CP question

[HappyGramma]

Is this something that shouldn't be missed? I had decided that we wouldn't do the CP, but I keep reading how so many of you really like it that I am just not sure. I am hoping to get an Illuminations cruise for the night we are at Epcot. I had plan to make PS's for Cape May for prior to the cruise if I am lucky enough to get one. There is just so much to do and see during the holidays and it is really impossible to fit it all in. For those of you who have done the CP, would you rather see it than Illuminations? We have never done the CP and my DGD has never seen Illuminations either. Also, if you have PS's for the dinner package for CP do you still have to stand in line for over an hour. I am not so sure my DGD would be able to deal with standing in line that long. Oh, I am so confused. Any advice will be a help. Thanks!

 

[danny1649]

Do both if you are willing to go to first CP performance at 5:15.Then do dinner part of CP package right after the performance.Then go on your Illuminations Cruise.We have been to CP each year since 1992 and wouldn't miss it,we will go again this year.We have done CP Dinner Package last 8 year's and have qued up 25-40 minutes before performance and have always had a great seat.If you don't have to board boat for Illuminations around 8:30 I don't see why you can't do both.

 

[sunking]

i would suggest candlelight processional...we did it with the package last holiday season and ate dinner at san angel inn in mexico (really bad service/food, but that is another story)...the processional started about 1/2 hour after our meal and we walked down and entered the theater...we saw gary sinise as the narrator and he was great...i would say that if you have an opportunity to see it to do it...it's only there for the holidays!!!!
have a great time no matter what you choose....
sunking

 

[jimmytammy]

CP is definitely worth seeing. I agree with Danny. Work it all in. If you cant get the cruise, stay for Illum. anyway. Have fun!!

 

[DebbieB]

If you go early in the month, the line isn't bad during the week. If you have a package, you will be seated before the standbys about 15 minutes before the show, no need to get in line an hour ahead. It's a don't miss for us, we usually see it twice on our trip with different narrators, one with the package and once without. We got in the standby line about 15 minutes before for the 8:15 show on a Thursday night last year and got seats in the back center (it's really more of a listening thing, so seat location isn't a big deal).

 

[CamColt]

CP is a do not miss!!!
I can take or leave Illuminations, but seeing CP on Christmas Eve was very moving.

 

[Serenity]

This will be our first trip in Dec and CP is one of the things that I really want to see. I have read so much on these boards about it and it really seems like it is a DON"T MISS. Illuminations happens all year long but CP is only at Christmas. So if for some reason you have to miss one or the other, I think it would be better to miss Illuminations. But I agree with the other posters, there is no reason that you can't do both. We will.

 

[CarolMN]

You don't have to choose. You can easily do both - here's how:

When the dinner packages come out, get the first available dinner seating for the 6:45 pm show. CP is better after it's dark. We usually eat around 4:30 or 4:40 pm. (We have a big sit down breakfast that day and just a small snack such as ice cream, if needed, around lunch time). That's plenty of time to eat and walk to the American Gardens Theatre afterwards.

There's no need to get in line an hour ahead of time if you have the package. 20 minutes is enough. You'll still get in before the standby line and you'll still get a seat. The music and narration is the best part of the show anyway and in fact, the better seats are not right down in front. I'm not sure why people think it's necesary to stand in the package line up to an hour or more ahead of time. We never do and always have good seats.

The CP is about 45 minutes long, so you'll have plenty of time to get to the dock - about an hour. IllumiNations is at 9:30 pm during CP season.

Enjoy!