December without Mickey's christmas party

[themerebear6453]

Hey,
This is my first post so if this is already up here sorry.
But I'm planning a trip to Disney in December before Christmas and I don't want to pay extra for the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party even though it sounds like a ton of fun. What do they do on nights in the Magic Kingdom when there is no MVMCP? Like will there still be snow, Christmas wishes fireworks, parade, or ANYTHING Christmas-y going on or will it just be normal? Because if they don't do anything then maybe it would be worth it to pay extra. What do ya'll think? Should I pay extra or not?

 

[lighteningqueen]

Well I know what you mean, it's alot of money during this economy. But we went last Dec and I loved it, the parade is differentthan the regular nights. I love the toy soldiers and the dancing reindeer. The snow makes you in the mood totally,(only on party nights) I haven't been in the mood for years but this did it for me. The decorations are the same I think but there a few shows that do not run, but at the party. As for the cookies and cocoa, they say they are free, but you paid for them with your ticket, if you know what I mean. But we loved it. We are going again this year the 5th-14th 2 days longer. So hopefully we will enjoy it more. We just ran last year. I got tickets for Tue the 9th they are cheaper than the other nights. You just have to decide if you have never been. We are a party of 5 so it did cost us. But you will have fun whatever you do. If you don't go then go play mini golf, we had a blast doing that and also one of the other parks is bound to be having a emh night if you are on property. Welcome to the boards you will love it here and learn so much.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Hi there!

We went in December last year and sprung the extra buckaroos for MVMCP tix (which ended up being sold out the night we went). We are going in December again this year and will NOT make the mistake of buying those tix again. And believe me, I've voiced exactly why to many, many Disney CMs when they've asked if we planned to attend this year.

On nights when they aren't doing the party they don't do the snow on Main Street. Also be aware that even when they do have the 'snow' going on Main Street it isn't continuous and they stop it periodically. By the time we worked our way thru the middle of all our fellow sardines on Main Street the stuff stopped. I was so disappointed. Go to the Osborne Lights at DHS, tho. Same 'snow' but doesn't cost extra. The castle lights will still be up every night and they'll do the lighting ceremony every evening. I couldn't tell ya about the special parade, fireworks, etc. because the parade route and Main Street were so packed during the party we weren't about to get caught up in that insanity. Also, special for the party are the themed character meet & greets. Well, all the lines for those were 45+ minutes so we didn't bother wasting time with that. Who wants to spend their precious party time standing in long lines? We were on TTA and looked down at the line to attend a Christmasy stage show thing they did in that theater over by CoP. Holy Schnikees! That was looooong! It just seemed like a lot of money to spend to stand in some long lines if you wanted to partake of the special party stuff that isn't normally offered. I've never been known for my patience so for my family, we'd rather just go on an evening when the hours are later or an EMH night. The decorations are there and it's festive enough.

Also, to get all festive try visiting the different resorts. Each have their own decorations and that in itself was more festive and fun for us than MVMCP. Don't feel like you'll miss it all if you don't make the party. Trust me, you won't!

 

[lighteningqueen]

Sweetpea, you must have gone on a weekend night. We were there on a Tues and got on rides right away, no long lines for anything,sure when you park on main street for anything it is huge crowds. We went over to Frontierland and it was way less crowded for the parade. Everything just seems like real Christmas on that night. The stage show at the Castle is only on that night as well and was wonderful. I am so glad we are going again, it may be our last for a few years, since the gas and economy have slowed way down, it has affected our business a great deal.

 

[joanna71985]

Hey,
This is my first post so if this is already up here sorry.
But I'm planning a trip to Disney in December before Christmas and I don't want to pay extra for the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party even though it sounds like a ton of fun. What do they do on nights in the Magic Kingdom when there is no MVMCP? Like will there still be snow, Christmas wishes fireworks, parade, or ANYTHING Christmas-y going on or will it just be normal? Because if they don't do anything then maybe it would be worth it to pay extra. What do ya'll think? Should I pay extra or not?

Most of the party things aren't started during regular hours until after the last MVMCP (although, sometimes during weekends they had the Twas show playing). On non-party nights, it was Spectro (if it was running) and Wishes.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Nope, I thought better of going to the party on a weekend so we went on Tuesday, Dec. 4th. I think in all the years I've been to WDW that particular night was the absolute most crowded I ever, ever saw MK. It was so disappointing for us.

On a brighter note, I've been hearing bits and pieces from numerous sources that attendance is slowing down due to the economy. That could make a difference.

I know people think I'm nutty, that crowds can make or break it for me. That's why I choose to go to WDW during less-busy times of year if that really exists anymore. If my choices were going to WDW during spring break or summer or Christmas week or not go at all...as much as I loooooove Disney...I wouldn't go. In fact, with attendance picking up like it has in the past few years during the "slower" times we're starting to rethink where we vacation in the future. Unless the slower economy slows the attendance it's highly likely we'll start traveling to other destinations. Period. I'm just not a crowd person. Not everyone can enjoy that. Wish I could. I just don't.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Accorcing to Disneys Websites Calendar page - on a none MVMCP night they run - Mickey's Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, SpectroMagic and Holiday Wishes. Doesn't say anything about the snow though

 

[sleepybear]

We went last December and skipped the Xmas party. But the fine folks on here suggested other options, and they worked out perfectly. Here are a few:

Disney Studios: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights is a mind-blowing light display. And there's snow!

Epcot: There are storytellers in each land, a cool light display near the Fountain of Nations and the Candlelight Processional.

Magic Kingdom: The castle lights and decorations on Main Street.

Resorts: The lobby of Grand Floridian has an enormous tree and an enormous gingerbread house. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge also have very cool trees and decorations. I'm sure other resorts do, too.

 

[burninup4nick]

It is a lot of fun but not exactly worth the money....
They give out hot chocolate and Christmas cookies and they have snow for free at DHS in the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights....
The best part for me is the extra time to go on rides.....

 

[smk]

We have been several times for Christmas but never to the party and I have always watched the fireworks from the resort, generally FW beach area. I have never regretted not going to the party but maybe I don't know what we are missing?:shrug: I don't like to spend extra for those trips because there are already so many expenses with a Christmas, extra people with us, extra meals etc...Plan an area to watch the fireworks, enjoy the decorations at the resorts and I bet you won't know the difference!

I think it did snow on Mainstreet on Christmas night and I know it snows at HS for Osbourne lights, that is so much fun!