Skipping Xmas party this time!??

We have been numerous times but we finally stopped going due to cost and other factors. We decided to take the money and do a really nice dinner out. So many terrific places to explore!
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Dec 1997-Contemporary
Dec 1999-Poly
Dec 2001-Poly concierge
June 2002-Disneyland (off site)
Dec 2003-Poly concierge
Dec 2005-Poly concierge
Dec 2007-Poly concierge
Oct 2008-Disneyland (off site)
Dec 2009-Poly concierge
Nov 2010-Disneyland Hotel
Feb. 2012- Grand Floridian concierge celebrating 25 years of marriage just hubby and I
September 2012- Paradise Pier
January 2014-Grand Floridian
December 2014-Grand Californian

PopPhan;2453113 wrote: First off, what is Xmas?????? There is no such thing. The holiday is CHRISTmas. Sorry, but this is something that ticks me off more and more each time I see it.

OK, off my (abbreviated) soapbox.....

As far as MVMCP goes, there is nothing major that you get for the $$$ spent. Yes, a couple "stage" shows and a dance party, but I didn't see that it was worth the high fees. For the most part, you can see the holiday Wishes tag from outside the park -- Contemporary, Bay Lake, etc. MVMCP is a one and done party, and I have already done it once.

MNSSHP is actually a much better ROI. The parade is better; The fireworks are better; AND you can 'trick or treat' around the park and get (bags of) candy!!! MNSSHP can be revisited occasionally. I have done it once and would definitely do it again.

agreed 110% Christmas..
And, I will add that the cost of anything is supply and demand. Yep, WDW chargers more for these events....and they are filled to the rim with people. There is always folks who can afford what someone charges for anything.

Christmas, xmas, it doesn't really matter and neither is intended to be PC. It saves a few key strokes, nothing more. Don't make it a bigger deal than it is.

We did the MVMCP the first time we went in December and loved it. However, we are skipping it this year. We agreed to book a trip this year only if we kept it to a minimal budget so we've cut a lot of extras. I honestly don't think the kids will even care. For us, we evaluate the budget for each trip and splurge or not depending on the year. I would never feel pressure to do it all. Regardless, you're spending time with the family in Disney World and that's all that matters. :mickey:

I like to do the Xmas party on my arrival day. We don't buy park tickets that day and buy the party tickets instead. Even though it starts at 7pm, they let you in at 4pm and then you can have a "whole day" at Magic Kingdom on your travel day. The rides have short lines because everybody's doing the special Christmas shows, parades, and character greets. We catch a couple of those but mainly use the time for rides that whole evening.

We did the Xmas party a few years ago, but it wasn't during a regular WDW trip. We just stopped for a couple of days on our way down to see family. We enjoyed it and were glad we went. If we're ever in the same circumstances, we'd probably do it again, but would likely pass if it were a regular trip. I agree with what others have said. If you've done it several times, I don't think you'll regret taking a break from it.

Oh, and the Xmas/Christmas thing... type whatever YOU want to type. Intercot is not the place to try to bully or shame others into conforming to what you want them to do.

Did the party once back when it was (relatively) cheap. I thought the added entertainment was OK, but there was no wow factor at all. Decided the next day that it was a "one & done" for me. With today's pricing, I wouldn't even consider it, even if I'd never been before.

Going to the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party has always been a given for us. This year, after a three-year hiatus from Walt Disney World, we returned and naturally purchased tickets. Nearly $400 four the four of us. Ouch That's on top of the four 10-day, Water Park & More Hoppers.

We went in mid-September expecting light crowds. Sold out! Packed to the gills. Unenjoyable. These used to be great events where for a few extra dollars, you felt like you had an intimate evening in the Magic Kingdom with characters, shows, and events. This time, we felt like herded cattle.

Parades were six and eight people deep. Hocus Pocus Show (excellent) was shoulder to shoulder for every show until night's end.

It felt like an overt money grab. Contemplating not attending next time, as sad as that sounds.

We've never done MVMCP, we did MNSSHP several years in a row but prices and crowds have drove us away. You used to be able to actually move around during the parties pretty good and for $40 bucks a head it was well worth it. Not anymore.

:tree: :santa:

I know it can feel weird not doing something that has been tradition but in this case I don't think it is worth it anymore. Just not unique enough. Cookies and hot chocolate are not a draw. Does anybody like the cookies?:ack:

I think weaning yourself this year might be a good idea. Do something else like maybe go visit the decorated hotels and have a nice meal instead. Watch the water parade in the evening and fireworks from off site. You may make a new tradition that is just as enjoyable. Make it into a quiet family evening that you really connect with one another.

We are skipping it this time. Just too expensive, and you get to see the parade and fireworks after they stop running the parties anyway...

MNSSHP I think is a better event than MVMCP... With all the XMas stuff going on in the world, I see no reason to drop that much cabbage on it. MNSSHP is really the only Halloween thing happening in the parks, which makes it a bit more "special". Still the prices they are asking now are just insanity!

As many have said, these are now more of a Been There, Done That, Not again event, but I wouldn't even put the XMas party there. Really not much of a reason to do it.

I have to be honest - all of the special parties are starting to be a turn off for me. When in the past, it seemed they were crowd limited and you could have a good time and still get on attractions without crazy long lines - they now seem to be oversold. Last year when I brought my wife for the first time to MNSSHP she was extremely disappointed due to the size of the crowds. It was like being in the magic kingdom on some of it's most crowded day. Call me crazy, but I really think that if you only allow a reasonable number of people in - then it's more enjoyable for everyone. We stayed for the parade and fireworks and left immediately after. For us, it just didn't feel like we were getting our money's worth.

tjstrike;2471234 wrote: We've never done MVMCP, we did MNSSHP several years in a row but prices and crowds have drove us away. You used to be able to actually move around during the parties pretty good and for $40 bucks a head it was well worth it. Not anymore.

:tree: :santa:

+1 - This.

John;2471579 wrote: I have to be honest - all of the special parties are starting to be a turn off for me. When in the past, it seemed they were crowd limited and you could have a good time and still get on attractions without crazy long lines - they now seem to be oversold. Last year when I brought my wife for the first time to MNSSHP she was extremely disappointed due to the size of the crowds. It was like being in the magic kingdom on some of it's most crowded day. Call me crazy, but I really think that if you only allow a reasonable number of people in - then it's more enjoyable for everyone. We stayed for the parade and fireworks and left immediately after. For us, it just didn't feel like we were getting our money's worth.

#yeahwhathesaid

Years ago we did MVMCP and we did enjoy it. BUT we've not been to any other park themed party. Would like to experience the Halloween stuff but we don't vaca that time of year.

Unfortunately with all the internet talk of over sold out parties - I'd rather spend the money elsewhere. Shame...I think it started as a good thing and was toted to be unique. BUT now I doubt the extra fee is worth it due to just way too many people in the park.