Booked for 11/27-12/5...need help from the WDW experts : )

[Stevek]

I'm a Disneyland regular and the family and I are making our second trip to WDW 11/27-12/5. Was hoping the experts here could help me with a few questions.

1. Have read that EMH are best to be avoided. Is that only for the morning EMH? Right now we are planning on attending the MK, AK & Epcot evening EMH. Can't remember what we did in 2006 though I'm pretty sure we hit the Magic Kingdom morning EMH with no issues.

2. Candlelight Processional - We go every year to the one out here at Disneyland and I know it's a bit different at WDW. Does it happen every night from late Nov-Dec or just selected nights? Any advice on what time to show up as we won't be purchasing a dining package for it and what are the odds of us getting a seat if we are walk ups?

3. I think I read the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights starts at dusk and runs til close. Is it safe to assume that dusk until close is enough time to fully experience them?

4. Debating on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Is it worth the extra money? Not sure if we'll ever get the chance to experience it again so seems like a no brainer to give it a shot. Looks like it starts at 7pm but I think I read you can get in as early as 4pm...is that accurate?

5. We have one down day (yay!) and right now we're debating on heading up to IOA (just to experience Potter) or visiting the different hotels to experience all of the Christmas "stuff." We'd most likely squeeze a round of mini golf in at Winter/Summerland. I'm leaning heavily toward the latter and staying on property. Is IOA worth it (beyond Potter)?

Really looking forward to this vacation and appreciate any advice you can give.

-Steve

 

[UberPlannerMom]

I'm a Disneyland regular and the family and I are making our second trip to WDW 11/27-12/5. Was hoping the experts here could help me with a few questions.

1. Have read that EMH are best to be avoided. Is that only for the morning EMH? Right now we are planning on attending the MK, AK & Epcot evening EMH. Can't remember what we did in 2006 though I'm pretty sure we hit the Magic Kingdom morning EMH with no issues.

2. Candlelight Processional - We go every year to the one out here at Disneyland and I know it's a bit different at WDW. Does it happen every night from late Nov-Dec or just selected nights? Any advice on what time to show up as we won't be purchasing a dining package for it and what are the odds of us getting a seat if we are walk ups?

3. I think I read the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights starts at dusk and runs til close. Is it safe to assume that dusk until close is enough time to fully experience them?

4. Debating on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Is it worth the extra money? Not sure if we'll ever get the chance to experience it again so seems like a no brainer to give it a shot. Looks like it starts at 7pm but I think I read you can get in as early as 4pm...is that accurate?

5. We have one down day (yay!) and right now we're debating on heading up to IOA (just to experience Potter) or visiting the different hotels to experience all of the Christmas "stuff." We'd most likely squeeze a round of mini golf in at Winter/Summerland. I'm leaning heavily toward the latter and staying on property. Is IOA worth it (beyond Potter)?

Really looking forward to this vacation and appreciate any advice you can give.

-Steve

I can't help you with any of the Christmas things but I do have to say that I don't know how going to Islands of Adventure would really work as a day off! That has to be just as tiring (if not more so since you have to deal with the traffic!)

As for EMH- that is all a matter of opinion. If you are staying off property then you absolutely avoid the parks with EMH since most people staying on property will be there that day. But if you are staying on property, it really is up to you. You get more hours to do things, but it will be slightly more crowded so things will take a little longer. We absolutely go to EMH... we need the extra time!

 

[lilclerk]

Morning EMH has shorter lines, but if you can stay for the whole evening EMH, you will see the lines dwindle down.
I'd say to try the Christmas party at least once. I wasn't impressed, but that's just me.
The Osborne Lights, on the other hand, were worth the Christmas trip! They are absolutely stunning. Dusk-close is definitely enough time to see them. We hung around for about an hour and watched them dance a couple of times. Keep in mind, if it's raining pretty hard they do stop the lights.
Personally, I love IoA and visit on almost every trip, but the PP does have a good point that it's not a good "rest" day. You will definitely want a break in a long trip like that!

 

[Mightyquinn]

EMH are great because it's only for guest staying at WDW resorts. Last march we stayed at MK till 2am and most rides where 5 min wait times! EMH at HWS I could see would get pretty crowded. Epcot during EMH was great also, rode Test Track like 10 times in row with no wait!

 

[Dads 2 Boys]

1) EMH are great anytime you can get them IMO. The late hours @ MK are fantastic during Christmas time. Gives more time to see the castle lit up!!!!

2) You have to get there at last 2 hrs early to get a very good seat if you don't have the dinner package.

3) Plenty of time and worth the trip itself. It's fabulous!!!!!

4) Never been to MVMCP but it seems 50/50 from most people on here.

5) I would say stay on property and visit the resorts. Do the Supercalifragilistic breakfast at the GF and start there by seeing the Gingerbread house. The Boardwalk, The Contemporary and Beach/Yacht Club also has gingerbread displays that are excellent to see. Also, the Winter/Summerland mini-golf @ BB is nice IMO.

Have a great time!!! :wave:

 

[amykissangel]

I'm a Disneyland regular and the family and I are making our second trip to WDW 11/27-12/5. Was hoping the experts here could help me with a few questions.

1. Have read that EMH are best to be avoided. Is that only for the morning EMH? Right now we are planning on attending the MK, AK & Epcot evening EMH. Can't remember what we did in 2006 though I'm pretty sure we hit the Magic Kingdom morning EMH with no issues.

3. I think I read the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights starts at dusk and runs til close. Is it safe to assume that dusk until close is enough time to fully experience them?

5. We have one down day (yay!) and right now we're debating on heading up to IOA (just to experience Potter) or visiting the different hotels to experience all of the Christmas "stuff." We'd most likely squeeze a round of mini golf in at Winter/Summerland. I'm leaning heavily toward the latter and staying on property. Is IOA worth it (beyond Potter)?

Really looking forward to this vacation and appreciate any advice you can give.

-Steve

1) All the big touring plans say to avoid EMH...but their reasons stated is this: For Morning EMH, you should be fine, even at the MK. But people will wake up at 10 AM and remember that MK had morning EMH and will spend the rest of the day there, thereby making it extremely crowded. The Evening EMH (the plans say) tend to be the worst because everyone seems to adopt the attitude of "sleep late, get to the park at 2 PM and stay until 2 AM." Like an above poster said, Evening EMH is certainly better than regular park hours, but you're only going to get the REALLY short lines if you stay until the last 1/2 hour of EMH during a busy season.

3) The Osborne Spectacle of Lights is beautiful and VERY cool - if you're a person who can't get enough of Christmas, you could look at them for probably 2.5 hours. If you're me, who loves Christmas but would rather spend time in the parks on rides and seeing shows, you can see them in 1/2 an hour without feeling like I was gypped.

5) Friends just went (ages 28 and 30) and said Potter was the coolest thing they've ever seen. That being said, if it's your ONE off day, you paying to get a taxi or rental car out to IOA, riding rides and essentially doing another park all day long - you're going to come back exhausted. I'd save Potter for when you have more time and relax. Checking out the hotel Christmas decorations sounds wonderful.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[JillC LI]

1. Have read that EMH are best to be avoided. Is that only for the morning EMH? Right now we are planning on attending the MK, AK & Epcot evening EMH. Can't remember what we did in 2006 though I'm pretty sure we hit the Magic Kingdom morning EMH with no issues.


4. Debating on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Is it worth the extra money? Not sure if we'll ever get the chance to experience it again so seems like a no brainer to give it a shot. Looks like it starts at 7pm but I think I read you can get in as early as 4pm...is that accurate?

5. We have one down day (yay!) and right now we're debating on heading up to IOA (just to experience Potter) or visiting the different hotels to experience all of the Christmas "stuff." We'd most likely squeeze a round of mini golf in at Winter/Summerland. I'm leaning heavily toward the latter and staying on property. Is IOA worth it (beyond Potter)?

Here are the questions I can answer:
1 - If you are going to show up at park opening then morning EMHs are wonderful. Almost no lines at all. Our family loves early EMHs.
4 - I'd give the party a shot. You are correct that you can get into the MK at 4pm even though the ticket says the party starts at 7pm.
5 - IOA can definitely be done in a day, and if I had the option right now, I'd LOVE to see the new Potter section. Even without that, there is alot to do at IOA including some big coasters, Spiderman which is amazing, Jurassic Park with water rides, and Seuss Land for the younger set. I'd recommend the day trip.