First Christmas visit in 15 years and I have some questions

[I_heart_Tigger]

I'm 38 days from my next trip and will be at Disney for some Holiday events for the first time since 1999! It's also my first time staying at Beach Club for a few years and I'm pretty excited. It's one of my favourites.

If anyone can answer a couple of questions for me that would be great

1. Do the Osborne lights stay on between shows? I'm hoping to get some photos with fewer crowds. I recall they stayed on at the end of the night until park closing but wasn't sure if they stayed on for a bit until the beginning of the next show.
2. What is the current procedure for MVMCP if you are already in the park? I assume we exit and re-enter? Are the entry times still late afternoon (4pm?) How have Magic Bands been with special event tickets on them? Any recurring glitches I should watch for or has it been relatively smooth?
3. I'm hoping to get some nice Showcase photos. If I enter at IG at 9:00am can I take the "long way" - past AA around to Mexico or is it blocked off?
4. I have read about but haven't experienced the alternate exit route in MK. Is that standard or only for high crowd events? I tend to stay past closing times before exiting but any suggestions for avoiding crowds (ha ha...avoiding crowds, I know - funny stuff) would be appreciated.

Thanks for the help. Any other suggestions for holiday photos would be nice as well. I'm not sure how many decorations will be out that week (Nov 18th to 25th) but I would like to get some nice holiday photos.

 

[Tuvalu]

1. The Osborne Lights stay on continuously from the turn on around 6 pm until park close. The lights "dance" every few songs, and during the start of a song some areas may go dark before illuminating again. If you want to see the lights with less people, go during Fantasmic.

2. You can enter MVMCP any time after 4 pm with your ticket/MagicBand. You will be given a bracelet to wear for the evening. If you are already in the MK prior to 4 pm, you will need to get your bracelet from a MVMCP cast member by 7 pm. There is no need to exit/re-enter the park.

3. No. If you enter by the IG you can go only as far as France until World Showcase opens at 11 am.

4. The alternate exit of MK isn't an exit but a less congested way down Main Street to the train tunnel exit. It is used fairly often when Main Street is congested during parade/fireworks time. The path begins in between the Plaza Restaurant and the restrooms near the Tomorrowland Terrace. It ends next to Tony's Town Square. Basically you are walking behind the Main Street shops.

5. The MK Christmas tree will not be up at the time of your visit but the other parks should have their trees. Don't forget to visit the resorts (GF, WL and Beach Club come to mind) for some great holiday pics.

 

[I_heart_Tigger]

You are awesome! thank you so much.