How early for shows Christmas week?

[ADisneyQueen]

We'll be there on the 26th and 27th. How early should we get in line for shows? We don't need the best seats, just something mediocre. I hate the thoughts of sitting there for an hour, but I heard that sometimes they start the show early if it is full a half hour before showtime.

 

[kathy884]

We went on Christmas Day last year year and got to shows 25 to 30 minutes in advance. That was actually earlier than we needed to be there, but guaranteed us good seats. The day we went there was only one Miracles show, so for that one in partiular it was good that we got their 30 minutes early.

 

[RabFlmom]

We went on Christmas Day last year year and got to shows 25 to 30 minutes in advance. That was actually earlier than we needed to be there, but guaranteed us good seats. The day we went there was only one Miracles show, so for that one in partiular it was good that we got their 30 minutes early.

Listen to the PA. the days between Christmas and NY are very busy. Sometimes the shows actually have lines going around the stadiums and they announced the show for 3PM closed before 2PM. They will usually add an extra show if they are super busy.

Last time we went Christmas week it took us almost 2 hours to get from 528 exit on International Drive to the main gate after parking. We only saw 1 show before we gave up and just did animal viewing etc. Lines to eat were very long too so you have to allow more time for everything during that week. With the Christmas shows only being nightly during that time it means larger crowds than normal too. Even we will be making the trip over to see them and we vowed never to venture in the bark during Christmas again. <g>

 

[ADisneyQueen]

If we just do shows in the AM, do you think it will be less crowded? We will be there right when the park opens since our hotel (RI SW) is across the road.

 

[RabFlmom]

At most you will only be able to do 2 shows in the morning because of the times they run.
Pets Ahoy is 9:30

Blue Horizon at 10

Believe at 11

Clyde at 11:15

Alure at 11:45

If you start with the 9:30 show you won't be able to do the 10 AM one.

I would try do BH, Believe, and Alure in that order

then do Pets Ahoy at 12:30 and try to get into one of the afternoon Clyde shows.

Eat lunch between 1 and 2 and try for Clyde. But with large crowds it might be hard to get into some.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Thanks. We have 1 1/2- 2 days at SW, so hopefully can at least do a few of our favorites. I'm thinking the morning of the 26th might not be too bad b/c of Christmas parties and dinners the night before. I'm sure by the PM it will be very crowded.

 

[andrews_dad]

i drove in after xmas last year about 9:45 am. took almost 2 hours from I drive to get into a spot. another hour line for the ticket booth. saw some very, very long lines for the shows. we got into everything we wanted to see. we were doing shows only, no coasters with a toddler with us. glad we were not as teh big rides were at least a 90 minute wait all day that we saw. we will be down again this year after xmas. our toddler rises at 6 AM most days. We'll watch some Handy manny and eat a quick b-fast, then get to the park early to avoid the 2 hour traffic jam into the parking lot. have tickets in hand from e ticket online. you will not want to wait in line for a booth. even the self-serve kiosks will have a 20 minute plus wait at this time of year.

 

[RabFlmom]

They usually open the gates at 9AM and on a regular morning there are usually 50-60 cars already lined up if not more so get there about 8:30 and just wait in the line so you can get in faster. We were there on the 28th last year and thought we would be early enough. Actually ended up getting into the park about 11-11:30

At the end of the day the parking lot exit is also a major backlog so if they close at 10 figure it will be 11 before you get out of the parking lot and back on the road to your hotel. We have started just stopping for icecream or cookies and just staying in the park as long as we can and then going out to the near empty parking lot to avoid the hassle.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Now I'm getting really nervous!
We have a package from Residence Inn Sea World with tickets, so I hope we can get right in with those. I'll have to call and make sure we don't have to stand in a special line to have them validated.
I'm not sure if we should drive into the park or take the trolley. I wish we could walk over but I am told this is not possible. I am now wondering if we should switch to Renaissance Hotel, which I think is walking distance, but we really wanted a suite.