Epcot Holiday Planning Dilemma

[Joey04]

Greetings! (My first post in this forum)

I'd like advice on whether we should follow through on getting the Epcot Candlelight Processional (CP if I call it) or not for our situation, and we really value the advice on this board.

Our family (me, wife, boy 4yo, girl 2yo) decided late to add Epcot to our 5 day Disney vacation. We are basically adding it to our arrival day, probably at best arriving at the park at noon or 1:00 pm.

We don't have the dining plan. Disney's policy is they can't sell it to us after we purchased our hotel unless we completely rebook, and they can't rebook this late. No big deal. So our plan is to just get one good TS restaurant per day, save money by splitting appetizers and deserts, and having our own foods for the rest of our meals. No big deal.

So we were planning to spend the afternoon at Epcot, grab dinner at Rose & Crown in the evening, line up 30 minutes before the park closes, and then see illuminations. We have never seen illuminations before, so we want to make sure to see that show.

Now we have learned about the CPs. There is no CP at 5:00 the day we are going, but we can still get dinner reservations to get passes to go to either the 6:45 or 8:15 CP.

If we went to the 8:15 CP, we'd get out at 9:15 PM, which might hurt our getting a good spot for illuminations (at 9:30 PM.) If we go to the 6:45 show, we'd get out around 7:45, Futurewold would be closed, and we'd have to wait another 1:45 until illuminations (but we'd have a damn good spot!)

The $39.99 for the dinner package actually annoys me. We don’t have the DDP, so its basically forcing us to buy things we might not ordinarily buy, about $25-$30 more. If we didn't get the CP package we might have just gotten 2 adult plates, 2 adult drinks, and MAYBE an appetizer, a kids plate, and/or a dessert. We don't always eat a lot when we go out.

Another negative about the CPs for us is we actually have to eat during our limited time we will have for Futureworld. From my recollection, 5-7 PM is the best time for Futureworld with kids, because all of the lines for the kid’s attractions get real short there late in the day.

So in summary, is it still worth it for us to go to a CP?

Thanks!!!

Joey & Family

 

[safetymom]

I would take your chances and just stand in line for the show. The big attractions in Future World stay open until 9 so there are still things to do.

 

[bleeps]

Joey -- IMHO, because of the ages of your children, it is NOT worth doing CP. First, time at Disney, and time spent traveling, wears young children out (and adults!) much more than you'd expect. Even on Day One! Second, while it's a lovely event for adults, CP is generally *not* great for young kids (unless, said with all due reverence, they are the sort that are comfortable and happy spending hours in church, for example). Finally, it's great to store up energy by not overdoing your first day so that you can make it through your whole trip having fun.

So, heartfelt advice: skip it this time, and perhaps put it on the list for a few years from now if you decide to go back.

 

[disnut8]

I definitely would not do the package. If you decide to go to the Processional, you can also go in the stand by line. As far as the Processional, we took our 6-1/2 year old granddaughter and she got antsy in about 10 minutes. And she's usually very good in those kind of situations. Plus, it's your first day and your kids might be tired from the day of travel and just being in Disney World. My advice is not to get the package and play the Processional by ear.

 

[Akiramich]

I was at Epcot last year the Sunday after Thanksgiving, which was a busy day, and had no problem getting seats for the Processional. Dont worry about getting early to sit down front. Its a big stage and big chorus, you can sit in the back and still enjoy the show.

It does take over an hour, though, which could be used for more touring if you'd rather do that.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I honestly believe the candelight is the best show at Disney world ever! It's really really nice and puts you in the holiday mood. I would truly be upset if I missed it. It really isn't a show for kids though. They'll probably get bored. But I do suggest you get the package and go. Go to the 6:45pm. You don't have to get an illuminations spot that early! I would find a spot about 30 minutes before and just hang around world showcase and explore the countries a while. You can probably do all of FW in 3 hours or so if you use fastpasses. Of course, if you do the package for 6:45, dinner will be early, between 3:30 and 4:30pm. Just be sure to line up for the CP at least 45min to an hour in advance. Even with the package, there is usually a long line.

 

[Karnak]

In my humble opinion ...

I would skip the CP this trip if I were you. Given the ages of your children I would expect that they will not want to sit still at WDW for the entire presentation. The CP is very impressive, but it is not entertaining like most things at Disney for the youngsters. Children tend to get restless.

Instead, I would hold the CP for a later visit to WDW, when the children are a little older.

Enjoy.

 

[lovesdumbo]

I would not do CP with children 2 & 4. I am taking my DS who will turn 6 in Jan and am not planning on CP. You can catch pieces of without getting seats.

BUT...it sounds like you are writing off all of world showcase. There is lot for your kids to do. I'm sure they'd love making masks-they add a new piece at each country (and its free). There are also Christmas story tellers in the countries and lots of other live entertainment. My kids (3, 5 , 7) all love Epcot.

 

[Joey04]

I would take your chances and just stand in line for the show. The big attractions in Future World stay open until 9 so there are still things to do.

I double checked, and future world will close at 7 (Christmas week it actually stays opens later, but we are there on the 3rd) Do you know off hand which attractions stay open later?

That will be very helpful in planning what to do and when on a short trip!

Thanks so much!!!!

Joey

 

[hezreck]

I wouldn't pay for the CP package. We don't even wait in line for the CP. With the ages of your kids they would probably be very bored during it. We usually just stand by the fence and listen to it for a few minutes, that way when DD gets bored we can just move on. I have never had the urge to stand in line for it. I can hear the Christmas story and Christmas songs at home at church, so I don't like wasting my Disney time on CP.

 

[safetymom]

Test Track, Mission Space, Soarin, not sure about the Nemo ride. Stores will still be open, restaurants will close.