Castle lighting ceremony

[czmom]

I believe the official start date of the castle lighting ceremony is the same as the first MVMCP. Do they ever unofficially start a couple days earlier? We leave Nov 6 and wonder if we'll be lucky enough to catch a sneak preview on the 4th or 5th. Would love to hear from anyone who was there last year.
Thanks!

 

[Robo]

1. I believe the official start date of the castle lighting ceremony is the same as the first MVMCP.

2. Do they ever unofficially start a couple days earlier?

We leave Nov 6 and

3. wonder if we'll be lucky enough to catch a sneak preview on the 4th or 5th.

4. Would love to hear from anyone who was there last year.
Thanks!

1. Maybe. (The lights can be lit, sometimes without a ceremony, earlier and later in the season.)

2. Yes (and not necessarily "unofficially.")

3. I'd put that at a better than 50% possibility.

4. They often start lighting the Castle Dream Lights (with or without the ceremony)
earlier than the first MVMCP.

 

[czmom]

Yay!!! I am happy there is a good chance we will get to see the lights.

 

[WEDWDW]

I believe the official start date of the castle lighting ceremony is the same as the first MVMCP. Do they ever unofficially start a couple days earlier? We leave Nov 6 and wonder if we'll be lucky enough to catch a sneak preview on the 4th or 5th. Would love to hear from anyone who was there last year.
Thanks!

Nothing guaranteed,but VERY likely.

Last year the Castle Dream Lights began November 5 which was 3 days before the first MVMCP on November 8.

So,"if" that holds true this year,the Castle Dream Lights would begin November 4(3 days before the first MVMCP on November 7).

 

[czmom]

Nothing guaranteed,but VERY likely.

Last year the Castle Dream Lights began November 5 which was 3 days before the first MVMCP on November 8.

So,"if" that holds true this year,the Castle Dream Lights would begin November 4(3 days before the first MVMCP on November 7).

Awesome! Were they announced to begin on November 5 last year?

 

[Itinkso]

Awesome! Were they announced to begin on November 5 last year?

They aren't officially announced to begin earlier than the first MVMCP. By beginning three days before the first MVMCP, the lighting coincides with the final dress rehearsals of MVMCP's shows and parade which take place as soon as the park closes and the last guests depart.

 

[11290]

"Normally", and with Disney everything is subject to change from year to year, the Castle lighting begins on Wednesday of the week of the first party on Friday. There is not a "soft opening" as such and all lighting will have FGM and the "show opening".

 

[Itinkso]

"Normally", and with Disney everything is subject to change from year to year, the Castle lighting begins on Wednesday of the week of the first party on Friday. There is not a "soft opening" as such and all lighting will have FGM and the "show opening".

11290, not sure if you saw Mesaboy's post, but, he's reporting that this year Elsa has the honors.

 

[mesaboy2]

11290, not sure if you saw Mesaboy's post, but, he's reporting that this year Elsa has the honors.

11290's post is still good info for now. Technically my post is still a rumor, but I'm confident enough in my source to go ahead and pass it along publicly. They have been very reliable in the past.

 

[Itinkso]

11290's post is still good info for now. Technically my post is still a rumor, but I'm confident enough in my source to go ahead and pass it along publicly. They have been very reliable in the past.

I asked a very prominent blogger if he had heard the same info that was posted by you and he confirmed he had. His sources always appear to be as reliable as yours!

 

[Ceryssa]

"Normally", and with Disney everything is subject to change from year to year, the Castle lighting begins on Wednesday of the week of the first party on Friday. There is not a "soft opening" as such and all lighting will have FGM and the "show opening".

We'll be attending the first MVMCP this year. It's our first trip and I didn't know about this--there's a ceremony when they light up the castle? Where should we be and when to make sure we catch it? This kind of thing is exactly why I'm so glad to have found these boards. TIA for any info!

 

[mesaboy2]

We'll be attending the first MVMCP this year. It's our first trip and I didn't know about this--there's a ceremony when they light up the castle? Where should we be and when to make sure we catch it? This kind of thing is exactly why I'm so glad to have found these boards. TIA for any info!

In the Hub, around dusk. This takes place nightly (and before the party starts on party nights), usually sometime between 6:00p and 6:30p or so.

 

[11290]

11290, not sure if you saw Mesaboy's post, but, he's reporting that this year Elsa has the honors.

My post had only been for a "historical point".

As far as Elsa, no idea whatsoever (way above my pay grade) That "rumor" hasn't been making the rounds yet and probably wouldn't for us until Sep. or Oct.. IF I were to guess though, I could see that they might incorporate her somehow into the forecourt portion of the show, maybe, in some way or maybe put Goofy, Donald in a different setting. Purely conjecture on my part.

Don't know, way to far off for me and still have 3rd & 4th of July and Halloween parties to do before that. Here at the Parks things can change in a heartbeat so you just go with the flow.

 

[czmom]

Thanks everyone!!! I am hoping we do get it to see if after all. My kids would especially LOVE it if the Elsa rumor was indeed true.

We have seen the FG castle lighting the past couple years, so this would be something different.

 

[WEDWDW]

there's a ceremony when they light up the castle?

Yes,it is called Cinderella's Holiday Wish and it is pure Disney Magic!

It is a 7 minute show and the Castle Dream Lights are lit about 5 minutes into the show.

I like to be as close to the Castle as possible to watch it.

CHW has been at 6:15 PM for the entire Season the last several years and Steve Soares is currently listing it at that time for this year.
http://wdwent.com/mk/mk.htm

Have a MAGICAL first trip!

 

[WEDWDW]

Thanks everyone!!! I am hoping we do get it to see if after all. My kids would especially LOVE it if the Elsa rumor was indeed true.

We have seen the FG castle lighting the past couple years, so this would be something different.

You're welcome!

I checked Steve Soares' site for you and he is currently listing November 5 as the first night for the Castle Dream Lights(I would not be surprised if they start on November 4 though.).
http://wdwent.com/mk/mk.htm