CP Dinner Package Questions

[PIRATEGIRL007]

We would like to see the CP while we are in Epcot in December. There are couple nights open on our itenerary so I'm not sure which night we will be there. Is the CP dinner package worth it? From what I have found online regular seating lines start about 45 min prior and dinner package guests are encouraged to arrive 30-45 min prior. And at 15 min to show time the 'reserved' seating is opened up to the general public. It looks like either way I'll be standing in line for a seat. Comparing the entree & drink prices from past visits to some of the TS locations and the prices online it still seems like I'm paying a bit extra for the CP package. So what is the advantage of doing the CP dinner package? Does the price include appetizers and desert or is it just entree & drink?

we will be there 9th-13th not super busy peak times so will i need to worry about having a problem seeing the CP b/c crowds?

We haven't made any TS ADR's for this trip (we were just there on dining plan and stuffed ourselves and didn't like running from one ADR to another) and I planned on a max of one and want to know if I need to do the CP Dinner package or save our TS ADR for some where else.

Any Info would help
Thanks

 

[disneymath]

This won't help with the "should you do it or not" - we're on the DP and since this is our first Christmastime trip to the world, we are using a TS credit for the CP package .... that said, I booked the ADR a few months ago and had a hard time getting one. We are there roughly the same time you will be.

 

[WEDWDW]

We would like to see the CP while we are in Epcot in December. There are couple nights open on our itenerary so I'm not sure which night we will be there. Is the CP dinner package worth it? From what I have found online regular seating lines start about 45 min prior and dinner package guests are encouraged to arrive 30-45 min prior. And at 15 min to show time the 'reserved' seating is opened up to the general public. It looks like either way I'll be standing in line for a seat. Comparing the entree & drink prices from past visits to some of the TS locations and the prices online it still seems like I'm paying a bit extra for the CP package. So what is the advantage of doing the CP dinner package? Does the price include appetizers and desert or is it just entree & drink?

we will be there 9th-13th not super busy peak times so will i need to worry about having a problem seeing the CP b/c crowds?

We haven't made any TS ADR's for this trip (we were just there on dining plan and stuffed ourselves and didn't like running from one ADR to another) and I planned on a max of one and want to know if I need to do the CP Dinner package or save our TS ADR for some where else.

Any Info would help
Thanks

This has been MY experience and MY experience only-I have NOT seen them open up the reserved section 15 minutes prior to the show.I have seen them let people into the reserved section,but only after the show was well underway.I did not make a CPDP ADR last year and REGRETTED it.I DO NOT like standing in line and each time I went by the Theatre,the standby line was too long for my patience.I finally got into a show a few minutes after it started,but I think that was only because it was raining.Every other show I went to check on was at capacity.I HAVE read reports of people walking right into the Theatre minutes before the show,but that HAS NOT been my experience.I have used the CPDP one time and had a great experience with it-I had a great meal at Coral Reef and waited until the CPDP line had entered the Theatre and then I entered without a wait.If you decide to book the package,do so ASAP.I made two package reservations Sunday for December 9 and December 14 and many restaurants I requested were already booked.In summation,in MY experience the CPDP is well worth it.

 

[Pakey]

This is my experience from 2 CP's. If you book the CP package, you can get in line 45 minutes before the show if you want to sit front and center. You can get in line 15 minutes before the show and still are guaranteed a seat but it will not be as good of a seat because most people will line up earlier. Now to go standby may or may not work. The standby lines did open before the show both times we went but only after all of the people with the CP package were allowed to enter in their line. That meant there were limited seats available and not everyone in the standby line was able to get in. Those who did get in stood there very early to get to the front of those standby lines. If you get in the standby line 15 minutes before the show, I can almost guarantee that you will not get a seat (unless bad weather has kept people away).

Personally, I would not go counting on getting a standby seat. If I really had my heart set on seeing the show, I would book a package. With the crowds increasing this year, I would anticipate the standby seating may be even more difficult to come by. If it's not that big of deal, then try the standby and be thrilled if you get a seat but don't be disappointed if you do not.

 

[amylock]

so does it matter where you choose to eat for the CP package? Meaning - the seat choices are the same no matter how much you pay?

I was thinking of doing Tier 1 for my son and I. Do you think it matters? Alos, any opinions on the Biergarten vs. the Garden Grill?

Thanks!

Amy

 

[WEDWDW]

so does it matter where you choose to eat for the CP package? Meaning - the seat choices are the same no matter how much you pay?

I was thinking of doing Tier 1 for my son and I. Do you think it matters? Alos, any opinions on the Biergarten vs. the Garden Grill?

Thanks!

Amy

It ABSOLUTELY makes no difference which Tier you choose.The CPDP seats are on a first-come first-serve basis-the first Guests in line get their choice of seats,etc.All of the CPDP seats are in the front part of the Theatre.I DON'T like standing in a line so I waited until the line had entered the Theatre and then I entered without a wait and still got a good seat.I have dined at both Biergarten and Garden Grill and enjoyed both.Biergarten is a buffet with "festival seating".There are 8 seats per table so you will be dining with people you have never met.Some people find this awkward and some people enjoy it.My experience was kind of mixed-it started off kind of awkward,but by the end of the meal it became really interesting meeting the other people.One of the Guests was originally from Germany and was really interesting.The restaurant is themed as a German town during Oktoberfest and a German band will play during your meal and there is a dance floor.Garden Grill is a very interesting restaurant.The restaurant rotates very slowly and part of the Living with the Land attraction can be seen during the rotation.It is also a Character Meal.If you do decide on Garden Grill,be SURE to request a table on the lower level.There are two levels and MUCH more of Living with the Land can be seen from the lower level.Have fun!

 

[amylock]

Thank you so much WEDWDW! That certainly helps! I have a feeling my ressie will be based on availability.

Amy