A Very Lurkyloo Christmas is FINISHED! New 3/16: Last Day of the Trip!

[ampooh]

I had to bring some Disney in too. This is Ds's 4th bday cake

 

[Circusgirl]

Hmmm... I guess I'd better post some actual plans in my pre-trip report....

******************

I realized that we need to also see the Osbourne Lights and Candlelight Processsional while we're down for Christmas.

Does anyone have any tips for the best way to do these - especially tips on avoiding crowds?


Thanks!

My best tip is that they close the front parts of HS at the regular time but don't shoo people out of the Osborne lights for a while after the park is closed. We were there just before closing and it was a madhouse (although a zany and fun madhouse). We were staying for an after hours event so after the park was officially closed we cruised back over there while we were waiting for the beginning of our party, and there was a greatly reduced crowd enjoying the spectacle. A CM told us that they tended to keep the lights open a little longer than the park, so I don't think it just had to do with our event.

 

[KatGarcia]

All the cake and cupcake stuff made me wanna post this. This was taken about 2 weeks ago at the Crumbs Bakery. Seriously we had trouble picking out just one!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

DDIL made this Bob the Tomato cake for DGS's 4th Bday in January

 

[lovedonaldduck]

The duck cake was just plain yellow cake, that is DDs favorite though.

 

[29apr00]

Carrie - i'd like to interrupt your PTR today for a special announcement.

I hit SUPER MEMBER today on SR!!


It's all thanks to you too! It's an awesome program!

 

[lurkyloo]

I think the Osbourne lights are just plain crowded and there is no way to avoid it. People start lining up before it gets dark. I think once you get used to the number of people surrounding you it becomes less annoying and you don't feel so space deprived.

I would recommend the Candlelight processional dinner package. You still have to line up, but if you line up early you can get decent seats at the front left of the theatre (at least thats how we were seated a few years ago). I love the CP because I love hearing the Christmas story in its non politically correct format.

OK, these are great tips. Do you have any idea when they usually start taking reservations for the Candlelight Processional packages?

Forget it with the Osborn lights - just enjoy the crowded-ness! It's really not bad, because you're not trying to do more than look at things. I strongly recommend getting in the middle of NY Street a little early so you can be part of the flipping of the switch. Grab a cup of cocoa, people watch and enjoy! Once the initial "show" is over, hang tight and let folks move around until it thins out some, then stroll around to see things up close. We go every year and this approach hasn't let us down yet!

This sounds like a great plan! How do I find out what time they flip the switch each night?

I'm loving all the cakes on here so far. Some of them are just so creative. This was my birthday cake this last year. Ignore the big white out mark in the middle of the cake.

See, Disney is never far from my heart.

Wow - that is really cool! Did you or someone you know make it?

One tip I've heard for the Osborne lights is to go AFTER Fantasmic. People start leaving then.

Following that train of thought, I might consider going DURING Fantasmic.

Oooh - also great tips. I love counter-planning like that. I'll have to see which day Fantasmic! is showing...

The only tip that I can offer is one that has already been offered previously---and that is to book the CP lunch/dinner package if possible AND if possible, go to either the 6:00(ish) or 8:00(ish) show.

I think that's what we'll do. Since the Biergarten appears to be one of the cheaper packages, this might be a nice way to knock that one off the list.

Now tell me why 6ish and 8ish are better than the earlier show. Darkness?

It seems like there are so many fantastic things that happen at night during Christmas (Osborne Lights, MVMCP, Candlelight Processional, Tree Lightings) and for us, it's going to be hard fitting them all in.

I know what you mean! I've heard about all these things over the years, and it's just dawning on me that they will *all* be going on in December and we NEED TO GO SEE THEM!!!

Here's my contribution to the cause--it's a cupcake, hope that will do

Oooh! Oooh! We have a Crumbs Bake Shop in Beverly Hills. What kind of cupcake is this? I want it!

My entrance fee. DD's birthday cupcakes for her party on the 27th.

Those are ADORABLE! I love that shade of pink!

Okay...I just gained 10 lbs. reading through the first eight pages! Any report that can mix Disney and desserts is perfect in my book!

Here's my entrance fee!

ooooh! That looks like it's covered in frosting instead of fondant.... I just wanna take a big ol' bite out of it!

Here is my entrance cake. This was the cake I had for DS's 1st Bee Day 5 yrs ago.

Oh my goodness - that one's adorable TOO! Tell me you still have some of those cute little bees.

I had to bring some Disney in too. This is Ds's 4th bday cake

Wow - where are you getting these cakes? Did you make them? They look so cool!

My best tip is that they close the front parts of HS at the regular time but don't shoo people out of the Osborne lights for a while after the park is closed. We were there just before closing and it was a madhouse (although a zany and fun madhouse). We were staying for an after hours event so after the park was officially closed we cruised back over there while we were waiting for the beginning of our party, and there was a greatly reduced crowd enjoying the spectacle. A CM told us that they tended to keep the lights open a little longer than the park, so I don't think it just had to do with our event.

This is a GREAT tip! I like the idea of the greatly reduced crowd. Maybe we can be there for the lighting and then go back at the end of the night for the low crowds.

All the cake and cupcake stuff made me wanna post this. This was taken about 2 weeks ago at the Crumbs Bakery. Seriously we had trouble picking out just one!

DROOL! OK, so, which one did you pick out? The thing with Crumbs is they are so huge that even I can't finish a whole one by myself...

DDIL made this Bob the Tomato cake for DGS's 4th Bday in January

Wow - your DDIL is really talented - that cake looks great! Did it taste like tomato?

The duck cake was just plain yellow cake, that is DDs favorite though.

Yellow flavor sounds good to me!

Carrie - i'd like to interrupt your PTR today for a special announcement.

I hit SUPER MEMBER today on SR!!


It's all thanks to you too! It's an awesome program!

WOW! Congratulations! Good for you - I'm so glad it's working out for you. Can't beat free money...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

My best tip is that they close the front parts of HS at the regular time but don't shoo people out of the Osborne lights for a while after the park is closed. We were there just before closing and it was a madhouse (although a zany and fun madhouse). We were staying for an after hours event so after the park was officially closed we cruised back over there while we were waiting for the beginning of our party, and there was a greatly reduced crowd enjoying the spectacle. A CM told us that they tended to keep the lights open a little longer than the park, so I don't think it just had to do with our event.

This is definitely the BEST tip. I believe they keep the Osborne Lights open for an hour after park closing. The difference is seriously like night and day! I nearly had a panic attack trying to walk down the street earlier in the night but after park close there was enough time to stop, turn, look around and take it all in!

They started booking Candlelight Processionals last year on June 23rd. Not sure what, if anything, that means for this year.

 

[annnewjerz]

In the past, the CP was booked mid/late June but the general concensus on the Restaurants board is that the CP will be booked at 90 days just like all other normal ADRs now.

The 6:00 and the 8:00(ish) shows are supposed to be better yes, because of darkness. I asked opinions on another board and it seemed that people said the earliest show was just fine if that's all you could do---but that the darkness really made it more special because of the lighting and the "candles" that the choir holds? Not sure about that last part.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Oooh! Oooh! We have a Crumbs Bake Shop in Beverly Hills. What kind of cupcake is this? I want it!

This was the Elvis, which may be a buzz-kill for you because I think I've read before that you don't like fruity cakes-- it's vanilla cake with banana cream filling topped with buttercream, peanut butter chips and peanut butter glaze. But don't depsair they also have the Baba Booey, which is a peanut butter chocolate combo .

 

[ampooh]

A friends make the cakes for me. I was happy with both. I have no real talent like that

I am looking for a cross stitch pattern for a cupcake though. I can do that.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Okay, someone needs to help me get educated on Sunshine Rewards. I heard "free money" somewhere...?

 

[starann]

I think I have DH convinced to go back to WDW in Oct (well next Oct, but still Oct!!!)


He has been saying all along that we need a new roof, but when I told him it would be 1700 for all 4 of us in a value, he seemed more receptive. He wants to try someplace new, but I told him, the boys will only be little once!

 

[Beka]

Okay, someone needs to help me get educated on Sunshine Rewards. I heard "free money" somewhere...?

I need to know how to work it! I never qualify for a survey & don't shop at the stores on the site.

 

[PrincessV]

This sounds like a great plan! How do I find out what time they flip the switch each night?

I'm wanting to say 6pm, but you'll see it posted on the DIS and can ask any cast member. Figure on getting to NY St. around dusk and you'll be set!

 

[starann]

Silly me, I forgot my entry fee...........

 

[cdotla]

I am seriously amazed with each and every one of these cakes!!!

I think we have a combination of the most talented cake designers and/or cake appreciators in the whole history of Dis threads!

 

[PopArtGal]

Silly me, I forgot my entry fee...........

Oh I want that cute!!

He's so cute!

 

[lazydoxy66]

This PTR has turned into a low carber's nightmare!

I do so love to see all these fabulous cakes/cupcakes. I just keep telling myself that they can't taste nearly as good as they look.

Sorry Carrie I got nothing on Osborne. I'm sure you will enjoy it no matter what.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

My best tip for the Osborne Lights is to go on an EMH night about an hour before the park closes for the night. We do it every time we go during the Christmas season (we usually go the second week of December) and are usually the only people on the street which is such a weird/awesome feeling. I believe it's every 15 minutes the lights 'dance' to the music (my favorite being to the song 'Sarajevo' it brings tears to my eyes every time! ).

CP: It is a really cool thing to see at least once. We did the dinner package twice but opted out last time. We still got great seats, we just arrived about 15-20 minutes before it started. Also, I recommend bringing a sweater or something to sit on as the weather is unpredictable and it can get down in the 40's-50's and the seats are metal (and uncomfortable).

I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to see the 'Santa's around the World' in Epcot. They are very frequent in the 'performances' and are really neat to watch. Also there's a lighted 'arch' leading into World Showcase that 'dances' to the music as well. I believe the fountain at Epcot dances to Christmas music too.

MVMCP is cool to go to at least once. However, IMHO, going during an EMH at Magic Kingdom is just as good (and much cheaper and much less crowded).

Make sure you check out the goings-on at each of the resorts (and not just the typical decoration things). GF has a band playing Christmas music in their lobby, WL has sleigh rides, AKL has Christmas Ostrich egg paintings, etc. I believe when you check into your resort they'll give you a print out of everything going on at the resort you're staying at.

Ok, that's enough of my opinions

Here's my admission fee!