Holiday newbie needs help

[gabesmom]

We just booked five days at WDW in December (15-20) and need LOTS of advice about dining during the holidays. The cast includes me, DH and DS7. Our only other trip was last spring (2006), so we aren't really sure what to expect (dining wise) during the holidays. We've seen the "holiday menu" mentioned a couple of times. How much do the menus change for the holidays?

We're also going to our very first MVMCP and would love more info on dining options before the party begins (assuming we won't want to waste any time eating once it gets started)!!

One last thing (sorry for all the questions), a friend also mentioned a 'dining package' with the candlelight processional at Epcot. Does anyone know anything about that? What do you recommend?

OK.. all for now. I'm just so excited ...

 

[pumba]

we did Crystal Palace before the MVMCP last December....excellent buffet....plenty for kids to choose from and the charactors were excellent......My favorite choice...

About the CP at Epcot....the listing for the celebrities that will do the narration will be out soon .......I dont know if the restaurants have been listed yet....most are very popular during this show......so get your ressies in early

 

[Devil_Dog99]

The 'holiday' menus refer to the offerings of some of the restaurants on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day only. The rest of the time it's the same menu as what you would find any other time.

The Candlelight Processional is a combination lunch or dinner ADR (depending on what show time you pick) and preferred seating at the CP show. The show is a beautiful telling of the Biblical Christmas story with a 400 voice choir, the Voices of Liberty, a 50+ piece orchestra and a celebrity narrator. DW and I have done it the last 5 years on Christmas Day and it is wonderful!!!

The way it works is you make your CP reservation and you will eat before the show (this is new as of last year). If you go to the early (5:00 pm) show, you will have a lunch reservation. If you go to one of the later shows, you will have a dinner ADR. Make your dining seating as early as possible in relation to your show so you will have plenty of time to eat at a leisurely pace and then get in line for the seating.

It is an awesome experience!!!

 

[gabesmom]

Thanks!! That sounds great. Do you know if we can go ahead and make CP reservations now??

 

[Devil_Dog99]

Unfortunately no. They allow CP reservations as soon as they release the list of narrators sometime in August. Watch the boards - you will see many many people looking for the same thing.

Also watch the boards for any news regarding changes - that's how I found out about last year's changes. It used to be you prepaid for the CP package and your meal reservation could be anytime that day, and you picked up your tickets at Guest Relations. Last year they changed it to how I described above, but now you pay at the restaurant and the restaurant will give you your tickets.

Couple more things - price depends on what restaurant you choose and whether you will have lunch or dinner. And the meal is full soup to nuts - I happen to think a very good deal. DW and I choose the R&C.

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I'm waiting for the release too. Here's a link to last years info on Candlelight Processional. Although the procedure has changed, the restaurants and the tiers have been the same (I believe) for the past couple years.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/candlelight_processional.htm

Last year we did Merrakesh and Edward James Olmos and 2005 was Marlee Matlin and Merrakesh.

Obviously I wait too long to book (but we kinda like Merrakesh) to get Le Cellier- but that will change this year!