Epcot during the Holidays

[tarheel]

I have a question about timing of the Holiday events in Epcot. We'll be having a quick trip, so I only have one evening to do Epcot. I want to try to see the tree lighting ceremony, and CP and do dinner. My kids usually aren't late eaters, so I was thinking of doing the 5pm Cp, even though people say the later shows are prettier. Then eat or do the tree lighting. So, those of you who have seen the tree lighting, please help me with the time it started last year. Is it still helpful to get a CP dinner package when doing the first show? Do I have to eat right after the show, or still make my own time? Please excuse so many questions in one post! Thanks!!!!!

 

[disney4us2002]

I'm not sure you'll have time from the CP at 5pm to make the tree lighting at 6pm. I'm not certain where it occurs though I thought I'd read it was near the entrance to World Showcase. The American pavillion is way across the lake. If you go to the first CP showing, I believe you can make your dinner PS anytime available.

Here's the list of holiday offerings on allears. Some are updated for this year, some are only last year's info as no new info is known yet. http://allearsnet.com/tp/holiday.htm

 

[Simba's Mom]

I did this last year, but I was traveling solo, no kids. I saw the tree lighting first, at 6:00. The secret is, I stood on the WS side, which was easier exit, but not so good for seeing the characters. However, they do come off the stage on the Mexico side, get on a character bus, then drive around WS. I was really close to get good waves since that's where I was. Then I walked very quickly over to the CP location. Maybe because it was fairly easy in December, there were seats available, though maybe not the closest. Had a late dinner at 8:00 or so at R&C. I wouldn't hesitate to do this again.

 

[Spartan]

You'll probably need to get to the WS entrance at least by 5:45 (preferably earlier) as it gets crowded with all of the people who decide just to stop as they're entering WS. If you can't get around to the front where the characters are, then I personally don't think it would be worth it. We didn't get there until just a few minutes until 6 last year, and my son had a tough time seeing, especially when all the people start putting their kids up on their shoulders once the characters came out. I think you'll have a tough time doing the 5 CP and making it to the tree-lighting. If you're early eaters, you may want to eat first, allow enough time to get to the tree-lighting, and then do the CP at a later time in the night. The dinner package would be worth it, as if you don't you take your chances on getting in, and pretty much need to start lining up when the previous show starts, even in early Dec. Since we had a 3 yo, we just stood out at the back of the theater after the show started. We could hear everything really good, and were able to leave once my son started getting antsy.