WDW Christmas Events
A First Hand Event Report
by the MFL's Event Reporter, Jane Jones

It has been a long fall for me personally here in Orlando- nothing 'bad', just a lot of 'stuff'. I have rather neglected my MFL duties as official event reporter but have gotten myself back into gear with the holiday season!

As a 'local', it give me a great opportunity to pop into WDW whenever I decided that there is an event I want to experience, and with Christmas, there are plenty!

First, I'll tell you about the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. I've experienced it twice this year, in 2 different ways. First, we did the 'dinner and the show' package. I thought this would be a great deal, that we would have reserved seating, and this was the way to go. Here's what I learned:

• 1. The tier level/restaurant meal you purchase does not matter when it comes to your show seating. I thought if I purchased the most expensive tier I would get the best seats. Not true. The reserved seating for all the tier levels line up together and the seats within the same area (up front, and none the less better than 'stand by'). Really, seating is still first come-first served but is in the front. Not an issues except if you expect your package to allow you 'the best' seats. Next time I'll forgo the $45 'tier 3' meal at France, and go for the $30 'tier 1' meal at Germany! Same seats, same section. By the way, we saw Phil Donahue and he was terrific. (Show date was 11/29. 6:45 show...8:10 dinner)

• 2. Want to just watch the show? No need to buy in to the 'dinner and a show' plan. We showed up an hour+ early and really had 2 choices....we could wait in the 'stand by' line to be seated or stand behind the seating area...kind of like 'lawn seats' at a ball game or concert. We decided to stand behind the seats and had a GREAT view and enjoyed the show just as if we were seated. We watched the crowd in the stand by line and saw that we could have been seated, but it was fine to watch from behind. It is great for those who want to show up less than 30 minutes before the show. Here's a hint- watch for the taped areas and get in a corner so you cannot be scootched over by others trying to squeeze in late! Oh, yes....who did we see? John Stamos (Oooh La La!!) He was a dream, and did a great job, too! (Show date was 12/26. 5PM show)

On to our next adventure - The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at MGM. Great for a quick visit. We ran over there after the Candle Light Processional, and it was a perfect way to end the evening- lights, snow, music, and a Nativity scene. Since you can take the boat between Epcot and MGM, it really is do-able to see both in 1 night! Don't get sucked in to the 'souvenir' mugs of hot chocolate, as you can buy a cup in a disposable container for $2. I also checked out the event items- they have pins (dated and not) for $12.95, sweat and t-shirts (NOT dated, and on clearance the day after Christmas), and of course lots of other Christmas items.

We checked out the Christmas Shop that is/was only open seasonally ay MGM. After talking with CM there, we learned that it is slated to stay open all year round! There will be a minor change in that it will now be more of a 'holiday' shop instead of just Christmas. I am anxious to see the changes.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party - LOTS of fun, lots to see and do! Besides the crowds being a little less than a normal day during the holiday season, it is just plain fun to be there with Christmas music playing, snow falling on Main Street, and hot chocolate and cookies being served throughout the park. Some of the highlights of the evening were:

• 1. The parade!! Watch it from the front of Main Street, by the train station. You'll see it first, then can zip through the shops and get to the rides first!
• 2. The fireworks!! Watch them from the hub. Instead of going on rides after the parade, we went right to the hub and were able to great a fantastic location to watch the fireworks.
• 3. The characters!! All dressed for the holidays and ready to take pictures with you:)
• 4. FREE pictures, hot chocolate, and cookies!! Look at your event guide map for locations.
• 5. SURPRISES!! We rode the Magic Carpets with Genie and Abu. Was that a treat or what???

Finally, resort hopping to see the gingerbread houses and decorations. FORGET IT if it is Christmas Eve or Day! We were denied entrance to the GF (via car) as you could only park/valet of you were a GF resort guest or had a meal reservation those days. Your only other option was to use Disney transportation to get to the resorts. I am assuming the same will be true on New Year's eve/day!

That about does it....we had a blast taking in all the events....there is nothing like a Disney Christmas!

Jane in FL
MFL Event Reporter

Updated December 28, 2005