Tree lighting

[tarheelmjfan]

Sorry, I know.... Another Epcot tree lighting question. We've gone to the CP every year for the past few years, but have yet to figure out when we can book our meal and show, and still be able to see the tree lighting. This year, I noticed somewhere (I don't remember where. Luckily, I wrote it down.) that the tree lighting ceremony begins at 5:45 and the actual lighting is at 6:00. Is the actual lighting the end of the show? I made a reservation for Les Chefs de France for 6:10, hoping to see the show then head over there to eat. If we're running that close, DH could go on over and sign us in. Do you think we can finally make it this year?

 

[WDSearcher]

You don't mention when you're going, and whether or not you can "make it" from Tree Lighting to France in that amount of time depends greatly on when you're there. If it's Christmas week, absolutely impossible. If it's the first week of December ... maybe, but not likely.

The ceremony ends at 6pm, but there is a HUGE audience for that show each night, and getting out of the crush of people won't be easy. Even during the first week of December, when crowds are relatively light, getting from point A to point B in ten minutes will be fairly impossible. Even if your DH leaves early to go sign in at France, it's entirely likely that you could leave the tree lighting at the stroke of six and not show up at France until 20 after, or later.

If you want to see the show, you need to stand in front of the tree, which means that when the show ends, everyone tries to leave from that area at the same time, and it's a HUGE crush of bodies, strollers, bags, backpacks, kids, wheelchairs, and Santa hats. It can take ten minutes just to START moving, particularly during Christmas week. And if you don't stand in front of the stage -- and opt for a spot on the side, nearer the promenade to France -- then you won't really see the show, so it kind of defeats the purpose.

If you MUST schedule your PS at France for 6:10pm, then I would suggest skipping the tree lighting and try seeing it on another night, perhaps a night when you can pop into Epcot just to see the ceremony, and then head back out afterwards.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the info. We will be there on Christmas Eve. I know it will be packed, but I think that the CP will be a perfect prelude to Christmas. We chose to make a reservation at 6:10, because we didn't want to have to run to get to the CP in time, as we have every other time. I was thinking that unless things have changed, since the many other times that we have eaten at Les Chefs de France, that we won't be seated at exactly 6:10. I was hoping that as long as DH was there in time to sign us in, that DS & I may have a chance to see it. Anyone else have an opinion? Thanks!

 

[WDSearcher]

In my opinion -- and from my experience -- on Christmas Eve, you won't make it. It's just way too crowded in the park that night. I've been in the park for several Christmas Eves, and the tree lighting is particularly popular that night, as is CP, and there will be a lot of people trying to crush into the viewing area near the tree and then trying to get OUT of that area once the ceremony is over. It kind of sounds as though you have your mind made up to do it anyway, but do go into it knowing that it could take you 20 minutes or longer to make it from the viewing area of the tree to France.

 

[Kellyh123]

Where is the tree lighting?

 

[Simba's Mom]

I thought I remembered it as 6:00 for the ceremony, with the actual tree lighting to be around 6:15. If that's the case, you definitely wouldn't make it to Chefs de France by 6:10!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Thanks for the help. I guess we won't try it after all. Yet another year of missing it. Maybe 1 year I'll figure out how to do both, without having to see the CP before dark.

 

[HappyGramma]

What time would you suggest that we get to where the tree is to be able to watch the tree lighting ceremony? Can you see it ok if you aren't right up front?

 

[WDSearcher]

The tree lighting takes place in that "hub" area where Future World turns into World Showcase. You can stand anywhere in front of the tree, with Spaceship Earth to your back, and have a good view. You don't need to be AT the stage to see and enjoy the show. In fact, I'd even suggest moving back a bit, nearer to the light arches, than trying to get into the crush of people closer to the stage.

If you're going at the beginning of the month, you can probably get there 15 minutes ahead of time and be fine. The closer you get to Christmas Day, the earlier you have to be there to claim a spot.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by tarheelmjfan
Thanks for the help. I guess we won't try it after all. Yet another year of missing it. Maybe 1 year I'll figure out how to do both, without having to see the CP before dark.

On Christmas Eve -- or any time during Christmas week, really -- it's tough to do both the tree lighting and a later CP show with dinner. You could certainly do them on separate days. Lots of people swing over to Epcot specifically for CP or the tree lighting, and then head off to somewhere else for the evening. You might want to try something like Christmas Parade at MK during the afternoon, tree lighting at Epcot at dusk, and then Osbourne lights at MGM -- a little "Christmas Park Tour" thing.