For those who did the 8pm Candlelight Proc show, how did it work with viewing Illumin

[disney4us2002]

If CP is at 8pm and Illuminations is at 9 or 9:30pm, are you exiting the American Gardens during the show or out in plenty of time to grab a spot and see Illuminations?

I am Christmas-planning obsessed and apparently nuts because every single piece of advice is the same - DON'T GO TO MK ON A SATURDAY AND NEVER ON XMAS DAY - but how in the world can I not plan to be there on Christmas day when the kids want Crystal Palace for xmas dinner? Between it being Christmas and a Saturday I suppose we won't be able to walk inside the park at all!!!!!!!!

Waiting for CP info and MVMCP dates to be announced (rather impatiently too, lol) and driving myself and family crazy!!

 

[WDSearcher]

First and foremost, if you're planning to go the MK for dinner on Christmas, you will need to be in the park before 11am, and you'll pretty much need to stay there all day. Christmas morning isn't too bad there, but as the novelty of new toys wears off, people head to the park in DROVES. The park will be closed at capacity for a large chunk of the day. Every single thing you've heard about how crowded it is on Christmas Day in MK is true. Now, many people like the crowds and the feeling of sharing their holiday with tens of thousands of other people, so if that's you too, then you'll have a blast! But if your kids' thought is that they'll go to MK in the afternoon, go on a few rides and then have a relaxing holiday dinner at Crystal Palace ... not gonna happen!

As for IllumiNations and CP .... the theatre will have been emptied by the time IllumiNations starts. That's why they move IllumiNations back a half-hour to 9:30pm -- it's to give everyone a chance to get out of the theatre before the fireworks start. Note that you can NOT see IllumiNations from the seats at America Gardens. That seems obvious to most people, but you'd be surprised at how many people think that the back wall of the theatre will magically disappear, allowing them to see IllumiNations!

 

[disney4us2002]

Thanks WDWSearcher. I sooo envy you getting to live in Orlando!!! Our current plan for Christmas day is actually to go to DisneyQuest and then head to MK around 6pm. I know it is often closed for a portion of the day but we're hoping it is back open by 6pm for resort guests (staying at the Polynesian) so we can have dinner at CP and then stay since the park is open til midnight. Maybe by the time the last Spectro is over it'll be bearable, lol.

My kids and I love a crowd; it's my hubby I'm concerned about.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

We found that the problem with the illuminations right after CP was that everyone tried to stop at the same places on exiting the CP. WE had a hard time finding a good place and ended up going over to the bridge that goes into FW to watch. Mass crowds were exiting at once but we stoped at a few gift shops and kind of took our time. Busses were prepared and we waited less time for a bus than any other time that week. WE however were there a few weeks before Christmas so the crowds will be much greater for you. Just a warning that we have found that crowds tend to go down at the parks late afternoon, but by 6 or so people are heading back to the parks. You might want to consider this when plannning your return to MK for you CP reservation. Remeber that a PS will not mean they will let you back in. Would hate for the kids to miss dinner with Pooh!!!

Jordan's mom

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by Jordan's MOM
We found that the problem with the illuminations right after CP was that everyone tried to stop at the same places on exiting the CP. WE had a hard time finding a good place and ended up going over to the bridge that goes into FW to watch. Mass crowds were exiting at once but we stoped at a few gift shops and kind of took our time.

One helpful hint for watching Illum after Candlelight ... when you leave the America Gardens Theatre, turn right (towards Japan) instead of left (towards Italy). Most people leave and head back towards the entrance by what they perceive to be the shortest way (past Italy, Germany, etc) -- but that's also where the largest IllumiNations crowds are. If you head back to the entrance via Japan, Morocco and France, you'll find it less crowded and you'll have a higher likelihood of finding a good viewing location. And the walk isn't any longer, since America Gardens is pretty much exactly half-way around from Showcase Plaza.