Holiday Dine or Merry & Bright Dinner?

[freshstart19]

Hello! Heading to WDW for a short trip from 1/1 to 1/4. Mainly going for the Christmas atmosphere since we were just there back in August. Have ADRs for both Minnie's Holiday and Dine at Hollywood and Vine and the Merry and Bright Dinner Reception. Can't decide which one to do. Really want to see the Osbourne Lights and the characters in holiday attire. Is it worth doing both? I actually have the Minnie dinner booked for 2 different nights but I'd need to leave Epcot on our first day for an 8:30pm ADR at HS. We won't get to Epcot until 4pm on our first day. Maining want to go on Test Track and see the holiday décor while at Epcot.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

We were really impressed with Minnie's Holiday Dine! (See my review earlier in dining thread)
We saw folks at the Merry and Bright... Honestly, I'd pick Minnie's over it. Osbourne lights were not nearly as crowded as we expected and you can move around fairly easily, so really no need for Merry and Bright IMHO...
I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose!

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks for your reply. I booked the Merry and Bright because I was so worried about the crowd. I can do both but that will leave us with about 3 hours at Epcot and then we'd need to leave for a 8:30 ADR for Minnie on our first night. When you say folks, do you mean the characters dressed in holiday attire?

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Thanks for your reply. I booked the Merry and Bright because I was so worried about the crowd. I can do both but that will leave us with about 3 hours at Epcot and then we'd need to leave for a 8:30 ADR for Minnie on our first night. When you say folks, do you mean the characters dressed in holiday attire?

Nope, sorry, I just meant the people attending.
But, I can't really say weather the Merry and Bright party is wonderful or not, it just didn't look all that special to me.
I can only speak to Minnie's Holiday Dine...
Hope this helps!

 

[freshstart19]

Thanks! Definitely doing Minnie's! Just need to decide between our first night at 8:30 or last night at 5 on the day I had planned on being in HS. Is there a some shortcut way to walk to the Osbourne lights and be able to get in?