"Official" Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2016 - Have Yourself a Very Mickey Christmas.

[Becky Mouse]

Party M&G lines different than normal ones & rides. These lines have more room & can walk right up to your party vs passing through narrow lines. Lots of people without h kids do this @ party for characters. We did this for 7D & the family behind. Dad's waited while us mom's & daughter's went on a few rides. Others behind us too. No issues with PP around us.

Thanks! That's what I was hoping to hear. My husband and I don't both need to be standing in line with the kids for Dumbo, so I might as well be standing in the line for a Christmas character. Do they throw in new characters each year, or should it be about the same as last year?

 

[MonaMN]

Also, has anyone ever waited for Scrooge? I know Sandy Claws is a bigger draw, but how's the line for Scrooge McDuck?

I would love to know this too... I don't really care about the Dwarfs or Sandy Claws, but I would love Uncle Scrooge!!

 

[Ashley Nadeau]

is this Christmas Dessert party worth it? Has anyone done it? What did you get?

 

[tacboze]

So, apparently, when I ordered our MVMCP tickets, I didn't realize they were supposed to show up in MDE. They don't on mine, but I have figured out how o add them and assign each ticket to guest. My question is...should I do this? I read somewhere (can't remember, it's been a while), that having the Cmas party tix on magicband can mess stuff up? Like sometimes it has counted a christmas party entrance as a base ticket day instead? Anyone have experience/comments on this?

 

[monique5]

So, apparently, when I ordered our MVMCP tickets, I didn't realize they were supposed to show up in MDE. They don't on mine, but I have figured out how o add them and assign each ticket to guest. My question is...should I do this? I read somewhere (can't remember, it's been a while), that having the Cmas party tix on magicband can mess stuff up? Like sometimes it has counted a christmas party entrance as a base ticket day instead? Anyone have experience/comments on this?

I don't think that's an issue 2 years out from MB release --- party entry, but if so can be corrected. Our 1st party was in 2014, tickets automatically linked to MDE & I received the Plastic RFID card. Took cards, just in case, but used MB for party. No problems.

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

So, apparently, when I ordered our MVMCP tickets, I didn't realize they were supposed to show up in MDE. They don't on mine, but I have figured out how o add them and assign each ticket to guest. My question is...should I do this? I read somewhere (can't remember, it's been a while), that having the Cmas party tix on magicband can mess stuff up? Like sometimes it has counted a christmas party entrance as a base ticket day instead? Anyone have experience/comments on this?

As long as you enter through the touchpoints marked specifically for the party, you shouldn't have a problem. The computer software that operates the touchpoints can be in several different modes - one is only able to accept event ticket entries. Technology isn't infallible, but if an error does happen, it can be corrected.

 

[monique5]

is this Christmas Dessert party worth it? Has anyone done it? What did you get?

When I did it, it was just Wishes Dessert Party, so no parade special viewing. We went maybe 30minutes prior to fireworks to see castle show before & to enjoy more party activities. Didn't have to find spot around Hub, had chairs. Had been there since 2:30pm with DD5 @ that time. So totally worth it for us. We knew to get spot early for parade, but were doing some rare M&G, so saw parade but not great view, so would have loved to have Holiday Wishes Dessert Party in 2014 with parade viewing.

This is the 1st year for the Holiday Wishes Dessert Party, so for actual reviews would have to wait until after 1st party or go to the MNSSHP 2016 thread & ask about the HalloWishes Dessert Party Premium Package reviews, same thing but for Halloween.

 

[monique5]

Question:
Also, has anyone ever waited for Scrooge? I know Sandy Claws is a bigger draw, but how's the line for Scrooge McDuck?

Scrooge McDuck wasn't long per se, but they took more breaks. So I knew where they were from reading on the Dis, in the Casey's Splash area, they were on break. Maybe 4 families in line. Yes cut off line with PP, I think they'd been waiting about 10min. So 20-25 minutes for us. Probably depends on time you go. My wait for Sandy Claws was under 10 minutes, went towards end of party.

 

[BDL]

Can anyone help with my 2- part question?
1)Can you purchase party specific merchandise before 7 if you have your wristbands? Tickets?

The stores do not put the MVMCP merch on the racks until about 1 or 2 minutes before 7pm.

This can be also be very heated issue at the parties. The reason it's a heated issue, is that the stores will allow people that don't have tickets, and are on the way out of the park, inside before 7. And these people will putter around until 7, and then snag the party merch. But in recent years, the cashiers (some of them at least) have been checking for the bracelets if they want to buy party stuff; but they can still buy general stuff.

And, unfortunately, and this goes against my blue collar upbringing, but occasionally, I will rat on the people that try to scoop the merch without admission. Party goers are kept outside the doors to stores, until 7pm when the party merch is swapped out. But outside the door, we can see the straggler non-party goers puttering around. I will draw attention of the cast member that is holding us at the door. And I'll be polite. "Excuse me. I know you are busy, and have a hard job on your hands. I understand why we have to wait out here; but I just want to make sure that the people that are inside right now won't be abusing your courtesy, by getting party merch without a ticket."

Like I said, I'm not proud of it, and it goes against my instincts. But I have seen this 1st hand. And as person on the larger side, the fact that I can not get a XXL shirt and/or a limited edition pin, when we are 2nd or 3rd in line at the door of the store, because a putterer snagged all of them, kind of irks me. I have a commemorative 'large' t-shirt from the 1st party that we went to.

I apologize if I ratted on you in the past. But I am not sorry that I was able to get my XXL shirt.

 

[*I'msoooBelle*]

Hi everyone!

Going for the first time to MVMCP with my entire family!!! I'm beyond happy and excited, this will be the first time that we go to Disney world with my parents, and my sisters and their families. There will be a total of 15 of us.
I need help from the seasoned folks here that have attended the party in the past.

1. Top priority is the 7 Dwarfs meet and greet. When do you recommend do this? At the very beginning of the party? If so, what time should we start lining up for this? OR Is it a better strategy to leave this meet and greet to towards the end of the party? How long is the line around that time (approx)?
2. What is the best time to go meet Scrooge McDuck?
3. Best time to meet the princesses and their princes?
4. Is the second parade less crowded than the first?
5. Will you be able to meet the characters if you are standing in line by 11:59 pm? or do they close the lines earlier because the characters only meet until midnight and not after?
6. Looking for touring plan recommendations - rides and shows towards the first half of the party and character meet and greets towards the end? or character meet and greets first thing, and shows and rides towards the second half?

Thank you in advance for your time and sharing your wisdom!

 

[missangelalexis]

Hi everyone!

Going for the first time to MVMCP with my entire family!!! I'm beyond happy and excited, this will be the first time that we go to Disney world with my parents, and my sisters and their families. There will be a total of 15 of us.
I need help from the seasoned folks here that have attended the party in the past.

1. Top priority is the 7 Dwarfs meet and greet. When do you recommend do this? At the very beginning of the party? If so, what time should we start lining up for this? OR Is it a better strategy to leave this meet and greet to towards the end of the party? How long is the line around that time (approx)?
2. What is the best time to go meet Scrooge McDuck?
3. Best time to meet the princesses and their princes?
4. Is the second parade less crowded than the first?
5. Will you be able to meet the characters if you are standing in line by 11:59 pm? or do they close the lines earlier because the characters only meet until midnight and not after?
6. Looking for touring plan recommendations - rides and shows towards the first half of the party and character meet and greets towards the end? or character meet and greets first thing, and shows and rides towards the second half?

Thank you in advance for your time and sharing your wisdom!

How exciting!

1. Line up early for the Dwarfs...like 5:30-6:00pm, so you can be on of the first to meet them and not waste a ton of party time in line for them!

4. YES! Definitely plan on 2nd parade

5. Depends on what characters, but I would not count on getting to most of them at that time. Usually the lines close before then.

6. I would do character meets first and save the rides for later in the night

 

[*I'msoooBelle*]

How exciting!

1. Line up early for the Dwarfs...like 5:30-6:00pm, so you can be on of the first to meet them and not waste a ton of party time in line for them!

4. YES! Definitely plan on 2nd parade

5. Depends on what characters, but I would not count on getting to most of them at that time. Usually the lines close before then.

6. I would do character meets first and save the rides for later in the night

Wonderful, thank you for the insight!!

 

[jpwest]

I grabbed reservations for our MVMCP night (11/18). Probably not worth it, but I like knowing we'll have good spots for the parade and fireworks. That said, I'll be watching the reviews from the first few nights closely, and will decide prior to the 5-day cancellation deadline.

Aaaand, after further review, I cancelled the dessert party. This is already going to be an expensive trip and I just couldn't justify another $300 for this. If you're at MVMCP on 11/18, I'll be the dad gazing longingly at your desserts and watching the parade from behind a group of people with kids on their shoulders.

 

[ckelly14]

Aaaand, after further review, I cancelled the dessert party. This is already going to be an expensive trip and I just couldn't justify another $300 for this. If you're at MVMCP on 11/18, I'll be the dad gazing longingly at your desserts and watching the parade from behind a group of people with kids on their shoulders.

Can't say I blame you. Waiting for the reviews to come in before I commit.

 

[BDL]

Hi everyone!

Going for the first time to MVMCP with my entire family!!! I'm beyond happy and excited, this will be the first time that we go to Disney world with my parents, and my sisters and their families. There will be a total of 15 of us.
I need help from the seasoned folks here that have attended the party in the past.

1. Top priority is the 7 Dwarfs meet and greet. When do you recommend do this? At the very beginning of the party? If so, what time should we start lining up for this? OR Is it a better strategy to leave this meet and greet to towards the end of the party? How long is the line around that time (approx)?
2. What is the best time to go meet Scrooge McDuck?
3. Best time to meet the princesses and their princes?
4. Is the second parade less crowded than the first?
5. Will you be able to meet the characters if you are standing in line by 11:59 pm? or do they close the lines earlier because the characters only meet until midnight and not after?
6. Looking for touring plan recommendations - rides and shows towards the first half of the party and character meet and greets towards the end? or character meet and greets first thing, and shows and rides towards the second half?

Thank you in advance for your time and sharing your wisdom!

1) I agree with PP. The line will start forming even before the Castle lighting stage show. The only thing I might say "etiquette-wise", if you are going to try to do a place holder strategy here, remember that there are people that will be in line behind you that this picture is the whole premise of their trip. To have 14 people rejoin 1 person in line could be quite daunting.

2) No idea. I haven't seen him outside of the parade.

3) You can come across them throughout your travels in the park

4) Yes.

5) I believe (not 100% sure) think they start packing up the M&G's about 30 min before the end of the show.

6) I say mix it up. If you see, a short line for a M&G, jump in. If it's too long, you can come back to it later. If you are on your way to an E-ticket and a show is in progress, walk slowly.

 

[*I'msoooBelle*]

1) I agree with PP. The line will start forming even before the Castle lighting stage show. The only thing I might say "etiquette-wise", if you are going to try to do a place holder strategy here, remember that there are people that will be in line behind you that this picture is the whole premise of their trip. To have 14 people rejoin 1 person in line could be quite daunting.

2) No idea. I haven't seen him outside of the parade.

3) You can come across them throughout your travels in the park

4) Yes.

5) I believe (not 100% sure) think they start packing up the M&G's about 30 min before the end of the show.

6) I say mix it up. If you see, a short line for a M&G, jump in. If it's too long, you can come back to it later. If you are on your way to an E-ticket and a show is in progress, walk slowly.

Thank you! This info helps me plan. I agree with you about the place holder strategy, we are 4 different families, as long as we have a rep for each family making the line, in our case 4 people, we should be fine. That is what everyone else does so we shouldn't get the evil eye from anyone when the rest of our party joins us.

 

[Tink1987]

The pound is finally picking up against the dollar after our Brexit (God, I hate that term!) so we shall be booking our two party nights as soon as the NBA schedule is out as well! Would hate to book our party nights and then find out they are the only nights to see the Magic

 

[areno79]

So much great info here! DH and I will be visiting the first week in December...just need to figure out which night is the best. Any idea on days we should absolutely avoid? We'll be there from 12/3-12/10. TIA!

 

[missangelalexis]

Thank you! This info helps me plan. I agree with you about the place holder strategy, we are 4 different families, as long as we have a rep for each family making the line, in our case 4 people, we should be fine. That is what everyone else does so we shouldn't get the evil eye from anyone when the rest of our party joins us.

As far as meeting Scrooge or the princesses/princes, I think it all depends your schedule. All those lines can get kind of long. I would try doing one of those meets directly after you see the Seven Dwarfs!

 

[cheryl1976]

So much great info here! DH and I will be visiting the first week in December...just need to figure out which night is the best. Any idea on days we should absolutely avoid? We'll be there from 12/3-12/10. TIA!

Historically Thursday and Fridays are the busiest days bringing in the locals in addition to the tourists. However with the ever changing travel schedule of tourism the early part of December is becoming increasingly more popular. Still would lean toward either Sunday or Tuesday for your best chance to avoid the larger crowds. Also according to touringplans.com these are still your best option based on their analysis. Hope you enjoy your trip.