Disney's Holiday D-Lights

[Bamboo1927]

Hope I am posting this in the right spot - first time I have done this. We will be going to Disney World the day after Thanksgiving this year for about 8 days. I was reading about Disney's Holiday D-Lights at a cost of $199 per person.

Has anyone done this and if so, what are your thoughts?

Thank you. Bamboo

 

[BeerMe]

We've gone on a few tours but not this one. I think it's relatively new. The lights are incredible over the holidays. I'm interested to hear what people say about it too......

 

[Bamboo1927]

It reads that you go to the Candelight Processional, Osbornes, Cinderella Castle, meet the people responsible for decorating, etc. and also a lunch. It is 5 hours. Trying to figure out how it works. Do you start with lunch and go from there because if lunch is included - don't know if any of the viewing is done when it is dark.

This will be our first time going when it is all decorated. We were supposed to go a couple of years ago but my mom got sick and we couldn't go.

Any pointers?

p.s. I am also from Upstate NY - Rochester area

Bamboo

 

[BeerMe]

p.s. I am also from Upstate NY - Rochester area

Bamboo

Buffalo....

 

[matheke]

It reads that you go to the Candelight Processional, Osbornes, Cinderella Castle, meet the people responsible for decorating, etc. and also a lunch. It is 5 hours. Trying to figure out how it works. Do you start with lunch and go from there because if lunch is included - don't know if any of the viewing is done when it is dark.

This will be our first time going when it is all decorated. We were supposed to go a couple of years ago but my mom got sick and we couldn't go.

Any pointers?

p.s. I am also from Upstate NY - Rochester area

Bamboo

From previous posts and threads in the past, yes they start of with lunch/dinner.

 

[Bamboo1927]

Buffalo....

I'm originally from Silver Creek.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Welcome to the dis, bamboo.

I have taken a lot of tours at WDW, but not this one.

Here are several reviews from past years.

http://blog.touringplans.com/2011/12/21/holiday-d-lights-tour-review/

http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showproduct.php?product=636

http://www.extrawdwmagic.com/?p=2749

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

We did the tour in Dec 2012. We liked it. You meet at Epcot outside the gates. Then once everyone is there... Don't be late! You first go to whispering canon at wilderness lodge before they open for dinner. One of my negatives on the tour was that the dinner seems a little rushed. We ate quickly and then I went to go to the bathroom before the tour started and everyone was waiting for me to leave.... They should leave time for people to potty before the tour. We went to the bus and I think after that is when we went to the warehouse where they store the lights. You learn about how they do the castle lights. We were only there for about 20 mins. You aren't able to wander. You only stand in one spot. Then we took the bus over in backstage to the lighting of cinderellas castle. You basically stand by the partners statue to see that - there is not a VIP spot or anything. Then you head back to the bus and head over to Osborn lights. You walk around that for about 20 mins or so and learn stuff about that. They help you find the hidden cat. Then you head back to the bus to go back to Epcot to see the candlelight processional. We got there and went in backstage and got to our seats for that about 5 mins before start time. The seating wasn't terrible, but it def isn't great. It's on the left side of the stage about half back. Then after that youncan continue over to the VIP area to watch illuminations - which we chose not to so we could head out before the rush, and we had just seen it 2 days before for our wedding dessert party. They give you a collectible pin for the tour. We also got holiday rice crisipe treats.... BUT no water - and by then I was thirsty. Maybe find out if you can bring some water with you. We enjoyed the tour, but I wouldn't pay that to do it again. I am a Disney freak and already knew about most of the info they told us on the tour. I don't think it was worth it for me. The tour leaders are great that we had though! My other complaint is that after a long tour... They don't drive you in the bus back around to the front of Epcot. You are responsible to walk back. We drove to Epcot so we had to get back to our car. Now we had a long week at Disney with the wedding and honeymoon and we were exhausted from our trip so that may had been why I was so upset by this. Also make sure you wear very comfy shoes... And they say closed toe rubber bottoms. So all in all were glad we did it but won't do it a second time. For that trip it was between Holiday D Lights or the Wild Africa Trek... I wish we would have done that instead. Hope this helps! Any questions... Let me know.

 

[Princess_Melanie]

That is a really useful insight into the tour, thank you - we're thinking of doing it this year when we're in WDW as we want to see all the Christmas "light events" at the parks and we've never seen the Candlelight Processional before. We also eat at WCC each trip, so we figured this would be an effective use of time to see the Castle light up, the Osbourne Lights, and the Candlelight Processional all in one go, AND eat at WCC

Anyone know when the dates are released to book?

 

[2012DisneyWorldBride]

I'm not sure when it goes up for booking. We booked ours about 2 months out.