Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

mamamoi

We are off to Florida for Christmas & New Year .... Does anyone have any thoughts on the candlelight procession at Epcot? Is it worth doing the dinner reservations thing with reserved seating?
Any ideas on what time the fireworks start at Epcot in Dec?

Also, am I right in thinking that the Christmas parades are everyday in Dec... I really don't want to go to any parks on Christmas day as I've heard it will be crazy busy.

Thanks, Mamamoi

ailuro2

We're thinking of doing animal kingdom on Christms day, but just in the morning, I think it gets really busy around MAgic Kingdom and it ends up closed because it's full.

We're going to medieval times on Christmas night so don't want to go too far during the day.

I hadn't heard of the candle procession at Epcot - what is it,please?

mamamoi

ailuro2 wrote: »

We're thinking of doing animal kingdom on Christms day, but just in the morning, I think it gets really busy around MAgic Kingdom and it ends up closed because it's full.

We're going to medieval times on Christmas night so don't want to go too far during the day.

I hadn't heard of the candle procession at Epcot - what is it,please?

You can see it/hear it from different spots around Epcot for free (with normal admission) or you can book a dinner package where you get dinner then reserved seating for the show. I couldn't find any info on the UK disney site.... we are meeting up with in-laws from Canada and they found it on the US site.

Here is a bit more info:
Held every year at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional is not to be missed. A mass choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator, tell the story of Christmas in words and music, in a very moving performance. Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre.

Performances take place each evening at 5:00pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm

KarenG

mamamoi wrote: »

You can see it/hear it from different spots around Epcot for free (with normal admission) or you can book a dinner package where you get dinner then reserved seating for the show. I couldn't find any info on the UK disney site.... we are meeting up with in-laws from Canada and they found it on the US site.

Here is a bit more info:
Held every year at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional is not to be missed. A mass choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator, tell the story of Christmas in words and music, in a very moving performance. Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre.

Performances take place each evening at 5:00pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm

If you want to see the CP without the dinner package, you will need to get in line very, very, very early. I haven't done it for a few years and when I did we did the package, but some folks in our queue waited for two hours and didn't get in.

I believe it is less busy in earlier December but I don't know by how much.

My opinion, for what it's worth, is that it is a nice uplifting show with great singing. There is no way I would queue for two hours for it though

The dinner packages are good value if you were planning to eat a sit down dinner in the park anyway.

bluenose1

mumofjusttwo wrote: »

I am going without a car Don't feel confident enough to drive with three children on my own and no-one else to tell me where to go (I know that I could use Sat Nat)

I am staying at Disney as previous years I have stayed in a villa. Before that we didn't use a car and I still loved it.

I think I am brave enough raking the three children on holiday with me 4,6 and 12, let alone thinking about driving too.:D

I wouldn't hire a car either, I found it very stressful just navigating with my husband and the 3 kids. If I was going on my own would make full use of shuttle service and get taxis with the money saved not hiring a car.
Have a fantastic holiday.

Blahnik39

mamamoi wrote: »

We are off to Florida for Christmas & New Year .... Does anyone have any thoughts on the candlelight procession at Epcot? Is it worth doing the dinner reservations thing with reserved seating?
Any ideas on what time the fireworks start at Epcot in Dec?

Also, am I right in thinking that the Christmas parades are everyday in Dec... I really don't want to go to any parks on Christmas day as I've heard it will be crazy busy.

Thanks, Mamamoi

That sounds really nice, we are also there for xmas/new year and have been wondering what to do xmas eve / day although maybe not too much xmas day as we're flying to New York early boxing day, any other suggestions?
thanks

timBS5

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

I dont agree that you would save money by hiring a car. In fact i believe you to be wasting money if you don't.

I'd have to agree with this opinion. Navigating around Orlando is not hard, especially compared to any UK city, and if you are used to using a GPS you *really* can't go wrong.
Building my days around Taxis' and shuttle schedules sounds like a lot of stress to me.

FloFlo

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

And if i might add to that - People spend a lot of money going to Florida - Often saving up for a long time. By not having a car they are severely limiting themselves in what they can do. For instance, if you drive you can easily and quickly hop between parks, or the hotel and wherever and have the option to travel easily outside of Disney/Universal.

I guess what im trying to say is that by taking a car it is:
- Easier
- Quicker
- More from your holiday
- More convinent
- Cheaper

But everbodys different DH drives for a living so doesnt particularly want to drive a lot on holiday. We love the Disney hotels and Universal hotels so do a split stay, anywhere else we want to go probably 2 or 3 times max we will pay for a Mears shuttle $14 return. If you are staying at disney they offer a free bus service from orlando international airport to their hotels.

FloFlo

Kenny_Powers wrote: »

But you miss.....

Clearwater
Tampa
Busch
Miami
Everglades
Keys
KSC
Daytona
Old Town
To name but a few.

You also add a lot of travelling time and hassle.

The last thing I want to do on holiday with a young child is lots of travelling every day, we tend to travel to where we want to visit for a few days and then move on. Our next trip will be our 6th visit to the USA and I am more than happy with our arrangements.

Like I said people enjoy different ways of holidaying it would be a boring world if we were all the same.

judygarland

I've been so busy looking at all the theme parks to take the kids to, and my little girl said, are we going to spend any time at the beach? I have no doubt that she will enjoy a day at the beach just as much as a theme park. I know I will.

So, with this in mind, can anywhere recommend a good family beach? The last time I went to Florida and visited a beach there was 1991. I spent some time on Daytona beach but this seemed to be full of cars riding up and down. I've been to Clearwater and Cocoa Beach but cannot remember what they are like.

We are going to be there into the New Year which is the same time of year we went last time and the beaches (from memory) were deserted.

Cheers