Spend $$$ for CP pkg?

[leebee]

OK, looking for input from those who like to 'save money' by going to WDW!! DH, DDand I will be in WDW 12/8-12/15, MIL arrives 12/9 (3pm)-12/13 (7am flight!). Current plan is MVMCP on Thur 12/9, Epcot all day with CP dinner pkg (biergarten)on 12/10, day off on Sat 12/11 (not sure DH will make 3 park days in a row!), split Sun 12/11 between AK (highlights only- tarazan, lion king, safari) and MGM, so MIL gets a taste of everything. DH saw charge for CP pkg and was NOT happy (he's really not happy about this trip...oh well, too bad!) WHat has been your experience with the stand-by line for CP, especially on a Friday night in early-ish December? I am now considering stand-by for CP, then dinner via 3 Q&C at Tangerine Cafe (and if it's cold out, I'll make DH sit close to the lake...)Fri is only option for CP...won't pay for park day AND cp for MIL since we can't get there on Thurs. til 5ish, Sat night might be an option but I think thhis will require CP pkg, and don't want to do Sun pm as MIL needs to be at the airport at the crack of dawn Monday morning. So, I'm hoping you will all have some insight as to CP stand-by vs. CP dinner pkg...thanks!

 

[WDWorBUST]

I don't remember which day of the week it was....but it was in early December 2002 - we went standby and got in line 45 minutes early maybe. We got to sit down. I would do standby again if it weren't for my 13 month old at the time who won't like waiting.

 

[maggiew]

We did the CP package a couple of years ago when you also got the 15% discount on purchases that day. We were able to make it worth the cost of the package. But, we normally wouldn't have ordered all of the food we received. (We usually share between DD & I.) The waitress said to arrive at the CP stage 1/2 hour before the show. Well, we arrived around 40 minutes before the show and the CP package line was HUGE! We got terrible seats. We couldn't see any of the show because we were up close on the left side (facing the stage) and the band was in front of us. Anyways, I wouldn't do the package again because of all the food we got (and had leftover.) But, if you were going to order all that food anyway (one meal per person) it may be worth it to you. Also, I don't think they give you the 15% discount anymore.

Maggie

 

[sweet maxine]

I think my family may be among those in the long standby line. I don't think I want to feel pressured into having dinner somewhere just to get a seat at the "free" showing of the Candlelight Processional. If I wanted to spend that much money on a dinner and show, I would go see the Dixie Stampede Christmas Show. At least I would know I am promised a decent seat and no long lines to stand in. I think Disney is really doing its guests a big disservice on this one by making it so difficult to get seats without purchasing the dinner package. If we miss getting a seat, so be it. We'll just stand on the outskirts of the show and listen. Maybe we'll even buy some ice cream or another treat while we're there... just not an expensive dinner.

 

[janette]

It's probably only a good deal if you would be doing a nice sit down dinner anyway.

My family usually does at least one if not more dinners at the restaurants offered so it's not a bad perk to get the reserved seats. We've been there at busy times and even with the dinner package had to be in line about an hour early to get a covered seat. Not much seating left for those without a package.

If I had MIL along I would definately do it, she's just not the kind who would enjoy anything if she didnt' get a seat.

 

[sweet maxine]

Sorry I sound so negative about this subject. I just was so excited when I started planning our Christmas trip. When I figured out that it would almost be a necessity to book a package for the CP in order to guarantee a seat, I decided it was just not in my budget for this trip. When I sat down and crunched the numbers I realized I would be spending upwards of $200 for the dinner package. I'm just really a budgeteer at heart, and I can't part with my money that easily.

 

[Muushka]

We (husband and I) are both pretty frugal (I am on the Budget Board after all ). We witnessed the line for CP about 12 years ago. We stood in it for about 45 minutes and realized that there was no way we were going to get a seat. We have purchased the CP every year since. It forces us to have a great meal, and gets us a guaranteed seat at CP. Priceless.

PS but we are just 2 adults. Obviously a family would have to consider it a little more than we have to.

 

[CDoobee]

My then 10-year-old DD and I did the Garden Grill CP package in 2001 and I was sorry we did! Garden Grill is her favorite restaurant so I'm glad we ate there, but our seats at CP were awful! Like someone earlier said, we were very close and way over on the left and couldn't see much at all. To be fair though, we did get there a little late. After having that great meal, we were busy exploring in Innoventions and almost forgot the whole reason we had eaten that meal and had to run all the way to the CP!!

In 2002, my DH and I didn't want to spend the extra money on the CP dinner after the bad seats I had gotten the year before. We didn't really plan on going to the CP at all, since we figured we wouldn't be able to get a seat without the package. Well, we lucked out! We just happened to be walking by about 5 minutes before it started and were able to walk right in and get a seat! No lines, no waiting!! We were about 2/3 of the way back on the right and could see perfectly!!

Both of these experiences were in early December, but I'm sorry, I don't remember on what day of the week they occurred.

Whenever I am lucky enough to be back in the World in December again, I won't plan on getting the package and will hope to be able to get a seat anyway, or stand outside and listen. Unless, of course, I'm with a group and the majority wants to do a package, then I'll join them!!

Debbie