December 2015 Help Thread - What To See & Do (Crowd Calendar Added)

Newbie here again going Dec 20-29. Need help with understanding how long ADR's take to be able to plan fast passes, fireworks... etc.

For a 10:30 ADR at Tusker House on Christmas day, what time would we have to be there and how long will brunch there take?
For BOG lunch at 11:00, what time to arrive, and how long will that experience take?
For 'Ohana we have 7:35pm ADR, what time to arrive, how long does that take, and would we be able to see fireworks at dinner or after on beach?
For California Grill, 8:45 ADR, what time to arrive, how long does that take and would we see fireworks during dinner or is there a place to see after?
 
My family doesn't want to do the Candlelight Processional again but I do. I won't be doing the package since they don't want to go. I am worried that I won't be able to get into a performance without the package ticket since it is such a busy time. We will be there the 26th through 31st. Any advice on when to go by myself?
 

I'm super excited we will be there for Edward James Olmos! We loved Battlestar Galactica and are excited for him.

Yes x2! Just booked Chefs dinner at 4:30 for the 8:15 show on Xmas day.

Super excited to see this for the first time and with EJO - so say we all!
 
Hello! First-timer needs help. This will be first time trip for us. Party of three- myself, DH, DS (6). I'm nervous because it is our first-time trip to Disney, and we are going during Christmas Week -20-29th! EEK :) We are sort of "forced" as well because of our jobs, but we really are excited to see Disney at Christmas! I could use help from anyone that has traveled on Christmas week. That week seems different than any other week in December. I researched a lot before my ADR's, but like anything, unless you have experienced first hand, you have no clue. This is our schedule (I hope I'm using the correct initials to communicate all of this ;) I put my questions in bold.

20 - can check in early; EP- tour Future World-tried to get ADR Garden Grill but no luck :( When would be best to retry for GG this day?
21 -EMH@MK- tour Tomorrow/Fantasyland early ADR lunch @Crystal P- leave park by noon; nap @ hotel 3/4 hours; PH to HS; use FP+ afternoon; late dinner @ 50's ADR- stay until close-see Osbourne lights. Will buses from Caribbean Beach resort get us there for EMH this day? I'm assuming that is going to be REALLY early :) Should we drive that day (have car)??
22– RD MK tour Adventure Land/Liberty Square; early lunch QS; hotel rest again; MK, FP+ afternoon; dinner late QS; fireworks/parade- stay until close- What is the best way to see parades and fireworks this day at MK? I don't get the parade situation this day/week. It says there is 3:00 one, is that the same as the night one?
23- RD HS Jedi sign up, see shows (most rides@ HS will be afternoon Fastpassed); lunch QS; break; HS; FP+ afternoon; ADR Sci-Fi-latest show Fantasmic!
24- Rest in AM; lunch @ hotel or Epcot QS; afternoon FP+ ride not seen, evening at Epcot World Showcase; ADR Biergarten; Illuminations- thought about CP, but we might skip it this time- son is high energy and read it could be boring for young ones
25 – AK (may or may not RD Christmas morning??? any thoughts on this?- I've heard it is not crowded); latest brunch @ Tusker House; FP+, Is there an AK Christmas parade we can catch in afternoon this day??? Leave AK early afternoon; X-mas Dinner at 'Ohana.
26– (no park day) Hotel Rest AM -Christmas resort decoration self-tour. What are the three best resorts on monorail to see???- DS will probably be interested in doing this for a little while- can't see all of them; ADR dinner California Grill.
27– RD MK; BOG lunch (the only time I could get BOG!!!)- not sure when to FP this day and not let it get in the way of our ADR @ 11am. Should we do before or after 11:00 ADR???. Break; Downtown Disney Ragland Road ADR
28 (no park day) Rest in AM; ADR Chef Mickey brunch; break; PM: Downtown Disney- ADR T-Rex
Day 10 check out
We are having dinner at Ohana on Christmas Day too!
 
We are at CBR Dec. 18th - 27th.

So far we have decided on:
18th Arrival day airport at 4:30 am - yikes!!
Epcot
Dinner: Chefs de France
Our 16th anniversary

19th MK
Dinner at Tony's.... Holding out hope for the new Jungle Cantina or LTT for lunch

20th DHS
Dinner at Sci-Fi
Hoping to hop over to MK after closing

21st AK
My son's 10th birthday and this is his favorite park
Dinner at Chef Mickey - need to order a speciality cake

22nd MK
Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe
BBB and pirate/mermaid makeovers scheduled for kids

23rd DHS
8:30 HDDR
Hop to MK for EMH

24th Epcot
Dinner at Cape May's
Hop to DHS for EMH


25th AK
Dinner at Ohana

26th MK
Dinner at BOG

27th ??
Haven't decided yet. 7:30 flight out

Can't wait!!
 
I booked the candlelight processional last night for 12/30 and got a noon reservation at marrakesh for the 8:15 show. I asked twice and she confirmed that I could do that but that's not what your first post says ????
 
I booked the candlelight processional last night for 12/30 and got a noon reservation at marrakesh for the 8:15 show. I asked twice and she confirmed that I could do that but that's not what your first post says ????
They told me they changed it this year and you can book your meal whenever for whichever show.
 
I booked the candlelight processional last night for 12/30 and got a noon reservation at marrakesh for the 8:15 show. I asked twice and she confirmed that I could do that but that's not what your first post says ????
It's different this year. If you book via phone, you can choose your showtime (based on availability) as long as it's at least 2.5 hours after your meal time.

Booking online seems to spit out a random showtime. I cancelled and rebooked the same (meal) time slot twice until I found the combo I wanted.
 
What can you tell me about the CP meals? It states app, entrée and dessert but is it a different menu than the normal menu? Having picky eaters, would love to know what the menu is like. Thanks!!
 
What can you tell me about the CP meals? It states app, entrée and dessert but is it a different menu than the normal menu? Having picky eaters, would love to know what the menu is like. Thanks!!
Someone else can confirm - but I believe it is the normal menu. We have done Biergarten so it is the same buffet as everyone else and would assume the same as those non-buffet CP packages.
 
We enjoyed the Christmas show projections on the castle during MVMCP a couple of years ago
110670-f36aa68c5a7990d6a98e43150451d33f.jpg
. Did they do this the last couple of years (2013, 2014)? Do they show these projections on the nights where there isn't a MVMCP scheduled?
 

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We enjoyed the Christmas show projections on the castle during MVMCP a couple of years ago
110670-f36aa68c5a7990d6a98e43150451d33f.jpg
. Did they do this the last couple of years (2013, 2014)? Do they show these projections on the nights where there isn't a MVMCP scheduled?

It's called Celebrate the Magic and as far as I know, it always runs right before Wishes.
 
So excited we got CRT for 12/20! This has just confirmed that we will be going for Sure! This is our second time but first time to CRT and first time at Christmas. Not looking forward to crowds but can't wait to see everything at Christmas! So far here is our schedule. Hoping for Minnie Holiday Dine and BOG breakfast!

12/17 arrive at midnight if we can get our flights booked in time

12/18 4 pm- 12 am MVMCP QS dinner- any suggestions in MK? I don't like seafood!

12/19 Epcot/ HS for Osborne lights and Minnie Holiday Dine hopefully- not sure how to handle Fastpasses this day since we have never park hopped. Any suggestions? How much trouble would it be to do HS, then Epcot, then back to HS in the same day?

12/20 MK- hoping for BOG breakfast, CRT dinner, will park hop if we decide to!

12/21 see decorations at Grand Floridian, lunch at 1900 park Fair, ride the monorail, go see some resorts. Dinner somewhere and maybe sleigh ride. Any suggestions for QS dinner and activities at one of the resorts? Want to see all the decorations!

12/22 pool if warm enough and possibly DTD, or maybe drive to the beach?

Can't wait!
 
lol of course the performer for my entire stays duration is still TBD xD

Hope it gets updated soon :P
 
So excited we got CRT for 12/20! This has just confirmed that we will be going for Sure! This is our second time but first time to CRT and first time at Christmas. Not looking forward to crowds but can't wait to see everything at Christmas! So far here is our schedule. Hoping for Minnie Holiday Dine and BOG breakfast!

12/17 arrive at midnight if we can get our flights booked in time

12/18 4 pm- 12 am MVMCP QS dinner- any suggestions in MK? I don't like seafood!

12/19 Epcot/ HS for Osborne lights and Minnie Holiday Dine hopefully- not sure how to handle Fastpasses this day since we have never park hopped. Any suggestions? How much trouble would it be to do HS, then Epcot, then back to HS in the same day?

12/20 MK- hoping for BOG breakfast, CRT dinner, will park hop if we decide to!

12/21 see decorations at Grand Floridian, lunch at 1900 park Fair, ride the monorail, go see some resorts. Dinner somewhere and maybe sleigh ride. Any suggestions for QS dinner and activities at one of the resorts? Want to see all the decorations!

12/22 pool if warm enough and possibly DTD, or maybe drive to the beach?

Can't wait!


We are there the same timeframe. Park hopping between EPCOT and HS is very easy. Take boat from HS up to EPCOT. It's a nice ride .. goes by Swan & Dolphin / BC & YC / Boardwalk on way to EPCOT. It will take you to the International gate between France and England
 



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