Does WDW really make you pay extra to experience the Holiday season?

[rob3gd]

I was looking into a vacation at the WDW Resort online and I came across this event called, "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party." Here is the link.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party | Walt Disney World Resort

Basically I'm getting the impression that I have to pay extra money at the Magic Kingdom just to simply enjoy the full experience of the holiday season. If this is true, then I don't know why I have to pay extra because at Disneyland, you never have to pay extra for the Holiday season and everything is beautiful and revamped. The Holiday Fireworks, Small World Holiday, Christmas Fantasy Parade, Winter Caste Lighting, Hunted Mansion Holiday all comes with the admission! If I have to really pay, then I don't think I will go because it's about principal and I feel like I'm being ripped off and kicked in the butt.

[crlachepinochet]

Yes, but no at the same time. The castle lights are free. The Osborne lights in DHS are free. Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade at DAK is free. The Illuminations holiday tag and the World Showcase storytellers are free at Epcot. There are various displays around the parks and resorts that are free. The only noteworthy things you have to pay for are the fireworks and the parade that are during MVMCP; they run regularly for free in the second half of December. So yes, you do have to pay to see Christmas fireworks over the castle and a Christmas parade down MSUSA, but there are also lots of things included in park admission or that are completely free.

Don't forget that Disneyland has a similar setup for Halloween now; I wouldn't be surprised to see them roll out a Christmas party in the near future, as well.

[PSUMark]

The only noteworthy things you have to pay for are the fireworks and the parade that are during MVMCP; they run regularly for free in the second half of December. So yes, you do have to pay to see Christmas fireworks over the castle and a Christmas parade down MSUSA, but there are also lots of things included in park admission or that are completely free.

Just to clarify this, the things that are "exclusive" to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (which is, I believe, just the holiday fireworks and Christmas parade) are actually included in your regular admission if you're visiting between the last MVMCP and the end of the year. (This has led to some nicknaming MVMCP as "The $50 Cookie.") If you're visiting earlier in December or anytime in November, then yes, MVMCP is the only way to get the full Christmas experience at the Magic Kingdom, but you will get the full Christmas experience everywhere else on property at no extra cost.

[Micoofy Duck]

$50 dollar cookie or not, some of us are not locals and some of us are just not able to book vacation dates on those weeks after the party ends. I'm arriving in late november, early december so I will of course happily pay extra for the party. It's less people in the park and the holiday extras are worth the price on the dates I'm visiting.

I will say that if you focus on cost of the party as a major negative on your trip then you're missing the entire point of WDW. Not to be too mean about it but there's just sooo much do to holiday related at WDW.

I look at it like a hotel you're staying it. Not everything is included in your hotel bill. You will have to pay extra for some perks. Those parties are perks for some arriving on certain dates. Remember, after the parties have stopped you don't get the party for free... it's just another night at the park with christmas style entertainment. Some people enjoy the atmosphere of the party and the "exlusive" nature of it. Other's don't mind and will get the "Free" perks near the end of the holidays.

the parties are worth it in my own opinion. You're going to spend 50-60 dollars anyways at the theme parks on merchandise, food, whatever. That money is going to be spent. Might as well put some of it towards the party. If you're on a budget then look into your spending plans and see what could be replaced for the party.

[PSUMark]

$50 dollar cookie or not, some of us are not locals and some of us are just not able to book vacation dates on those weeks after the party ends...

Remember, after the parties have stopped you don't get the party for free...

Just to clarify, even once the fireworks and parade become part of the normal MK offerings, the parties are still offered. The fact that the fireworks/parade are part of normal admission before the "Christmas party season" ends is where the "$50 cookie" nickname comes from - there's usually about a week of overlap where the only thing you're getting for paying to attend the party is a cookie and "exclusive access to the park."

UPDATE: This information is incorrect. Please see below.

[crlachepinochet]

I would say that if you're worried about the $$$ for the party, just watch the holiday fireworks from the Poly or the Contemporary. I think they even pipe in the music to the Poly beach. Then you're just missing the parade really, and it's generally viewed as inferior to Disneyland's.

[Micoofy Duck]

Just to clarify, even once the fireworks and parade become part of the normal MK offerings, the parties are still offered. The fact that the fireworks/parade are part of normal admission before the "Christmas party season" ends is where the "$50 cookie" nickname comes from - there's usually about a week of overlap where the only thing you're getting for paying to attend the party is a cookie and "exclusive access to the park."

Not sure what you mean by the parties are still offerred once the fireworks and parade are free. I remember years back on a new year's eve trip I got to see the christmas parade during the day that was offered in the party for "free". I dont' remember ever the holiday fireworks as being offered "free" on non party nights during the end of december through the beginning of january.

The party ends dec 21st. On all the dates after the calender on the website lists Wishes as the fireworks of the night, not Holiday Wishes... of course the calender can easily be updated to reflect the holiday fireworks. And the christmas parade isn't showing up on the daily roster either after the date of 21st. You know even on Dec 19th, one of the full MK days not featuring the party does not list the holiday fireworks or the christmas parade in the daily line up.

Soo... again what do you mean the parties are offered after the fireworks and parade become part of the MK daily offerings. I'm confused by what you're saying.

I thought, just like the Halloween parties, the events during the parties are only for those party nights.

I guess i'm trying to get at is that during the party season I just don't believe the fireworks and parade are offered in between the dates of any of the party dates. Then what would be the point of going to the party, a cookie, free coco and snow on Main Street? It just doesn't add up.

Maybe they'll update the calender but I feel people passing through are going to get confused as to what happens in and out of those party dates.

[PSUMark]

Not sure what you mean by the parties are still offerred once the fireworks and parade are free...

You're correct. I looked it up and it appears I mis-remembered. Holiday Wishes and the Christmas parade are offered to "normal" guests, but only once MVMCP ends through the end of the year. So for 2012, that would be Dec. 22-31. Sorry for the incorrect info and any confusion I caused.

[rob3gd]

$50 dollar cookie or not, some of us are not locals and some of us are just not able to book vacation dates on those weeks after the party ends. I'm arriving in late november, early december so I will of course happily pay extra for the party. It's less people in the park and the holiday extras are worth the price on the dates I'm visiting.

I will say that if you focus on cost of the party as a major negative on your trip then you're missing the entire point of WDW. Not to be too mean about it but there's just sooo much do to holiday related at WDW.

I look at it like a hotel you're staying it. Not everything is included in your hotel bill. You will have to pay extra for some perks. Those parties are perks for some arriving on certain dates. Remember, after the parties have stopped you don't get the party for free... it's just another night at the park with christmas style entertainment. Some people enjoy the atmosphere of the party and the "exlusive" nature of it. Other's don't mind and will get the "Free" perks near the end of the holidays.

the parties are worth it in my own opinion. You're going to spend 50-60 dollars anyways at the theme parks on merchandise, food, whatever. That money is going to be spent. Might as well put some of it towards the party. If you're on a budget then look into your spending plans and see what could be replaced for the party.

See I'm on a budget. Its me, grandma, mother, and nephew. I'm paying for it all too. I was just suprised because it was just an unsuspecting coast. That $58 or so adds up with multiple people. I have been saving down to the last penny for this trip.

---------- Post added 08-26-2012 at 08:17 PM ----------

I would say that if you're worried about the $$$ for the party, just watch the holiday fireworks from the Poly or the Contemporary. I think they even pipe in the music to the Poly beach. Then you're just missing the parade really, and it's generally viewed as inferior to Disneyland's.

When you said that the MK parade was inferior, I just had to watch on YouTube. OMG it really is inferior. DL Fantasy parade stomps on the MK parade. Not trying to put down, but it looks as if it is done on the cheap and they just threw some Christmas decorations over the floats. Hey, both parks have their ups and downs but i cant believe that is what they want me to pay extra for.

[crlachepinochet]

See I'm on a budget. Its me, grandma, mother, and nephew. I'm paying for it all too. I was just suprised because it was just an unsuspecting coast. That $58 or so adds up with multiple people. I have been saving down to the last penny for this trip.

---------- Post added 08-26-2012 at 08:17 PM ----------



When you said that the MK parade was inferior, I just had to watch on YouTube. OMG it really is inferior. DL Fantasy parade stomps on the MK parade. Not trying to put down, but it looks as if it is done on the cheap and they just threw some Christmas decorations over the floats. Hey, both parks have their ups and downs but i cant believe that is what they want me to pay extra for.

Seriously! Watch the fireworks for free from the Poly, get yourself a nice table service dinner and you'll still be ahead like $25-$30pp!

There is still plenty of Christmas spirit around the resort without paying to go to MVMCP. What are your dates? The Illuminations tag doesn't start until after Thanksgiving and I've never been able to see it. That is the thing I would be sad about missing more than the party.

[PSUMark]

The Illuminations tag doesn't start until after Thanksgiving and I've never been able to see it. That is the thing I would be sad about missing more than the party.

Ah, yes - the Illuminations holiday tag complete with Walter Cronkite narration goodness and the "WWIII" ending. Definitely worth catching if you can.

[WDW Monorail]

See I'm on a budget. Its me, grandma, mother, and nephew. I'm paying for it all too. I was just suprised because it was just an unsuspecting coast. That $58 or so adds up with multiple people. I have been saving down to the last penny for this trip.

Instead of spending a full day at the MK for whatever day you are planning on visiting, just buy the MVMCP tickets. Hard ticket holding guests are allowed in to the park at 4PM. That way you have 8 hours of time in the park, along with all the extra Christmas offerings. You can spend the earlier part of the day elsewhere.

[rob3gd]

Seriously! Watch the fireworks for free from the Poly, get yourself a nice table service dinner and you'll still be ahead like $25-$30pp!

There is still plenty of Christmas spirit around the resort without paying to go to MVMCP. What are your dates? The Illuminations tag doesn't start until after Thanksgiving and I've never been able to see it. That is the thing I would be sad about missing more than the party.

Where in the world is the Polly? Is it in a different park? and isn't illuminations at Epcot if I can remember correctly. Dinner and fireworks doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Ill end up spending on dinner anyway so it sounds like a win.

[flynnibus]

Where in the world is the Polly? Is it in a different park?

they are referring to watching the MK fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian Resort

[crlachepinochet]

Instead of spending a full day at the MK for whatever day you are planning on visiting, just buy the MVMCP tickets. Hard ticket holding guests are allowed in to the park at 4PM. That way you have 8 hours of time in the park, along with all the extra Christmas offerings. You can spend the earlier part of the day elsewhere.

On a short trip, that's a really good idea, or if you want 11 days of park tickets. The difference between an 8-day ticket and a 9-day ticket, for example, is much, much, much less than a party ticket, though.

---------- Post added 08-27-2012 at 05:40 PM ----------

Where in the world is the Polly? Is it in a different park? and isn't illuminations at Epcot if I can remember correctly. Dinner and fireworks doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Ill end up spending on dinner anyway so it sounds like a win.

Sorry to be confusing. The Polynesian Resort is across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the Magic Kingdom. There is a lovely white sand beach that faces the MK that has a good view of the fireworks. They even pipe in the fireworks music there (they do for regular Wishes, but I'm not absolutely certain about holiday Wishes). Regardless, I wouldn't be surprised if you could hear the music straight from the MK; I could hear Illuminations from my room at Pop Century and they are not that close. The restaurants with a view of the fireworks are probably all booked by now, but there are literally dozens of good table service restaurants around the World.