Thoughts on VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

[mattpeto]

I don’t think enough people are willing to pay for an after-hours event that consists of a couple character cavalcade, animatronics in Santa hats and some holiday lights strung about (especially in the construction zone known as EPCOT).

We should know soon regardless. The party would be such a spark, and it’s so needed right now.

 

[Rusty2rules]

We should know soon regardless. The party would be such a spark, and it’s so needed right now.

Are we still talking about 2020 or 2021?

 

[skeeter31]

Are we still talking about 2020 or 2021?

This thread is the hope for a 2020 Christmas party. But I think it would probably be smarter to start anticipating the 2021 party at this point.

 

[maryj11]

After hours would be good if the party will not happen. At this point with the closing time no one will be able to enjoy any Christmas lights.

 

[Rusty2rules]

This thread is the hope for a 2020 Christmas party. But I think it would probably be smarter to start anticipating the 2021 party at this point.

I thought they had already cancelled it, that's why I was confused. I wouldn't hold my breath for this year.

 

[Badlands2020]

I can't believe there is a single person who thinks in 2020 there will be a Christmas party. If this were Vegas the chances are actual 0, a sure thing. Won't happen.

Maybe the MK stays open an hour later so you can see the lights at night? I wouldn't even count on that Disney needs to cut costs. Maybe the MK can open later to allow it to stay open later? That wouldnt cost them anything and would allow the lights to be more visible

 

[skeeter31]

I can't believe there is a single person who thinks in 2020 there will be a Christmas party. If this were Vegas the chances are actual 0, a sure thing. Won't happen.

Maybe the MK stays open an hour later so you can see the lights at night? I wouldn't even count on that Disney needs to cut costs. Maybe the MK can open later to allow it to stay open later? That wouldnt cost them anything and would allow the lights to be more visible

Oh I completely agree. I think Disney is just waiting as long as they can before announcing the cancellation of the party.

 

[Alicefan]

THIS^ It was the same reason they had to cancel halloween - everything that merits the upcharge is pretty much impossible given the safety restrictions. (Although just the chance to experience the park at night might be a big benefit many people would gladly pay extra for, since they and universal are only open during the days right now.)

I think you're right. I would pay a LITTLE extra just to have light crowds with the characters in their costumes to wave at while I pass by. It would be cool if you got a piece of candy as you exited each ride. Just have the exiting CM's drop one in your bucket and no need for the trick or treat stations. That would avoid any clammering together in one spot because you only get to the candy when your car pulls up at the exit so it would basically be one at a time. I think it could've been done but on a lesser scale. FAR less capacity for the party than the nonsense they've been doing. I think most people go for the lighting and atmosphere with the music etc...or at least I do. I don't do the candy trails or the meet and greets...nor the parades actually. I'm there for the vibe and the short ride lines. Am I in the minority? Same with the Christmas party. The cookies aren't any good since they went to pre-packaged, the dance parties are cute but never very crowded. The reason to go used to be for the feeling that you've rented out the park for yourselves. If they only allowed half of the crowd that they usually get, I think it would have been a big money maker and easily Covid managed. Maybe I'm just desperately missing the parties? lol

 

[BaymaxFan78]

I think it falls on knowing if a vaccine will be available before November. Even if people don't get one, I think it will offer a peace of mind to some people, and will allow more places to open up. The main issue with having a party is the shows that require people to pack in together. I guess we'll know sooner or later.

 

[wdwoutsider]

I think what will happen in this order is:
-vaccine created and approved as "safe"
-vaccine offered to at risk groups 55+, first Cops, Fire, EMTs, doctors, teachers, front line store workers etc
-vaccine is offered to general public
-Disney will keep mask mandate for a while as it will take a long time to for a large mass to get the vaccine
-after a while they will have a waiver for you to sign and say you have had the vaccine and are accepting all risks. at that time i believe they make it optional but its not soon at all.

Masks are not forever, but will be with us for a while here. 2021 i am sure its thru the whole year.

 

[wdwoutsider]

think it falls on knowing if a vaccine will be available before November

under no situation will a vaccine be available to you in 2020. The hope is the vaccine is proven safe by novemeber(which is a real stretch)

doctors, teachers, old people will all get the first waves. The general public is way after those groups. I am a physician under no situation is there a vaccine for you in 2020 this is already operating at warp speed

There wont be a Christmas party this year

 

[mattpeto]

under no situation will a vaccine be available to you in 2020. The hope is the vaccine is proven safe by novemeber(which is a real stretch)

doctors, teachers, old people will all get the first waves. The general public is way after those groups. I am a physician under no situation is there a vaccine for you in 2020 this is already operating at warp speed

There wont be a Christmas party this year

I wouldn't rule it out yet. Read my previous posts if you want, if might not be the Christmas Party you typically expect, but it could be something.

 

[skeeter31]

I wouldn't rule it out yet. Read my previous posts if you want, if might not be the Christmas Party you typically expect, but it could be something.

I would rule it out at this point. Decorations will go up, but there won’t be an up charge actual Christmas event this year. Disney won’t want the crowds it will draw. They still don’t have any nighttime entertainment (including water pageant). They’re not going to do a party.

 

[mattpeto]

I would rule it out at this point. Decorations will go up, but there won’t be an up charge actual Christmas event this year. Disney won’t want the crowds it will draw. They still don’t have any nighttime entertainment (including water pageant). They’re not going to do a party.

 

[Sbunit]

I think what will happen in this order is:
-vaccine created and approved as "safe"
-vaccine offered to at risk groups 55+, first Cops, Fire, EMTs, doctors, teachers, front line store workers etc
-vaccine is offered to general public
-Disney will keep mask mandate for a while as it will take a long time to for a large mass to get the vaccine
-after a while they will have a waiver for you to sign and say you have had the vaccine and are accepting all risks. at that time i believe they make it optional but its not soon at all.

Masks are not forever, but will be with us for a while here. 2021 i am sure its thru the whole year.

While I agree with a lot of your thesis, I think masks are gone by Spring/Summer 2021. The government and Disney both want things to get back to normal sooner rather than later for the sake of their economical well being. Keeping mask mandates for the entire year next year isn't happening. That's my assumption based on my agreement that a vaccine will be in play by the end of the year but not to the general public first. I think by early 2021 it's available to the general public and at that point, maybe a few months later once it's in circulation, Disney starts to phase out their restrictions. Just cancel everything in 2020, but IMO things get back to normal by mid 2021, our economy (and Disney) is desperate for the norm to return and they'll make it happen.

 

[Jrb1979]

We should know soon regardless. The party would be such a spark, and it’s so needed right now.

The last thing Disney wants is more people coming. I will say the rumor I have heard is they will do a Christmas overlay for Star Wars land. In RoTR Kylo Ren will be wearing a Santa hat.

 

[soniam]

The last thing Disney wants is more people coming. I will say the rumor I have heard is they will do a Christmas overlay for Star Wars land. In RoTR Kylo Ren will be wearing a Santa hat.

They should dress him like Krampus!

 

[5th gate dreamers]

If I learned anything this year it’s to have low expectations and not plan for anything

I love this...though we are crossing our fingers for a Christmas party during our thanksgiving stay.

 

[5th gate dreamers]

I've been discussing this in depth at the main coronavirus thread, but thought it would be better discussed in this thread instead.

I really doubt that Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, like how we know it will occur in 2020. But I'm going out on a limb a little bit, and I'm predicting something modified may be still in play.

MVMCP features a holiday inspired fireworks show, a night parade, meet & greets, specialty food treats (some included), overlay for attractions and tend to have smaller crowds overall.

I don't think Disney can pull off a Parade and Fireworks show at MK right now. People want to be front of the castle or have a vantage point where they can see it.

What I'm suggestion, is Disney shifts the Christmas party to Epcot. Epcot has the space in World Showcase to social distancing fireworks and a parade that travels around the pavilions. Call it Mickey's Very Merry Epcot Once and Forever Christmas Party.

Here's some evidence that some party could still occur:

1. All theme parks closing at 7 pm (Epcot) or earlier. This presents an opportunity for their guests to do something else.
2. With the hours change, there is no opportunity to see any of the parks at night.
3. Disney hasn't cancelled MVMCP yet. If this is going to be cancelled, it should be cancelled in a month.
4. Epcot seems to be suffering the most. World Showcase closing at 7 pm is evidence of this. It also has the most potential to turn a profit, especially with World Showcase having places to consume alcohol.

Now there are good reasons why this won't happen that was mentioned in the other thread. Here are my answers on this:

Can Disney pull together a new party this close to November?
---I would highly speculate that Disney has been working on social distancing planning for fireworks and parades for months. They can re-use parade floats from Festival of Fantasy (and throw some Christmas stuff on it). Transportation will be tricky but not everyone will leave at once. Plus being at Epcot, there are many ways to get there (Skyliner, Walk from Boardwalk Resorts, Monorail, etc).

Can Disney do attraction overlays this close?
---Yes. Add some Santa hats on the animatronics at Frozen Ever After, throw some Christmas lights up. We're not talking about this revolutionary change. Add some theming. They should be able to do this on other attractions (maybe except for Soarin' - not going to be able to add new scenes although they would be pretty amazing).

Is there enough demand for a Christmas Party?
---If the only way to visit the parks at night is through a Christmas Party, I think so. If they don't think the demand will be high enough, they can make it higher by really eliminating the frequency of the event. Have one party once per week or twice at the most. I don't know how many visitors they will have in Nov/Dec. Epcot capacity is 110K. This means they could probably have 30K-50K at the park with pandemic restrictions. Having the only opportunity to see fireworks and a parade, will make it a must for anyone visiting during that stretch. Even at $25-$50/person, there is plenty of profit to be made. World Showcase will benefit the most by pushing the parade and fireworks towards the 10 pm.

We’ll pay $250 for a christmas party at magic kingdom like years past. They usually sell tickets for, what, 130ish and sell ”x” tickets. Well, sell “x/2” tickets for coronavirus, and count us in!

 

[5th gate dreamers]

I can't believe there is a single person who thinks in 2020 there will be a Christmas party. If this were Vegas the chances are actual 0, a sure thing. Won't happen.

Maybe the MK stays open an hour later so you can see the lights at night? I wouldn't even count on that Disney needs to cut costs. Maybe the MK can open later to allow it to stay open later? That wouldnt cost them anything and would allow the lights to be more visible

You cannot believe a single person in this world, let alone a single person on disboards, thinks there will be a christmas party this year!? There are tens of thousands of people who believe in ufos...there are tens of thousands of people who believe bigfoot is out there. You dont believe that there aren’t 15000 people who are comfortable with the risks of coronavirus and love Disney and need a vacation enough to pay $200 to go to a christmas party this year that is the same as last years party but with reduced crowds (hence the increased price)? It’s a matter of if disney has the guts to absorb the social Media bashing that those who dont want to do it will give.