Christmas Lights on Cinderella's Castle - Is there a Special Ceremony?

[scrappinginontario]

We will be at WDW in Disney and have a few days planned in the MK.

What time do they normally turn the Christmas Lights on Cinderella's Castle on? Is there a special ceremony? I remember watching this about 5 years back but can't remember the time it happened. I think it was around 6:15 but am not sure.

On party nights, do they turn the Christmas Lights on before the special show at 8:30? What about non-party nights. I have checked the sources I can think of but can't find any details and was sure someone here would be able to answer my questions.

Thanks!

 

[Robo]

1. What time do they normally turn the Christmas Lights on Cinderella's Castle on?
2. Is there a special ceremony?
3. On party nights, do they turn the Christmas Lights on before the special show at 8:30?
4. What about non-party nights.

1. 6:15-ish.
2. Yes. "Frozen" themed with characters, etc.
3. Yes. (They perform the ceremony TWICE on party nights.)
4. ONLY the 6:15-ish show.

 

[sharonabe]

We will be at WDW in Disney and have a few days planned in the MK.

What time do they normally turn the Christmas Lights on Cinderella's Castle on? Is there a special ceremony? I remember watching this about 5 years back but can't remember the time it happened. I think it was around 6:15 but am not sure.

On party nights, do they turn the Christmas Lights on before the special show at 8:30? What about non-party nights. I have checked the sources I can think of but can't find any details and was sure someone here would be able to answer my questions.

Thanks!

There should be a special ceremony. The past few years it's been Elsa; before that it was Cinderella. I hope they change it up this year.

In the past, they've done the show twice a night. Once just as darkness falls and again later in the evening.

I think party nights are kind of up in the air. Park closing is at 6:00, and I don't know if it's dark enough to do the show before daytime guests have to leave. Seems like the earliest they could do it and it still be dark is 5:45 and that could set up a logistical nightmare getting daytime guests out of the park. But the park closed at 6:00 last year too, so maybe someone from last year will come along to give actual experience.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks @Robo and @sharonabe! This was the information I was looking for. Appreciate your help!

I'm hoping someone with experience from party night's last year chimes in as most of the days we've chosen to go to the MK are on party days due to the lower daytime crowds.

 

[Robo]

I'm hoping someone with experience from party night's last year chimes in as most of the days we've chosen to go to the MK are on party days due to the lower daytime crowds.

I answered that question in my post.

3. On party nights, do they turn the Christmas Lights on before the special show at 8:30?

3. Yes. (They perform the ceremony TWICE on party nights.)

By that I mean on party nights:
Once at the "normal" 6:15-ish time, and again at the 8:30-ish "during the party" time.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I answered that question in my post.

You did except you said the first show was around 6:15 and on party nights the park closes to day guests at 6:00. To me, that means party guests have left the park by the time the first show happens.

Are non-party guests allowed to stay in the park in the hub area after 6:00 to watch the lighting if it happens after 6:00?

 

[Robo]

You did except you said the first show was around 6:15 and on party nights the park closes to day guests at 6:00. To me, that means party guests have left the park by the time the first show happens.

Are non-party guests allowed to stay in the park in the hub area after 6:00 to watch the lighting if it happens after 6:00?

Yes.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks, and yes, you're right. I corrected my post to read non-party guests.

Good to know as this is such a neat experience. I'm helping a friend plan their first Disney trip and all of their MK days are scheduled on party days. I'll now know how to guide her so that she can see the show too.

 

[bpx2]

Does anyone know which day they start lighting the castle? I was in MK on November 7th a few years ago and the castle was already lit. Just wondering if I'll be able to see them this year - we leave to go back home on the 8th.

 

[Robo]

Does anyone know which day they start lighting the castle? I was in MK on November 7th a few years ago and the castle was already lit. Just wondering if I'll be able to see them this year - we leave to go back home on the 8th.

Figure on Nov. 3, or so.

(Could be as early as Nov. 1.)

 

[suzymouse724]

Trying to finalize our plans for our early November trip. Does anyone know what day Frozen Holiday Wish will start? This is a must see for my daughter. Is there any chance it will start sometime before the first Christmas party? Really hoping to see it on 11/7 because that would work best with our plans. Thanks!

 

[anomamatt]

No information on it this year (yet), but last year it started on Wednesday November 8, per the old times guides.