Very merry christmas confusion!!!

[billyvmom]

This will be our first trip to disney and we are going to the Christmas Party and seeing Disney when its all holidayed up. We want to make the most of this trip any suggestions my kids are 4 and 6 Liberty is 4 and Billy is six. Thanks 4 any help
Brandy:santa:

[Metro West]

http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/10.gif

[pepe of ohio]

Be sure to check out the lobby at Wilderness Lodge, it's fantastic. It's become our go to resort. We've been to WDW afew times over the holidays and the decorations will blow you away. We're from Ohio and it's hard being in Florida, seeing all the Christmas trees, lights and poinsettias and it's 80 degrees out. Make us wonder why we're still in Ohio. Go, enjoy and get absorbed in the magic, it's contagoust.

[OogieDaddy]

The best thing I can say is that your family will love that time of year. There is so much to see at the parks and the resorts that I wouldn't be able to say what is the best. My family loves the lights, music and snow at HS and the Christmas party is great. See I can just keep going with what we like.

[anne930]

Christmas time is our most favorite time of the year at WDW! Be sure to see the Christmas parade at MVMCP and the castle lit up at night (it's fabulous). Also, you must take your kids to see the characters at Camp Minnie Mickey at Animal Kingdom. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald & Daisy are dressed up in their Christmas outfits - Mickey & Minnie's Christmas trees are decorated with cheese - it's too cute - and the pictures will be priceless.

Have fun!

[KGH]

Some things to check out with the little ones:

* Gingerbread house in The Grand Floridian
* Osbourne Family Lights ( In DHS at Streets of America.)
* Castle Lighting Ceremony.


HAVE FUN!

[PrincessBetsy]

Welcome! Christmas time at WDW is wonderful! There is so much to see and do. Make sure you watch the Castle lighting ceremony at the Magic Kingdom, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios, and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. I would also recommend going to different resorts to see their decorations for the holidays - the Grand Floridian is my favorite!

[DisCopper]

I generally don't advise first-timers to go during the holidays. You didn't say exactly when you were going, but the crowds during the holidays can be large. As a first-timer, you need to expect that and not let it ruin your trip. You will see all kinds of things that are holiday themed (see other posts) that don't require waiting in line and that can make your trip wonderful. Just make sure you plan for, and don't get frustrated by big crowds.

[billyvmom]

we are going nov13-20 we have been told its slower then lets cross our fingers

[pepe of ohio]

we are going nov13-20 we have been told its slower then lets cross our fingers

We were in WDW at the end of January and it was fairly crowded, more so than last January and we're headed back the end of September, again usually a slow time but this year of promotions, I'd expect larger than normal crowds. We've noticed on alot of our recent trips, that the weekend tend to fill up alot. Weekdays are generally nice, especially early mornings, we'll walk thru the MK and feel we're all alone until around 11am, then the late sleeper file in and all leans towards moderately crowded with lines starting to form, we usually duck out everyday around then and head back to the resort.

[golden1023]

On our first trip we went to the Christmas parade and was actually disappointed. Only because I saw the same thing on TV on Christmas morning! And didn't have to battle the crowds and tired kids. BUT I will have to say if you miss those shots of Cinderella's Castle in all of it's icey glory you will regret it. The Osborne Lights at HS are a perfect Christmas Card photo op and will leave you breathless. Needless to say we are returning again this December, just to escape the cold of Indiana!

[anne930]

On our first trip we went to the Christmas parade and was actually disappointed. Only because I saw the same thing on TV on Christmas morning! And didn't have to battle the crowds and tired kids. BUT I will have to say if you miss those shots of Cinderella's Castle in all of it's icey glory you will regret it. The Osborne Lights at HS are a perfect Christmas Card photo op and will leave you breathless. Needless to say we are returning again this December, just to escape the cold of Indiana!

Everything is personal preference, of course. Even though the Christmas parade is the same as on tv on Christmas morning, to me it is so much better at night and being able to see it straight through - without the singing performances, commentaries, & commercials makes it very special. Christmas day is usually too hectic to watch it anyway.

[dazednconfused]

We did MVMCP last year and collected out tickets via the Will Call counter at MK on the day we were scheduled to attend the party. Needless to say, we received paper tickets. Now, I did recall seeing some guests with plastic tickets. Similar to the resort room keycard. Do these have to be mailed out by Disney? Do they cost more? More importantly, is Disney still doing this for this year? Thanks in advance!!:)

[epd0407]

Keep and eye on the travel channel, they do specials throughout the year for "free" things to see at Disney for the holidays. The WL had a huge getup the last time it was on, and it really looks impressive making all that food for a display. I know last time we were there (2007) the American Pavilion had a life size gingerbread house.

Also, go to the MVMCP dressed for the holidays. Santa is there and the pictures you can get with the kids are priceless.

[cjlvsccm]

This will be our first trip to disney and we are going to the Christmas Party and seeing Disney when its all holidayed up. We want to make the most of this trip any suggestions my kids are 4 and 6 Liberty is 4 and Billy is six. Thanks 4 any help
Brandy:santa:

WDW really is a sight to see at Christmastime! The Osborne Lights at DHS are just spectacular. :3dglasses

Your kids might not get into resort-hopping to check out the decorations... but if they're up for it, you should visit all the deluxes.

All the PP have had great suggestions, but no one has yet mentioned the Santas at Epcot WS. Almost all the countries have a Santa/ Father Christmas/ Kris Kringle type character to tell stories about that country's Christmas legends and traditions.

Happy planning!! :santa:

[billyvmom]

We did MVMCP last year and collected out tickets via the Will Call counter at MK on the day we were scheduled to attend the party. Needless to say, we received paper tickets. Now, I did recall seeing some guests with plastic tickets. Similar to the resort room keycard. Do these have to be mailed out by Disney? Do they cost more? More importantly, is Disney still doing this for this year? Thanks in advance!!:)

We got our plastic card style tickets in the mail this week but, they did'nt include a program or map kind of sad maybe they only gives those out at the parks. The plastic ones did'nt cost more that I know of.

[PrincessTiffany]

WDW really is a sight to see at Christmastime! The Osborne Lights at DHS are just spectacular. :3dglasses

Your kids might not get into resort-hopping to check out the decorations... but if they're up for it, you should visit all the deluxes.

All the PP have had great suggestions, but no one has yet mentioned the Santas at Epcot WS. Almost all the countries have a Santa/ Father Christmas/ Kris Kringle type character to tell stories about that country's Christmas legends and traditions.

Happy planning!! :santa:
The Osbourne Lights and the World Showcase Sants do not start until after Thanksgiving. The OP is going November 13 - 20, so they will miss those events.

[PrincessTiffany]

Everything is personal preference, of course. Even though the Christmas parade is the same as on tv on Christmas morning, to me it is so much better at night and being able to see it straight through - without the singing performances, commentaries, & commercials makes it very special. Christmas day is usually too hectic to watch it anyway.
The Christmas parade that they show at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and the televised Christmas Parade that ABC shows on Christmas morning are two totally different events and parades. The ABC Christmas Parade is usually pre-taped the first weekend in December and is televised on Christmas morning. The MVMCP parade is not a televised event. When the MVMCP parties conclude around the 19th, then the MVMCP parade will take the place of the daily 3:00 Dreams Come True Pararde and it will run at 12:00 and 3:00 each day a MK through Christmas.

[thelionqueen]

We got our tickets for 12/18/09 MVMCP in the mail; they are the plastic tickets.

[crazybones27]

Last year when we went we ordered ours in advance and they were plastic. While we were there we decided to do the MVMCP again and bought new tickets. Those were paper. So my guess is yes they only send out plastic ones in the mail. :)



We did MVMCP last year and collected out tickets via the Will Call counter at MK on the day we were scheduled to attend the party. Needless to say, we received paper tickets. Now, I did recall seeing some guests with plastic tickets. Similar to the resort room keycard. Do these have to be mailed out by Disney? Do they cost more? More importantly, is Disney still doing this for this year? Thanks in advance!!:)

[dazednconfused]

Plastic tickets in the mail?!!! :banana:
Fantastic!!! I'm glad I asked! Thank you so much, everyone, for the info. I will definitely have Disney mail the MVMCP tickets to me this year! The plastic ones make for a nice momento!:cheer2: Hooray!!!

[SFD998]

Plastic tickets in the mail?!!! :banana:
Fantastic!!! I'm glad I asked! Thank you so much, everyone, for the info. I will definitely have Disney mail the MVMCP tickets to me this year! The plastic ones make for a nice momento!:cheer2: Hooray!!!

I don't know if it makes a difference, but we got our MNSSHP tickets in the mail and they too were plastic. However, they were just generic characters and not done up for the event. Are the MVMCP tickets done up for the event?

[MarkinNM]

http://bestsmileys.com/welcome/19.gif

[donnajz]

The Osbourne Lights and the World Showcase Sants do not start until after Thanksgiving. The OP is going November 13 - 20, so they will miss those events.

When, exactly, do the Christmas lights go up? We're thinking of going Thanksgiving Day and staying and 5 nights? We've never seen their Christmas decorations. Will they be decked out by then?

[billyvmom]

talked to disney and all decorations such as the osbourne lights will be up by November 10th

[PrincessTiffany]

talked to disney and all decorations such as the osbourne lights will be up by November 10th
I'm sorry, but I believe you have been given some misinformation.

The MVMCP does start on November 10, the Castle Lights will be up and MK will be decorated by then, except for the MK tree, it will not go up until after the ABC Parade Taping the first weekend in December.

But, The Osbourne Lights at DHS, The Candlelight Processional and the Epcot Holiday Lights and Santas from Around the World do not start until November 27. I just called WDW customer service to confirm those dates from the web are correct. And CM Rep Elizabeth confirmed that November 27 is the correct date for those events.

[billyvmom]

I called yet again and finally got some real answers the Osbourne lights will start Nov. 10 but, holiday processional will be after Thanks giving as well as most resorts won't be finished until then either. That is half my trip I am so disappointed that I wish I could cancel but, we R stuck:headache: I am heart broken and angry that I was given wrong info and now I spent all this money on a mere shadow of what I thought my trip was going to be. Now Murphy is hanging with me and tells me to forget getting the dining reservations we want and into the shows we want because whatever can go wrong will go wrong!!! The Grinch stole my vacation!:sad2:

[DisCopper]

I called yet again and finally got some real answers the Osbourne lights will start Nov. 10 but, holiday processional will be after Thanks giving as well as most resorts won't be finished until then either. That is half my trip I am so disappointed that I wish I could cancel but, we R stuck:headache: I am heart broken and angry that I was given wrong info and now I spent all this money on a mere shadow of what I thought my trip was going to be. Now Murphy is hanging with me and tells me to forget getting the dining reservations we want and into the shows we want because whatever can go wrong will go wrong!!! The Grinch stole my vacation!:sad2:

I DEFINITELY wouldn't say that your trip is going to be "a mere shadow" of what you thought it was going to be. The Christmas stuff is great, but you have to remember that Disney is GREAT all year long. You may not be able to get the exact ADR's and shows that you want, but don't let that ruin your trip. You'll find stuff that you really, really enjoy.

[billyvmom]

Whew goes the relief of adrs finished and done so excited and can't wait!!!!

[LittleWonders]

We are heading down 12/1 - 12/10 to experience Disney Christmas. Trying to find out if the taping of the parade is something we want to do. We will be a party of four DH, DW, DD4, DS8mo. We are DVC members and cannot get any information from DVC on tickets.

[lovetoscrap]

We are heading down 12/1 - 12/10 to experience Disney Christmas. Trying to find out if the taping of the parade is something we want to do. We will be a party of four DH, DW, DD4, DS8mo. We are DVC members and cannot get any information from DVC on tickets.

You might ask this on the Theme Parks board, but based on what I have read here the answer is absolutely NO! The parade doesn't happen like you see it on TV. It takes HOURS, in fact I think 2 or 3 days for them to tape the whole thing. It is a whole lot of standing around and waiting in the sun doing nothing. And once you are a part of the "audience" they want you to agree to stay. I think most that do it are locals that go to the parks all the time and just want a new experience. For those just vacationing the advice is to avoid MK on the parade taping days because the Hub is so crazy with the taping activities.

You really won't get to see any of the stars, they keep the crowds back. With the ages of your kids I really recommend you stay far away from MK those days and go and have a great time at another park!

[JenniD44]

You might ask this on the Theme Parks board, but based on what I have read here the answer is absolutely NO! The parade doesn't happen like you see it on TV. It takes HOURS, in fact I think 2 or 3 days for them to tape the whole thing. It is a whole lot of standing around and waiting in the sun doing nothing. And once you are a part of the "audience" they want you to agree to stay. I think most that do it are locals that go to the parks all the time and just want a new experience. For those just vacationing the advice is to avoid MK on the parade taping days because the Hub is so crazy with the taping activities.

You really won't get to see any of the stars, they keep the crowds back. With the ages of your kids I really recommend you stay far away from MK those days and go and have a great time at another park!

I have to agree with this. We were there some years ago and stumbled upon them taping the Christmas parade at DHS. It was pretty cool. The parade was running as an actual parade and we were behind the cameras and stuff. They had those cameras on some sort of extension thing in the air and they would move around to zoom in and get different shots. Very neat.

When we were there in 2007, it was very different. We had been to MVMCP and seen the actual parade in the evening and it was great. The day of the taping we went to MK because a CM at a restaurant had secretly told us that some of the cast of HSM was going to be there. My girls were thrilled. Well, we got to MK and everything was blocked for the taping. We had to go in around this back way and once we got back by Fantasyland you could not even move because there were so many people. We went over by Mainstreet and my husband inquired about the HSM gang. Apparently they tape some of the parade in Florida and some in California. The HSM cast was at the CA taping. As far as the parade, it looked the same as the one we saw at MVMCP, but there was no sound. :eek: They would pause frequently and it just wasn't fun to watch at all. We did get to see Regis and Kelly when we passed the bandstand, but with all the crowds, we left and headed to DTD and had a pleasant eveniing there. I don't think it would be fun to be one of the ticket holders who had to stay in place and watch the parade. JMO.:thumbsup2

[Happy Goofy]

We have tickets for Dec. 8th for the Christmas Party. We will be three retired couples who love Disney. What are some hints for the Christmas Party. We also got tickets for Dec. 18 to hear Whoopie Goldberg do the reading at the Candlelite procession. We made lunch reservations at the German pavillion which included tickets for the processsion. Any suggestions?

[lovetoscrap]

We have tickets for Dec. 8th for the Christmas Party. We will be three retired couples who love Disney. What are some hints for the Christmas Party. We also got tickets for Dec. 18 to hear Whoopie Goldberg do the reading at the Candlelite procession. We made lunch reservations at the German pavillion which included tickets for the processsion. Any suggestions?


I suggest that you ask this on the Theme Parks Attractions and Stratagies Board. You will get lots of suggestions over there.

[standleyent1]

I'm sorry, but I believe you have been given some misinformation.

The MVMCP does start on November 10, the Castle Lights will be up and MK will be decorated by then, except for the MK tree, it will not go up until after the ABC Parade Taping the first weekend in December.

But, The Osbourne Lights at DHS, The Candlelight Processional and the Epcot Holiday Lights and Santas from Around the World do not start until November 27. I just called WDW customer service to confirm those dates from the web are correct. And CM Rep Elizabeth confirmed that November 27 is the correct date for those events.


FYI

November 10, 2009 — January 4, 2010*


The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park is a breathtaking seasonal display featuring millions of glittering lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music.

And this straight from the WDW site, I have been there in November plenty of times and the Osbourne lights were always up around the 2nd week.

Your trip will be GREAT!! There is sooo much to do besides the Epcot events just the MK party and the Osbourne lights will be super stimulus for your Christmas cravings!!
Just remember to Have Fun!!
pirate:pirate:

[PrincessTiffany]

FYI

November 10, 2009 — January 4, 2010*


The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the Streets of America at Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park is a breathtaking seasonal display featuring millions of glittering lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music.

And this straight from the WDW site, I have been there in November plenty of times and the Osbourne lights were always up around the 2nd week.

Your trip will be GREAT!! There is sooo much to do besides the Epcot events just the MK party and the Osbourne lights will be super stimulus for your Christmas cravings!!
Just remember to Have Fun!!
pirate:pirate:
When I posted that response over two months ago, the Osborne Lights were not starting until after Thanksgiving. They changed the calendar right after that.

And FYI, last year they did not start until the day after Thanksgiving.

[standleyent1]

When I posted that response over two months ago, the Osborne Lights were not starting until after Thanksgiving. They changed the calendar right after that.

And FYI, last year they did not start until the day after Thanksgiving.

I was there last year and 2 years before that on November 14th and they were going then I have the pics to prove it!!

[PrincessTiffany]

I was there last year and 2 years before that on November 14th and they were going then I have the pics to prove it!!
In 2007 they did start mid-November, last year the Osbourne Lights started on November 28. Here's the link to last year's event page with the dates:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/Photos/OsborneLights_2008/index.htm