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

[siskaren]

Thanks Carrie,

Can you book the CP packages online, or only by phone then?

And are you guaranteed a seat with a package, just it's best to queue early to get a good seat? I assume it's a different queue to walk ups?

I believe you will be able to book online.

I'm not sure if you're actually "guaranteed" a seat, but I believe there is a special area set aside for people with the package (it's been a few years since I've gone, so my memory is a little fuzzy). There's a different queue for walk-ups, and I've heard that people will get in that line as much as 2 hours before the show, but for the CP package, you should be fine getting in line 45 minutes early.

You also asked about viewing the parade taping, but what I think a lot of people don't realize about the taping is that it involves a lot of retakes, which to be honest, sounds rather boring to sit through to me.

 

[BDL]

Thanks Carrie,

Can you book the CP packages online, or only by phone then?

And are you guaranteed a seat with a package, just it's best to queue early to get a good seat? I assume it's a different queue to walk ups?

At some point, (I think) you can book online. But that is long after the window is open for the phone reservations.

The lines work like this... On 1 (left or right) side of the entrance, is the Stand-by line. On the other side of the entrance, is the CP/Dinner combo line. The CP/Dinner line gets to enter first before the stand-by line moves. By the way, the Stand-by line starts forming before (sometimes hrs) the first show.

 

[meryll83]

Thanks all,
Is there advance notice of who the CP narrators are before booking begins, or is it a bun fight as soon as there's an announcement on the DIS because booking also opens right then?

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks all,
Is there advance notice of who the CP narrators are before booking begins, or is it a bun fight as soon as there's an announcement on the DIS because booking also opens right then?

Most of the narrators are announced in advance. I'm thinking there might have been at least one TBA on the list last year when booking started. It was a complete feeding frenzy when word got out bookings were open. Heck, watching it unfold on the DIS almost made ME want to book...... and we didn't plan on going!

I'm thinking it's going to be that times ten when the bookings for Be Our Guest open up.

 

[joeiii3]

Sorry if this has been answered, but does anyone know about when the resorts are decorated? We are planning on being there from Nov. 10-17th. I would love to take one day mid-week and resort hop to see the decorations, but now I am worried that they won't be up yet. Also, do you think Osborne lights will be up by this week? We might have to change our dates... Thanks all!

 

[Cinderella's Fella]

Sorry if this has been answered, but does anyone know about when the resorts are decorated? We are planning on being there from Nov. 10-17th. I would love to take one day mid-week and resort hop to see the decorations, but now I am worried that they won't be up yet. Also, do you think Osborne lights will be up by this week? We might have to change our dates... Thanks all!

They start decorating about a week after the last MNSSHP, the last party is November 2. You might be in luck.

 

[BDL]

Thanks all,
Is there advance notice of who the CP narrators are before booking begins, or is it a bun fight as soon as there's an announcement on the DIS because booking also opens right then?

If you look at posting #56 on my PTR, I did some research of the previous narrators for the past. This should give you some idea of who has done it in the past and when.

Here's the PTR:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2855360

 

[lurkyloo]

And are you guaranteed a seat with a package, just it's best to queue early to get a good seat? I assume it's a different queue to walk ups?

The package does guarantee you a seat, just not a specific one. Because I'm kinda Type A and always want to be at the front of any line, I was dismayed to find that I would still need to line up an hour or more early to get a good seat even though I'd paid all that money for the dinner package. Yes, it's better than 2 hours in the standby line, but to me it's not worth paying for more than once in my life.

 

[saintstickets]

Sorry if this has been answered, but does anyone know about when the resorts are decorated? We are planning on being there from Nov. 10-17th. I would love to take one day mid-week and resort hop to see the decorations, but now I am worried that they won't be up yet. Also, do you think Osborne lights will be up by this week? We might have to change our dates... Thanks all!

You should be okay since MVMCP starts 11/09/12 this year and Osborne lights usually go up the same day or within a couple of days.

 

[Grandmouse]

Time for a bump...

 

[hollygolitely93]

So excited to be going again this year! I am struggling with MVMCP. We arrive on 11/29. Half my party by plane earlier in the day. We all plane to go to resort POR and unpack. The other family arrives by car (8 hour drive). One adult (high energy) and three kids (13,10,10). It is there first visit to Disney and they want to do a park that night. I think MK is best park for a first visit. BUT, it is a MVMCP night. What do you all think?

I am not worried about them pooping out early. I am more worried about getting there early enough to see anything. If they leave around 7-8am they would arrive 4pm ish. Figure it will be 5pm before the check in and unpack. Then figure an hour to get to MK, and head to the park to grab a quick dinner and it seems we would be there past the time to line up for all the great events???

If I can make the timing work, we'll do it! But I need help figuring out the timing!

 

[Smileybug]

Hey ya'll.
I have a question that I hope someone can help me with. nce the CP packages are released and I want to go to the second show. About what time would my supper reservation Be?

 

[siskaren]

Between 3:30 and 4:30.

 

[siskaren]

So excited to be going again this year! I am struggling with MVMCP. We arrive on 11/29. Half my party by plane earlier in the day. We all plane to go to resort POR and unpack. The other family arrives by car (8 hour drive). One adult (high energy) and three kids (13,10,10). It is there first visit to Disney and they want to do a park that night. I think MK is best park for a first visit. BUT, it is a MVMCP night. What do you all think?

I am not worried about them pooping out early. I am more worried about getting there early enough to see anything. If they leave around 7-8am they would arrive 4pm ish. Figure it will be 5pm before the check in and unpack. Then figure an hour to get to MK, and head to the park to grab a quick dinner and it seems we would be there past the time to line up for all the great events???

If I can make the timing work, we'll do it! But I need help figuring out the timing!

I could be wrong, but I think you're building in a lot more time than necessary. I remember one year I got to my hotel at 6:00 and was in the MK by 7:00, and I had not only checked in, but had eaten dinner at my resort before heading to the MK. I will say though that I don't unpack, I just live out of my suitcase. Also, there wasn't any wait involved in checking in (I guess 6:00 isn't a popular time to be checking in.) I'd just eat at your resort and I don't think you should have any problem getting to the MK by the time the party starts. You can enter the MK with just a party ticket as early as 4:00, but the party events won't start until after 7:00. The only thing you would need to be there early for is character meet and greets with rare characters, in particular the Seven Dwarfs. I've never done it myself, but I've read that people line up well before the party starts in order to get their pictures taken with the dwarfs, but if that doesn't interest your party, you should be fine.

 

[Smileybug]

Between 3:30 and 4:30.

Thank you.

 

[hollygolitely93]

I could be wrong, but I think you're building in a lot more time than necessary. I remember one year I got to my hotel at 6:00 and was in the MK by 7:00, and I had not only checked in, but had eaten dinner at my resort before heading to the MK. I will say though that I don't unpack, I just live out of my suitcase. Also, there wasn't any wait involved in checking in (I guess 6:00 isn't a popular time to be checking in.) I'd just eat at your resort and I don't think you should have any problem getting to the MK by the time the party starts. You can enter the MK with just a party ticket as early as 4:00, but the party events won't start until after 7:00. The only thing you would need to be there early for is character meet and greets with rare characters, in particular the Seven Dwarfs. I've never done it myself, but I've read that people line up well before the party starts in order to get their pictures taken with the dwarfs, but if that doesn't interest your party, you should be fine.

That sounds better than what I was thinking/fearing! Thx!

 

[anf002]

We spent December 22- January 1 2010 at the Walt Disney World Resort and are planning a repeat for the same dates this Christmas. I have a few thoughts that might be helpful to those who are planning to visit during the holidays.

1. Ride lines did not prove to be as unmanageable as many claim to be. However, the streets, transportation, and restaurants were incredibly packed. I think that this might be because this is the most expensive time of the year to visit and it may be that the majority of the people who can afford to travel during this time are less interested in riding thrill rides, and more interested in luxurious opportunities. This might not be true, but it is a thought that I have had.

2. I just recently learned that MVMCP continues after the announced dates. It actually goes by another name and takes place a couple times a day in the Magic Kingdom. After a certain date, you no longer have to pay extra in order to partake in the event.

3. If you don't want to wait in an outrageous line but still want to catch a glimpse of the Candlelight Processional, you can do so. The viewing area is not great, but you can see the chorus and see a little bit of what is going on just by walking by the stage in World Showcase.

 

[siskaren]

2. I just recently learned that MVMCP continues after the announced dates. It actually goes by another name and takes place a couple times a day in the Magic Kingdom. After a certain date, you no longer have to pay extra in order to partake in the event.

I have never heard of this. I think what you're thinking of is the Christmas parade, which replaces the afternoon parade after the last MVMCP, and runs twice a day - 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm according to easywdw.com.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have never heard of this. I think what you're thinking of is the Christmas parade, which replaces the afternoon parade after the last MVMCP, and runs twice a day - 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm according to easywdw.com.

That is correct. The parade and special holiday fireworks show up during regular park hours for free. But the party itself does not.

 

[labdogs42]

Thinking about trying WDW for Christmas week this year. We usually try to avoid the crowded times of year, but it does seem tempting to try the holiday at Disney!