). If I showed her FoF, she might be fine with "just" that and she does really want to see HEA fireworks. She doesn't care if we go to AK. She would be fine if we did as she loved Kali, would love Lion King, but I suspect she would prefer the party. She has ASD (high functioning) and is the one who gets more fixated. For MK she said she wants to ride 7D, the carosel, see the parade and fireworks, and meet Tinker Bell. Meeting characters is huge for them.

As for FoP, honestly, I don't know. Na'vi, definitely. I could see my son doing it, not sure on my youngest. Is there a minimum for size? She's tiny for her age (she'll be 8 in June but is still only 45" and 42 lbs)

My other thought was with the 4 day tickets was doing EP, HS and 2 MK days - one on a party day for the low day crowds, then one evening on a non party day for the fireworks etc...

 

[cel_disney]

I have a 7 yo daughter and an 11 yo son. These were some of their thoughts...
- the reason my son would want to go to the party is for all of the free food / snacks
- our entire family LOVED FoP when we went in October - this is by far the best ride ever and they loved it and would not miss a chance to ride it
- we actually enjoy the Christmas theming a Holiday AK as well. It’s usually one of our favorite trees.
- Their favorite holiday experience is seeing the storytellers in epcot
- DHS has tried to maintain its status as a Holiday Feast with the new shows in place of Osborne Lights and I think it’s succeeded!
- I enjoy the party for the unique character experiences and the parade - but the fireworks and crowds are the inability to change plans if the weather stinks is a downside.

We have been to the Halloween party 3 times and the Christmas party 1 time...awe would pick the day at AK! Good luck with your planning - I’m sure it will be an amazing trip no matter what you decide!!

 

[CynBeth]

I would go to MVMCP. Personally I would skip DHS and do AK.

 

[mshanson3121]

I would go to MVMCP. Personally I would skip DHS and do AK.

They absolutely love HS, and are HUGE Star Wars fans, so they want to do Launch Bay, meet Chewy, BB8 etc... Plus they love Toy Story too so will enjoy the new land. My daughter really wants to see Indiana Jones again, too.

 

[loves to dive]

I'd do AK, we have been at Christmas the last two years and trust me, Disney does Christmas everywhere you look so everyone will get plenty of Disney Christmas. I've never done any of the parties so I can't speak to them, we just don't do them because I just can't see paying extra for a parade and fireworks. For the price of the tickets, we can buy the treats if we want them, which we wouldn't because we don't eat that many sweets. Even if the kids don't ride FOP, AK is a great park for kids, there are all sorts of little nooks and crannies with animal attractions and it just fun to explore.

 

[Disneylover99]

I would definitely do AK.

 

[Tksolomom]

I love Animal Kingdom, it is my favorite park. It isn’t that Decorated for Christmas though. Pandora is amazing, I wouldn’t miss it, especially if you won’t be going back

 

[SaintsManiac]

AK has the best Christmas tree, IMO. You could take a trip to AKL and see their spectacular tree, as well.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

As others have said, if Xmas is s priority definitely see the deluxe resorts and explore their decorations... gingerbread house at GF, WL decorations, Xmas sleigh/carriage ride at FW... you could even catch the MVMCP fireworks from The Poly beach...

 

[goofyintoronto]

Honestly, I wouldn't miss AK. That park is AMAZING, esp with Pandora! FoP isn't my fave ride as it does make me nauseous. Had it not, sure i'd probably think it was a must-do. The Navi river though is amazing! Overall, so much to see and do at that park. Its full of life. You really cannot miss it.

The xmas party though, meh. I'd pass on that. Not worth the money at all. No doubt it'll be packed....also, I cannot justify paying that price for a parade and fireworks.

 

[Elle23]

We went to the Christmas party last December and won’t do it again. It was crowded and chaotic (with long lines for everything) and not at all worth the money.

AK is a must do for us. We could easily spend 2 whole days there. I would hate to miss it over an over-hyped and over-sold Christmas party.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I would do all 4 parks. I really enjoyed the holiday decorations at DHS this year.

 

[PPFlight75]

We’ve done “Christmas” trips with the party and without. While I love the party, we do get a great Christmas experience without it. Between Epcot and touring the resorts, we get a great experience with the storytellers, decorations, snacks, and gingerbread houses. With the additions at HS studios this past year, it made for a perfect experience even without the party. I’m sure it was the snow!!

I know it’s a hard choice, but with all the other Christmas experiences available, having the day at AK may be the way to go.

Have you shown your daughter any videos of Epcot with the decorations and storytellers? She might find that a good replacement over the parade.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I've done MVMCP twice and my vote is to get the 4 day ticket and go to AK. I just really wasn't impressed with MVMCP this year. Honestly, IMHO, MVMCP doesn't scream Christmas the way MNSSHP screams Halloween. The parade was cute, but Holiday Wishes absolutely pales in comparison to HEA. We also have no interest in the special characters. If I were you, I would get the 4-day ticket and enjoy all of that extra time in the parks. The DHS Christmas decorations were extraordinary this year - far better then MK, IMHO. If you have time, go to GF to see the Gingerbread house and go to WL to see the tree. The lobby of WL is truly amazing at Christmas time.

I couldnt have said it any better.

 

[CrazyHare]

You said characters were important to them. AK has Minnie and Mickey in Christmas sweaters. Santa Goofy and Christmas collar also meet there. Donald only adds a small Christmas decoration to his hat. We went Thanksgiving week so there were no parties. But all the parks were festive. We enjoyed meeting everyone in their Christmas clothes in all the parks.

Epcot seemed very festive with all their Santas in the countries. And we only went to meet Belle in her Christmas dress and to get caramel popcorn from the caramel shop in Germany. We stopped to listen to Pete Noel in France.

 

[Gentry2004]

I have never been to MVMCP, but the reviews I’ve read are really underwhelming. I’d choose AK for sure. We love AK and spend 1.5-2 days there every trip. Flight of Passage, Safari, Everest and Festival of the Lion King are some of our favorites. My kids still love Wilderness Explorers too. And the animal trails (gorilla falls and maharejeh.)