Just back, Holiday review

[Kick Save]

We returned this past Saturday from a nice 6 day trip to WDW, and while we were there we took in MVMCP, the Osbourne Lights, and the Candlelight Processional along with all the other holiday things we could come across. This was our first trip there when all the holiday happenings were happening, and we weren't sure when the second one would be, so we saw as much as we could. So, in reading plenty of reviews and previews here of what I was about to see, thought I'd offer a follow up of what I thought of the events and the parks in general.

Overall, Epcot is the big winner in holiday atmosphere of the four parks. The Lights of Winter, their tree lighting, the story tellers, the Candlelight Processional, and the Holiday Illuminations addition just offer so much to get you in the holiday spirit. MGM was second, IMO, because the Osbourne lights do live up to the term "spectacle," and I like it's decorations. The MK was nice, Main St. USA looked good with the decorations, but overall it seemed almost under decorated to us. AK...we're not big AK fans, and it didn't seem to change much at all for the holidays. We did like it's Christmas tree the most of the four parks, though.

We stayed at the BWV, and thought the tree was a bit smaller than when we were there in November two years ago. Also, they didn't have each lamp post wrapped in lights and garland like they did two years ago, but the rest of the decorations around the hotel were great. We had a Boardwalk view, and I was on the balcony one morning when they started the music up for the day...that was nice.

We also took a quick trip to the WL to check out the decorations, and they didn't disappoint. That hotel just gets more beautiful during the holidays, and the tree is very impressive.

For the special events...

Hands down, the Candlelight Processional is far and away the best special holiday event that WDW has to offer. We were just awed by it, it was wonderful. My dad, not much of a choir or orchestra type guy really enjoyed it. (That's a big endorsement, BTW. )

Secondly, the Osbourne dancing Lights come in second for me, they were something to see. The addition of the dancing added something, too. We caught two "dances" as we walked through, and they were both impressive. The first was to TSO's version of Carol of the Bells (it's titled something else that's escaping me right now), and it sent chills down your spine.

(Warning: If you love all things MVMCP don't read any further.)

Lastly, is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. We enjoyed Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, we enjoyed Holiday Wishes, and we enjoyed the parade...BUT FIFTY BUCKS FOR IT? That was a bit much. For the price, the "other" happenings were few and far between...character hops and a free cup of cocoa aren't exactly worth darn near a whole day's admission price. The festivities were nice, but at that price I was more than a little underwhelmed. The Mrs and I agreed we're glad we saw it once, but if we're down during a time when MVMCP is offered, we won't be paying for it again.

I'd go back to WDW during this time of year for sure, overall we had a great time. We didn't dislike MVMCP, just found it way overpriced for what was available. We spent a lot of time in Epcot and caught 6 of the story tellers and the tree lighting ceremony, but words can't do Holiday Illuminations justice.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

We also just got back a few days ago. I pretty much agree with you. Epcot had the best holdiay stuff of all the parks. We weren't crazy about AK either but loved the tree.....On the other hand, we didn't love the Candelight. I liked it enough, but my Dh and DD3 got bored quickly. It was good, but I think 40 minutes was a bit too long. As far as mvmcp, I'm on the same page with you. We LOVED the parade, loved the twas the night show, cookies/cocoa were awesome, but the price they charge is WRONG!!!!! That is way too much for a few extra hours in the park. $25 seems a bit more reasonable. Osborne lights were great, but the rest of the park seems to be lacking a bit in xmas decor. Overall, we had a great trip though. Glad you had a good time.

 

[I'mNoPrince]

I have to agree on most points. AK is becoming my Favorite park but your right about the Decorations lacking as in the rest of MK as well.

Now about MVMCP we were really looking forward to this as we love the MNSSHP. But you hit how we thought right on the head. Yes the Parade and fireworks were nice but not $50 nice.The stage show by Buzz was just bad as the seating in that area is the worse in all of Disney anywhere from half way back and have an adult sitting in front of you and you can't see a thing.

I think we will be sticking to our Oct trips.

 

[Karnak]

I was more than a little underwhelmed. The Mrs and I agreed we're glad we saw it once, but if we're down during a time when MVMCP is offered, we won't be paying for it again.

I agree that the Christmas Party isn't worth the price of admission. Especially when you factor in the fact that part of the park is roped off during part of the evening. Happened TWICE in one evening, when I was there. Andmethinks Disney sells way too many tickets, making the park so crowded that it's difficult to get around at some locations.

Enjoyed the rest of the WDW resort however, and well might return during the holidays sometime in the future.

Enjoy.

 

[MEK]

I really liked the Candlelight Processional. I think it is really designed for people who enjoy listening to live music. If you like to hear well rehearsed choirs and an orchestra of professional musicians, it is great. I think it was wonderful to see so many young singers participate in such a great event. 2/3rds of the choir was composed of young adults. My only comment: I wish they had performed more classical pieces of music, but the music was selected to appeal to most of the general public.

I loved the Osbourne Lights. I skipped the Xmas party because I had heard mixed reviews regarding it. I have never been to Disney before during the holidays, but I really did expect more decorations. Night time was great in every park, but during the day time I expected to see more, more, more.

 

[ransom]

We were there Dec 8-16 and I agree, Christmas at Epcot is the best. And we didn't even do the Candlelight Processional (it was our first trip, and we didn't get anywhere near everything in that we wanted to)!

And I agree, MGM is next best (Osborne Lights were very very cool, including the dancing), followed by the Magic Kingdom. AK wasn't very Christmassy, but I agree with what they did. It's not a park that lends itself to that quite as much as the others.

But I disagree slightly about MVMCP. I was disappointed as to what I got for my money, since I'd been told by friends that they used to give away pins and photos. But for the 50 bucks per person, we got a great fireworks show and the ability to walk on to Space Mountain (among others).

I'd feel it was a fairer price if it was $40 per person, or if they included pictures and special pins, but the sad fact is that it sells out on many nights, so it must be priced right. Luckily for us, the night we went (Tuesday the 12th), it wasn't anywhere near sold out.

We got the MVMCP survey when we got back home, and I said pretty much the above to them. We enjoyed our time there, wish it cost less, but we'll probably be back next time we're there around Christmas - as long as we can schedule it on a Tuesday rather than later in the week.

Just my humble views.

 

[themudd4]

wow...I really wanna try Disney for Christmas now. You made it sound very pretty and nice! Thanks for the report...loved reading it

 

[Skroops]

Thanks for your review. Glad you had a nice trip!

I love Walt Disney World at Christmas time. I also love MVMCP. I think the price is high, but considering how many hours you can ride with little-to-no wait for the rides, it's not a bad deal. The higher price helps us have fewer people on the rides. I can't wait for next year!

 

[dislovr]

i was also there around the holiday times...i agree with what most of you are saying. epcot was the best, i loved the candle light processional just as much as i did the first time i saw it. mgm was good also. i like the lights but i don't think its as good as it used to be when it was on residental road (sorry if thats the wrong name for it) before they put the put the lights motor action show in. i was auctually really suprised the mk wasn't more christmasy. that was the only think that i was kind of i guess dissappointed in. anyway i auctually loved the decorations at the resorts the best i think. we visited many of the resorts to get pictures of the trees and seeing the different themes. that was probably my favorite that i thought i'd share with you guys. well i can't wait till the next trip!

and happy holidays!

 

[DonnaL]

I also love Disney at Christmas, but, not at any time from 12/20 thru 1/3......I will never go during that time frame......the crowds are just TOO much. We prefer to be there in early December when the crowds are much more bearable........last year we were there 12/10 thru 12/17 and even our last few days were becoming very crowded. Several years ago we arrived on 12/30 and tried to go to MK later that afternoon......never again.....you couldn't even walk up Main Street the crowds were so bad......we didn't even attempt a park again until 1/2 that year. This year I will miss the Christmas decorations (we've been there to see the decorations the past several years) since we're not arriving until 1/13. I'll miss seeing everything decorated, but, it will also be nice to see everything the way it is the rest of the year. The only drawback to going in January......weather can be very unpredictable...both in Florida and here in PA....making travel sometimes a problem.

 

[Verandah Man]

Thanks for your review, I enjoyed reading it!!!

My DW's cousin is at WDW right now, we are planning on going during Christmas week 2007 with friends of ours from Indiana. We've been to WDW many times, but never around Christmas and New Year.

 

[byoung]

wow...I really wanna try Disney for Christmas now. You made it sound very pretty and nice! Thanks for the report...loved reading it

Yes it's a fantastic time to go!

 

[OHIODISNEYFAMILY]

We were at WDW December 9-16 this year, and we are ruined for all other times of the year when it comes to our trip.....only the holidays for us! We tried June, March, and October, but no other time of year holds a candle to early December, IMO.

I think MVMCP is a good deal ONLY if it is not an add-on to a full day at MK and the ticket holders arrive at 4 pm. $50 for 8 hours in the park ($6.25 per hour!), special shows, and the cookies and cocoa seem like a decent enough deal to me. Although we always go on very low-crowd days, and that helps.

We've not tried the CP because the kids are not interested. Hopefully when they are older. I've stood just outside and watched a bit, and it's very beautiful and moving....even from there.

 

[dimoe]

I agree with you I was at mvmcp on Dec 5th and for me I would never do it again. THere was a wait for most of the rides long lines, long lines for characters . I loved the parade but not for 50.00. I guess if ppl keep buying tickets they will keep increasing the price and offering less and less.

 

[lkneller]

We love CP and wanted to see it again. The show was still as wonderful as ever, but we did miss the 'snow' that used to fall on the audience during during Silent Night.

We've been going to Disney in Dec for over 10 years and I remember when the decorations were so amazing that we felt they were worth traveling 1100 miles especially to see them.

We have the videos and pictures to remind us of the days when every resort had beautiful decorations. There were Christmas celebrations in the lobbys. Every resort had beautiful holiday putzes.

My favorite memory was at the Beach Club. The tree in the lobby was as tall as the ceiling, decorated with Sea shells for the Little Mermaid, and Ariel and the gang appeared in the lobby for a holiday party. Every outside lamp post at both entrances was beautifully decorated. And most of the landscaping was decorated with pointsettas. The garland and the wreaths in the halls and stairways were the most beautiful I've every seen anywhere.

After our most recent visit I would say overall the decorations are less than 1/2 of what they used to be when we first starting going to Disney at Christmas. Both in the resorts and in the parks. We have always visited every resort and every park at Christmas, so we really miss the way it used to be.

Disney is still the greatest place, and we hope we have the chancce to get back many more times in our lifetime.

For the distance we have to travel, and the time it takes away from our holiday chores at home, it just isn't worth the trip anymore for us to travel to Disney at Christmas. But we have beautiful memories of the visits that we did enjoy in the past.

If we lived closer we would still go, even though the decorations are less, what they have is still very nice.

 

[blessedby3]

We got back on Sat. the 23rd too, but I have to disagree about MVMCP. WE went last year and again this trip and our family LOVES it. We tend to do more rides and see the parade and Wishes Christmas fireworks. The fireworks are outstanding!! MK is our favorite park and we love to have the extra time to get more rides in. We did see Mickeys Twas the Night Before Christmas this year also. Nice, but crowds are very heavy for the shows. Love the hot chocolate and cookies and apple slices too. We even debated about getting tickets for a 2nd night for our trip, but the last two shows were sold out.

 

[Kick Save]

We got back on Sat. the 23rd too, but I have to disagree about MVMCP. WE went last year and again this trip and our family LOVES it. We tend to do more rides and see the parade and Wishes Christmas fireworks. The fireworks are outstanding!! MK is our favorite park and we love to have the extra time to get more rides in. We did see Mickeys Twas the Night Before Christmas this year also. Nice, but crowds are very heavy for the shows. Love the hot chocolate and cookies and apple slices too. We even debated about getting tickets for a 2nd night for our trip, but the last two shows were sold out.

Right, but I didn't say we DISLIKED MVMCP, we felt it was overpriced for what was offered.

My dad and his wife drove over from the Tampa area to join us for a couple of days, and the Party was included in his trip, so there were six of us in attendance in our party...we all had a great time. Enjoyed all the shows, the parade, the fireworks, and the shorter lines for the rides. It was fun, and we're glad we did it...we're just not going to pay to do it again if we're there during that time of the year. Actually, after getting our free hot chocolate, my dad looked at me with a smile and said, "This is the best $25 cookie and $25 cup of hot chocolate I may have ever had!"

Overall, here's a few reasons why I felt "taken" by the price:

1. The fireworks can easily be viewed from any of the monorail resorts...for free. (Heck, we saw them from Epcot during Holiday Illuminations. ) Also, they become the standard fireworks show during Christmas week.

2. The parade will run every day during Christmas week, sometimes twice (I think), for the price of a regular admission.

3. Same with Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

4. There are no lines for the rides at 9AM any day of the year, 8AM on EMH days.

Now, I know not all those things are doable if you're not there Christmas week, or you are there and don't feel like fighting the crowds. Is $50 worth it to get it in at a lower crowd level? To some, I'm sure it is and always will be. I'm not in that group.

But, given that past MVMCP's offered free photos and less tickets were offered at a lower price, it seems obvious to me that Disney is trying to stretch this as far as they can on the profit side (I own shares, that's fine with me : ) ), and not worried so much on the guest experience side.

To each their own. I can see why people would want to attend this again year after year, it's a nice "private" event. All of the shows were well done, and the fireworks - especially that 180 degree part - were really nice. It was fun to go...but we probably won't go again.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I have to agree about the MVMCP. We went on a sold out night --Nov 17, Friday--- It was very crowded -we had to wait 20-30 minutes for everything, even the hot choc and cookies. I was very disappointed. We ended up missing "twas the night before Christmas" show due to the fact that we were waiting in line for the rides and by the time we go out the show was over.

The parade and fireworks were awesome though, but next time I save the $160 bucks.

 

[blessedby3]

Right, but I didn't say we DISLIKED MVMCP, we felt it was overpriced for what was offered.

My dad and his wife drove over from the Tampa area to join us for a couple of days, and the Party was included in his trip, so there were six of us in attendance in our party...we all had a great time. Enjoyed all the shows, the parade, the fireworks, and the shorter lines for the rides. It was fun, and we're glad we did it...we're just not going to pay to do it again if we're there during that time of the year. Actually, after getting our free hot chocolate, my dad looked at me with a smile and said, "This is the best $25 cookie and $25 cup of hot chocolate I may have ever had!"

Overall, here's a few reasons why I felt "taken" by the price:

1. The fireworks can easily be viewed from any of the monorail resorts...for free. (Heck, we saw them from Epcot during Holiday Illuminations. ) Also, they become the standard fireworks show during Christmas week.

2. The parade will run every day during Christmas week, sometimes twice (I think), for the price of a regular admission.

3. Same with Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

4. There are no lines for the rides at 9AM any day of the year, 8AM on EMH days.

Now, I know not all those things are doable if you're not there Christmas week, or you are there and don't feel like fighting the crowds. Is $50 worth it to get it in at a lower crowd level? To some, I'm sure it is and always will be. I'm not in that group.

But, given that past MVMCP's offered free photos and less tickets were offered at a lower price, it seems obvious to me that Disney is trying to stretch this as far as they can on the profit side (I own shares, that's fine with me : ) ), and not worried so much on the guest experience side.

To each their own. I can see why people would want to attend this again year after year, it's a nice "private" event. All of the shows were well done, and the fireworks - especially that 180 degree part - were really nice. It was fun to go...but we probably won't go again.

Its still cheaper than a day pass to the park and you can easily get in 8 hours by going at 4pm- get lots of rides done and free cookies and hot chocolate

 

[mickey mouse lover]

We love CP and wanted to see it again. The show was still as wonderful as ever, but we did miss the 'snow' that used to fall on the audience during during Silent Night.

We've been going to Disney in Dec for over 10 years and I remember when the decorations were so amazing that we felt they were worth traveling 1100 miles especially to see them.

We have the videos and pictures to remind us of the days when every resort had beautiful decorations. There were Christmas celebrations in the lobbys. Every resort had beautiful holiday putzes.

My favorite memory was at the Beach Club. The tree in the lobby was as tall as the ceiling, decorated with Sea shells for the Little Mermaid, and Ariel and the gang appeared in the lobby for a holiday party. Every outside lamp post at both entrances was beautifully decorated. And most of the landscaping was decorated with pointsettas. The garland and the wreaths in the halls and stairways were the most beautiful I've every seen anywhere.

After our most recent visit I would say overall the decorations are less than 1/2 of what they used to be when we first starting going to Disney at Christmas. Both in the resorts and in the parks. We have always visited every resort and every park at Christmas, so we really miss the way it used to be.

Disney is still the greatest place, and we hope we have the chancce to get back many more times in our lifetime.

For the distance we have to travel, and the time it takes away from our holiday chores at home, it just isn't worth the trip anymore for us to travel to Disney at Christmas. But we have beautiful memories of the visits that we did enjoy in the past.

If we lived closer we would still go, even though the decorations are less, what they have is still very nice.

Could you please post some of your older pictures?
We have been going at Christmas time since 2000, but I would love to see the pictures before then. Thanks in advance.