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

[Grandmouse]

Hello,
This thread has lots of info but I'm having trouble interpreting the abbreviations. I've gone to the main area of the boards but that section appears not to have been updated for years.
Anyplace else I should be looking?
Thank you.

I can help if you let me know which ones you can't figure out.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Hello,
This thread has lots of info but I'm having trouble interpreting the abbreviations.

Throw some out there, and we'll help. In this thread, some of the ones I remember are:

CP - Candlelight Processional
MVMCP - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party
CM - Cast Member
MK - Magic Kingdom
AK - Animal Kingdom
HS/DHS - Disney's Hollywood Studios
ADR - Advanced Dining Reservation

All of the resorts and restaurants have abbreviations, too! I've been reading consistently for a couple of years, and I still have to stop and think about the abbreviations sometimes.

 

[Carolo]

My tips would be:
Watch Illuminations whilst standing on the bridge between England and France. When the extra fireworks go off for the holiday ending you can really feel them stood on the bridge!

Try to see the Osbourne Lights when Fantasmic is also on, the streets will be a little less crowded.

If you are there on New Years Eve to watch the fireworks remember that in MK and DHS you can walk through the shops to exit the park. We did this at DHS when the street towards the exit was jam packed, we walked through the shops and go out of the park very quickly.


Exiting MK and DHS by going through the shops is a great idea! Thank you!

 

[BDL]

Hello,
I'm planning a trip to WDW early in December; a new experience as we've only been during April school vacations in the past.
This thread has lots of info but I'm having trouble interpreting the abbreviations. Thank you.

I'm not sure which link you used, but here's the 1 that was sent to me my last time planning.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[siskaren]

Hello,
I know this isn't the spot to make this request ... so I hope someone will point me in the right direction!
I'm planning a trip to WDW early in December; a new experience as we've only been during April school vacations in the past.
This thread has lots of info but I'm having trouble interpreting the abbreviations. I've gone to the main area of the boards but that section appears not to have been updated for years.
Anyplace else I should be looking?
Thank you.

There's a sticky here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743

 

[pequele]

I got my CP ADR today for Dec 16 and while booking the CM told me that we got our button at the meal for CP and that was also what got us in the preferred viewing area for Illuminations. I wasn't aware of this part (it is only our 2nd trip to WDW and 1st at Christmas). Can someone tell me approximately when Illuminations is, we got the 8:15 CP show? How close is the viewing area to whereever CP is (and where is THAT haha)? I'm glad we got the show close to Illuminations as I hope it will entice my 4yo to make it through the night! We will have a fairly easy day in which I hope he will rest most the morning But I also know it is still standing room for the preffered "standing" area for Illuminations, will my 4yo be able to see????

And more questions since I have been reading the thread backwards....will my 4 yo be able to see if we sit in the back of CP? Is it like an ampatheater? How long is the show and really we need to line up right after dinner (5:15 is dinner) for the 8:15 show??

 

[mommycal]

I got my CP ADR today for Dec 16 and while booking the CM told me that we got our button at the meal for CP and that was also what got us in the preferred viewing area for Illuminations. I wasn't aware of this part (it is only our 2nd trip to WDW and 1st at Christmas). Can someone tell me approximately when Illuminations is, we got the 8:15 CP show? How close is the viewing area to whereever CP is (and where is THAT haha)? I'm glad we got the show close to Illuminations as I hope it will entice my 4yo to make it through the night! We will have a fairly easy day in which I hope he will rest most the morning But I also know it is still standing room for the preffered "standing" area for Illuminations, will my 4yo be able to see????

And more questions since I have been reading the thread backwards....will my 4 yo be able to see if we sit in the back of CP? Is it like an ampatheater? How long is the show and really we need to line up right after dinner (5:15 is dinner) for the 8:15 show??

what is the button all about? please tell me more. also a newbie going to experience the xmas magic

was told that we should line up about 40 minutes before the show eventhough you have a CP meal/dinner planned. yes you are guaranteed a seat but it is 1st come, first serve.

 

[siskaren]

IllumiNations is at 9:30 during the Christmas season (the rest of the year it's at 9:00). I believe the reserved viewing area is between the two gift shops at the entrance to World Showcase when you're coming from Future World, which means it's at the opposite end of the World Showcase lagoon from where the Candlelight Processional takes place, which is at the America Gardens theatre in front of the American Adventure pavilion.

The show's about 45 minutes long. Since there's a show right before the one you're going to, I'd say you can wait until that show's over to get in line, so I'd get in line about 7:30. There really isn't that much to see unless he wants to actually see the narrator

 

[siskaren]

what is the button all about? please tell me more. also a newbie going to experience the xmas magic

The last time I was there it was a label rather than a button that you stick on your shirt (like the kind you get at meetings that says "Hi, my name is _______") that just says the time and date of the CP you have reserved seating for. So in other words, it's just proof that you're entitled to the reserved seating.

 

[pequele]

I was under the impression it was a button used as a ticket....I could be making that up, but basically your ticket, you get that at your meal with the CP Dining package.

Ok wait, there is nothing to see with the CP?? So why the heck did we stress over getting the meal package So what's it all about bwahahaha.
<-------DING DONG!

so it will be a fast track over to the viewing area provided for illuminations from CP, I'm going to guess that all 3 CP shows will be in the same viewing areas and therefore the 2 other shows will get there long before we even do. Will we be able to see anything at that point for Illuminations?

 

[RaySharpton]

I got my CP ADR today for Dec 16 and while booking the CM told me that we got our button at the meal for CP and that was also what got us in the preferred viewing area for Illuminations. I wasn't aware of this part (it is only our 2nd trip to WDW and 1st at Christmas). Can someone tell me approximately when Illuminations is, we got the 8:15 CP show? How close is the viewing area to whereever CP is (and where is THAT haha)? I'm glad we got the show close to Illuminations as I hope it will entice my 4yo to make it through the night! We will have a fairly easy day in which I hope he will rest most the morning But I also know it is still standing room for the preffered "standing" area for Illuminations, will my 4yo be able to see????

And more questions since I have been reading the thread backwards....will my 4 yo be able to see if we sit in the back of CP? Is it like an ampatheater? How long is the show and really we need to line up right after dinner (5:15 is dinner) for the 8:15 show??

Illuminations will be at 930pm.

The reserved viewing area has been located on the opposite end of the lake from the American pavillion between the two gift shops.

During the day, walk down the viewing area and notice that it slopes down and then up toward the lake. Pretend that you are looking at the Earth ball from several locations to determine where you would like to stand.

I like the wall area because I can sit down and it is located up on the higher end of the slope.

Most newbies try to get as close as possibe.

Although the Illuminations fireworks are in the sky with views from anywhere.

You may want to stand where the people or obstacles will less likely obstruct your view of the lake fireworks.

Some shows the reserved line stretches all the way back to Japan and even Morocco for the next show.

Some shows are busier than others.

I would try to sit near the center or angle if possible.

Definitely don't sit on the first row. The stage is about four feet tall and you might be to close for comfort and to see everything.

It is an amphitheater. You will be under the covered area. She should be able to see in her seat or maybe on your lab. I guess it depends on how tal the person in front of her is. The rest of the seats are are for standby guests that open up about 10 minutes after the reserved guests are allowed to enter.

Less than 40 minutes if that.

 

[siskaren]

Ok wait, there is nothing to see with the CP?? So why the heck did we stress over getting the meal package So what's it all about bwahahaha.
<-------DING DONG!

What I mean is that the CP consists of a celebrity narrator telling the Christmas story (the birth of Christ), combined with a mass choir singing religious Christmas songs, so all there is to see is the narrator and the choir.

Check out this video from one of last year's shows:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ODCdSqARo8

 

[annmarieda]

I could be wrong, but if memory serves... getting in earlier to CP is not only about being closer to the stage to have a better view of the narrator and choir (including the conductor, who btw was worth watching last year and I REALLY wished I had been close to see his animated face as he acted out the music) but also to be under cover. Not all seats will be "in" the amphitheater...and if there is rain..well... We went right from our dinner to get into line...and still didn't get "into" the theater.

 

[BDL]

so it will be a fast track over to the viewing area provided for illuminations from CP, I'm going to guess that all 3 CP shows will be in the same viewing areas and therefore the 2 other shows will get there long before we even do. Will we be able to see anything at that point for Illuminations?

I was in the CP viewing area 2yrs ago. We went to the 8:15 show and made it all the way around from the pavillion to the CP area without a problem. The area wasn't that crowded either. Not everyone who attends the CP will want to go to that area. Some have their favorite spots. Some (who attended earlier shows) may get a rail spot on the WS, some people may be too tire or their kids might be too tired and some people just may not want to see the show.

 

[lurkyloo]

so it will be a fast track over to the viewing area provided for illuminations from CP, I'm going to guess that all 3 CP shows will be in the same viewing areas and therefore the 2 other shows will get there long before we even do. Will we be able to see anything at that point for Illuminations?

We went to the 8:15 show and barely made it to the IllumiNations viewing area on time even with speed-walking. It is a long walk, and if there are crowds that night, it takes even longer. But as previous posters have said, the show takes place in the sky, so you can see it from pretty much anywhere in that sloped viewing area.

Also, they don't always open the very front section against the railing, but when they do, it's at the last minute. So there is a chance that you could get a spot in the front even if you arrive late because no one else will have access to it til the last minute either.

 

[Kathy Jetson]

I haven't gone through this whole thread but can anyone tell me if there is a picture thread for Christmas pictures?

 

[NH-R-T-Cha]

I'm not sure which link you used, but here's the 1 that was sent to me my last time planning.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

Thanks for the list - I'll need to print it out!

 

[NH-R-T-Cha]

Throw some out there, and we'll help. In this thread, some of the ones I remember are:

CP - Candlelight Processional
MVMCP - Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Thanks! I'm starting to get the hang of it now. MVMCP and CP had me totally stumped.

 

[siskaren]

I haven't gone through this whole thread but can anyone tell me if there is a picture thread for Christmas pictures?

Here's one for resort Christmas pictures (although I'm surprised you haven't contributed to it ):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1852086

 

[Kathy Jetson]

Here's one for resort Christmas pictures (although I'm surprised you haven't contributed to it ):

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1852086

Thank you! This one must have slipped by me Do you know of one for the parks or just WDW in general? I looked but I couldn't find one.