[fjs08]

Hi,
Did our 2nd VMCP. We attended last year. This year seemed really crowded. I'd have thought more than 20k were there. It sure seemed that way anyway!!

One suggestion I'd have for Disney is to post where they are selling the sweatshirts, etc. I asked and it was like a National secret. Once 7pm came it was like the day after Thanksgiving on Main St. Yikes!!! Things got picked over like a Thanksgiving turkey too. Then later after we rode Pirates, they had all the stuff just sitting on racks without anyone around. They really need to post that stuff. Seemed like fewer shows this year. No free buttons like last year. Fireworks weren't special. It was Wishes. No Christmas theme at all. Is that the "usual" MK fireworks??? Very nice, but not really Holiday, if you know what I mean. This years parade was definitely better than last year. Both were marvelous. Snow on Main St is really cool!!!

The resorts look great. MK looked great. My favorite resort decorations is the GF. Out of site nice!!!

Don't get me wrong, VMCP is great, but I thought more crowded than last year.


Frank

[MerlinMatt]

Frank!!

You're being a party pooper!

I have heard that one of the best ways to manage crowds at MVMCP, especially on the sold-out nights is to get there early and get away from Main St. right away and then wander back towards Main St. later in the evening.

Question: does the snow fall on Main St. for the entire night?

[fjs08]

>>I have heard that one of the best ways to manage crowds at MVMCP, especially on the sold-out nights is to get there early and get away from Main St. right away and then wander back towards Main St. later in the evening. <<

Actually, we were in Tomorrowland getting our pics taken and they wouldn't let you back to Main St until around 7. Only reason we went there was to get a hot dog. We saw the stores open and decided to check it out.

>>Question: does the snow fall on Main St. for the entire night?<<

Don't know. Tried to keep off it, as you suggest<g>. BUT, it was falling everytime we were there.
Frank

[Dana]

Frank -
Glad a good time was had by all despite the large crowds. If you have the capabilities, could you post a few of those resort pics? I love the decore.

[sandanv1]

It was snowing on main street when we strolled out at about 11pm.

It was funny to see the little kids trying to catch the "snow" on their tongues. It had to taste awful.

[WDWNutCase]

Busy? My friend went on the 7th and she said that she walked onto most rides.... Hmmmm

[fjs08]

>>My friend went on the 7th and she said that she walked onto most rides<<

Must have been a timing thing.
Frank

[geeman]

Originally Posted by fjs08

>>My friend went on the 7th and she said that she walked onto most rides<<

Must have been a timing thing.
Frank

Well, I was lucky enough to catch the MVMCP -- TWICE this year!!! Once with Amneris & her folks, and then again with my own family & some friends I met up with.

Friday December 3 was SOLD OUT. So it was PACKED. Wall to wall. Particularly at the WILL CALL booth. If any of you are going, I strongly advice picking up tickets in advance.Will save time.

It was hard for us to do anything, really. We saw the parade, saw the fireworks, saw the parade, drank cocoa, ate a cookie and had to go.

On Sunday December 5 - it was not crowded at all. Still a lot of people, but you were able to get TWO cookies with cocoa at one time. The parking lot was empty. And it was MUCH easier to get around.

I didn't really feel it gave me that much more for my buck, considering I'm an AP holder this year. But it was a fun time, and I got to spend Christmas with family and friends.

[fjs08]

>>was lucky enough to catch the MVMCP <<

It is a treat, but I think Disney could spread stuff out a bit better. They say they "limit" it to 20k, but it sure seemed packed for 20k. My wife said it felt like a regular day in the MK.

But again, all in all, it is a treat. I particularly love the parade and snow on Main St. I saw some discussions on the fireworks. Great, but I kinda expected a "Christmas" theme to it all.
Frank

[MerlinMatt]

I'm curious about the folks who experienced the crowds at MVMCP. How late did you stay? We're staying at the Contemporary that night, so chances are, we'll stay until well after 10pm, possibly even until after 11 considering that we're having breakfast at the MK as well.

What time to people generally start to bail?

[MissDisney]

Wow... On December 7, I spent the evening with three loads of laundry and two kids' worth of homework. I think dinner was scrambled eggs, and there was no snow... Sniff. Sigh...

[Twins1023]

This is my first time writing, I usually just read what all of you say. My husband and I just return from WDW and we went to the December 5 MVMCP and I was alittle disappointed. Just alittle! We watched the fireworks from the plaza pav which was beautiful and tinkerbell flew right over the top of us and waved. We also seen the second parade which was wonderful. I was disappointed in all the people pushing trying to get a shirt or sweatshirt off the rack in the store. On the 5th we could get all the hot choc and cookies we wanted without a problem which was good because I was COLD! My biggest problem was that I couldn't find a map once a enter MK and as the night went on I found myself lost it was so dark once you leave main street. We have been there at least 30 times but I found it hard to get around. I followed peoples advice and had our pictures taken first and had no line. We rode space mountian 3 times in a row no wait and once 7pm came we lefted the caged area that they we're holding us in and the crowds thinned out. It seemed to get really crowded due to the first parade starting 45 minutes late and that seemed to throw alot people off.

But I due have to say it was a cold weekend I'm gald I had a jacket with me!

[MerlinMatt]

Hi Twins!

Welcome to DC!

Thanks for the info! I'll be headed to MVMCP next Friday night. It's good to be armed with reasonable expectations.

We're looking forward to more post from you.

[geeman]

Matt-
In case you haven't yet left--
We stayed way past midnight both times.
On the Sold Out night, most of the crowd left after the Fireworks show -it was MUCH easier to get around then. Except that the rides we wanted were either busy, or in the case of Pirates, momentarily unable to function.

We were told by the guy who takes the photos that it's best to grab your photo when you get to the place- don't wait until the end of the night - the crowds are worse then.

On the 5th - it was much easier to get around -. As stated above, we got second helpings of cookies and cocoa without asking for them. There was plenty to go around.

The night it was crowded, the lines getting in AND out were massive. It took forever to get there, to get our tix (GET THEM EARLY!!) and get inside (because remember - you can't PARK at MK. You have to take the monorail or ferry).

On Sunday, I got around with less of a hassle.

Have a great, great time. Enjoy.!!!

[geeman]

Another quick tip for MVMCP:

The "Snow" *should* occur after the parades. When we left the park after midnight on both nights, it was indeed snowing.

The second parade on both nights was less crowded, as most people head home after 10.

Also Matt- since you're at the Contemporary -- TAKE YOUR TIME. You're right there. I stayed there twice this year and WALKED back and forth from MK to the hotel. No need to rush for the monorail unless you want to.

The place is decked out for the holidays! :-) (We had breakfast at Chef Mickey's).


We took time on the SECOND MVMCP night to visit Tomorrowland during the parade (which was delayed for about 1/2 hr for some reason). We were able to hop on the rides with little or no wait, since most people watch the parade.

I agree with TWINS about being slightly disappointed, but only because I have an annual pass this year. What made paying the extra entrance fee worthwhile was being there to celebrate with the family, the photo experience, and the cocoa and cookies. Otherwise, there was no real reason to splurge, as everything was pretty normal (verified during my return trip to the park the next day).

ALSO -- if "snow" is the only reason anyone wants to go to this -- and you already have your hoppers, my advice is, don't bother. The Osbourne Festival of Lights at MGM ALSO features "snow" falling, and was very awe-inspiring to witness, imho.

BUT-- please go on and have fun at MVCP, as that's the whole point of it.
Don't forget your character stops..

By the way-- I had NO IDEA about sweatshirts, t-shirts or anything like that being offered.

But I DID get the park map when I entered.