Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Epcot

[ccgegg]

Anyone know how long this lasts? It starts at 6pm and we're wondering if we can hit this prior to the 6:45 Candlelight Processional show (we'll have reserved seating from the CP dinner pkg)

 

[goofy4tink]

The tree lighting is very beautiful..one of my favorite things in Epcot during the holidays. But, it lasts about 15-20 minutes...there is a little show with the characters and such. Even if you stood behind the tree, closes to the water, you would still have a long walk to get to CP. Would take maybe 10 minutes. THey start seating about 30 minutes before the show. I know that when we did the CP package last year, the later show, we stood in line for about 45 minutes before they started seating us. And there had to be about 200 people ahead of us!!! You may be able to make the show but I can't say what seats you would get. The tree lighting would end at about 6:15, about, and you would get to the theater area about 6:30ish. You would be waaaay back in the line that has already started seating. And at some point they let those in without the package pins...maybe about 10 minutes before showtime. I would try to see the tree lighting another time.

 

[PCFriar80]

I believe it's 15 - 20 minutes. A few Christmas songs and Characters on a small
stage at the entrance of WS (coming from FW). You're about a 10 minute walk from there to the American Gardens theatre for the CP. That's via Mexico, Norway, China......etc. My answer is: Yes!

 

[jjan]

Just as a warning... You might want to walk by the line for the reserved CP packages on your way to the tree lighting. We did the package and I could NOT believe how long the line was despite us being very early for it. The line was way past Morocco at 45 minutes to maybe even an hour by the time that I walked all of the way from the American pavillion to the end. It was amazing! I really can't believe that everyone in that line got seats as we were ahead of quite a lot of people and got rather poor seats on the side edge. Just FYI. The show was great though.

 

[aengus]

We enjoyed it quite a bit I have a couple of pictures of it from last December but I cant seem to figure out how to attach files to this post LOL

Guess you'll have to take my word for it that its worth doing.

 

[llij]

Last year, we had tickets for the 6:45 CP and boy was that line long! We thought we were getting in line (6:15) with plenty of time, but by the time we got there it was stretched passed Morocco. Is there any way you can schedule the tree lighting for another evening? You might want to make sure that you are in line for the CP with plenty of time so that you can get a good seat. Even though you are guaranteed a seat, it might not be the best if you show up later.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I did what you're thinking of doing once-never again! The tree lighting takes close to 20 minutes, so I stood on the back side, closer to WS. Then, as soon as it was over, I walked as fast as I could (and since I was solo and walk regularly, I moved!) to the CP. But when I got there, the only reserved seating left was in the very first row, an interesting place to see the orchestra close-up, but not so good for the "full effect". Later that week, I returned on 2 occassions, sitting in the seats near the back, not the package seating, and it was much better. And fortuntely, I never got in line at all. I just waited until everyone in line sat down, then I went and got a seat-the advantage of being solo-easier to find seating for one!

 

[ccgegg]

Thanks for all the advice! We'll do the Tree Lighting Ceremony another night (luckily, we have that option). And I'll try to be in the CP pkg line by 6:00..... shoot for a 4:30 PS.