Can someone tell me when the cast partys are sceduled this year?

[mommy2allyandaveri]

It's of some interest to those of us who live in Anaheim too - they still have the fireworks even though DL closes early, so they run during the evening rush hour. Quite a surprise to those who weren't expecting it.

LOL

I can just imagine driving down I-5 at 5pm and all of a sudden there are tons of fireworks. Probably scares the you know what out of people sometimes.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Thank you so much for doing this research, I really really appreciate it. It is very frustrating to me that we can not get this information accurately this far in advance. I understand that we still have a while before Dec but the fact that they are closing the park at 5 or 6 is huge to me and I would like to plan around that. When I called Disney they said they wouldn't know until Sept. Well most of us that work need to request time off long before Sept in order to get Dec off.

Brady's mom, we are planning our trip for the same dates. I'm not sure what your plans are on Sunday but we arrived the Sunday of the CP last year and I think the event was at 6pm or so. We chose not to watch just because of the crowds on main street but it was really cool and it sounds like you will already be there, if you plan to go into the park that day.

You're welcome!
Yes, it is frustrating to not have the info. in advance to do planning. I looked up the info. because we have never been to DLR at Christmas time and since we are planning to do it this year, I really want to see the CP at least once, but I wanted to avoid the CM party nights. We will be arriving the day before the first CP and then we'll stay through the week. If the CM parties are before the CP as I hope, then we will get longer days in the park that week. As far as the CP's, as Danger Mouse said there are 2 per night on Saturday and Sunday. (The times are 5:30 and 8:00).

 

[scooter15]

LOL

I can just imagine driving down I-5 at 5pm and all of a sudden there are tons of fireworks. Probably scares the you know what out of people sometimes.

It actually becomes one of those things that you just happen to expect each night. Only problem is that it really slows down traffic on the freeway and it just gets annoying for all of us that want to go home.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

Never been at Christmastime before, but tentatively planning to go down Dec. 4th-7th (arriving late on the 3rd and leaving late afternoon on the 7th...). I might be mixing it up with what I've read about the Candlelight Processional in WDW, but is it something you need some kind of extra ticket for? Didn't I read that part of it happens in the Fantasyland theater? Again I may just be confusing many things but I guess my main question is, if we're in the parks that night will we get to see it without getting any special tickets and/or passes?

Thank you!

 

[DangerMouse]

Never been at Christmastime before, but tentatively planning to go down Dec. 4th-7th (arriving late on the 3rd and leaving late afternoon on the 7th...). I might be mixing it up with what I've read about the Candlelight Processional in WDW, but is it something you need some kind of extra ticket for? Didn't I read that part of it happens in the Fantasyland theater? Again I may just be confusing many things but I guess my main question is, if we're in the parks that night will we get to see it without getting any special tickets and/or passes?

Thank you!

The CP used to take place in the FL Theater. For the last couple years they have moved it to Main Street, right in front of the Train Station.

Reserved Seating does require a separate ticket, and usually is offered to AP holders first and sells out pretty quickly. It is sold with a dinner package and can be pretty spendy, but that is the only way you are guaranteed a seat.

I have read of many people just staking out a spot on Main Street early enough to be able to view the CP from behind the reserved seating, and I have also read that if the seats are not filled in by the time it has started, they will let you fill in seats.

HTH.

 

[*Susan*]

We were there from Thurs - Sun last year (CP was held on Saturday evening & Sunday evening). Thurs was empty, fabulous crowd level, Friday got worse and Saturday was awful.

I will say I'm spoiled as we usually go during the off-season, but waits were 2+ hours for SM, etc. which is crowded by any measure. Everyone in our group agreed we'll be avoiding the CP weekend at all costs from now on.

Just FYI for those who can change their dates. If you do go, stay away from main street while the CP is going on unless you want to see it. I stood for a spot for an hour beforehand. It was neat, but not anything I would need to see again. If you really want to do it I'd pay for the dinner/seat option. In the surrounding areas you have to stand before and during the performance which is a lot of standing around.

 

[teacherlisa1978]

Thank you for the help! That's exactly what I wanted to know. If we decide to try for the reserved seating, how would we go about that? I'm assuming a call to vacation planning or dining? When?

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I've had 12/8-12/11 booked at HoJo's for a month or so, I just called and added a reservation for 12/1-12/4, when we finally know when the CM Party nights are I will get rid of one ressie and keep the other.

 

[Jenn1116]

Great plan DisneyMomma!