*** The Official December 2019 thread ***

[ashnicole]

What's the limit to all the special holiday-themed extra experiences one family (and wallet!) can do!? I know this is entirely subjective and none of you can help me, but I'm gonna post about it anyway, in case anyone wants to chime in with opinions!

My family are DVC members and very fortunate that we've been able to take many wonderful Disney vacations (and non-Disney ones, too!). But we've never gone at the holidays and so we decided to make that our priority this year, since my eldest is already in college with my next two not far behind, and I want my mom to be there with us (and she's developing mobility issues), so this is the year. Almost guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime-Disney-at-the-holidays trip. So we're trying to do all the holiday-oriented stuff and don't really even care about rides/shows that we can see on other visits. But there is SO MUCH holiday stuff to see/do! We will be able to visit each park at least once to see them all set up for holidays (décor, music, lights, etc.). We have tickets to MVMCP and will try to book a Candlelight Processional package. We're going to take an afternoon & evening to visit resorts to see their decorations. I thought that was doing great with planning for us to do all the special holiday stuff, but of course this is Disney so you can NEVER do it ALL and the more I look, the more there seems to be to do! Special holiday tours, dessert/fireworks parties, special holiday dinners, Christmas tree walk-through at DS, and probably other things I don't even know about. So how much of this do I try to do -- there's only so much time, and more importantly -- only so much money! So I'm struggling with where to draw the line on these special things. I was just reading about the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM party at DHS and thinking, "oooh, that would be awesome! what night would this fit into our plans..." when I stopped myself and thought, do we have the budget for this on top of everything else? So for now I'm NOT planning on the JBJB party (though it does sound so fun! and I'm kind of afraid of DHS this year with all the Star Wars stuff). So I guess I've found our limit. But there are still six months until the trip! Who knows what else might come up between now and then!? I need to keep in mind that I am very lucky to have such "struggles"!

I’ve been the last 2 November’s to celebrate the holidays but EPCOT wasn’t decorated so I’m going mostly for that. I’ve heard mixed reviewes about the dessert parties, so I would read reviews from the last couple of years to see if it’s somsthing you’re interested in making time for. I would recommend Sunset Greetings at HS. It runs every few minutes and there’s a loop of several projections/songs. I also enjoyed Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! but others didn’t like it so much. Seeing everyone sing and dance along put me in the Christmas spirit (I’ll note I’ve never seen prep and landing, which it is centered around, but I still enjoyed it!). I’m also worried about the HS crowds so I might skip HS this year. I’m going to watch crowds and play it by ear. If it doesn’t seem too bad, I might go to HS in the evening on our resort day.
I think the Christmas tree trail is worth seeing. It snows at night and you can see the trees lit up. However, if resorts are more important to you, I would recommend seeing the gingerbread house at the grand over the tree trail.
I’ve heard the dessert party can cut down wait times for the fireworks during MVMCP, if you want a dessert party. I read the new fireworks will be visible throughout the park if seeing them in front of the castle is not important to you.
I hope that helps a little! I’ve never done a tour so I can’t give input there. Personally, I would definitely make time for EPCOT, MVMCP, and resorts if you can only pick a few.

 

[KSL]

@ashnicole, thank you for your reply! It helps me just to "put my thoughts out there" as I try to decide on things. I hadn't heard of the Sunset Greetings at HS, so will look into that. Thanks for the tip! I'd like to get to DS to see the Christmas trees...hmmm...maybe we could stop there on our way out of town (we are driving). That wouldn't be at night, though, when they're lit up. Decisions, decisions! We are definitely going to see Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian for decorations, and I'd like to get over to BC/YC too, if we can. Thanks for your thoughts on JBJB. It isn't even open for booking yet, so I guess I can still think about that for awhile. Thanks again for your input! I appreciate it!

 

[ashnicole]

@ashnicole, thank you for your reply! It helps me just to "put my thoughts out there" as I try to decide on things. I hadn't heard of the Sunset Greetings at HS, so will look into that. Thanks for the tip! I'd like to get to DS to see the Christmas trees...hmmm...maybe we could stop there on our way out of town (we are driving). That wouldn't be at night, though, when they're lit up. Decisions, decisions! We are definitely going to see Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian for decorations, and I'd like to get over to BC/YC too, if we can. Thanks for your thoughts on JBJB. It isn't even open for booking yet, so I guess I can still think about that for awhile. Thanks again for your input! I appreciate it!

Sunset greetings is show on sunset Blvd in the evening. It’s projections on Tower of Terror and music. Last year was Olaf, Toy Story, and Prep and Landing. I enjoyed the shows and the atmosphere of it all. I would compare it to the Tree of Life Awakenings at AK.

 

[brnrss34]

We are now staying November 30- December 7 with a split stay to Boulder Ridge Nov 30-Dec 4. AKL Dec.5-7.

 

[ksromack]

What's the limit to all the special holiday-themed extra experiences one family (and wallet!) can do!? I know this is entirely subjective and none of you can help me, but I'm gonna post about it anyway, in case anyone wants to chime in with opinions!

My family are DVC members and very fortunate that we've been able to take many wonderful Disney vacations (and non-Disney ones, too!). But we've never gone at the holidays and so we decided to make that our priority this year, since my eldest is already in college with my next two not far behind, and I want my mom to be there with us (and she's developing mobility issues), so this is the year. Almost guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime-Disney-at-the-holidays trip. So we're trying to do all the holiday-oriented stuff and don't really even care about rides/shows that we can see on other visits. But there is SO MUCH holiday stuff to see/do! We will be able to visit each park at least once to see them all set up for holidays (décor, music, lights, etc.). We have tickets to MVMCP and will try to book a Candlelight Processional package. We're going to take an afternoon & evening to visit resorts to see their decorations. I thought that was doing great with planning for us to do all the special holiday stuff, but of course this is Disney so you can NEVER do it ALL and the more I look, the more there seems to be to do! Special holiday tours, dessert/fireworks parties, special holiday dinners, Christmas tree walk-through at DS, and probably other things I don't even know about. So how much of this do I try to do -- there's only so much time, and more importantly -- only so much money! So I'm struggling with where to draw the line on these special things. I was just reading about the Jingle Bell Jingle BAM party at DHS and thinking, "oooh, that would be awesome! what night would this fit into our plans..." when I stopped myself and thought, do we have the budget for this on top of everything else? So for now I'm NOT planning on the JBJB party (though it does sound so fun! and I'm kind of afraid of DHS this year with all the Star Wars stuff). So I guess I've found our limit. But there are still six months until the trip! Who knows what else might come up between now and then!? I need to keep in mind that I am very lucky to have such "struggles"!

We (meaning I) cannot imagine a visit during the holiday season without the Candlelight Processional. It's the thing I most look forward to and can never make it through one without tearing up, for sure. I do recommend the dining package for that if you can. I've never done it without one and last year the lineup for getting in even WITH the package was outrageous! Of course we had Neil Patrick Harris so that could account for the long line to get in. Another fun thing to do if you have time is a horse drawn carriage ride through Fort Wilderness. And the hotel decorations are amazing as well. Make Wilderness Lodge a priority for sure! I wasn't hugely a fan of the DS trees. I did see pictures of them all and a vlog, I think. That was enough for me You are going to love the parks all decorated up for the holidays too. Oh, I also enjoy Epcot's Gospel show. I can't remember what it's called but they are out on the stage inside the park by the Fountain of Nations. You just can stand there and catch a song or two while walking into Epcot in Future World.

 

[ariane37]

Did our dining this morning and got all we wanted with the exception of Narcoossee's on the 30th. It doesn't appear to be available to book yet on the 30/31st which is weird but I'll keep trying! Also got Up Close with Rhinos (I've done it before but the rest of the family hasn't) and booked Behind the Seeds at Epcot. Gives us things to do in the parks that get us out of the crowds

 

[KSL]

Candlelight Processional update, for those who are interested:
Good News -- additional narrators have been announced, including the every-popular NPH!
Bad News -- it looks like they're requiring prepayment this year (that'll be an early hit to my wallet!)

 

[shairpdrh]

Candlelight Processional update, for those who are interested:
Good News -- additional narrators have been announced, including the every-popular NPH!
Bad News -- it looks like they're requiring prepayment this year (that'll be an early hit to my wallet!)

Thanks for the update! Here is a link to the announcement for anyone interested.

 

[ashnicole]

Does anyone know if you can cancel and get your money back if you cancel your Candelight ADR with enough notice? If I make an ADR am I guaranteed some kind of seat for Candelight?
I’m still waiting for official word on whether or not I have the time off from work approved but I would love to do Candelight and I’m going when a more popular narrator is there, so I’d be worried about getting ADR’s later on. That being said, I also don’t want to be out $150-$200 if I end up not going.

 

[twinklebug]

Does anyone know if you can cancel and get your money back if you cancel your Candelight ADR with enough notice? If I make an ADR am I guaranteed some kind of seat for Candelight?
I’m still waiting for official word on whether or not I have the time off from work approved but I would love to do Candelight and I’m going when a more popular narrator is there, so I’d be worried about getting ADR’s later on. That being said, I also don’t want to be out $150-$200 if I end up not going.

You are guaranteed seating, but you must be in line when they start letting folk in otherwise your on your own and may not get in.
I've heard of people getting their money back on other packages and event tickets, but it's not as simple as saying "I'm cancelling". The mouse does not like to refund money ever. Usually they will allow cancellations and refunds due to unexpected illness etc.

 

[PolyRob]

Does anyone know if you can cancel and get your money back if you cancel your Candelight ADR with enough notice? If I make an ADR am I guaranteed some kind of seat for Candelight?
I’m still waiting for official word on whether or not I have the time off from work approved but I would love to do Candelight and I’m going when a more popular narrator is there, so I’d be worried about getting ADR’s later on. That being said, I also don’t want to be out $150-$200 if I end up not going.

This pre-paid dining is like the Luau, HDDR, or a dessert party. You will be able to cancel prior to the 48-hour window based on the language and get a full refund no problem.

"Prepayment is required. Guests who cancel reservations within 48 hours of the event will forfeit the entire package price."

I think Disney just likes prepayment so people don't hoard tons of ADRs. Paying hundreds per ADR will deter people from booking numerous and cancelling last minute leaving the restaurants empty.

 

[FoodieFriend]

We (meaning I) cannot imagine a visit during the holiday season without the Candlelight Processional. It's the thing I most look forward to and can never make it through one without tearing up, for sure. I do recommend the dining package for that if you can. I've never done it without one and last year the lineup for getting in even WITH the package was outrageous! Of course we had Neil Patrick Harris so that could account for the long line to get in. Another fun thing to do if you have time is a horse drawn carriage ride through Fort Wilderness. And the hotel decorations are amazing as well. Make Wilderness Lodge a priority for sure! I wasn't hugely a fan of the DS trees. I did see pictures of them all and a vlog, I think. That was enough for me You are going to love the parks all decorated up for the holidays too. Oh, I also enjoy Epcot's Gospel show. I can't remember what it's called but they are out on the stage inside the park by the Fountain of Nations. You just can stand there and catch a song or two while walking into Epcot in Future World.

I've never experienced CP & I'm trying to decide when we should attend. Does the person narrating make a huge difference? Right now I only have 3 dates we could attend & the narrator for our 1st date (Dec 11) hasn't been announced yet. Otherwise we're considering Gary Sinise (Dec 14) or Pat Sajak (Dec17). I'd appreciate any feedback about difference between narrators. TIA!

 

[patclairesmom]

I've never experienced CP & I'm trying to decide when we should attend. Does the person narrating make a huge difference? Right now I only have 3 dates we could attend & the narrator for our 1st date (Dec 11) hasn't been announced yet. Otherwise we're considering Gary Sinise (Dec 14) or Pat Sajak (Dec17). I'd appreciate any feedback about difference between narrators. TIA!

We saw Gary Sinise and he was great! I would also love to see Pat Sajak.

 

[shairpdrh]

On hold for AP early booking for CP dining package and was able to book my regular ADR (no CP package) for the Bon Voyage breakfast on the website. Looks like they may have released regular ADRs for December. Might be worth checking on any EPCOT ADRs you Haven’t been able to find! Now back to listening to hold music for another 30+ minutes.

 

[laura mason]

If anyone is looking Trattoria al Forno breakfast in December some times just opened up for our week (Nov 30-Dec 7). I was able to snag a 9:20am for 8 ppl on 12/5!!!

 

[PolyRob]

@twinklebug @shairpdrh @ksromack @Malyficent

I was browsing the WDW website and noticed times were loaded for the Holiday Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness! I called and booked the 7pm slot before my HDDR. The CM said they were just loaded Friday. My family will be so happy

 

[DenISe13]

New to posting to the boards..can I be added to roll call?! 12/23-1/2 Poly

 

[ksromack]

@twinklebug @shairpdrh @ksromack @Malyficent

I was browsing the WDW website and noticed times were loaded for the Holiday Sleigh Ride at Fort Wilderness! I called and booked the 7pm slot before my HDDR. The CM said they were just loaded Friday. My family will be so happy

I wish I could book this for us in December. I have a time that would work perfectly but it says a limit of 4 adults or 2 adults with 3 children. We are 4 adults and a 15 month old. She's definitely a lap baby. I wonder if that would work?

 

[PolyRob]

I wish I could book this for us in December. I have a time that would work perfectly but it says a limit of 4 adults or 2 adults with 3 children. We are 4 adults and a 15 month old. She's definitely a lap baby. I wonder if that would work?

Hmmm I am not sure. Maybe try calling and ask? I would think that should be fine!

 

[shairpdrh]

New to posting to the boards..can I be added to roll call?! 12/23-1/2 Poly

I added you!

And I think I have added everyone through here, so let me know if I missed you or there are edits I missed!