1st time WDW- Dec 8th- few questions

[mcasciano]

Hi Everyone
My husband and I are taking our two children 4 & 7 to WDW for the 1st time Dec 8 th for 7 days - staying at the AKL
I have been reading the boards for a few weeks now- they are Great!!
few questions for all you experts
1) with it being off season is it possible to go to MGM late morning - see the attractions- have a late lunch at Sci- Fi and see the Fantasmic Show. Do you think we will have enough time at the park- I do not want to go when it opens - i think it will be too long of a day for the kids
2) Does spectomagic run during the week at this time of year- if so when will the dates be announced- how does seeing spectomagic and then dinner at Ohana's sound??
3) Epcot- would like to see the Candlelight Procession- is the best deal to do the dinner package?? would you see the show , dinner and then stay for Illuminations
4) Mickeys Christmas Party- is this worth going- it sounds like fun.
would you do a different part earlier in the day and they hit the party in the evening when it opens.. what about dinner

thanks so much for any advice- any other tips for traveling at this time would be greatly appreciated

 

[jgoens]

Hi! I was excited to see your post as my family will be first timers on Dec. 3rd. My kids will be 6 & 4 when we go. Our land/sea package actually starts on the 4th but we don't want to waste any of the time on travel. We are also picking up some time on the back end to visit a few more of the attractions. Anyway, I am new to the boards also and saw that you had some great questions. What's the candelight procession? I have also asked about Mickey's Christmas Party. I'm not sure that it is worth it at this point. Anyway, here's looking to lots of fun for both of our families.

 

[wdwnut2]

Hi there-
I had to answer your post because we will be at WDW at the same time! I don't know all the answers but I'll answer what I can.
Our last visit was during the same week in 2001. We got to MGM about 11:00 (my husband is NOT a morning person!) and were able to see everything we wanted to. Actually we probably could have came a little later and it would have been fine. We were just two adults, you may get around a little slower with the kids, but I still think you'll be ok.

I don't know the answer about Spectromagic, I doubt dates will be released much before Oct(?). We did eat at 'Ohanas last time, it was fun and the food was great. I think your kids would love it!

As for the candlelight processional, I am embarrased to admit this, but my husband would not go see it! Honestly, he's a great guy, but it was just too much Disney/Christmas for him! We were at Epcot one night and walked by after dinner. There were still plenty of seats available, I believe it was a Tuesday or Wednesday night. I don't think the dinner package is a bad idea, but at that time of December you should be able to see it without the package. Other posters may disagree, and they probably know more then I do about this!

I have no advice about MVMCP, hoping to go this year if I can convince the hubby!

Have a wonderful first trip, you picked a great time to go!!

 

[Jay Since 72]

Four and seven are perfect ages for a first trip (I was 4 my first trip- 30 years ago...). Having said that, dinner, Spectromagic, and IllumiNations in one night might be a little much for a 4 year old to handle without a nap or two.

MGM, if the crowds aren't bad, can be done in 3/4 of a day. You might miss a couple of things, but there's something to be said for leaving a show or a ride for your next trip.

Don't miss Mickey's Christmas Party!

 

[mickeysaver]

oops double posted

 

[mickeysaver]

nevermind

 

[eeyore0062]

To answer some of your questions:

1) About MGM... yes, you can go and enjoy MGM starting in late morning. If you are interested in riding ToT or RnR, you may want to pick up a fastpass for one when you 1st arrive, do some other activities, return, ride and pick up a FP for the other to ride later in the day. Remember that MGM is only usually open until about 7:30 this time of year, at which time Fantasmic will begin--- you will need to line up around an hour prior to the show. Usually the afternoon parade is at 4 pm, and the kids love it, because it features all of their favorites, so make your PS accordingly, so you don't miss out--- I would suggest a 5 pm PS. You may want to rent a double stroller, since you will be there late.


2) As for Spectro, plan on seeing it on Saturday night. I hasn't been running at any other time lately, nor have the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks been at any other time. This is subject to change, but for the sake of planning, it is best to plan for it this way.

3) We didn't do the Candlelight Processional, however my parents did and had no problem seeing it without the dinner reservations. Just make sure to be there early to see it, then stay for Illuminations.... If you are interested in doing the dinner reservations, make them as soon as they are available, and for the earliest possible time to ensure you don't miss anything. You may want to do the early show, since you have little ones.

4) Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party was GREAT! Well worth the extra admission. It is a separate ticket, and you will not have to use a day of admission to go, unless you go to a park earlier in the day. We usually use that day to rest and relax, do a character breakfast or something and save up our energy for the evening. It runs from 7 pm until midnight and most of the attractions are open. Also, you will get to see the Christmas shows and parades that you would otherwise not get to see. All of the characters are decked out in their Christmas best, and it SNOWS on Main Street, USA!

Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We have been in early December three times. It is a perfect time to go.

1. Getting to the parks late is usually not a good idea. Even in December, we like to be there at park opening and get a lot done before it gets "crowded". If this seems like too much, go back to the room in the afternoon for a rest when the parks are the most crowded. However, you might miss the parade as the parades usually run around 3:00 p.m. in December. For this reason and since the weather is usually mild in December, we simply relax at the parks in the afternoon by seeing a couple of shows, watching the parade and eating a very long lunch.

If you arrive late, you may not have time to do a lot at MGM even with the lighter crowds except a few shows. If your kids want to see the characters, there always seem to be a lot of them at MGM (Toy Story, Monsters, Inc., Lilo and Stitch, etc.).

Fantasmic is great and the little ones should have the stamina for staying up for it. We just got back last week and our 8, 5 and 15 month old DS's all stayed up for Fantasmic and we arrived at park opening that day (although we did take a break in the afternoon). One last bit of advice for Fantasmic if you don't do the Fantasmic dinner package-- arrive at least 1 1/2 hours early!!

2. Spectromagic (or previously MSEP) has shown every December we have gone. It usually shows twice a week (Saturday and either Wednesday or Thursday depending on MVMCP). We found the crowds less hectic (although it is always packed for Spectro) during the weekday parade.

3. Candlelight processional is great but it will take up a good part of your evening if you do dinner. We usually skip it for this reason, especially with younger children.

Stay for Illuminations!!!! As this is your first time, I would recommend Illuminations over Candelight Processional.

4. I think that MVMCP is a must see, if only for the parade. The music, snow on main street, hot cocoa and cookies really get you in the Christmas spirit. We have been when it was nearly 80 degrees and when it was in the 40's. When it was in the 40's, it really felt like Christmas with the nip in the air and everyone wearing coats. We typically do MVMCP our first night and don't do any other parks that day as it goes until Midnight . We also usually take a day off after the party to let the kids sleep in.

You will really like early December. The weather should be great (although last December it rained a lot -- however, we heard on the news that Orlando rec'd more rain during a two day period in early December than it usually gets from November to March each year). Avoid Magic Kingdom on Saturdays if at all possible.

Finally, remember -- do not try to do it all!

 

[mcasciano]

Thanks everyone for all the great replies-
I am having so much fun planning this trip!!