Mark,
I would say the best piece of advice you recieved was related to handicap. PN is more of a lower handicap course, while MP seemed a better fit for mid to high handicappers. I would also add that a group I was with did 36 at both in two days. The 36 at PN turned into 54 because we had the course to ourselves in the afternoon. Played the last 18 in roughly two and a half hours. The 36 at MP turned into barely 36 because the course was overrun by high handicappers, kids and slow play. The afternoon was a 5 and a half hour grind and we vowed not to go back. But I would agree that MP is worth a round and probably two if you can fit it into one day.
Mark