Candlelight Processional and Osborne Lights in one night?

[pouncingpluto]

So, I figure this is definitely doable if we do the 5 p.m. CP (assuming hours are same as previous years) and then head over to the Osborne lights afterwards. But we wouldn't be able to do the CP dinner package this way. How long is the wait in line for CP if you don't have the package?

And then, of course, we would miss out on all of Epcot's great lights.

 

[slindamood]

It is doable. It really depends on how late MGM will be open. We have done both in an evening when MGM is open later and have never been rushed. Processional 5 - 6. Eat 6:15 to 8:15. Walk over to MGM. Get there 8:45. Walk back to the lights. This is a leisurely wlaking pace.

Our experience - we have found the lights to be on for about an hour after the stated closing time and they do not throw people out. Just enter the park before closing. The attractions may be closed, but many people end the evening by a leisurely stroll through the lights.

Do the package for Candlelight processional. We prefer to eat after - some eat before and are rushed and arrive late. The lines without the package can be VERY long. The preferred seating area for the porsessional is worth it - there will be a short wait even for that if you want the best seats, but likely you will have a good seat if you just show up before it starts.



AFter you eat at EPCOT, walk over to the Boardwalk exit and take the boat to MGM or walk there if you have time.

 

[jimmytammy]

I second doing the CP dinner package. We were just there in early Dec. and the lines were very long for those trying to get in and those on the package.

But you will have time to fit Osbourne in also in the same night. Both are very worth seeing.

 

[CarolMN]

When are you planning to do this? If it is on a weekend or close to Christmas, or if you have young children or older adults in your party, I'd say it would be virtually impossible.

If you plan to try it early in December, in themiddle of the week, I agree that it is doable (but maybe not as enjoyable as it could be since you will be rushing a bit and standing in line).

We saw lines forming on the stand by side as early as 4 pm this past December. My advice would be to show up and check things out about 3:30pm. take a look at how big the reserved sedtion is - it varies depending on how many dinner packages were sold. Then you can estimate how many stand by guests will get in. You can do other things in the area until the line gets to be near where you estimate you'll have trouble getting in. At that point you will want to get in line.

Another option is to just listen to the CP from the outdoor eating area - the beauty of the show is mostly in the music and the narration, and you can hear just fine by standing in the back or sitting at one of the tables. FWIW, some parents with young children listen from this area becasue the theater is toomuch for thier little ones.

After the show is over, about 5:45, you'll need to walk to the Studios (will be faster than taking the boat). It may take up to 15 -20 minutes to get out of the theater because the CMs block the walkway to allow all of the paticipants to cross over to the American Pavilllion (believe they wait between shows behind the Pavillion).

Allow about 20-30 minutes to walk to the Studios. If you aren't familar with the walking path, it will take longer - you may have to ask directions.

Actually, the best time to see the lights (for lower crowds) is about the same time Fantasmic starts. There is a large crowd there every evening when it first begins at 6 pm. FWIW, it it has rained in the last 2 days before you plan to go, check to see that the lights will be turned on. We learned last year that they have to wait 2 days after the end of a rain storm before they can turn the lights on as not all the lights were desinged to be for the ourtdoors. The lights were "dark" for a t least a few days last December Luck for us, we had seen it the day before the rains started.

If there is any way to do the CP and the OL on separate nights, that is the way to go.

Best wishes -

 

[Bama Penguin]

What time is the fantastic show at MGM in early December. Is it possible to do the CP early and then the fantastic show on the same evening? I'm just guessing that it probably wouldn't work, but I thought I would ask someone who may have tried it.

 

[DebbieB]

In early December, Fantasmic is around 7:00 with park closing around 8:00.

 

[lorli]

Is it possible to do the CP on the dining plan?

 

[Ariel'sMom]

Sorry to betray my ignorance, but what is the candlelight processional and where is the dinner that is part of the dinner package? Thank you!

 

[MommaluvsDis]

We want to do the Fantasmic dinner package in Dec. We'd like to eat at the Brown Derby, go to Fantasmic, then walk thru the Osborne lights after. What time would we need to make our ADR for?

 

[CarolMN]

Is it possible to do the CP on the dining plan?

It was allowed in 2005. We'll hve to wait and see if they will allow it again this year. I would bet that they will.

Best wishes -

 

[CarolMN]

Sorry to betray my ignorance, but what is the candlelight processional and where is the dinner that is part of the dinner package? Thank you!

Read all about it -

Candlelight Processional

Candlelight Processional FAQ

Best wishes -

 

[pouncingpluto]

Thanks guys. Two young adults, no children, in early December. Probably a Sunday night. I would love to add another night to the long weekend so we could do these no separate days, but I'm really low on vacation leave.

slindamood... thanks for the info and the suggestion! I think I'll try to get an ADR for about 6:30, and we'll have to hope MGM is open late! I actually wouldn't mind eating an early dinner/late lunch before the show, but I don't think they let you do that with the dinner package.

 

[jaysmom4285]

pouncingpluto, the only slight drawback to the 5 PM CP is that it isn't dark yet at 5, which takes away a little from the "candlelight" effect. The show is certainly the same, just with a slightly different ambiance. But it is probably the only way to do that and Fantasmic the same night. The previous poster was correct, however, in that you only have to get into MGM before the park closes to see the Osbourne lights. We went to the Fantasmic show at 7 last December (park closing was at 8 that night), then headed over to the Osbourne lights with the rest of the crowd. We decided to hold back a little and shop/snack til the worst of the crowds had gone through, then we enjoyed the lights at our leisure with fewer people in the way. The CM's don't make any attempt to hurry anyone along, and we were there well past park closing. As you exit the Osbourne lights area, the CM's will just direct you straight to the park exit.

 

[CarolMN]

If you are planning on seeing the 5 pm CP on the first Sunday of December, you may have a problem. For the past several years, that has been the time and night local churches attend. There haven't even been CP DInner Packages sold for that time & date. Not sure that only the "special" groups can attend that showing, but it certainly would limit the number of stand by guests that can get in.

Best wishes -

 

[Straitlover]

It could have been done on Sunday 12/11/05 when I was there. That was an EMH night at MGM, so could have probably gone to any of the performances and then headed over to MGM for the lights if you were staying onsite. We were not able to get CP dining reservations and the standby line was about a mile long, so we just sat at the tables in front of the Liberty Inn for the early show and listened to it for a little while before heading over to MGM.

 

[lorli]

It was allowed in 2005. We'll hve to wait and see if they will allow it again this year. I would bet that they will.

Best wishes -

Thanks for that information, as the 180 days approaches, aways down the road I'll make our reservations.

 

[CarolMN]

Thanks for that information, as the 180 days approaches, aways down the road I'll make our reservations.

The DInner Packages have never gone by the usual ADR booking periods. Don't be surprised if they are available to be booked sooner or later than the 180 day mark. Just keep an eye on these boards and you'll be fine.

Best wishes -

 

[pouncingpluto]

If you are planning on seeing the 5 pm CP on the first Sunday of December, you may have a problem. QUOTE]

It'll be the second Sunday, 12/10.

Well, we'll have to see! I will skip Osborne if I have to. My husband has never seen either one, but I've seen Osborne a few times and never CP.

We're terrible line-haters, so we'll do the dinner package if at all possible!