Those with December Experience

[DebbieB]

We decided to go in early December 1998 after seeing an advertisement for a holiday package. It had carolers in front of the United Kingdom store. So I called and did a 5 night trip for 2 for under $1,000 incl air (stayed at CBR). We had annual passes that we bought the previous October that we planned to use in October 1999 (a week earlier). It was a "just once" thing. Famous last words.....we've been there every year since! It's a wonderful time to go!!!!

 

[mrslur]

This thread is getting me excited all over again about our Nov. 27 - Dec. 3rd trip. It seems sooo far away at this point but I have sooo much to look forward to. Thanks!

 

[gjw007]

Holiday Tag after IllumiNations (Disney did this for the first time last year and it was simply awesome! Hope it becomes a tradition)!!!
Yuletide Fantasy Tour (OK, I think we'll enjoy it, we're doing it for the first time this year)

Maybe I left too soon after IllumiNations last December, but what was the Holiday Tag? Thanks.

 

[DebbieB]

Maybe I left too soon after IllumiNations last December, but what was the Holiday Tag? Thanks.

See Carol's response on page 1:

>>>The Holiday Tag was a special fireworks show that occurred right after IllumiNations. We were staying at the BWV and could actually feel the explosions in our room. The dispaly was so amazing - best I've seen at WDW to date - well best I've seen in person anywhere!!

Best wishes -<<<<

I saw this last year also, it was incredible. We saw it right at Epcot and your whole body vibrated, it was so loud. There were reports that it set off car alarms as far away as All Stars. It was set to "Let There be Peace on Earth". Red lights lit up on the lake, most of the fireworks were red and green.

 

[lllovell]

The night we were at EPCOT and got to see the holiday tag at the end of Illuminations, it was pouring down rain. We had done a dinner package, saw the Candlelight Processional (which was fantastic, but my boys were really too small to sit through it this year) and then got a great spot for the show (sometimes rain is good ). It was SOOOOOOOOO LOUD!!! I was amazed. Basically, there is no gap between it and the normal show, more like a continuation. I thought it was loud because of the rain creating sort of a canopy and working like a sound barier. My boys LOVED it as we all did. Just an extra umph at the end that was one more star on my "Christmas Spirit" for that year. I am hoping the do it again as well!

 

[QuiltTeddy]

I'm getting excited now and it's only August...I have 5 months to go still. We go the 18th to 23rd.

 

[gjw007]

See Carol's response on page 1:

>>>The Holiday Tag was a special fireworks show that occurred right after IllumiNations. We were staying at the BWV and could actually feel the explosions in our room. The dispaly was so amazing - best I've seen at WDW to date - well best I've seen in person anywhere!!

Best wishes -<<<<

I saw this last year also, it was incredible. We saw it right at Epcot and your whole body vibrated, it was so loud. There were reports that it set off car alarms as far away as All Stars. It was set to "Let There be Peace on Earth". Red lights lit up on the lake, most of the fireworks were red and green.

Thanks, I skipped right over the answer. Sheeesh!

 

[Mike_in_FL]

The night we were at EPCOT and got to see the holiday tag at the end of Illuminations, it was pouring down rain. We had done a dinner package, saw the Candlelight Processional (which was fantastic, but my boys were really too small to sit through it this year) and then got a great spot for the show (sometimes rain is good ). It was SOOOOOOOOO LOUD!!! I was amazed. Basically, there is no gap between it and the normal show, more like a continuation. I thought it was loud because of the rain creating sort of a canopy and working like a sound barier. My boys LOVED it as we all did. Just an extra umph at the end that was one more star on my "Christmas Spirit" for that year. I am hoping the do it again as well!

We also saw it last year and agree it was awesome - I hope it's back this year too. Great ending to a great show. I really enjoy Illuminations anyway, and it was a real treat that they added this extra holiday bit. It was moderately busy when we were there, and we were in the second "row" of people. I could see everything, but my daughters had somewhat obstructed views. I was planning to pick them up so they could see better, but a really nice family offered to let them stand in front with their kids. FWIW, it was a cool clear night when we saw it, so I think it is just loud period

Mike

 

[BkrsLoveDis!]

Oh Wow!! This makes me so excited about our own trip in late Nov/ early Dec!!!

So glad we picked this time of year - and like most of you -

I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

Cyn

 

[Gail & Joe]

You will love being there at that time of the year. We went for the first time in early Dec. in 1997 and have been going every year since. It's only 5 months until we go back and it seems like forever.

 

[keishashadow]

Anyone know when they start accepting PS for the Candlelight Proces. Dinner Package (or, for that matter, how far in advance I "need" to book it). I'm still trying to sell the rest of the family on seeing it - they think it sounds somewhat boring; I'm hoping for inspirational. Went to the Allears site but it didn't really explain the program in detail. Help?

 

[Bugeye]

Just remember, Disney sells sweatshirts.

 

[DVCDawn]

I have to echo other posters comments about the weather. We were at WDW starting Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend a few years ago for a week. The first two days were downright hot, but after that it was in the 40s. We purposely didn't bring our winter coats and boy was I sorry. Needless to say, everyone got a new Disney sweatshirt (to wear over the other sweatshirts we packed)!

On the plus side, we didn't feel it was crowded at all and enjoyed ourselves tremendously.

Pack lots and lots of layers!!!

DVCDawn

 

[Gwydion]

What about early January? Will we still get to enjoy the decorations? I'm sure that Christmas events are over, but are there still special shows? Just curious, we just joined this year and were too late to get ressies for Dec., so we are meeting friends in Jan. But since VWL is our home, we are going to be booking for next December come February.

 

[Gail & Joe]

keishashadow......I don't know when they start accepting PS for the Candlelight Processional but I usually don't make mine until November. They don't know who the narrators are going to be until then. We saw Gary Sinise last year. We have also seen Joe Mantegna, Brian Dennehy, and James Avery. If you go to this site it gives you the list of places where you can eat before or after the show, the cost and times. Later in the year it will update the names of the narrators when they find out. Good luck on getting the rest of the family to go and see the show. It really is beautiful.

http://allearsnet.com/tp/h_cpfaq.htm

 

[kda]

We took our second early-December trip last year, the first w/e in December. Parks weren't crowded, but the MVMCP was busy on Monday night (always long lines to get your picture taken). I tried to get CP dinner package for an entire month before and could never get availability for the Canada resteraunt, so I just sat outside the theater and did enjoy it. We could have had other resteraunts, but didn't care to do that. People with CP tickets were lined up WAY early.

It's a great time of the year, and the holiday decorations in the resorts and parks are very special.

 

[zillow]

2nd week in Dec. is my favorite time to go as well. Since it seems to be getting more popular, have people had to make reservations day by day to book it at 11 months? We own at VWL.

Thanks!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

What about early January? Will we still get to enjoy the decorations? I'm sure that Christmas events are over, but are there still special shows? Just curious, we just joined this year and were too late to get ressies for Dec., so we are meeting friends in Jan. But since VWL is our home, we are going to be booking for next December come February.

We've been there twice right after the New Year and caught the tail end of the holiday decorations. Much of it will be coming down right after the New Year so you may not get to see it in full effect.

 

[bobbiwoz]

The Osborne lights are extended into January for '06.

OSBORNE FAMILY SPECTACLE OF LIGHTS

November 23 - January 8, 2006

Will you be able to make those dates?

Bobbi

 

[Dgentrysim]

I went this past Christmas with my cousin and we had a blast! We went Dec 11 - 16. The parks were the least crowded that I had ever seen. It was wonderful except that it did get very cold! I'd take the cold over a packed park any day! One day we were there it got up to 70 degrees but the other days you were fine with jeans, and sweatshirt.....at night, a heavy coat was definitely a must! At Epcot, we had not made reservations to see the Candlelight Procession, so we weren't planning on seeing it. We just happened to be in the area when we saw the lines for the concert. We saw them go to their seats and noticed that there were plenty more seats left. I asked the lady helping people to their seats and she said we could sit anywhere we wanted. We got excellent seats and thoroughly loved the music and reading. I definitely think because it was so cold that kept people away! Loved all the "Father Christmas" representatives and stories told that were at Epcot. Wonderful time to go what with all the Christmas decorations. Make sure you go to the different resorts (especially the Grand Floridian) to see the Christmas decorations. Such a special atmosphere at Christmas! I'd love to go again! We stayed at the Beach Club Villas - great place. Hope you have a great time in December. Make sure you go to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas - fun!