Candlelight Processional on Christmas Day

[ct7878]

Just found out that my son will be performing in CP on Christmas for both the 6:45 and 8:00 show. While we are very excited to see him do this, it has sort of caused the need for us to completely change our family plans for Christmas Day (not to mention the cost of having to upgrade our Gold AP's to Platinum since we are blocked out- grrrr) and the need for last minute planning. While it is really late, I have been trying to get a CP Dinner package reservation- unfortunately, to no avail. I will keep looking, but curious how bad things are at EPCOT on Christmas Day. Will anyone from the SB line get in to each show- how far in advance should be get in line given that it is Christmas Day. We normally avoid the parks during the holidays, so I don't have much a frame of reference for this time.

Also- while I have not been able to get a Dinner Package, I have been able to get reservation for early dinner at both the Biergarden and Akershus. Does anyone recommend one over the other or have any insight on what the "holiday meal" at the Biergarden entails? We will be four adults- we don't mind character dining, but don't need it either. Since it is Christmas and will be the first one since my Dad passed early this year, I am hoping to make it a special day, especially for my Mom. It will certainly not be our traditional Christmas Day at home, but maybe its a good year for things to be a bit different- just want to make it a great day!

 

[AJT607]

(1) I would recommend that you keep checking for Candlelight Dining packages. Things tend to open up as people cancel closer to the date.

(2) Biergarten Holiday Dinner is the normal experience, but they will add traditional Christmas holiday items to the regular buffet. There's no character dining at Biergarten but they do have a show with musicians that plays about once per hour. Be aware that Biergarten has 8-person tables, so you may sit with strangers if you don't have that large of a party.

 

[yulilin3]

Just found out that my son will be performing in CP on Christmas for both the 6:45 and 8:00 show. While we are very excited to see him do this, it has sort of caused the need for us to completely change our family plans for Christmas Day (not to mention the cost of having to upgrade our Gold AP's to Platinum since we are blocked out- grrrr) and the need for last minute planning. While it is really late, I have been trying to get a CP Dinner package reservation- unfortunately, to no avail. I will keep looking, but curious how bad things are at EPCOT on Christmas Day. Will anyone from the SB line get in to each show- how far in advance should be get in line given that it is Christmas Day. We normally avoid the parks during the holidays, so I don't have much a frame of reference for this time.

Also- while I have not been able to get a Dinner Package, I have been able to get reservation for early dinner at both the Biergarden and Akershus. Does anyone recommend one over the other or have any insight on what the "holiday meal" at the Biergarden entails? We will be four adults- we don't mind character dining, but don't need it either. Since it is Christmas and will be the first one since my Dad passed early this year, I am hoping to make it a special day, especially for my Mom. It will certainly not be our traditional Christmas Day at home, but maybe its a good year for things to be a bit different- just want to make it a great day!

my kids have performed at CP for 8 years now and I have always done the standby line.
1. keep checking the dinning package, remember it's a one day cancellation policy so many cancel just the day before
2.- Standby line is always set the same way, about 200 people get in per show, the last 5 to 6 rows of the entire theater is left for standby
3.- You will need to get in line very early. For the 6:45 show I would say be in line by 3:30 at the latest, if by any chance the 6:45pm show fills up you can always just stay in line and wait for the 8pm show
4. EJO is VERY popular, probably the best narrator they have
5.- I have done the standby line with a a lot of very popular narrators just know that you will need to be there early if you really want to see the show from the theater. I bring an umbrella (to shield from the sun or eventual rain) a book or download some games on my phone. With more than one person it's easier as one can hold the line while the other goes to the bathroom, to eat or walk around. About 1 hour before the show everyone needs to be in line though

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Biergarten is lovely, but, keep in mind, you will be dining at a communal table with people you will not know. If that isn't something that sounds appealing to you, you may want to go to Akershus or keep looking for an alternate reservation.

 

[Lisa F]

Just found out that my son will be performing in CP on Christmas for both the 6:45 and 8:00 show. While we are very excited to see him do this, it has sort of caused the need for us to completely change our family plans for Christmas Day (not to mention the cost of having to upgrade our Gold AP's to Platinum since we are blocked out- grrrr) and the need for last minute planning. While it is really late, I have been trying to get a CP Dinner package reservation- unfortunately, to no avail. I will keep looking, but curious how bad things are at EPCOT on Christmas Day. Will anyone from the SB line get in to each show- how far in advance should be get in line given that it is Christmas Day. We normally avoid the parks during the holidays, so I don't have much a frame of reference for this time.

Also- while I have not been able to get a Dinner Package, I have been able to get reservation for early dinner at both the Biergarden and Akershus. Does anyone recommend one over the other or have any insight on what the "holiday meal" at the Biergarden entails? We will be four adults- we don't mind character dining, but don't need it either. Since it is Christmas and will be the first one since my Dad passed early this year, I am hoping to make it a special day, especially for my Mom. It will certainly not be our traditional Christmas Day at home, but maybe its a good year for things to be a bit different- just want to make it a great day!

are you just going for that one day? If so it is probably cheaper to buy a 1 day ticket than to upgrade to platinum for the one day? Just checking it out not sure for FL residents but it is a huge difference for me as a DVC member since gold is the only discounted pass.

I loved Biergarten at christmas time, but it was not ON christmas. I love the food there and I love the extra christmas decorations and the christmas time performance they do in there. It was quite magical. I travel alone with my son, we had a great time meeting new people.