I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO WDW AT "CHRISTMAS"

Mom24Princesses

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We are going next weekend to see the parks that will be decorated. (All but Ep). Then we are running back in December just for Epcot. Can we expect to get into Candlelight without a dinner package? There are 3 shows per night after all.
Thanks - so excited!
 
We are going next weekend to see the parks that will be decorated. (All but Ep). Then we are running back in December just for Epcot. Can we expect to get into Candlelight without a dinner package? There are 3 shows per night after all.
Thanks - so excited!

It depends on who the narrator is & how willing you are to wait in the stand by line. There are reports people line up hours ahead for popular narrators like Neil Patrick Harris or Whoppi Goldberg. Personally, I have always done the dining package. The stand by line is one big line for all 3 shows, so if you get in line early, you should make it in for one of them.

If the narrator isn’t as popular, you might get in with only waiting an hour or 2. But I think it is pretty common to be waiting a lot longer. You can hear the show without going into the theater, if you don’t need to see it. You can just hang around the back, near the American pavilion & just listen. To guarantee a seat, the dining plan is the best option.
 
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Well.....it is NPH. He’s there 4 nights M-Th and we’re going Tuesday.
So you think we should do the meal?

I really don’t want to do a meal. I want to graze.
 
Well.....it is NPH. He’s there 4 nights M-Th and we’re going Tuesday.
So you think we should do the meal?

I really don’t want to do a meal. I want to graze.

I have never been lucky enough to get NPH. If you don’t do the meal, just be prepared to wait in a long line for hours. You could always try for a breakfast ADR & graze for lunch/ dinner.
 

Well.....it is NPH. He’s there 4 nights M-Th and we’re going Tuesday.
So you think we should do the meal?

I really don’t want to do a meal. I want to graze.
If you want a seat do a meal, no chance getting a seat without the meal plan. But you can sit up by the pavilion and hear it, just won't really see it. We are there for Whoopi, wanted NPH but we are doing Biergarten for early lunch. Will graze for snacks/dinner.
You also need to sit down and plan out your "Christmas"stories around the world. Norway, Italy, France are really good. Also watching the Voices of Liberty is a must do. Just take the time and plan out all the shows because Epcot is awesome at Christmas. Only place we are going. Doing resort tour the next day with Christmas tree parade at Disney Springs.
 
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Well.....it is NPH. He’s there 4 nights M-Th and we’re going Tuesday.
So you think we should do the meal?

I really don’t want to do a meal. I want to graze.

Yeah, you'll either need to do the meal package or wait for several hours in the standby line. We did the package on a NPH night and still waited in line for an hour for a decent seat.
 
If you want a seat do a meal, no chance getting a seat without the meal plan. But you can sit up by the pavilion and hear it, just won't really see it. We are there for Whoopi, wanted NPH but we are doing Biergarten for early lunch. Will graze for snacks/dinner.
You also need to sit down and plan out your "Christmas"stories around the world. Norway, Italy, France are really good. Also watching the Voices of Liberty is a must do. Just take the time and plan out all the shows because Epcot is awesome at Christmas. Only place we are going. Doing resort tour the next day with Christmas tree parade at Disney Springs.
Oh my.....I really don’t know much. At least I have a month. We just decided to do this about 4:00 this afternoon.
AND
I booked an 11:00 lunch. Not much to pick from which probably adds to there being a crowd. We can graze later in the day.
 
If you want a seat do a meal, no chance getting a seat without the meal plan. But you can sit up by the pavilion and hear it, just won't really see it. We are there for Whoopi, wanted NPH but we are doing Biergarten for early lunch. Will graze for snacks/dinner.
You also need to sit down and plan out your "Christmas"stories around the world. Norway, Italy, France are really good. Also watching the Voices of Liberty is a must do. Just take the time and plan out all the shows because Epcot is awesome at Christmas. Only place we are going. Doing resort tour the next day with Christmas tree parade at Disney Springs.
How do I get the schedule ahead of time?
 
If you don't get the dinner package, just take in Candlelight processional from the sidewalk behind the theater. The seats you get after waiting 2 hours in line just aren't great enough to warrant waiting, IMO, although you could get lucky and if you don't mind your party being separated sometimes the CMs stick you in betwixed and between all over the theater. Don't forget that even if you DO get the meal package, you still should line up WELL in advance of the show. We did the package, and came 30 minutes before showtime one year and our seats were about the same as those who'd waited in standby for over 2 hours. So yes, we were guaranteed "a seat", but nothing stellar. Only those who had the package AND waited at least an hour had "good seats." I've since decided that while I love the processional, it's just not worth all the money and time to get decent seats. We've enjoyed it several times just hanging out in front of American Adventure. I know, of course not the same, but still awesome.
 
If you don't get the dinner package, just take in Candlelight processional from the sidewalk behind the theater. The seats you get after waiting 2 hours in line just aren't great enough to warrant waiting, IMO, although you could get lucky and if you don't mind your party being separated sometimes the CMs stick you in betwixed and between all over the theater. Don't forget that even if you DO get the meal package, you still should line up WELL in advance of the show. We did the package, and came 30 minutes before showtime one year and our seats were about the same as those who'd waited in standby for over 2 hours. So yes, we were guaranteed "a seat", but nothing stellar. Only those who had the package AND waited at least an hour had "good seats." I've since decided that while I love the processional, it's just not worth all the money and time to get decent seats. We've enjoyed it several times just hanging out in front of American Adventure. I know, of course not the same, but still awesome.

Was that for a really popular narrator? I'm starting to re-think our CP dining package for NPH. While it would be great to see him, I'm not that big of a fan that I want to devote an hour or more in line with a dining package.
 
Was that for a really popular narrator? I'm starting to re-think our CP dining package for NPH. While it would be great to see him, I'm not that big of a fan that I want to devote an hour or more in line with a dining package.
In my experience it’s like this for all narrators. Maybe even a little worse when it’s Neil Patrick Harris or some other really popular narrator.
 
Years ago, we were granted a magical moment of VIP seating for NPH. We were so thankful! He's so popular and people are willing to wait hours to see him narrate. He was incredible!

I'd do a package to ensure seeing him.

Christmas season at Disney is the best! The decor is phenomenal! The only odd thing is hearing Christmas tunes instead of Disney tunes as you walk around Disney property.
 
Well.....it is NPH. He’s there 4 nights M-Th and we’re going Tuesday.
So you think we should do the meal?

I really don’t want to do a meal. I want to graze.
Last year I was there for NPH with a dining package. People were lining up at 11am when WS opened. Get the package - there are breakfast options
 


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