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This week Disney put on sale tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (various dates in December this year). If you have attended the Christmas Party in the past, would you recommend it to others? What about the Christmas Party do you particularly enjoy? Any tips to get the most out of the Christmas party?

Answers posted to the list:

"We LOVE this event! Here's my recommendations for a fun evening!

If you're bringing kids ... skip the parks during the day..spend a relaxing day at the pool, or if you go to the parks, leave by noon, NAP so everyone can enjoy the evening events.

for the past couple of years, you can enter the MK with your MVMCP ticket around 4 in the afternoon. You do not have to use your park hopper - a bonus if you didn't go into any other park that day-or perhaps just used one of the "plus" features on the hoppers to visit a water park during the day. (of course, this is moot point if you have an annual pass, or purchased the length of stay type tickets upon check in) You will be given a wrist band and you're free to enjoy the park for the remaining two hours it's open. At 6, the park will officially close to day guests. MVMCP guests will be asked to go to one of the lands to wait for the official 7 PM party time. We've waited in both fantasy and future world. In both instances, the rides were open, so we were able to take in several attractions while the day guests were exiting.

If you arrive early, check the daily program to see if there is a tree lighting -- it's a fun event - complete with the mayor, town people, carols, characters etc.

We've also enjoyed a nice dinner between 6-7 in the MK. Usually Liberty Tree, Tony's or Crystal Palace are taking reservations.

Pick up the MVMCP time table and plan your evening. There are so many great shows, parades etc. We generally skip the attractions and take in the shows.

Do NOT miss the parade. If you can handle the late hour, wait for the second parade and find a spot on main street. It's a real treat to watch this parade with the "snow" falling. The music and floats are fantastic. We love this parade so much we generally watch it twice!

Bring your camera/video etc. Main Street all decked out for Christmas is a site to behold.

don't forget your family photo - we've had some great pictures mailed to the house. Take the photo early in the evening before everyone gets too tired!"

Peggy Sue

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"I have attended Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and I loved it! The parade is terrific and there are special shows listed at different times. They give free hot chocolate and cookies and you can get your picture taken at a few different spots and then they mail it to your home. It was a great experience."

Tracey

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"We attend each year until 3 years ago we took a weeks vacation the early partof December and attended at least two nights, the past 2 years we had to catch the last night as we were forced to spend our week around Christmas. Last year we moved back to orlando and took a weekend attanding the party on Friday and Candelight at Epcot on Saturday. As far as Mickeys Party try to schedule your dinner around 6pm close to the MK, in the past we have eaten at Concourse Steak House, Kona Cafe or Trails End Buffet at Ft Wilderness. Try to get a show schedule ahead of time and plan your evening, If you want to see all the shows you wil have little time for rides."

Dennis

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"We have done it twice so far, and yes we really liked it. We won't be doing the party for a while though, because this year we aren't down there right at Christmas time, (almost) and the year after we may do the cruise. That's okay, because I feel we really got 2 great parties with pictures and memories to look back upon. I would recommend it to anyone who has never tried it. I enjoyed the Christmas spirit part of it, the kids liked the rides when the lines were short because people were doing all the more holiday type stuff."

Kathy

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"We have been to the party at least three times. We got soaked twice and froze once, but we had a great time. We love getting the photo made to remember our trip. Plus the hot chocolate and cookies are a nice treat. Snow on Main Street is fun, too, but it doesn't snow much if it is raining. If you want to get the photo, don't stop at the first location; check out a few and see which might have a shorter line. The parade is neat to watch in the evening, more so than during the day (which it switches to after the VMCPs are over for the season)."

Deborah

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"I've been to the party 3 different times. Twice last year and once about 3 years before that. I LOVE the party. Especially the special shows they have. Also love the parade. The first time I went the weather was fantastic. You could wear a short sleeved shirt and a light weight jacket. Last year when I went, I was bundled up in a hooded sweatshirt (showing my age not calling it a hoodie! LOL) and a medium weight coat over that and those little stretch gloves. Wished I had heavier gloves. Froze my butt off but at least it didn't rain! I trying to plan another trip for this year. Hopefully I can swing it financially. Maybe I'll win the lottery!"

Pam

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We've been 4 times, with and without children. Always enjoyed it. In a few cases we did this only instead of going to any park on that day. We visited resorts during the day to view the holiday decorations. We generally enjoy the special events: storytelling, choirs, snow, parades, fireworks. Most of the time the attractions are not crowded. One warning is that you can get so excited about the rides that you forget to stop for the fireworks. The hot chocolate, cookies, and holiday photographs are nice, but don't waste a lot of time in line. Our only bad experience was in early December 2002. It was an extra rainy week and we planned our visit for our last night, a Friday. We still had fun, but it was mobbed on Friday night. I think that maybe the local folks waited for this night because of the rain, plus those who waited for the weekend. We skipped the photo because of long lines and couldn't get near the Haunted Mansion. Friday or Saturday nights may not be the best choice if you have a choice. We will definitely go again on future trips. This is our favorite time of year at WDW, but then again anytime at WDW is our favorite time. 8-)

Gary

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