Please help-CP Dinner Pkg dilema!

[Simba's Mom]

Should I or shouldn't I buy the package? I just can't decide! I'll be solo in December and seeing the CP is a big priority-I've never seen it. But should I do the package? On one hand, I'd be sure of getting a fairly good seat-I REALLY want to see this! But won't some pretty good seats be available anyways? I'm going December 6-12, not a very busy time, and seating for one shouldn't be hard to get. Then there's the money issue. I don't want to spend too much-I just got laid off, so I can't spend too much on this trip. But then, don't you save money on shopping that day? So is the money for the sit-down resturaunt really going to mean spending more? Oh, yes-then there's the sit-down dining issue. I've never been very comfortable sit-down dining alone-more a counter serve type person. But then, that's been part of the problem I've noticed about myself on solo trips. Counter serve unfortunately seems to mean I gravitate to the French pastry shop, Beaches and Cream (I hear they sell sandwiches, but I prefer a sundae for my dinner), Main Street bakery, etc. I've vowed lately that I've got to force myself to eat healthy "regular" food on my solo trips, and cut out eating so much junk! An occassional sit-down meal would definitely help. So there's my dilema. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. Now what do you think I should do?

 

[CRCrazy]

I think if you can swing it - you could definitely go for one of the dinner packages - we did it last year, and even with the packages, during a SLOW week, the line for the processional even with PS was huge - longest line we waited in all week!

If you like them, your best bet would be to go with one of the buffet/family style menus, as they would be the least expensive. Personally, I would go for the Garden Grill, you'd get the characters, along with a lovely healthy meal & dessert!. The tables are all kind of separated, so you wouldn't be as noticeable that you were dining alone.

If you would like some dinner company, then you could go with the Biergarten - they seat you at big tables for 8 - just fill them up with multiple parties. They are also in the lowest tier, and after all, you do need to eat!

The 15 percent discount is awesome - good on almost everything in Epcot, including Mousegears, the pin carts, and all over the World Showcase with a few exceptions. If you have any Christmas shopping to do - this is the time! We saved all our shopping for that day - for example, they had little baby orange trees (they will produce real oranges in about 3 years, per the CM) for only about $6 - we bought a bunch of these & Mickey's palm trees as souvenirs for the kids' friends and classes. They'd been told to bring back a palm tree before we left. Imagine their science teacher's surprise when they actually did! And, we did get the 15 percent discount as well!

 

[Terk-1]

I would definitely do the dinner package. I did this when I went last year and it was great. When you check into your Disney Resort, mention to them that you have a CP package. They will give you information, vouchers & a pin. I dined at the Rose & Crown. Got a patio table which was great. The sun was setting over Future World and made everything look really beautiful. After I was done, I headed for the package line and was able to get a seat about 5 rows from the stage. This is an amazing show to see. The line for non-package people was VERY LONG!! I was told by a CM that people start lining up hours before the first show and the lines never ease up.

For just pure conveinence and enjoyment, I would go for the package.

 

[Jet]

I'm sure this is obvious to most...but what does "CP" stand for?

Thanks for enlightening me!

 

[inky dinky doo]

Jet, CP stands for Candlelight Processional. It's a wonderful telling of the Christmas story in both music and words and features a celebrity narrator. It's held several times each evening -- I believe at 5:00, 6:45, and 8:15 p.m.
-- in Epcot's America Garden Theatre.

 

[Simba's Mom]

CP stands for Candlelight Processional, a show held 3 times nightly during Christmas season at the American Gardens Theater.

And did some one mention pins? And a discount on pins? I'm there! Honestly, I appreciate everyone's advice. And I've always wanted to try the resturaunt you mentioned, Terk-1, the Rose and Crown. Do you think it would be too cool to sit outside in December. I'm thinking of going to the 5:00 show and having dinner afterwards. Sitting outside would be great, if the weather's OK, because I love to people watch. I remember how I enjoyed the Tangerine Cafe and sitting in the little courtyard one year.

 

[chell]

Do you think it would be too cool to sit outside in December.

December could go either way. Most likely, it will not be too cool to sit outside.

When we did the package I decided that I would make all of my park purchases that day. It really saved me a lot!

Who knows, you just might run into some DISers and get to have dinner with them so you won't be alone for dinner.

 

[JoEllen]

Last December it rained buckets the week we were there and were glad that we had the CP package since these seats were the only ones under cover!

DD and I are going the 6 - 12 also this December (staying at the BWV) and have decided not to do the CP package. As long as you don't plan a week-end and/or do the 5:00 CP there should be plenty of good seats.

I agree with you that it shouldn't be to crowded that early in Dec. However, if we get a popular narrator for our CP, all bets are off! I remember two years ago when Wayne Brady was there for our week and it was packed!

 

[CarolMN]

It sounds like you will not enjoy the dinner portion of the package as much as the CP itself. If I were going solo, I would not buy the package. The best part of the CP is the music and the narration. You don't even need a seat for that, and IMHO, any seat is good for the CP!

IMHO, too much is being made of the possibility of rain. Yes, last year it did rain, but that is not a usual December weather pattern. Chances are definitely in your favor. As you already noted, it isn't all that busy in early December, especially on the weeknights.

Here's what I would do. Choose a weeknight to see CP. Arrange your EPCOT touring schedule to be in the vicinity of the American Pavillion about 90 minutes ahead of the performance start time. Check out the proportion of the theater that is reserved for package guests - you'll be able to see the roped off section. That will help you gauge when you need to be in line. Then keep an eye on the stand by line and as the start time gets nearer, make a judgement about when you need to get in line to get a seat. You might want to grab something to eat in line while you are waiting. FWIW, you can stand in back of the theater if all the seats are full and get a pretty good view. Also, it's often fairly easy to find a seat for one person.

In summary, you don't need to buy the package and I wouldn't if I wasn't sure I'd enjoy dining alone. FWIW, if you do buy the package, you might want to consider Japan's Teppanyaki - good food, plus you will be seated at a grill that seats a total of eight. You might meet some friendly people and enjoy the meal more than you think. Even if no one else chats a lot with you, you will not feel so "on display" as you might in the other restaurants.

Enjoy the CP - we're going the same time and can't wait to see who the narrators might be this year. So far, every one we've seen has been just wonderful!

 

[princess angel]

WOW! I didnt know the 15% discoutnwas good at the pin carts!!! you mean the main pin trading station in future world also
yay!
dh will be happy, he loves his pins

Laura

 

[DebbieB]

The 15% discount is good on almost everything, the exceptions being high end collectables such as Sworovski (sp?) & Hummel. We did the package in 2000 & 2002 and I figured we saved over $20 in discounts each time. I go crazy in MouseGears!

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I loved the having the package in 2001. We ate at Resturant Akershus and loved it. I can't wait to do this again. I'm waiting til the narrators are announced though this year before I order my package since I'll be going during a time when the narrators may change LOL