Just a quick note for IMGONNABE40!. My family went in Dec. 2003 and I originally booked a CP dining package. However, after discussing it with my DM and others, we decided to wing it without the package and use that money to go to
MVMCP instead. It was a good decision for us.
We arrived early in the evening of Dec. 10 (so it was early into the holiday season) and since my DNiece who was with us is a DLR CM we used her ID to get into Epcot for a few hours. (Didn't have to use a full day's tix

) Anyway, we decided to check out CP at the American Pavillon and the show was going to start in about 15 mins, or so. Everyone who was in line was already seated and there was plenty of seating available in the back part of the seats. So, we watched the show for awhile, but then members of our group (inc. DD then 4) got restless and we left before it finished. Anyway, my point is, if you are going early in the season, on a weekday, you may not need to book a package to see the show. And I remember reading before that trip that "preferred seatings" guests still had to wait in line 45 min, or longer, and there was no guarantee of seat location. Some even mentioned being seated behind a post.
Have fun no matter what you decide!
