Quick Review - 11/16 MVMCP & Tony's!
Arrived at 4pm on the dot, a bit busy to get in, but no big deal. No FastPasses because we had been at HS all morning and nothing was left that we wanted at MK before the party. Got Dole Whips at 4pm, then did Carousel of Progress & the People Mover, headed to Pecos Bills for dinner (we must have done something else... because it was 6:15 when we finished dinner). Pretzel treat station not open until 6:45, so we rode Pirates (less than 10 min) and then met up with friends near the hub. After a bit of a long chat, we all rode Buzz together, then my clan left them to ride Space, 7D had a 45 min wait & PP was 35 (we were doing EMM on Sunday so we skipped them), did Haunted Mansion next & picked up a party pin from the Christmas Store. Along the way we stopped at a PhotoPass Photographer outside of SM (Baymax Magic Shot), all the treat stations (the slushy was gross - and it was way too cold out for a slushy but the Hot Chocolate was good - they all had BIG lines but were moving fast, & another Magic Shot with Zero outside of HM. It was about 9:15 and everyone was getting cold & cranky so we headed to Tony's to regroup - perfect timing! Got there around 9:45, found an inside table, no problem. Ate lots - only GF dessert was the chocolate yule log, so DH was a bit disappointed. Meatballs were gross. Most of the hot food wasn't great, but inside & hot chocolate (and the hot angry orchard cider) were good. I went up to the hub shortly after for the fireworks. No space in front of Casey's - the grass was blocked off for a reserved section, just like the dessert party on the other side??? Rode the crowd wave back down to the tree & got a spot for the 4 of us (kids & DH stayed in Tony's for the fireworks, they were too cold) - so this was right after the fireworks and I was about 3 people to the side of the tree with an ECV in front of me - so no curb/front row. TONS of space in the rest of the area, though. Could easily show up at 11 for a side spot.
Best part was going back into Tony's for more hot chocolate while the masses left the park, then having a quiet walk to the Monorail 20 minutes later.
So, yes, we loved the parade viewing, the space to rest & relax, and to hide out after the parade. The food genuinely sucked. It would not have worked for a late dinner for us. We found it worth it overall and would do it again.
View attachment 366339