Everything you need to know about WDW Christmas- Tips & Secrets

[Disney Mommy 3]

They are supposed to turn the Osborne lights on Nov.10..not sure about the CP..maybe after T-day. And the Christmas party will be in full swing for sure by then!

 

[RMulieri]

They are supposed to turn the Osborne lights on Nov.10..not sure about the CP..maybe after T-day. And the Christmas party will be in full swing for sure by then!

CP and the Epcot holiday storytellers starts Friday after thanksgiving.The whole resorts Xmas decor is guaranteed to be completed by thanksgiving week.

 

[pirate]

This is our first Christmas @ Disney, can someone please explain at what times during the night that the Osbourne Lights take place @ HS? If the park closes at say 8, when are the lights going? It says on the Disney site, Osbourne Lights 12am. Thanks for the info!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Ignore that 12 am nonsense.
They usually start at dusk, when it's dark. I have been told that it is around 6 p.m. It might change during the season (darkness gets earlier here in MN as you get closer to Christmas).
But it's a short show, and they keep cycling it through as I understand it. It looks to me that I'd like to see the very beginning, but timing may be an issue. Perhaps someone who's seen it can verify how the start of it goes and how long it runs before re-starting.

 

[lham1531]

So if we go to the Studios on 12/10 for the evening, how would you plan the following -

Fantasmic 6:30 pm
Osborne Lights - dusk to 8 pm
dinner ADR - don't have yet, need time suggestions


Can we eat at 5 pm, go to Fantasmic at 6 pm and then walk over to see Osborne Lights before 8 pm closing? Or are they going to steer everyone out of Fantasmic towards the park exit?

Or, I'd really like to see the Osborn lights first (dusk), then to Fantasmic and then have a 7:30 pm ADR at one of the restaurants. Think they'll let us do that?

 

[wtpfan]

subscribing...too much info to read in one night!

 

[skier_pete]

So if we go to the Studios on 12/10 for the evening, how would you plan the following -

Fantasmic 6:30 pm
Osborne Lights - dusk to 8 pm
dinner ADR - don't have yet, need time suggestions


Can we eat at 5 pm, go to Fantasmic at 6 pm and then walk over to see Osborne Lights before 8 pm closing? Or are they going to steer everyone out of Fantasmic towards the park exit?

Or, I'd really like to see the Osborn lights first (dusk), then to Fantasmic and then have a 7:30 pm ADR at one of the restaurants. Think they'll let us do that?

It's unlikely you will get into Fantasmic showing up only 30 minutes before it starts - now that they've limited it to 2-3 times a week, you need to show up at least an hour beforehand - unless you want Standing Room. If you are doing TS, I would recommend dinner at 4 PM, and then head over to Fantasmic, then see Osborne lights afterwards.

SkierPete

 

[siskaren]

You can definitely see the Osborne lights after Fantasmic. (In fact, I'm surprised robo hasn't posted his response to this yet.) It's crowded at first, but it doesn't take long for the crowds to thin out considerably.

 

[jennabenna1908]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU FOR STARTING THIS!!!! I love it!! I have read about the whole thing! I am soo excited for my first Christmas at Disney!! We are going Dec 16-24th

but I do have a question...How can I book the Yultide Tour?? Can I do this when I make the ADRs?? Also, is it something I should do, or should I skip it? Thank you!!

 

[Lilmattie13]

Yuletide tour??? Tell us more

 

[jennabenna1908]

well...i had been reading on here and some people have mentioned a Yultide Tour. I guess it is a tour around each park and resort and you get to see all of the Christmas decorations...at least that is my understanding of it

 

[siskaren]

Check here for information about tours (the Yuletide Fantasy tour is listed near the bottom):

http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

well...i had been reading on here and some people have mentioned a Yultide Tour. I guess it is a tour around each park and resort and you get to see all of the Christmas decorations...at least that is my understanding of it

More info here: wdwinfo

Scroll down to Yuletide Tour

 

[jennabenna1908]

Thank you very much

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

Thank you very much

not a problem

 

[lurkyloo]

Just wanted to say THANK YOU FOR STARTING THIS!!!! I love it!! I have read about the whole thing! I am soo excited for my first Christmas at Disney!! We are going Dec 16-24th

but I do have a question...How can I book the Yultide Tour?? Can I do this when I make the ADRs?? Also, is it something I should do, or should I skip it? Thank you!!

Yuletide tour??? Tell us more

Check here for information about tours (the Yuletide Fantasy tour is listed near the bottom):

http://allears.net/btp/tours.htm

You know, I was all excited about this until I read the reader reviews that are linked to in that AllEars info page. It sounds like it's kinda not worth the money - all they do is tell you Christmas stories you can hear for free at each country in Epcot (well, the brief visit to the holiday warehouse sounds cool!). Personally, I'd be more interested if they told you the behind-the-scenes info about how they design, make and set up all the decorations in each park!

 

[jennabenna1908]

has anyone ever used Tour Guide Mike?? Is it really worth the money, and do his tips work??

 

[TiggerAllie]

You know, I was all excited about this until I read the reader reviews that are linked to in that AllEars info page. It sounds like it's kinda not worth the money - all they do is tell you Christmas stories you can hear for free at each country in Epcot (well, the brief visit to the holiday warehouse sounds cool!). Personally, I'd be more interested if they told you the behind-the-scenes info about how they design, make and set up all the decorations in each park!

We did this tour in 2006 and thought it was interesting. The tour had 4 parts-- first Epcot, then the visit to the holiday warehouse, then the Grand Floridian, and then Magic Kingdom. We learned all about what WDW does for the holidays, all about the decorations--how they are put together, designed, stored, how far in advance its planned. I would say they definitely include what it was you wanted to see and learn!

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

has anyone ever used Tour Guide Mike?? Is it really worth the money, and do his tips work??

I am on TGM now and I like it.We go to WDW every year, but haven't been at Christmas in a few years.....every year gets more and more packed, so I was curious about the touring strategy and best days calendar. I have really enjoyed it and am very glad I joined. It's only $20...and you get to talk to more disney fanatics!!!!

 

[abish19]

I haven't read every page, so I apologize in advance if this has already come up...

Is Christmas music played everywhere? At all of the parks, resorts, etc.? If so, is it in the "style" of the park or resort where it is being played?

The reason I ask is that I so much love the music that is typically played - I look forward to hearing the music on Main Street, or in the Innoventions plaza, etc., and I'm afraid I'll be a little disappointed to hear "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" 80 times and in 80 different versions...

Thanks in advance for your help! We're looking forward to our visit in early Dec. 2009!