Information Requested On The Very Merry Christmas Party?

[theboysmommy]

Can Anyone Tell Me More About Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party? What Do You Get To See And Do For The Price? Is It Worth The Money? Will My 7 and 9 Year Olds Like It? Etc.

[efoxx]

As of a few years ago the VMCP was very fun, much like the E ticket nights, but with a lot more happening, here is some of what I remember
Family pictures
hot chocolate and cookies
shows and parades centered around the christmas theme
fireworks
"snow" on main street
most rides are open also.
wandering carollers

[rcs1301]

My wife and I went to Mickey's party in 2001. Well worth the money. Only those that bought tickets can stay in park after 7. Try Deb's WDWIG (WDW Info Guide) for pictures and specifics. Your 7 and 9 year olds will love it! Anybody who really loves Christmas music, parades, and Santa Claus can't miss with this event. There was a show at Tomorrowland theatre (several times) multiple showings of musicale in front of Cinderellas castle, snow people walking around for photos. The parade was done twice- dancing reindeer, gingerbread men, etc etc plus all the Disney characters in Christmas attire. We did Splash at night, enjoyed the festivities, bought Mickey and Goofy stocking hats. Went to Belle's storytime- if 7 yr old likes Belle, do this! Lasts til midnight- let the kids take a nap in late afternoon. Definitely go if you can. Be sure to go to Studios for Osbourne lights too! We loved WDW at Christmas and are trying to get my girls to go this year (16 and 11) need to find weekend they can miss Friday or Monday in early December.

[Sheila]

I want to point out one very important fact: the day of the week that you choose to go will really determine how much fun you have at the event.

When the event is sold-out, it is wall-to-wall people and it's just a disaster to experience. All the attraction lines are long and it's heck to see the parades or fireworks unless you stake out an early seat. When attendance is lighter, you'll get to experience walk-on rides and the ability to see all the special Christmas shows, parades and fireworks much more easily.

I personally went once on a Friday night. I had to use FastPass to get on any of the rides that night. The entire park was packed with people -- I was pretty bummed because I spent almost $40 for something I could've experienced any day of the week.

Typically, MVMCP is sold out on Friday and Saturday nights (when the locals can attend). You can expect lighter attendance during mid-week.

If you decide to go, please try to get tickets for mid-week. Otherwise, I really can't advise going -- it'll be hard to get your money's worth when it's crowded. And don't forget that the other parks all provide Christmas fun so don't be sad if you don't go to MVMCP (the Osborne Lights at MGM more than make up for missing MVMCP).

Good luck!

Sheila

[bams50]

We are going to WDW for Thanksgiving week... we'll be there from Sun. 24th to Fri. 29th...

How much (if any) of the Christmas decorating is done by then- i.e. Osbourne lights?

Thanks for your help!!

[pixiedust]

On Thanksgiving night, the Disney "elves" transform all parks and hotels to Christmas. Don't know if the Osbourne Lights go up before that, but the other decorations, parades, and events will start on 11/29.

[lilblckrncloud]

Thanks so much for that info, Sheila. I am beyond excited that my best friend and I have decided to head to WDW this December and we had just begun discussing the possibility of going to the MVMCP the Friday we arrive. We will definitely avoid that plan now! One question, tho: you said that Fri/Sat are bad and mid-week is best, so is Sunday ok? That would be the only day left that we can attend, and I think my bf really wants to go.

[Sheila]

Sunday seems safe enough to me. Most folks who work during the week can't stay out till 1:00 a.m.

Just make sure to get there at rope drop for the event. Get your free picture done first (go directly to a photo area *away* from the hub). Plan on watching the second showing of the parade. (But check your schedule to be double-sure that there are two showings of the Christmas parade.) The park should clear out pretty well after the first parade.

Try to be in the hub area for the fireworks show -- there's a special surprise at the Castle and around you in that area that you don't want to miss!

I think you'll have a great time. Just roll with the punches if there are crowds and if so, concentrate on seeing the shows. I think you'll have a blast!

Oh, one last thing: they sell special T-shirts and other merchandise only for MVMCP during the event only (I think mostly in the Emporium). If you see something of those items you like, buy it then. You won't see it during the daytime.

Have a great time!

Sheila

[NJ Mike]

Well dont know if i can help much, but i pulled out my halloween party brochure from last year (we keep all that stuff lol) and i'm assuming the same (or more) rides would be open during christmas. Heres what was open for the halloween party

Adventureland
Pirates
Jungle Cruise
Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Frontierland
Spash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Liberty Square
Liberty Square Riverboat
Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland
Peter Pan's Flight
It's a small world
Carousel
Dumbo
Snow White's scary Adventures
Winnie The Pooh
MAd Tea Party

Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Alien Encounter
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Tomorrowland Arcade (hey they list it as an attraction, not me lol)
Space Mountain

Hope it helps.

[theboysmommy]

Where Are The Snacks And Hot Chocolate Located That Are Included in The Admission Price? How Much Do You Get?
How Many Free Pictures Do You Get At The Very Merry Christmas Party? 1 Per Ticket or 1 Per Family? And How Many Places Are Set Up To Take the Pictures? And Where Are They Located? And Is There A Different Scene In The Picture Depending On The Location?
Also Where Are The Evening Shows And Parades Located? Where Is The Best Spots To Watch Them?
Any And All Information Anyone Has About Visiting The Second Week Of December Would Be Greaatly Appreciated. (Hints, Tips, Etc.)
Thank You!

[Sheila]

Originally posted by theboysmommy
Where Are The Snacks And Hot Chocolate Located That Are Included in The Admission Price? How Much Do You Get?

When you enter the park, you will be given a special souvenir park map that will indicate all the show times, places, parade route (which is always from Main Street to Frontierland), and where all the snack and photo places are located.

The hot chocolate and cookies are included. When I was there, the folks were handing out a cup of hot chocolate and two cookies. I guess if you wanted, you could go through the line again to get more.

How Many Free Pictures Do You Get At The Very Merry Christmas Party? 1 Per Ticket or 1 Per Family? And How Many Places Are Set Up To Take the Pictures? And Where Are They Located? And Is There A Different Scene In The Picture Depending On The Location?

There is one photo "per family" (not per ticket). However, if you wanted to visit the various photo areas, you might be able to get more pics, but it would eat up a lot of your evening to do so... I don't know if there are different backgrounds at each photo place, but the backgrounds are very generic -- it won't make a big impact on your photo, believe me!

Also Where Are The Evening Shows And Parades Located? Where Is The Best Spots To Watch Them?

Any place on the parade route is good viewing, but if you want to try to find a viewing place at the last minute, head out to Frontierland by Splash Mountain -- it's the least crowded. Fireworks can be seen anywhere in the park, but the best viewing is in the hub area (and the most crowded).

Any And All Information Anyone Has About Visiting The Second Week Of December Would Be Greaatly Appreciated. (Hints, Tips, Etc.)

All the parks have special Christmas offerings. The park guides will have detailed listings. Just don't miss the Osborne Lights at night at Disney-MGM Studios and the beautiful Christmas lights at night at Epcot. Epcot's Christmas shows run during the day.

The crowds should be pretty light during the second week of December so you're not going to have to go into "commando mode" in order to see and do everything so just relax, get at each park near park opening and you'll have a great time!

Sheila

[efoxx]

as far as the photos go it is supposed to be one per group. when we entered they gave us a ticket for this. I imagine you could break up your group and get more then one photo.
but realize as Sheila said you could end up waiting all night long for the picture. the best way is to get it done asap when you arrive, as the lines tend to get quite long about 1-2 hours into the evening. the pictures are not given on the spot, but are sent to the address you provide on the form you fill out while waiting. it takes a couple of weeks to get it, but when you do there is a form to order more (at a cost of course) oddly enough it is (or was) a pirvate company the WDW hires to do it for them.

[theboysmommy]

Does Anyone Know What The Hours For Animal Kingdom, Epcot, MGM, Magic Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney Quest, and The Mini-Golfs Will Be the Second Week Of December? Along With When The Parades, Shows, And Fireworks Will Be Presented? Also Maybe Some Packing Idea's. (Heavy Jacket vs. Sweatshirt And Windbreaker)
Thanks

[Goofy62]

The MVMCP is fantastic. We went in early December 2000 and our DD (10), DS(8) and DS(3) loved it. It happened to be during a very cold strek to begin with so the Hot Choc and Cookies (free at various stations) were very nice touch. The Photos are fast and a fantastic reminder of your night out. The crowd is much smaller and getting on the rides are no problem. The show in front of Cindy's castle is wonderful and the Parade (you must see it on Main Street) will bring tears to your eyes as it turns from a normal Florida evening to a down right northest blizzard as Mrs. Clause passes by with her float just making your mouth water smelling homemade gingerbread! And speaking of Ginger bread another must is a trip to the GF as the lobby has a number of Gingerbread houses (on is two story and they sell cookies inside. Enough of my rambling and as they say in the nike commercials JUST DO IT!!!! Jerry

[theboysmommy]

We Finally Bought Our MVMCP Tickets For Dec 10th. We Figured A Tuesday Would Be Less Crowded. We Are Going To Relax And Check-Out The Decorations Around The Resorts That Day So My Boys (7 and 9)Won't Be So Tired At The Party. Does Anyone Know About the Epcot Candlelight Processional? Is It Certain Days? And If So What Days (December 9th - 15th)?
Thanks,
Tammy

[lilblckrncloud]

You can find info about this year's Candlelight here. WDWIG seems to have a lot of current WDW information, so it has been very helpful!

[psu1978]

We have also decided to attend MVMCP on December the 10th!
This is our kids first trip to DW and I haven't been since 1978. My son will be celebrating his 7th birthday while we are there. I have also booked a Candlelight Procession dinner package. We were going to eat in one of the package restaurants anyway and this way we don't have to worry about what time to eat dinner so that we can gets good seats.

Have a great trip!

[spookrepitus]

In response to Tammy's request on park hours and special events: go to www.disneyworld.com and follow the Parks & More link. From there you can find park hours and the details on special events.

I'm going to be there that week too. Oh, no! It's starting to sound crowded

carolyn

[LPnerd]

I ahve gone to this event the last 7 years and have the buttons to prove it.Sun. nite is a good time to go, if they have one on Sun. If not. Go anyway. Take a nap in the afternoon.
we get there early, head right for the picture, then stake out a spot for the show and parade. we go right next to cut off to Tomorrowland in front of the castle.Stake our claim on a piece of the curb, then one adult stays there, and 1 takes the kids to space Mt. or Buzz.watch the parade, stay right there for the fireworks, then we are on our way .The folks with the little ones are outta there by 11pm and you will still have till 1am to do the rides.If you take a goos nap in the afternoon , you will all be fine and have a great time.

[DisneyDec]

Count me in as one of the group attending MVMCP on 12/10. I think many of us are going on that date because there is no party on 12/11, which is a Wednesday. What I wanted to do was take Wednesday off and attend the party at night. Instead, I'll make sure the daughter takes a late nap, and go to the party until about 10 pm, then take Wednesday off and do nothing.

So, how are we all going to recognize each other at the party?

BTW, a bit off-topic, I purchased my tickets through 407-WDISNEY and spoke to a lovely woman named Gable. I really enjoy customer service representatives who make the person on the other end of the phone feel comfortable.