Tree lighting & CP timing...conflicting answers

[dreaminofdisney]

I have been reading on the boards different answers about the tree lighting and making it to the Candlelight Procession. I was hoping to get this cleared up. This is what I hope to try to do, but will it work?

If the tree lighting (located in Future World?) in Epcot is at 6pm again this year, and the show lasts 20 min (is that right?)... can a single mom, who is quick to get moving right when it ends, and walks very fast, pushing a stroller (cant have DD slowing us down ), make it to the 6:45pm show before they let people into the reserved package seating area. I heard they do this at 15 min before show start time. Is that right?

6pm plus 20min = 6:20pm (show over)
6:45pm minus 15min = 6:30pm (reserved seating area opened to everyone)
6:30pm - 6:20pm = 10 min dash time to the CP. (Is it possible?)

Do I have the correct info and timing?

 

[CarolMN]

I think you will be hard pressed to make it - even in the less crowded times, it's tough to push a stroller quicklyt through groups of people who are not in a hurry and not paying much attention to their surroundings.

That said, I think it could be done if you are planning on going on a weeknight in early December and aren't particular about where in the theater you get your seat.

Wouldn't even consider doing this on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday or anytime 12/19 or later. Too many people to move that quickly.

JMHO. YMMV.

 

[TigerLaw]

One other issue to consider is that while you are guaranteed seating, if you want a good seat, people start lining up for the guaranteed seats about 30 min before each show, so if all you care about is a seat, maybe, but I have also heard of obstructed sight lines for the reserved section as well.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by dreaminofdisney

If the tree lighting (located in Future World?) in Epcot is at 6pm again this year, and the show lasts 20 min (is that right?)... can a single mom, who is quick to get moving right when it ends, and walks very fast, pushing a stroller (cant have DD slowing us down ), make it to the 6:45pm show before they let people into the reserved package seating area. I heard they do this at 15 min before show start time. Is that right?

6pm plus 20min = 6:20pm (show over)
6:45pm minus 15min = 6:30pm (reserved seating area opened to everyone)
6:30pm - 6:20pm = 10 min dash time to the CP. (Is it possible?)

Honestly ... no, it's not. Once the tree lighting is done, there is a huge crush of people, and it can take ten minutes just to get from the viewing area in front of the tree to the WS promenade. Then you're talking only ten minutes to get through a lot of people clear around to the other side of the lagoon. Plus, once you get there, you need to get in whatever line has already formed. You will end up tired and frustrated (because not everyone in your path is going to instantly move exactly when you want them to in order to facilitate your mad dash) and your DD and the rest of the family will probably be the same.

You'll enjoy both the tree lighting and CP much, much more if you don't try to cram them in this closely.

 

[dreaminofdisney]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
(because not everyone in your path is going to instantly move exactly when you want them to in order to facilitate your mad dash)

What , people wont just part and move to the side for me? (he, he)

I am going on Wednesday Dec 6th. So the light crowds are in my favor. It will only be myself and my daughter in her stroller (which is small and very agile). Could I try to but us on the edge of the crowd wathing the tree lighting show and be one of the first's to leave the area? I wouldn't mind the mad dash and my daughter would love the fast ride. As long as everyone moves out of my way An OK seat (not blocked) would be fine and I could put my daughter on my lap so we wouldn't be trying to find seating for a large family together.

I guess I was hoping to confirm if the info I have on timing is right or wrong. I know I could try to plan it better but it's are only night in Epcot. Just trying to see the special holiday stuff.

 

[HollyJoy]

December 6th is a Monday

Thanks for posting this question though!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, it sort of can be done-I did it on Tuesday, 12/9. However, there were a couple differences from normal. For one thing, I stood on the WS side. From there, you don't see the characters' show,but you do get a good view of the tree-lighting itself. Also, the character bus parks on the WS side, so after the characters come off stage, if you're standing right by the bus, you can wave at them. I wasn't particularly interested in seeing th character's show (I was solo), but with little ones, that's probably different. But by standing on that side, I got a quick exit-otherwise, the previous poster's correct, there's a huge crowd of people. The other difference is that when I got to the theater, yes, there's a reserved section, but by then all the good seats are taken and I ended up in the very front row, not good for getting the entire effect of the show. I went later in the week, sitting in the rear of the theater, and I liked my seat back there much better.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by dreaminofdisney Could I try to but us on the edge of the crowd wathing the tree lighting show and be one of the first's to leave the area?

You can try, but you won't be the only one with that thought, so plan on getting there really early for a prime location. And keep in mind that if you're on the edge, you may not have a great view of the tree lighting stage. And, even on the edge, you're going to be fighting up against a huge crowd as the show finishes.

I guess I was hoping to confirm if the info I have on timing is right or wrong. I know I could try to plan it better but it's are only night in Epcot. Just trying to see the special holiday stuff.

Honestly, if your goal is to see the special holiday stuff (and to actually enjoy it), then I would choose a later Candlelight show, and use the time in between the tree lighting and the show to enjoy the storytellers at the pavilions or to look at all the decorations within the individual countries. But even with the scenario you have above -- standing on the edge and running with the stroller to the Candlelight stage -- I don't think you'll make it, and I think you'll be lessening the experience by trying to cram it all in like that. JMO.

 

[LoveMickey]

While we were waiting in line to get into CP (we had the dinner package) the tree was lit up. So......... your position will be at the end.

If you do decide to do this, I suggest you watch the tree lighting on the Canadian (not Mexican) side of WS. The line for the dinner packages line up on the Japan side of American.

At least you won't have to try to get through the Tapestry Parade, because the discontinued that parade

 

[goofy4tink]

The crowds in the area for the tree lighting are incredible. If you tried to get a spot on the side, your dd won't see anything anyway. In fact, unless you are right up front, she isn't going to see anything! My dd is tall for her age, then 10, and she had to jump up the concrete walls to see. I really don't think you should try to do it all. But, keep in mind, that if you are leaving Epcot via Futureworld, you are going to have to walk right down that beautifully lit pathway!! I think that's a better thing to see than the actual lighting. So, IMO, do CP with no rushing around and then enjoy the lights on the way back.

 

[tjmw2727]

Honestly I would pick one or the other or try and see the tree lighting on another night. Having done both I can't imagine enjoying the tree lighting while worrying about getting somewhere else and having my dd (I have 2) wanting to meet one of the characters or see such and such along the way.

FWIW I would just stick to the WS, enjoy the dinner and CP and then see the tree already light later in the evening. Personally I think you and dd will enjoy all the storytellers and events at WS as much as the lighting ceremony.

I can't imagine trying to get through that many people with or without a stroller and making it on time for a decent seat.

I am also one of those people who try and avoid stress during my vacation however so take my suggestions in that light.

Have a great time - everything at WDW is speical at Christimas time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The line for the reserved seating area can be very long. We started lining up for the reserved area at least 30 minutes before the show last time we went (okay, it was Christmas Eve, but it was raining and covered seats were at a premium). By the time all the reserved seats were seated, there was very little room for people who did not have the dining package.