As the Christmas Season approaches (yes, it’s almost 3 months away!), many Disney vacationers are in a dilemma. Should they pay the extra money to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, otherwise known as MVMCP? I vote YES, but will give you the details and some tips to make your own decision.
What to Expect:
- MVMCP begins November 9, 2012 to December 21, 2012 (note, not during Christmas Week). It runs select evenings only.
- Ticket prices vary from $53.95 to $62.95 (ages 3-9), $58.95 to $67.95 (ages 10 and up) depending on the evening.
- Purchasing tickets in advance saves you a few bucks and guarantees your tickets. FYI-There are a couple of nights there are no advance purchase discounts. Many nights sell out beforehand, so plan ahead!
What you Get:
- The park is limited to MVMCP ticket holders only from 7pm to Midnight.
- Cinderella’s Castle is decked out in Castle Dream Lights for the occasion.
- Live Entertainment from Disney Characters as they don their Christmas finery.
- Meet and Greet Stations, including a spot to visit Santa.
- Free Hot Cocoa and Cookie Stations
- Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade with Santa (2 parades).
- Magical Snowfall on Main St. as the parade concludes.
- Holiday Wishes Fireworks
Tips for Saving Money
Although the MVMCP begins at 7pm, you are allowed to enter the parks at 4pm. Do not buy another park ticket for the day. Plan to go to MVMCP on your arrival day (leave plenty of time for plane delays) and reduce your park ticket package by a day. If you are already in Disney, plan a resort day. Better yet, tour some of the holiday displays at the resorts. If your budget is up to it, visit Downtown Disney. Santa will be there to take your lists, and Disney will be there to help you check off your lists. Warning: You will NOT make it out of Downtown Disney without a purchase. If you do, you have much more restraint than anyone I know. Just make sure to cut your park ticket package by a day with your travel agent or though Disney reservations.
Beginning Mid-December, you will still be able to see the Holiday Wishes Fireworks and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade every day. Snow will even finish off your evening. So you can visit the Magic Kingdom on a Non-Party night for the cost of admission. While you miss out on some of the other benefits, you will still see the best of Disney at Christmastime.
My Vote
If I was lucky enough to be traveling with you, I would vote for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Especially if it’s a rarity to find yourselves there at Christmas time. You will find yourself immersed in Disney Magic. First, as evening approaches you will find the park emptied of guests and more room to maneuver. The decorations that were there all day are beginning to glow softly. Decorations hardly seems the right word. Every window, shop and crevice are a holiday display. The Castle is almost indescribable as hundreds of thousands of LED lights create the illusion of colorful snow and icicles.
As a bonus, many of the rides are open with short or even nonexistent lines. When we went we were able to ride Splash Mountain with no wait, and we had an overhead view of the first parade going by as we “paddled” along. We waited to visit the characters until last (check your map for Meet and Greet Times) and again, had little or no wait. They were wearing their Christmas outfits and it made for some one of a kind pictures.
There are two parade times ( 8:15 and 10:30pm.) and several live performances. If you are up for it, wait for the later performances. Even less crowded! You will get a great view of the stage in front of the castle and a parade spot with plenty of elbow room. The hot cocoa and cookies are unlimited and scattered through the park. It makes for a perfect rest stop and really adds to the magic. Make sure to have some on hand for the “snow” at the end of the parade.
I hope I’ve helped you make your decision. So who’s willing to bring me along?
Related articles
- Is Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Worth The Ticket Cost? (chipandco.com)
- Walt Disney World Resort Reveals Holiday Activities and Special Events (jedimouseketeer.blogspot.com)
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Was at the VMCP on Thursday night. OMG it was crowded! The shows and parade were good but the crowds were terrible. I would probably skip the Xmas party if I had to do it again.
Sadly it will b e a long time before we can afford to go to Disney during the xmas season. Plus my husband doesnt get off at that time
That’s great! Better than a sharp stick in the eye I say. Enjoy your trip!
Thanks again MickeyMom! I called my travel agent today and cancelled one of our park hopper days – $24 is $24. We planned on a leisurely Sunday morning, shoppping and then heading over to the Magic Kingdom for dinner around 4:00 so this is perfect for us. Plus that $24 we saved will basically get two of us dinnner and a drink at Columbia Harbour House. Keep those tips coming :o)
I will check it out – I am so excited to be going that time of year. Plus it’s been 6 years since I’ve been there so there’s a lot of new stuff.
Thanks! :o)
My wish is to do Halloween next! I loved the MVMCP as well, did not miss the crowds, felt like we had the place to ourselves.
I honestly feel these special events are the best way to visit the MK, especially if you have older children or are an all adult party. The park is way less crowded and if you are a night owl, staying till the end makes it even less crowded. Candy at Halloween and cocoa and cookies at Christmas plus special parades and meet and greets make them better than during the day.
Trust me, it’s much better! You can also catch snow at Osbourne Family Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios if you find yourself there.
I think we’ll make this one a miss. We live in Northern Michigan and even though it is Disney, we get enough snow in a year. I come to FL to get away from it, not to relive it! 🙂
I will be at your doorstep with my bag and window decorating kit! Check out the site for the Christmas articles I did back in July. Other writers have also done articles on this years lineups at the Parks. You will love it!
That’s what the time has been in years past, including when we went. If you call Disney reservations they will confirm. So that’s as really and definately as I can promise:)
It really, definitely is a 4:00 pm entrance on those tickets?
You can come with us! I never thought about reducing my park tickets by a day. We planned on shopping that morning and then heading on over to the Magic Kingdom. I must contact my travel agent! This is the first time we are visiting Disney at Christmas time so I do think the cost of the park ticket is worth it! You have to do everything at Disney at least once – right?