Parades/Evening activities in December

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

We are going to WDW this year for the first time at the holidays--actually the week after Thanksgiving. I am trying to put together a tentative itinerary so I can make some decisions about MVMCP. A few questions that would help...

**Are the regular parades still held during this time? ie. AK, MGM, MK

**Are the same evening activities held? ie. Illuminations, Tapestry, Fantasmic, MK Fireworks, etc.

**Besides Osbourne lights and MVMCP, are there other Christmas activities that are "must-sees" or "must-do's" for you?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[sherrie]

I would like to know also as we are tentatively planning a Holiday trip.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Obsessed w/Disney in OH
We are going to WDW this year for the first time at the holidays--actually the week after Thanksgiving. I am trying to put together a tentative itinerary so I can make some decisions about MVMCP. A few questions that would help...

**Are the regular parades still held during this time? ie. AK, MGM, MK

**Are the same evening activities held? ie. Illuminations, Tapestry, Fantasmic, MK Fireworks, etc.

**Besides Osbourne lights and MVMCP, are there other Christmas activities that are "must-sees" or "must-do's" for you?

Thanks in advance!!

Yes, the regular parades are also held during the day.

Yes, most of those activities are still held but Fantasmic will be once a night except possibly Saturday and the MK regular fireworks will NOT be every night in December...I believe they are Saturday and sometimes one week day, Wednesday.

Besides MVMCP and Osbourne lights, there is also the Candlelight Processional at Epcot every night. It a very nice Christmas show. It can been seen like Fantasmic; free or with a dinner package to guarantee you a seat. Also there's the holidays around the world. Each country will tell xmas stories and they'll be each country's Santa.

Hope this helps!

 

[DebbieB]

At MK, they usually have Spectro on Saturday & Wednesday nights. The 3:00 is everyday as usual.

At Epcot, Illuminations is at 9:30 instead of 9:00 since the last CP is not over until 9:00. Tapestry is gone, don't know if there will be a replacement by December.

At MGM, there is a rumor that last year was the end of the contract for Osborne Lights. I also saw a post somewhere that they will be tearing down the residential street to put something new in, so that will definitely be the end of Osborne Lights since those are the houses they decorate. Stars & Cars Parade and Fantasmic are everyday.

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

Thanks for your replies. It helps to have an idea of what will still be happening and the approx. times.

I sure hope last year was NOT the last year for Osborne Lights.

Beatty Family--our countdowns are the same for our Christmas trips!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Obsessed w/Disney in OH


I sure hope last year was NOT the last year for Osborne Lights.

Beatty Family--our countdowns are the same for our Christmas trips!

I hope it's not the end of Osbourne Lights too! Our DD's love seeing them!

Yes, I see we'll be there the same time! We'll be at the BWV for the first time! We are doing MVMCP on Dec 2!

Wear a lime green ribbon!

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

Beatty Family--Have you ever been to MVMCP on the first night--this year being Nov. 30? We are considering doing MVMCP on that night--is there a particular reason you decided on Dec. 2?

We will be at the Y & B...hopefully some discounts will appear before then!

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Obsessed w/Disney in OH
Beatty Family--Have you ever been to MVMCP on the first night--this year being Nov. 30? We are considering doing MVMCP on that night--is there a particular reason you decided on Dec. 2?

We will be at the Y & B...hopefully some discounts will appear before then!

I'm actually not sure if I did the first night the last 2 times... We did MVMCP in 2000 (Mon, Dec 4) and 2001 (Sun, Dec 2).

I had three choices this year; Sun, Tues and Thurs. I chose Tues because Sunday would be our first full day and I thought it would be too much. I didn't choose Thurs. because it would be our last night and what if it rained??

That's really the only reasons.

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

As far as the rain, are you waiting to get your tickets until you get there or will they exchange them out if it rains when you plan to go?

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by Obsessed w/Disney in OH
As far as the rain, are you waiting to get your tickets until you get there or will they exchange them out if it rains when you plan to go?

I've already got my tickets and I'm really not that worried about the rain but now if it does, I can hopefully exchange my tickets for Thurs night if I want.

I heard that last year a MVMCP got rained out and some exchanged for another night and some got some other reimbursment. It was SO rained out that they didn't offer the parades or the shows.

The 2 years I went there was no rain at all.

 

[BethC1952]

Don't forget to visit the resorts and Downtown Disney to soak in some holiday atmosphere! The decorations are incredible.

I certainly hope the Osbourne Lights haven't ended! Everyone coming with me is looking forward to seeing them this December!

Beth

 

[ImagineEar]

I ditto not missing a trip a few Hotels - The Floridain has a life size gingerbread house on display and a 50(?) ft Xmas tree towering over the lobby, not to mention the rest of the holiday decor there - and the band playing live christmas music! Worth the trip!

Don't miss the special family Photo op and the hot chocolate and cookie stations at MVMCP

If you send a Family Photo out for Xmas plan to take it while you still at WDW - there are so many special Xmas Backdrops to chose from! We scouted around for a few days to pick just the right spot!

(a lillte off the subject but bring warmer clothes than you think you need - we hit a cold snap 2 years ago and had 35 - 40 degree weather for most of the week!)

 

[Obsessed w/Disney in OH]

Thanks for the information and reminders.

Any idea on how much time to allow for "resort-hopping" to see the C'mas displays?

We arrive at WDW on a Saturday around noon and we won't enter the park until Sunday. Will that Saturday be enough time to get to the resorts to see their displays, eat a leisure dinner somewhere and maybe even make it to DD??

Thanks!!

 

[tebright]

Wow...some great advice here. My family will also be there the week after Thanksgiving and we were planning on going to MVMCP on 12/2 also. We are so excited because this will be our first holiday trip.

I really hope they still have the Osbourne lights. I do have one question though. We are staying offsite at the HIFS and we arrive on Monday morning and leaving on Saturday morning. Can you get into MK early on Tuesday if you have tickets for the MVMCP? I'm wondering whether to use a hopper pass that day or do something else in Florida.

 

[beattyfamily]

Originally posted by tebright
Can you get into MK early on Tuesday if you have tickets for the MVMCP? I'm wondering whether to use a hopper pass that day or do something else in Florida.

The earliest they let people in with just MNSSHP/MVMCP tickets last year was 4:00pm.