I think we're done with MVMCP.

[KNWVIKING]

Every year we do the MVMCP but I think this year will be our last. We went Sunday nite and with the exception on the fireworks display we were very disappointed.

They are selling way too many tickets for the event. The place was packed with only a handfull of rides open. Wait times were terrible unless you wanted to skip the parades.

Cookies were less then just average. Coco luke warm.

In past years each guest was given a big metal button keepsake, my DW collected them. Last year, no button but did get two holiday postcards. This year, nothin'.

I know these things may seem trivial, but the money we paid was not.

For us, MVMCP is no longer something we look forward too.

[TW1]

Ouch!

And DW just gave me the go-ahead to start planning our first ever MVMCP for '06!

Now what to do?

[mamaprincess]

Gosh, I'm so sorry! We too are suppose to be going during christmas season 06 and attendinding MVMCP. Maybe we will think it's great because we will have nothing to compare it to.

[KNWVIKING]

I say book it.

You have no point of reference to compare the '06 trip so I'm sure you'll love it. We just know what it used to be like so we go in with high expectations and were easily disappointed.

[bavaria]

Interesting comments. I loved the Hallowe'en party this year (first time) because it was so empty. I watched Hallowishes on the train platform, sitting at a table, with SIX other guests. The theming and decoration was pretty amazing too.

I bought a ticket for MVMCP for this year since the AP price is about $35, and I am going mid-week. I am going to compare to see if it's like previous years, or if I like the Hallowe'en party better. (I didn't go with any kids to Hallowe'en, and didn't go 'trick or treating' but it was still fun)

The cocoa and cookies don't do it for me - I don't even stop for them anymore.

[kathyseb]

We went November 29 and were amazed at how empty the party was.

When we hit Fantasyland, we walked right on to EVERYTHING. We did everything but Its a Small World twice.

The parade was great. I was disappointed they were not doing the free picture this year. I never saw it listedo n the program, but as we were heading to the Castle for Wishes, I noticed the photo center was set up in TimeKeeper. We watched Wishes and then headed back for our picture.
The cookies were really good for us and the cocoa was so hot you could only sip it.

Sorry you did not enjoy yourselves, but we sure did.

[tjkraz]

MVMCP is one of those things that I just felt I had to experience myself before really passing judgement. Now that I've done it, I have little desire to repeat the experience.

As AP holders, it just seemed like a colossal waste of money. We paid close to $200 for four adults and one child. I think it's worth about half that price.

If we were using single-day tickets, it might not have been such a big deal. We probably would have skipped the parks early in the day and arrived at the MK around 4pm to gain entry on our party tickets alone. But already having paid for our daily admission, it just didn't thrill me to pay so much for a parade, family photo and a few cookies.

All of that said, we still have to hit the Halloween party someday. :bluebloun

[withdisneyspirit]

One of the draws for that party are the shows that they do. Were you able to attend any of them? We did not do very well at our first MNSSHP for pretty much the same reason. We saw the parade and fireworks, the candy seemed yucky:yuck: In retrospect, I don't think we knew enough at the time to take full advantage of what there was to offer.

You have little ones and that could make it even harder to take advantage of the shows at least. Mom (dizhoni) seems to have it planned for us to go to the shows for certain! I'm going to follow her around:goodvibes

[idratherbeinwdw]

I did the party twice. Loved it the first time, as it was a unique experience. Second time I felt, except for the parade, that it was "been there done that", and as tjkraz said not worth the extra bucks. (even with the shows IMHO)

[KNWVIKING]

We attempted to see the first showing of "twas the night before Christmas" . Got in line - very long,unorganized line - only to have show be SRO by the time we entered. Just turned around and walked out.

By this time the castle forefront area was packed, not worth watching the show from a mile away. Wondered over to Adventure Land to get photo out of the way - massive line. Also, only thing open in AL was PotC.

After that it just seemed like a downhill spiral. Maybe the problem is me; I refuse to plop my butt down an hour or two before a show/parade starts just to have the best seat. But in past years, it really wasn't neccasary to do so. Crowds were lite enough that the parade route was only two or three people deep with plenty of good, spur-of-the-moment places availible to view it. Same with all the shows. I always could walk into Galaxy Theater and get a seat just before the show started.

Late in the evening it did start to thin out. We did get in a few rides. Oh, the only ride we were able to walk right in on was Stitche's Great Big Stinky Escape. What a waste of good oxygen that 10 minutes was. We did SGBSE when it first reopened. It was terrible. But then we heard that they realized how bad it was and tried to fix it. Well, next time they try to fix it,it had better include a bulldozer.

BTW, our kids are grown so we didn't have a couple little anchors weighing us down.

[mamaprincess]

Is the parade that happens at MVMCP the same one that happens during regular park hours?

[cobbler]

We went November 29 and were amazed at how empty the party was.

When we hit Fantasyland, we walked right on to EVERYTHING. We did everything but Its a Small World twice.

The parade was great. I was disappointed they were not doing the free picture this year. I never saw it listedo n the program, but as we were heading to the Castle for Wishes, I noticed the photo center was set up in TimeKeeper. We watched Wishes and then headed back for our picture.
The cookies were really good for us and the cocoa was so hot you could only sip it.

Sorry you did not enjoy yourselves, but we sure did.


We went Nov 29th too and it seemed very empty to us as well. We did quite a few rides between 6-7. We walked right on BTMRR and Splash Mtn.

We even got our pins and were out of there by 20 after 7. Took our picture at Timekeeper and only waited 15 minutes I believe. Maybe 20 but no more than that.

Got great seats for the fireworks.

I do agree about the cookies. In 2003 they were much better. We did have nice warm hot cocoa though. I don't watch the parades, just not our thing so that doesn't bother us to much.

We had fun this year.

For anyone that wants to go I say go, you won't know unless you try it.

This year we went to MNSSHP! Man THAT was packed. Much more packed then any Xmas party I have ever been to. Wait times for rides were terribly long and it was so busy for trick-or-treating! That was not as much fun for us. We love to wait in lines for characters because you don't get to see them in these outfits everyday and that took up most of our time.

[dvcconvert]

Is the parade that happens at MVMCP the same one that happens during regular park hours?


Yes, and No.
The MVMCP parade is the parade which is basically shown on TV on Christmas morning. After all performances of MVMCP have been compleleted, then that parade each year becomes the parade that is performed in the MK during normal park hours.

I would encourage who have concerns over the MVMCP expereince to write into Guest Relations. If attendence is the primary issue, make your feelings known!

[tjkraz]

I would encourage who have concerns over the MVMCP expereince to write into Guest Relations. If attendence is the primary issue, make your feelings known!

That's an excellent point. Even though it's been a year, I just might sit down and write a quick note about our experience last year.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious suggestion that is often overlooked, even by the most sensible folks. :hammer:

[Doug7856]

We first did MVMCP in 1997. It was truly a magical experience that just can't be repeated! We've done five MVMCP's since and each year is less and less magical. There seems to be less special and more every day at MVMCP.

I too miss the buttons -- they were a nice special extra for the party. The crowds have just mushroomed and make it a lot less enjoyable. Now it even hard to get MVMCP merchandise.

Having said that, next year we plan to go back. I've heard that the second week of December is a little better than the first, so we will probably try then to see if the crowds are a little less. It just seems that as the Disney Company transitioned from selling magical experience to counting beans, things like MVMCP have lost their special appeal.

[KNWVIKING]

I too miss the buttons -- they were a nice special extra for the party. The crowds have just mushroomed and make it a lot less enjoyable. Now it even hard to get MVMCP merchandise. ............ It just seems that as the Disney Company transitioned from selling magical experience to counting beans, things like MVMCP have lost their special appeal.

Merchandise: This was the first year I've seen them sell MVMCP specific merchandise.... which I have no problem with. But to tell you "you must buy it tonite, because we only sell it during the MVMCP" really smacks of desperation & profitiering.

Disney Company: Every time they hit upon a great idea, they always want to milk it till it dries up and dies. Charge more, give less Sell more tickets,crowd the parks,make more money. Offer less ride options,keep less staff in the park, make more money. Take away the buttons,make more money. Offer the MVMCP four times a week, make more money. Notice a theme here ?

And with all the early MK closing to accomadate MVMCP, the end result is that on the non party days, the parks are PACKED with people not willing to buy a MVMCP ticket but still want to see Wishes and the parade. The park was busy this morning & afternoon the TTA actually had a huge line waiting to get on it. The TTA NEVER has a line.

[CRSNDSNY]

OUt of curiosity, did the price increase from last year for this event?

[DSNY FN]

My MIL wants to take everyone to this next Dec I have attended it 2 times and it was good the pics and the buttons etc but by the sounds of it I may mae the reccomendation to her to skip it and maybe do a nice dinner for everyone instead maybe hoop dee doo revue.

[KNWVIKING]

OUt of curiosity, did the price increase from last year for this event?

I want to say the "same day" price went up $5.00 but I'm not certain. What was odd when we bought our tickets at the gate - used AP for the "same day" ticket, 25% discount - was the CM being surprised by the price we just paid because the price had just gone up ANOTHER $5.00 this year. Basically it sounds like people going the 2nd & 3rd weeks of the event are going to $10.00 more then they did last year.

[CRSNDSNY]

Interesting.

[Leftcoaster]

Merchandise: This was the first year I've seen them sell MVMCP specific merchandise.... which I have no problem with. But to tell you "you must buy it tonite, because we only sell it during the MVMCP" really smacks of desperation & profitiering.




This is actually something I like. It's like the old days of a concert t-shirt. you could only buy the t-shirt if you had gone to the concert. Sort of like a badge of honor.
One of my biggest complaints with Disney merchandising has been that it's gotten sooooo generic. I live 15 minutes from Disneyland and about 90-95% of the merchandise is identical between WDW and DL. On top of that, there is so little merchandise that is park specific or unique.
For me, the event specific merchandise is unique and special and I am much more likely to A) but it and B) pay full price for it instead of having a CM friend but it for me at a discount.

[Doug7856]

This is actually something I like. It's like the old days of a concert t-shirt. you could only buy the t-shirt if you had gone to the concert. Sort of like a badge of honor.
One of my biggest complaints with Disney merchandising has been that it's gotten sooooo generic. I live 15 minutes from Disneyland and about 90-95% of the merchandise is identical between WDW and DL. On top of that, there is so little merchandise that is park specific or unique.
For me, the event specific merchandise is unique and special and I am much more likely to A) but it and B) pay full price for it instead of having a CM friend but it for me at a discount.

Good luck getting MVMCP merchandise. It is very hard to get. Last year the T-Shirts were sold out 15 minutes after the party started!

[KNWVIKING]

This is actually something I like. It's like the old days of a concert t-shirt. you could only buy the t-shirt if you had gone to the concert. Sort of like a badge of honor.


I like the idea of event specific merchandise, but having to buy it on the spot bothers me. If someone who never attended MVMCP wants to pretend they did by buying a plush days after the event, who cares - they're only fooling themselves.

Concert T's are a little different though. When the band leaves town, they take unsold shirts with them. You want a shirt ? Buy it now ! And if I don't have a ticket for the concert I can still wonder up to a merchandise trailer & buy the shirt.

[mssparrrow]

Hi,

I wasn't empressed with MVMCP either & I went last year. Won't be going back!!! Your not alone!

[bavaria]

I went this year and also about 3 years ago... My thoughts are as follows:

Crowds - went on a mid-week night between having travel companions. I arrived around 4pm, few crowds. Walked onto most attractions throughout the evening. Longest lines were for the shows (Galaxy Theatre starting lining up at 6pm for 645pm show, and the line went towards Space Mountain. Riding TTA, you could see that people were not getting into the next show). Also long lines for photos. In my past trip, we waited about five minutes. This time the lines were snaking outside the buildings for photos

Parade - not as unique as the Hallowe'en parade; recylced elements from other parades. The kids in the crowd liked it, but it wasn't necessarily worth a visit alone, IMHO. Snow didn't seem to be as heavy as in past either

Merchandise - this was actually hard to find, and I too didn't like the 'buy it now' approach

Freebies - the lines for cocoa and cookies stunned me - again, I don't recall them being that long in past, and I didn't bother waiting

Overall, I would recommend the Hallowe'en party over the Christmas party, even though it's a bit more expensive. The opportunity to see the characters in costume, plus the headless horseman, and the unique parade made it something very unique.

I still recommend the Christmas party for anyone who hasn't been before, but it seems like most nights are selling out now, and the party is not as unique as it once was, based on my experience.

Also as someone noted, non-party nights are crazy busy at MK....

[cruise-o-matic]

We went on 12/11 and enjoyed the MVMCP. No lines for any of the rides and took us about 5 minutes to get our pics done. Liked the cocoa and cookies and would do it again.