Is Mickey's Christmas Party worth the admission price?

[rufio]

To all of you average middle class folk out there, is the admission to the Christmas party worth it? I've been thinking about going, but I'm not sure I want to pay the additional $67/person. We're staying in a Theme Park view room at BLT for our honeymoon, so we'll be able to see the fireworks from our room. I don't really know what all goes on at the party either. So for all of you who have been, is it worth almost $140 to go to this party for a few hours?:xmas:

 

[bubbles1812]

To all of you average middle class folk out there, is the admission to the Christmas party worth it? I've been thinking about going, but I'm not sure I want to pay the additional $67/person. We're staying in a Theme Park view room at BLT for our honeymoon, so we'll be able to see the fireworks from our room. I don't really know what all goes on at the party either. So for all of you who have been, is it worth almost $140 to go to this party for a few hours?:xmas:

It's interesting you ask this vitani. I am considering a trip come early December and I've wondered the same thing. I've never been to Disney around Christmas time so I think I want to try the Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional. I really enjoy meeting characters....could anyone tell me what the character greets are like at the Christmas Party? Is anyone special (besides Santa) out?

 

[xdan0920]

The short answer is No. The party is nowhere near a good value.

Long answer....

The party used to be a great time, and a reasonably good value. Over the past few years the prices have climbed quickly, and the offerings have diminished even more quickly. And it seems to me, they have been letting in more people then ever before.

The lines to meet special characters can easily stretch over an hour, with some even coming close to 2. The "free" hot chocolate and cookies are nice, but worth $70?, I think not. And don't forget you will be standing on line for those as well.

I went last year, we were unbelievably disappointed. The main problems being the outrageous crowds, what is the point of a hard ticket event? We waited for the 2'nd parade of the night, and people were still piled 4 and 5 deep, in frontierland no less. And the price point, which is just outrageous. I rank MVMCP as the single worst value in all of WDW.

 

[xdan0920]

It's interesting you ask this vitani. I am considering a trip come early December and I've wondered the same thing. I've never been to Disney around Christmas time so I think I want to try the Christmas Party and Candlelight Processional. I really enjoy meeting characters....could anyone tell me what the character greets are like at the Christmas Party? Is anyone special (besides Santa) out?

This is what character meets are like....

Torture. At one point in the night, the line to meet the 7 dwarves was over 2 hours long. 2 hours. Not a typo. The line to meet Cinderella and her sisters, never went below 30 minutes, and at times was over an hour. Waited to meet Tink and co, that took 45+ minutes.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

The short answer is No. The party is nowhere near a good value.

Long answer....

The party used to be a great time, and a reasonably good value. Over the past few years the prices have climbed quickly, and the offerings have diminished even more quickly. And it seems to me, they have been letting in more people then ever before.

The lines to meet special characters can easily stretch over an hour, with some even coming close to 2. The "free" hot chocolate and cookies are nice, but worth $70?, I think not. And don't forget you will be standing on line for those as well.

I went last year, we were unbelievably disappointed. The main problems being the outrageous crowds, what is the point of a hard ticket event? We waited for the 2'nd parade of the night, and people were still piled 4 and 5 deep, in frontierland no less. And the price point, which is just outrageous. I rank MVMCP as the single worst value in all of WDW.

This. Agree 100%

 

[bubbles1812]

This is what character meets are like....

Torture. At one point in the night, the line to meet the 7 dwarves was over 2 hours long. 2 hours. Not a typo. The line to meet Cinderella and her sisters, never went below 30 minutes, and at times was over an hour. Waited to meet Tink and co, that took 45+ minutes.

Haha. Good to know. When I go to the parks I place emphasis on meeting new characters I haven't met so the 7 Dwarves wouldn't be a big deal as I have met them before. I'd only care about meeting Tinkerbelle, not the million other fairies they've come up with since I don't follow the Fairy stories but I think she has a specific character meet and greet all her own correct anyways. The only ones I'd be interested in meeting would be the step sisters and even they aren't that big of a deal. I'll have to seriously consider whether I want to pay now.

How are the waits for the rides? Are they horrible too?

Also, could I ask what specific dates people went? I am going early December so was hoping it wouldn't be so bad and I'm looking to especially avoid the Saturday parties should I decide to book it.

 

[xdan0920]

Haha. Good to know. When I go to the parks I place emphasis on meeting new characters I haven't met so the 7 Dwarves wouldn't be a big deal as I have met them before. I'd only care about meeting Tinkerbelle, not the million other fairies they've come up with since I don't follow the Fairy stories but I think she has a specific character meet and greet all her own correct anyways. The only ones I'd be interested in meeting would be the step sisters and even they aren't that big of a deal. I'll have to seriously consider whether I want to pay now.

How are the waits for the rides? Are they horrible too?

Also, could I ask what specific dates people went? I am going early December so was hoping it wouldn't be so bad and I'm looking to especially avoid the Saturday parties should I decide to book it.

I went on a Thursday in November.

The waits for rides are reasonable. But it's not as if there is anything special about the rides at the party. They are the same rides you can experience at any point on your trip without having to spend and extra $70 per person.

 

[rufio]

Wow. This is all good to know. So are meeting the characters and the free hot chocolate the only things different?

 

[xdan0920]

Wow. This is all good to know. So are meeting the characters and the free hot chocolate the only things different?

Well, you have the special fireworks. Though for me, fireworks are fireworks. And the Parade, which I will admit is the one redeeming aspect of the party. There are also a couple of Xmas themed shows, one on the castle stage which is typical castle stage show production, nothing real special. And an atrocious show back in Tomorrowland centered on stitch. There used to be a great production of Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas in the old TomorrowLand theatre, unfortunately, that is now a parking lot.

 

[rufio]

Well, you have the special fireworks. Though for me, fireworks are fireworks. And the Parade, which I will admit is the one redeeming aspect of the party. There are also a couple of Xmas themed shows, one on the castle stage which is typical castle stage show production, nothing real special. And an atrocious show back in Tomorrowland centered on stitch. There used to be a great production of Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas in the old TomorrowLand theatre, unfortunately, that is now a parking lot.

So the parade sucks then?

 

[xdan0920]

So the parade sucks then?

The parade is good. Just not worth the price of admission.

 

[rufio]

The parade is good. Just not worth the price of admission.

Ahh. Well, we're probably going to skip it then. I have plenty of other things I'd rather do!

 

[DizneyPryncess]

I did this in 2006, so I'm sure quite a bit has changed since then. But here's my 2 cents:

I thought it was a lot of fun and was glad I did it. At the time, the tickets were I think $45 extra, not $67. So that price climb is significant. I would do it again to take my daughter, just for the experience of meeting the more rare characters & seeing it snow on Main Street. But if I didn't have her, I doubt it's something I'd do again soon.

I thought the 5 stations of cookies & hot chocolate would have different types of things but all 5 stations were the same. Good though, but probably not worth the ticket price alone.

I was there the first week of December, and it was fairly uncrowded. I don't remember character or ride waits being bad. If I had to wait 2 hours to meet characters, than no, this would not have been worth it for me because I wouldn't have done it. Based on the ticket price climb & the apparent longer waits, I might suggest skipping it. If you really want to see the characters/snow on Main Street, go right when the party starts & try to do some meet & greets before lines get bad.

 

[bubbles1812]

Yeah, I think the longest I have ever waited for a character was 45 minutes...which felt like a ridiculous wait to me but it was for the sake of my best friend. My max has usually been 10-15 so no way I'm waiting for 2 hours. Yikes.

I'm thinking Candlelight Processional is the way I'll go for a special event. The dinner package seems fairly reasonable by Disney standards.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

While I thought the Halloween party was worth the cost, i would probably be a bit hesitant on the Christmas party again. We had a good time, but the best things (fireworks and parade) become part of the regular holiday lineup in the MK during Christmas week. Ive never really had an issue with crowds at parties (and I went to a sold out Halloween party this year) but I also don't wait in line for many characters. As you heard some of those meet and greet lines can get crazy, but the attractions never seem too bad.

 

[dreamfinder]

We did it once, and were glad to do so, but not sure if we will do it again. There are some "rare" characters out, but they are pretty much the same ones as at the Halloween party. And unlike the Halloween party, they don't really wear special outfits, they just put on scarves.

Seeing as how I don't think we will ever brave the normal crowds during the week or two before Christmas to see the parade, we did enjoy that.

It's fun, but MNSSHP just seems to be more fun. Dressing up and going Trick or Treating as an adult isn't something you can do everywhere.

 

[real mad hatter]

Champagne Xmas Meal.

Put $140 towards a lovely meal at Calli Grill with a bottle of bubbly and watch the show from the 15th floor viewing platform.:wave:

 

[Joshua&CalebDad]

Slightly different Opinion...

I just want to throw this out there. For the price of $67.00 you have the ability to go into the Magic Kingdom at 4 pm and stay until midnight.

Depending on which night you go, the ride lines should be shorter, you get a special parade, fireworks, free hot chocolate and cookies, and you get to see it snow on Main Street.

I understand some of the cons against going but I think its all in how you look at it. Again, for $67.00/person, you get 8 hours in the magic kingdom.

My family and I will be arriving on Sunday the 25th, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, and we plan on going in that night for the party (tickets are already purchased). The hope is that most of the Holiday weekend crowd will have departed that day and the crowds will be smaller than usual, we can only wait and see.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[harryk]

My family has gone every year for the past 15 or so years. We find that going mid week (definitely not Friday - Sunday) has turned out to be the best time. Even with the gradual increase in price we find it thoroughly enjoyable, especially the parade. Have already booked for November this year.
Value? It is all a matter of personal preference. We obviously find it worth it.

160 days to go......

 

[dreamfinder]

I just want to throw this out there. For the price of $67.00 you have the ability to go into the Magic Kingdom at 4 pm and stay until midnight.

This is very true. The party is very attractive price wise on a shorter trip where you may only be buying a 2 or 3 day ticket, as then its a bargain.