Originally Posted By Malin I've just purchased tickets online to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom this November. I'm going to be attending on two nights the 16th and 20th and I can't wait. But I have never before been to a Magic Kingdom ticketed event and really don't know what to expect. Which is where you guys come in, who here that has been before would like to offer us some info and a few tips on what Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is all about. Or perhaps you'd like to share your own experiences here.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Malin, don't do it. You are feeding the monster!!!! AAaaarrrrrgggggghhhh. Have fun
Originally Posted By Malin Ha ha but I have also booked a short break to DLRP which I hope will balance out my evil deed. And thanks I havn't been to WDW in a few years so kind of looking forward to visitng my favourite Disney park Animal Kingdom and catching up on any new additions like Experdition Everest and Toy Story Mania, and of course The Simpsons ride at Universal.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It's not necessarily going to WDW that's the problem - I am sure you will love how DAK has developed even further (EE and Nemo are very cool). The issue is supporting the upcharge party for what used to be free, and is free at all the other resorts around the globe. WDW - the Easyjet of the Disney resorts (IMHO). ;-p
Originally Posted By Malin Not sure if I'd make the Easyjet comparison as WDW isn't exactly cheap to begin with. I agree paying for an event we should be getting and used to for free is sendig out the wrong message, but in the Magic Kingdoms defence a lot of the free Christmas events the other parks stage are not in the same league. Celebrate the Season Show is by far the biggest Castle Show that any park does for Christmas, and that includes the mighty TDL who cut this back a couple of years a go. Other highlights include Holiday Wishes which often gets rave reviews, and the stage show Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. When you throw in the Christmas parade and complimentry refreshments and access to some of the most popular MK attractions I can kind of warrent paying for an extra ticket as I know the quality is high, and as its my first time to this event the experience will mean more.
Originally Posted By u k fan I've been several times, though not for a few years. I can't really help on the whys and wherefores as they change each year, but I do enjoy visiting MVMCP. I take Dave's points on board, but honestly I'm not that bothered. I see nothing wrong with paying extra money for ectra experiences. I doubt that without MVMCP the parades and shows would be running daily anyway. If people want to pay more for extras let them. I don't want to pay extra to stay at the Grand, that doesn't mean that Pop should have the same facilities!!!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Malin, we've gone to this for the last few years and really enjoy it. However, it seems to get more and more crowded every time we go, so keep that in mind. The free apple juice is really watered down, so take the hot chocolate. The cookies are really yummy, and you can eat as many as your tummy will allow.
Originally Posted By gottaluvdavillains I have to ask do they limit the number of people for each day (like in DCA for Halloween) If so does anyone know the limit!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 The hard ticket event that STOLE Christmas from WDW visitors. Bah humbug. Only Phil, Erin, Al and the gang could hold X-Mas hostage gleefully, while making people feel special while paying an extra $50 a day at the MK!
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS 74, you can be as negative as you'd like about this, but some of us really enjoy the atmosphere. It has nothing to do with feeling special. And if I can afford to go, then that's my choice.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 999, you can enjoy it as much as you like, but that changes nothing about why these parties are bad for ALL guests in the long run. In the 70s, 80s, 90s, WDW began Christmas entertainment Thanksgiving weekend. It was INCLUDED in admission for all guests. There was no Holiday Wishes at the time, but the Christmas Parade, holiday shows and entertainment were available to every guest. MVMCP started very small, only on two weekends in early December. And Disney still offered the holiday entertainment to all guests during the day. Something changed about a decade ago and they started adding more dates every year. The parties now begin the second week in November. As they had more parties, they pushed the start dates for the holiday entertainment to all guests later and later and later to the point where now you if you don't want to pay an extra $50 a person, you won't get Christmas until about Dec. 23rd. And then, well there comes the rub because you're now into HOLIDAY season at the resorts and must pay the highest rack rates Disney has ... and then a few years ago Disney started adding holiday dining surcharges (in other words, extra pure profit) during the period and even stopped allowing any discounts like the DDE to be used during the period. So please excuse me if I see MVMCP for what it truly is: an excuse to charge guests an extra $50 for holiday entertainment that was always included in admission. Frankly, it's all the folks who gush over these events that are part of the problem because they let the execs know it's perfectly fine to cut out more value from a WDW visit and put the screws to the guests. I hope you enjoy the party.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS Gush. What a great word. I appreciate your opinion, but I can't help but wonder what happened to you for you to be so bitter about WDW. I don't really follow the WDW threads as often as most, but the few threads I've seen you start or participate in are so negative. I might be wrong, though, so forgive me if I am. Just don't go, but don't ruin the vibe for those of us who travel a long way to participate. Who cares how much it costs. We aren't pod people, and can make our own decisions whether or not to buy a ticket. People will stop going when it gets way out of hand. Malin, You will have a good time. There are different shows to see, and sometimes shorter ride lines if you've picked the right night to go.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Haunts, I am totally with Spirit here. Imagine if all of a sudden DL closed at 6 or 8 between Thanksgiving and Dec 23rd, and then only offere Nightmare overlay of the HM, IASW overlay, the christmas parade and fireworks if you paid an extra 50. There would be uproar in SO Cal (and this is largely a locals park). DL, DLP, HKDL and TDL start the celebrations for free to all guess from nov to jan. The MK does not. On our 2006, because we made adrs and were on the dining plan, the way things worked out, the MK was only open past 8 on 2 nights of our 12 day stay. We could have afforded it, but out of principal, we did not go. And frankly due to the transport, these policies and other factors, I have very little desire to ever go back again. And I blame the gushers or defenders of mediocrity for these issues. Having had the pleasure of meeting both you and spirit, I think you would both get on well. Spirit is a huge fan of WDW, but he stands up for the resort he loves in the hope to improve it! Me too (I used to love WdW)
Originally Posted By u k fan I can't comment on DL, but if DLP started charging extra to see the Christmas offerings at an after hours event I'd certainly go. Disney has the right to charge what it wants for whatever it wants. When they finally push it too far people will not attend. The Pirate and Princess Parties haven't been a huge success for the very reason that people don't perceive them as value for money. This obviously isn't the case for the Xmas party. Working in mail order, my company offers customers the chance to pay more for express delivery which gives them more control over the delivery time and also a more personal service, is that wrong? Are we treating those that don't want to pay it unfairly? Some mail order companies do not charge any extra for this service, but it's our right to do so if we want. TBH, I have more to say, but this thread could easily become a bunfight so why don't we just agree to disagree and then Malin can get back to actually looking forward to his(?) visits to the parties without being informed that he's just spent $100? to contribute to the downfall of Disney. Bah Humbug indeed!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Ok, but where does it stop. I am fed up to the eye teeth of people just accepting declines of services and standards. It's also my right to speak out against it, and boycott them. Again, let's agree to disagree, but the problems will not go away. they will fester. And I care too much about Disney to let it happen. If Disney want's to add something (like express shipping) and charge for it, great! I am in favour of the Night Kingdom project to a degree. But if they slice away and charge for it. I am not. I am not being mizerly. Personally I would prefer a different model. One where they just up the charging on stuff across the resort, across the year, and keep up the quality. I also get annoyed at things like easy Jet where they charge extra for baggage handling, preselected seats etc. I would rather have a pay one price model and offer quality. and if DLP started doing this instead of the current offer, I would boycott them too. If they added these events in addition to the norm, then I would gladly go.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And I have gone ahead and posted my opinion on this thread because Malin is a mature, experienced Disney fan and it is good to debate these options.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I also get annoyed when I have to pay extra for a bag at a grocery store. Or if a fast food place charges extra for ketchup, I tend not to go out of principal. I much rather pay once and recieve a quality product. And personally i do not think the MK is a quality product any longer.
Originally Posted By u k fan <<I am fed up to the eye teeth of people just accepting declines of services and standards.>> In your opinion. We hear as many reports from well seasoned Disney travellers that WDW is actually on the way up not down. I was at WDW at exactly the same time as you and IMHO there was no marked deterioration in my experience. The busses were poor in 2000 - if anything on my last trip they were better, but after the hell of my 2001 trip I rely on them only when there is no other alternative. I see what you're saying, but I don't agree on the analogy of easyjet. The whole point of easyjet is that they offer a cheap way of doing something that you otherwise might not be able to afford. If they start including those charges as standard they would price themselves out of the market for their target audience, but at the same time if they want to offer those services to others who are happy to pay for them then they may as well. WDW is not meant to be offered as a budget option so the comparison doesn't hold up, IMHO!!!
Originally Posted By u k fan I appreciate that Malin is a well seasoned poster who won't be affected by what is being said here, but this topic has changed from him(?) asking for tips and info on the parties to us debating whether the parties should exist (a different topic), with it being implied that those who visit are happy to see standards slip whilst Disney gouge money from them. Seems a bit mean spirited to me (no pun intended). Thank God he's not a newbie!!!
