Questions about late November/early December.....

[snowgooseltd]

We spent Thanksgiving at WDW last year and decided to never do that again so this year we arrive the day after Thanksgiving for 16 days!! Yippee!!!!!
I know it's early but I'm Irish and we love to plan and arrange and rearrange........can anyone tell me when the list of speakers is announced for Candlelight Processional?
Also...how far in advance are rehabs listed so I'll be able to fret about the attractions that we won't be able to see?
I've been away from the boards for several months and can't wait to get into the swing of planning and building the anticipation. Our countdown is listed on our patio and we cross off every day but there are still over 100 days to go and I'm beginning to get antsy. Planning is such a huge part of the enjoyment so any tips you all can give me will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Curly Q]

Hi snowgooseltd! It's never too early to plan! I'll be there Nov 15-22 and I've been planning for a year! You might want to check www.wdwig.com/holiday.htm for holiday happenings. Narrators for the Candelight Processional have not yet been announced. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (this is a lot of fun) will be Dec. 2, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12, 16, 18, 19! Hope you have fun! For Rehabs check http://www.wdwig.com/rehabs.htm#1203 out!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Best time of the year, IMO. I am looking to be there at that time also. Get in that planning mode.

 

[snowgooseltd]

Curly Q....thanks for the links! We love MVMCP and have been several times. We didn't get there, during our trip last year, so it's on my list of "things to do" this year. I'm sure I'm in the minority when I say this but....I'm not going to miss the Osborne Lights. It was never one of my favorite things. I'm hoping that the Carousel of Progress will be open along with Timekeeper. They were always part of our trip and we're hoping that we'll catch one or both this time.
Dan...I agree!! This is the best time of the year. The weather is still warm enough for the pool (we're from New England, so anything above 65 degrees is pool weather where we're concerned) and the Christmas decorations and the parade filming are a plus!! Can't wait........on to the planning!!!

 

[Rexfan]

This year will be my first December trip. We're going to do MVMCP on the 18th, and I am so excited!

 

[Peggy Sue]

Ok, I have to ask, why never Thanksgiving again? Crowds or just missed being home for the Holiday?

We have been visiting the mouse in early December for the past several years. We LOVE that time of year. We've been the week immediately following Thanksgiving and the second week following thanksgiving. Truthfully, we found the crowds the second week to be lighter than the ones right after Thanksgiving. I think because of the long Thanksgiving weekend people just tended to stay a few days longer to enjoy the Christmas events.

We juggle our annual passes so we can use them for two holiday trips (and those trips inbetween!) so this year our passes expire on 12/8..so it was an early December trip for us. We decided to go a little earlier, and plan to fly down the day before Thanksgiving. We'll be at WDW until Sunday 11/30, when we'll take a 4 day Disney cruise and then return to Disney 12/4 for another 4 nights before heading home.

So, I'm interested in more details regarding your comment about Thanksgiving..we've go reservations booked for dinner, and may possibly just stay "home"..we're DVC members and will be in a 1 bedroom unit at OKW, that comes complete with a kitchen. May just decide to pick up a thanksgiving feast from the local supermarket (cooked, of course!) or from Olivia's at OKW. We're the crowds that weekend horrible?

As far as tips for this time of year....

Plan for ALL weather. Last year was cool and wet... The year before was sunny and warm. We like 2001 much better than 2002.....

Plan an afternoon to spend at Epcot enjoying Christmas around the world. The daily program lists when each country will have an event to share how they celebrate during this holiday season.

Don't miss the tree lighting at MK and Epcot. Both offer a pre-show that fun, and quite festive.

The Candlelight Processional is our all time favorite holiday event. I'm anxious to learn with they will finally put this event on sale for 2003..and who will be speaking! We've seen so many great performances. We're tend to spend 12 nights around the holidays and try to see the CP at least twice. The dinner package is a great way to get good seats, and a great meal too!

I will miss the Osborne lights this year..but, I'm sure they'll be back another year, so that's something to look forward too!!

Any time we can be at the MK after dark is a treat, and the MK during the holidays is a site to behold. Love MVMCP...stay for the second parade, and grab a spot on mainstreet. It is so wonderful & festive to enjoy this great parade with snow falling on mainstreet! We typically end up watching this parade twice during..we love it that much!

Take a tour of the other resorts...they have wonderful christmas decorations. Spend an afternoon touring the epcot resorts (Boardwalk, swan/dolphin, yacht & beach clubs) and the monorail resorts.

The Grand Floridian is a site to behold..their lobby is SO BEAUTIFUL. Don't miss the Wilderness lodge or Animal Kingdom..they have great trees/lobby too!!

Downtown Disney is decked out too. they generally have ice skating set up somewhere too.

With that much time, (a great trip!) I would venture over to Universal IOA for an afternoon too..they have the grinch and all the folks from whoville, and put on a great show. Their citywalk area is very nice and also offers skating. The studios was decked out for the holidays, but IOA had better holiday entertainment.

Not sure where you're staying, but we always get a small tree and lights for our room. One year we brought the stuff from home...just too mujch luggage space. The last few years we just pick up a cheap small tree from walmart along with lights...typically doesn't run more than 10-15 bucks, and really brings the holiday spirit into your room. I understand the Disney florist also has small trees they will set up in your room...of course this comes with a higher pricetag.

If you have a car, take an afternoon and head over to Celebration..Disney's planned community. They have a very nice downtown area that has a lot of holiday events too.

OK, this is long enough! Have a wonderful time!!

Peggy sue