Your experience with MVMCP

[bibba410]

Hello fellow DIS'ers! We are (as many are) trying to decide about this year's MVMCP. We'll be at WDW Dec 13-19, and there are several nights to choose from for the party!

My question really is - is there much difference b/t the party and a regular Christmas season evening at MK? For example - are the parades and fireworks all that different? I've also read that on "regular" holiday season evenings that MK has snow falling on Main Street. So it seems like the only thing we might miss would be cookies and hot chocolate. What are your experiences?

Thank you all! #GettingExcited!

 

[maxiesmom]

The parade is different. And I think it is the best thing about the Christmas Party.

 

[bibba410]

Thanks @maxiesmom!

 

[MataHari22]

Hello fellow DIS'ers! We are (as many are) trying to decide about this year's MVMCP. We'll be at WDW Dec 13-19, and there are several nights to choose from for the party!

My question really is - is there much difference b/t the party and a regular Christmas season evening at MK? For example - are the parades and fireworks all that different? I've also read that on "regular" holiday season evenings that MK has snow falling on Main Street. So it seems like the only thing we might miss would be cookies and hot chocolate. What are your experiences?

Thank you all! #GettingExcited!

There are characters that are only out during the party that you would not be able to meet during regular hours. There are also specific shows that are only during MVMCP

Did you check out this thread, it may be helpful.

http://www.disboards.com/threads/mi...as-party-2015-thread-snow-in-orlando.3388319/

Also, this has lots of info, and Tom takes dynamite photos.

http://www.disneytouristblog.com/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party-review-tips/

I am going to MVMCP for the first time this November. Excited.

 

[disney-princess]

Just a recommendation...choose a party towards the beginning of your trip and during the week. The 18th and 19th are probably going to start getting a little more crowded leading up to Christmas Week.
I love the Christmas Party for the Christmas Parade and Fireworks alone. But there are special shows and Character Greetings that you won't see outside of the party.

 

[bibba410]

Thank you everyone! These are some great links and pieces of advice!

 

[lengmui]

The fireworks during the party are *amazing*. I thought Wishes was pretty awesome before going to MVMCP, but don't think any can top this one (will be going to the Halloween party this year so will know if that can compare!). The parade is also different as posters mentioned above already.

 

[maxiesmom]

The fireworks during the party are *amazing*. I thought Wishes was pretty awesome before going to MVMCP, but don't think any can top this one (will be going to the Halloween party this year so will know if that can compare!). The parade is also different as posters mentioned above already.

The Halloween party fireworks are THE best! I think only the 4th of July fireworks even come close.

 

[FeralCatRogue]

This is what I posted about the first party last year:
I was there last night it was pretty much impossible to get a spot to see anything. They have celebrate the seasons right before castle lighting, so unless you went early to get celebrate the seasons spot it was impossible to see castle lighting. They crammed so many people in that if there was an emergency there would have been no way to get out. So I was unable to see any castle show at 5ft tall. The parade was good if you like frozen though you'll miss Elsa if you blink she starts the parade. The stitch tomorrowland show was awesome and hilarious went at 10:50 and no one was there.

As for merchandise, I waited outside merchants of venus to go into pin traders 7pm to find they put the shirts out early and they had run out of most already (they only put up one small rack in center of store) the limited edition non pass holder pin comes in 8 designs but the behind the counter stores only have 1 design. if you want any design but mickey/minnie you have to go to frontier trading or emporium, these are also the only two places with the pass holder pin. There also is a party only ball ornament on a sleigh which was pretty cool. The frontier place has all of the pins up on a wall so you can easily see each design of the party pin, and there is a box set and large pin held behind the counter at frontier as well.

The hot cocoa and cookies were delicious, they gave us each 1 cocoa and 2 snickerdoodle cookies which were nice and soft.

I would advise not to go to a sold out party it felt even more crowded then sold out Halloween! But still was cool thing to try once, I don't think i personally would pay again just with the crowds wasnt really able to enjoy the shows/parades.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

The parade at the party was the most magical thing I've experienced at WDW since SpectroMagic. Shockingly enough my favorite element of the parade was the wooden soldiers, which prior to witnessing, I was questioning why they were so promoted.

We loved the stage show in Tomorrowland as Buzz is a family favorite.

Aside from special Disney characters, there are also elves and reindeer to meet.

We were bummed we didn't make it to any of the dance parties, but hope they bring back the Toy Story one instead of the bear one.

 

[Berlioz70]

Here's my report from last year, we did the party with a 1 year old so we didn't last long.

Includes Character Photos: MVMCP 2014 Character Report

 

[mom2rtk]

We go for the characters and the parade. The characters will only be available at the party. Up until the night of the last party, the parade will only be available during the party. Historically, if you go the following day (the 19th this year) they should be running the parade during regular park hours.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

The parade is fantastic. There are rare characters out (like Scrooge McDuck). The ireworks looked like the old Fantasy In The Sky with different music. I think it's absolutely worth it! Hot chocolate and snowing on Main Street USA!

 

[Jessterly]

We have been to an early Dec. MVMCP for the last two years, with our daughter (age 3 last yr). My perspective is that the party is worth it if any of the following apply to you: you primarily want to ride rides (the lines are always very manageable); you want to meet rare characters (and you don't mind waiting a ton); the parade is really important to you (and you're there too early in the month for the parade to be on regular park nights). If you want to meet a lot of characters, it probably won't happen - our experience has been significant waits for pretty much all the characters. I love MVMCP but I think we're done with it until our daughter gets a little older and can handle the character waits a little better.

Also, a little tip - there is very little "real food" to be found during the party. We made this mistake our first year and figured we would get dinner. We finally ended up with burgers at Pecos Bill's but not before wandering the park and being turned away at pretty much every restaurant due to the hot chocolate/cookies stations. Last year we planned dinner before we attended the party and were much happier.

 

[bibba410]

Here's my report from last year, we did the party with a 1 year old so we didn't last long.

Includes Character Photos: MVMCP 2014 Character Report

Super cute photo! Thanks for sharing both that and the link to your report!

 

[bibba410]

This is what I posted about the first party last year:
I was there last night it was pretty much impossible to get a spot to see anything. They have celebrate the seasons right before castle lighting, so unless you went early to get celebrate the seasons spot it was impossible to see castle lighting. They crammed so many people in that if there was an emergency there would have been no way to get out. So I was unable to see any castle show at 5ft tall. The parade was good if you like frozen though you'll miss Elsa if you blink she starts the parade. The stitch tomorrowland show was awesome and hilarious went at 10:50 and no one was there.

As for merchandise, I waited outside merchants of venus to go into pin traders 7pm to find they put the shirts out early and they had run out of most already (they only put up one small rack in center of store) the limited edition non pass holder pin comes in 8 designs but the behind the counter stores only have 1 design. if you want any design but mickey/minnie you have to go to frontier trading or emporium, these are also the only two places with the pass holder pin. There also is a party only ball ornament on a sleigh which was pretty cool. The frontier place has all of the pins up on a wall so you can easily see each design of the party pin, and there is a box set and large pin held behind the counter at frontier as well.

The hot cocoa and cookies were delicious, they gave us each 1 cocoa and 2 snickerdoodle cookies which were nice and soft.

I would advise not to go to a sold out party it felt even more crowded then sold out Halloween! But still was cool thing to try once, I don't think i personally would pay again just with the crowds wasnt really able to enjoy the shows/parades.

That is very helpful as well. Thank you. I think I'm leaning towards us going. It will probably be crowded (or more crowded than we'd like); however it does seem to be a pretty unique event. And, honestly, I'd probably be mad at myself if I told DH we shouldn't do it. Thanks again! Great notes to remember.

 

[bibba410]

We have been to an early Dec. MVMCP for the last two years, with our daughter (age 3 last yr). My perspective is that the party is worth it if any of the following apply to you: you primarily want to ride rides (the lines are always very manageable); you want to meet rare characters (and you don't mind waiting a ton); the parade is really important to you (and you're there too early in the month for the parade to be on regular park nights). If you want to meet a lot of characters, it probably won't happen - our experience has been significant waits for pretty much all the characters. I love MVMCP but I think we're done with it until our daughter gets a little older and can handle the character waits a little better.

Also, a little tip - there is very little "real food" to be found during the party. We made this mistake our first year and figured we would get dinner. We finally ended up with burgers at Pecos Bill's but not before wandering the park and being turned away at pretty much every restaurant due to the hot chocolate/cookies stations. Last year we planned dinner before we attended the party and were much happier.

Great point on the food. Thanks!

 

[PeasandCarrots]

During the actual Christmas week (the week Christmas Day falls) you can see some of the "party" stuff like the parade during the day. Otherwise the parade and fireworks are unique to the party as is the snow. That said I'm not a fan of this party. I went on one of the least crowded party nights of the year last year in Nov. It was not sold out. It was so crowded I couldn't see the parade (I'm short), I couldn't see the stage shows, and I did not feel it was worth the cost. I'm not saying we had a terrible time, just not worth the high price to me - if that was your park ticket for the day it might be worth it - go in at 4 and stay until midnight, but we're AP holders so for us it's an added expense. Here's our vlog from the 2014 Christmas Party...

 

[bibba410]

During the actual Christmas week (the week Christmas Day falls) you can see some of the "party" stuff like the parade during the day. Otherwise the parade and fireworks are unique to the party as is the snow. That said I'm not a fan of this party. I went on one of the least crowded party nights of the year last year in Nov. It was not sold out. It was so crowded I couldn't see the parade (I'm short), I couldn't see the stage shows, and I did not feel it was worth the cost. I'm not saying we had a terrible time, just not worth the high price to me - if that was your park ticket for the day it might be worth it - go in at 4 and stay until midnight, but we're AP holders so for us it's an added expense. Here's our vlog from the 2014 Christmas Party...

Thank you for sharing your Vlog of the event! Yes - it did seem more crowded than I would expect. I think if we go into it knowing we're there to go with the flow it should be fine. We'll see!

 

[PeasandCarrots]

You're welcome!

I hope you have a great time!