Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party help!
 

After reading good things on here and to get us in the Christmas mood we have taken the plunge and booked tickets for this on our first full day 21st December. Hoping it will make the trip really magical.

However I'm hoping you experienced attenders can help with a couple of things.

We are thinking of only going into the park at 4pm. When we booked the tickets the guy on the phone said "I hope you're planning on going in early". Does anyone have any experience of how horrendously busy the car park will be if we arrive at say 2pm? Thinking of parking up in the main car park then getting the monorail over to GF and the other hotels before going in at 4pm.

Also, what are the timings for the evening? Don't want to miss the snowfall but no idea what actually happens on these nights!

I'm so excited it's actually a bit ridiculous!

We did the Christmas party last week and arrived at about 18:30. There was plenty of parking and I’d say roughly the same number of people entering the park as a typical morning opening.
You enter magic kingdom on the right hand entrance and magic bands scanned and a wristband issued.
Once you’re in there are numerous complimentary food outlets and two parades.
It snows pretty much non stop on Main Street and looks amazing.
I’ll try and upload some pics shortly with the brochure if I can

Thanks Noddy22, helpful info for us too as we go on 22nd:santasmil

Bear in mind that a lot of what is on during MVMCP is usually on during the daytime so close to Christmas. So you may have other opportunities to see the parade, for example.

We found that after the main fireworks show, lots of people leave. If you can stay up late enough to go to the second parade and the later shows, they are much quieter.

We've been three times now (twice in one trip!) and always found it ridiculously crowded, much more so than in the daytime, so be prepared for that.

For us, it's all about the shows - in particular the big show at the castle.

Definitely worth doing.

We arrived at the carpark at about 3pm for a Nov MVMCP. We were parked in Peter Pan which is not that far from the transportation centre. We walked from the transportation centre to the Polynesian and hired a boat to go around seven seas lagoon. After that we caught the Polynesian ferry to the Magic Kingdom and went into the park about 4.30. Queues were long but after 6pm they did not allow people on rides without MVMCP bands and that also stopped all fast pass queue jumpers. The ride times tumbled and it was a very plesant evening with most rides walk on and some a 5-10 min wait. Mine train a little longer.

You can book fast passes if you intend going into the park at 4 but no fast pass booking after the normal close. So if arriving early I suggest you also book fast passes from 4.00 if not going to the park for the day (We only had MVMCP tickets but booked fast passes for the post 4.00 time).

Only other thing to say is : Enjoy.

PS. If you wish to book a popular restaurant you need to look at the party entries and not the normal for places like CRP or Beauty and the beast etc. Same for desert party.

That is brilliant help. Thanks all. I can always rely on my Dibbers for advice x

Looks like you planned as we, we leave on 20th and go to the MVMCP on the 22nd our first time

See you there! I am slightly concerned about us all having jet lag for the party though as we'll only have flown in the day before ...

Oh my word! I wouldn't even attempt that. Even with going back to our room and having an afternoon nap, we were pooped by 8pm the first few days. You really need to be there till at least midnight to get the most out of it.

That said, the trippie I'm reading now (Furry Funded Family Fun) has them doing MK till 1am on their arrival day, so maybe other people are more hardcore than me.

We're the same. Leaving on 20th and doing MVMCP on 21st! Not planning anything for our first night or first morning though so we can chill. Think we'll need it. Only there for 10 days so we need to make the most of it!