Christmas Trip Questions

[jedwards]

Originally Posted by cherene

What time is the Osborne lights show?

Its every night starting at dusk and lasting until the park closes.

[crushturtle]

Originally Posted by cherene

This sounds like great advice. I'm righting it all down . I do have a question. When I called MS they told me they hold the same parade for free after the 21st. Is that true? We are not suppose to arrive until late the 21st.

If that's what member services said then I would trust it

[cherene]

Originally Posted by crushturtle

If that's what member services said then I would trust it

OK I just thought there must be a mistake. Thanks for all your help it's greatly appreciated.

[mousefan1972]

I am going to disagree with those who said to attend the Christmas Party. Starting Dec. 22nd (the day after the last party), the Christmas parade replaces the usual 3:00 parade, and holiday Wishes replaces regular Wishes. So you will get the top 2 draws to the party for free. Unless you want to pay the high party price for "free" cookies and hot chocolate...

*disclaimer, 2012 will be our 6th consecutive Christmas in Disney. And we made this same mistake our 1st year: arrived the last day of the party, paid a crazy amount of money for tickets, then felt like dummies the next day when we realized all the exclusive party stuff was now free.

[cherene]

Originally Posted by mousefan1972

I am going to disagree with those who said to attend the Christmas Party. Starting Dec. 22nd (the day after the last party), the Christmas parade replaces the usual 3:00 parade, and holiday Wishes replaces regular Wishes. So you will get the top 2 draws to the party for free. Unless you want to pay the high party price for "free" cookies and hot chocolate...

*disclaimer, 2012 will be our 6th consecutive Christmas in Disney. And we made this same mistake our 1st year: arrived the last day of the party, paid a crazy amount of money for tickets, then felt like dummies the next day when we realized all the exclusive party stuff was now free.

Thank you this is very helpful. I see the cookies and milk are expensive .

[wendya124]

I really think the dinner packages are worth the price to avoid standing in line for the Candlelight Processional. You still have to arrive a little early, but we always enjoy a nice meal and then stroll over for the show. You get a lot of food with the package though. I think a nonalcohol drink, app, entree, and dessert per person. We waddled to the show, I should have said.

[cherene]

Originally Posted by wendya124

I really think the dinner packages are worth the price to avoid standing in line for the Candlelight Processional. You still have to arrive a little early, but we always enjoy a nice meal and then stroll over for the show. You get a lot of food with the package though. I think a nonalcohol drink, app, entree, and dessert per person. We waddled to the show, I should have said.

[dvcnewbie1212]

thanks for the thread, we will also be doing a Christmas trip for the time and LOVE all the advice. We are squeezing in a trip from Dec. 18th-24th

I know several posts said to NOT pay for the Very Mickey Christmas Party, but isn’t it worth it to have one night of a smaller crowd to enjoy MK? Does anyone know if there are more character meet and greet opportunities during the party? Also, is the whole park open or only certain rides/areas? And the most important question do you need to pay admission to MK in addition to the party cost?

I would love to get more opinions so we can make our final decision.

[DisneyGa3]

The Osborn lights are our favorite thing to do at Xmas time. I could stand there for hours and watch the lights and snow!

The Grand Floridian... mmm the smell of gingerbread when you enter is pretty awesome!!

as for the party---yes the entire park is open, the lines are normally shorter during the parties. ( we went years ago the Xmas one.) Yes you will have to pay admission during the day... the party will let you enter at 4 pm. ( the tickets say 7 pm).
We really enjoyed this party... have to say MSSNHP is better though

[mousefan1972]

Originally Posted by dvcnewbie1212

thanks for the thread, we will also be doing a Christmas trip for the time and LOVE all the advice. We are squeezing in a trip from Dec. 18th-24th

I know several posts said to NOT pay for the Very Mickey Christmas Party, but isn’t it worth it to have one night of a smaller crowd to enjoy MK? Does anyone know if there are more character meet and greet opportunities during the party? Also, is the whole park open or only certain rides/areas? And the most important question do you need to pay admission to MK in addition to the party cost?

I would love to get more opinions so we can make our final decision.

That close to Christmas will cause the party to be very crowded. We went to the last party of the year in 2007, it was sold out. Picture wall to wall people. The last few dates typically sell out. You do not need park admisison in addition to the party ticket. You can get it using your party ticket starting at 4 p.m. There are character meets during the party. Plan to wait in very long lines if you wish to see them.