Reindeer Roundup and Castle lighting

[gatorfreud]

Hi everyone:

We are visiting over Thanksgiving...

Can anyone tell me about Reindeer roundup? I read about the activities there and the boys will really like this. Is this place mobbed? Is it a must to go early, or could it be a mid-day thing? We don't care about meeting characters, just want to see the show, decorate a cookie, and see the reindeer. We'll likely skip Santa because I'm sure that will be really crowded. Does it open at park opening?

Also, the castle starts being lit at dusk, right? I looked up and it says "sunset" is about 4:45pm while we're there... any idea what time the castle lights will be on? By 5:30? or 6? Does it snow sometime in there too, or just after the fireworks!

Thanks so much! You all are so helpful!!

Kim

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

We love the RR at BTR. We have to do it every year! Most people tend to just skip right by the Round-up, on their way to conquering the "Mountain Range" and facing the long lines!

You will be very surprised when I tell you it's not crowded at all to see Santa. He's in the log cabin and most people don't realize he's there! Also, Mrs. Claus roams the rest of the Ranch area, so she's simply wonderful - walks right up and says "hello", when not performing in the show. The show is sweet with a lot of audience participation from the kids. Once again - not very crowded.

The picnic tables are set with table cloths and have baskets of crayons in one area and you can decorate your cookies on others.

And the reindeer! How wonderful to see the whole herd! You won't regret going. If the line for Santa is just a bit out the door, definitely go in. It moves fast and he is so wonderful, he could possibly be the real Santa, himself!

 

[DTDkettleCORNfan]

When we were at DL last year, I think they had one or two SHORT castle lighting ceremonies each night (after it got dark, before the fireworks). We were there when the park closed at 8pm.....mabye they have more if the park is open later. It snowed during each lighting ceremony. I can't remember the times, but somehow we knew in advance last year, and made it over to the hub to watch. One night we were waiting for the parade over by IASW, and enjoying the projections they show on the outside of the building. We heard the castle lighting ceremony begin, and snowed over by IASW too. The castle lights up at the end of the fireworks as well.

Maybe I'm just a sap....but the song for the castle lighting ceremony was very pretty and the whole thing made me cry. I can't wait for it next month. I hope you guys get to see it! Have a great trip.......

 

[bumbershoot]

Mrs Claus was SO cute with DS. She used a (new) qtip to put two little bitty candy cane shaped candies on the snowman cookie to make a snowman heart.

The area is great; I haven't seen it mobbed at Halloweentime or Christmastime.

We actually caught a time at Yule when Santa wasn't there in his cabin, so we skipped him there, but caught him at DCA when he was Surfer Santa.

 

[ballarinamom]

I think it usually opens around 10:00. Last year, did it right after TTMM. Dh stayed with Dd and I left about 20 minutes til and waited in line. When they opened the gate we walked right up to Santa then got a cookie to decorate and we talked to the reindeer. We were out of there by 10:30.