Help me decide... Christmas party & CRT

[tms295psu]

I have reservations for CRT on a Christmas party night. I know we can get in at 4 and plan to hit our must do rides before 7 (or at least try). I have CRT reservations at 8:30 (during first parade). Kids have asked to go "into" the castle the past 2 trips. I think they would really enjoy eating inside. Youngest is not a fan of the characters ( always keeps back 5 feet).i keep hearing I shouldn't waste party time at a sit down meal. Would we miss that much if it's during a parade? Plan to catch the 2nd parade.

Also have the option for BOG lunch. And go into park earlier in the day, and use addition time for rides rather than at party time.

What should I do?

 

[mom2rtk]

I have reservations for CRT on a Christmas party night. I know we can get in at 4 and plan to hit our must do rides before 7 (or at least try). I have CRT reservations at 8:30 (during first parade). Kids have asked to go "into" the castle the past 2 trips. I think they would really enjoy eating inside. Youngest is not a fan of the characters ( always keeps back 5 feet).i keep hearing I shouldn't waste party time at a sit down meal. Would we miss that much if it's during a parade? Plan to catch the 2nd parade.

Also have the option for BOG lunch. And go into park earlier in the day, and use addition time for rides rather than at party time.

What should I do?

Eating after 7 makes for a very expensive party. I would keep watching for something between 4 and 7.

I probably wouldn't pay for a party if we didn't plan to meet characters. But at the very least, you would want to save that time to be out in the park soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying shorter ride lines.

Ride lines are longer between 4 and 7 when both day guests and party guests are in line. You want to eat then and ride after 7.

 

[andyman8]

I agree with @mom2rtk on this one. Try for something earlier. I would recommend using the Touring Plans reservation finder (https://touringplans.com/walt-disney-world/reservation-finder) and inputting a time for 5:30 or 6pm (it searches for an reservation an hour after and before).

 

[SaintsManiac]

I would not waste precious party time eating a TS meal. Just my .02

 

[monorailrabbit]

Agree with all the PP's. We opted to do CRT on a party night - but not the night that we are attending - will we eat, and hop to Epcot after dinner. We want as much time as possible to find the characters and enjoy the party!

 

[Alesia]

What time is the second parade? You won't be leaving CRT until about 10:00 or so.

If I were you I would find a different day to eat at CRT.

 

[tms295psu]

I keep hearing the parties are not to be missed... Is there more than just meet and greets and special parade/fireworks that set it apart from an normal day?

 

[tms295psu]

2nd parade is 10:30 based on last years schedule.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I agree with all PPs - I would not eat there on a party night, that is one extremely expensive dinner. If you can get dinner there another night I would 100% switch. The party is so fun - the lines are short, the characters are awesome, the parade is great....I wouldn't pay to go to the party and then spend 50%+ of it eating at somewhere I can eat at during regular park hours. The meal at CRT is also expensive (and in my opinion not great BUT your experience may vary and the castle setting is really fun), so on top of party tickets, that's just more than I personally would want to spend. The atmosphere is so fun at the party, not to be missed!

 

[Amelia :)]

I have reservations for CRT on a Christmas party night. I know we can get in at 4 and plan to hit our must do rides before 7 (or at least try). I have CRT reservations at 8:30 (during first parade). Kids have asked to go "into" the castle the past 2 trips. I think they would really enjoy eating inside. Youngest is not a fan of the characters ( always keeps back 5 feet).i keep hearing I shouldn't waste party time at a sit down meal. Would we miss that much if it's during a parade? Plan to catch the 2nd parade.

Also have the option for BOG lunch. And go into park earlier in the day, and use addition time for rides rather than at party time.

What should I do?

We have booked a CRT lunch on our mvmcp day, at 2.30 so we will be done way before the party starts. I would keep an eye out for a lunch reservation as it seemed to be much easier to snag than breakfast or dinner anyway