Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or Not??

[cousininmiami]

Ok so this is what I have decided... thanks to the input!

Driving up Thurs afternoon, Staying at the Boardwalk, go to Dinner at Wilderness Lodge

Friday EPCOT - I made Candlelight Processional Dinner package reservations Coral Reef 5:20 and Show at 8:15
there is extra magic hours that night at EPCOT until 12:30 am!

Saturday Magic Kingdom - Starting with breakfast at Poly Kona Cafe - then monorail to Grand Floridian to see the giant gingerbread house then on to MK. Stay at MK all day through Electric Light Parade and Wishes. Dinner 5:15 Liberty Tree Terrace.

Sunday check out of resort, go to Hollywood Studios rides and fun. Late lunch at Sci-Fi 2:15

We will drive back to Miami by 4:00 or so. The only thing we are missing is the Osbourne lights. Because for some weird reason they close at 5pm on Thursday when we arrive??? Weird right? And we really can't stay Sunday night too long to see them because it is a 4 hour drive back home. So there it is!

[Soarin08]

Good call on both Candlelight and Coral Reef. I think you'll enjoy both. Who is the narrator the evening you're going to Candlelight?

[Amy]

Sounds like you have a good plan. It's too bad you can't fit the Osborne lights in...there's no chance DHS is having EMH on Saturday is there? Then you could shoot over to DHS after Wishes. Are you sure you read the times correctly? It seems odd that they would close at 5 pm since the lights don't even come on until probably 5 or 5:30. Or maybe there is a private party that evening?

[cousininmiami]

I have looked at it 10 different ways and there is not a possibility to fit Osbourne lights in unless they were open on Thursday night. I actually called WDW and asked for a confirmation on the Thursday 5pm close time and they confirmed it. And Friday, our EPCOT day there is no time between our Coral Reef dinner and the Candlelight Processional to slip over to HS, besides they close on Friday night at 8pm. Then on Saturday there is no time to leave Magic Kingdom because we would miss the holiday lights and parade etc. Oh well, it gives me something to plan for another year!

[Amy]

I have looked at it 10 different ways and there is not a possibility to fit Osbourne lights in unless they were open on Thursday night. I actually called WDW and asked for a confirmation on the Thursday 5pm close time and they confirmed it. And Friday, our EPCOT day there is no time between our Coral Reef dinner and the Candlelight Processional to slip over to HS, besides they close on Friday night at 8pm. Then on Saturday there is no time to leave Magic Kingdom because we would miss the holiday lights and parade etc. Oh well, it gives me something to plan for another year!

Yup, must be a party of some sort. Good idea leaving something to return for. I have at least two things I am looking forward to this time around that I didn't get to last trip, the Steamboat in MK and the One Man's Dream exhibit in DHS.

[mindflipper]

Here's the current list of guest readers for EPCOT's Candelight Processional 2011:

Schedule & Narrators
American Gardens Theatre (5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 8:15 p.m.)
11/25–11/27 — Mira Sorvino
11/28–12/01 — Michael W. Smith
12/02–12/03 — To Be Announced
12/04–12/06 — Edward James Olmos (6:45 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. shows only)
12/07–12/09 — Isabella Rossellini
12/10–12/12 — Neil Patrick Harris
12/13–12/15 — Lorraine Bracco
12/16–12/18 — To Be Announced
12/19–12/21 — Trace Adkins
12/22–12/24 — Susan Lucci
12/25–12/27 — Blair Underwood
12/28–12/30 — Marlee Matlin

Please remember that narrators are subject to change without notice.

[Amy]

Shoot, I'm going to have to hear about how F1gment is missing Trace Adkins again this year

[Wyntuck]

The Candlelight Processional is truly not to be missed. It is one of the last LIVE orchestras left on property (probably THE last) and it is a beautiful presentation.
Disney could run it every night of the year and it would be at capacity constantly.
Our celebrity narrator when we are there this year will be Chita Rivera.

[Chernabog]

So, how was everything?

[Wyntuck]

It was beautiful. Chita Rivera (whom I was not familiar with) did an excellent job, and the experience was joyful. We dined in Germany beforehand, and got to view Illuminations afterward. That was kind of a let down, I really liked the 1992-era version. I highly recommend doing the dining package. Takes all the stress away of trying to make sure you get into a show. Otherwise, there are long long lines. In fact, as we were leaving our show, we passed a 100+ foot line of people waiting on standby to get in.
I wish I could have gotten to hear Voices of Liberty at the AA, they were in the show, but it's not the same thing.
We stayed at Riverside, which is a moderate resort, but we really enjoy the layout of the property. Very wooded and peaceful. We were only there a couple days, so my kids are asking if we can go back in Feb. with their cousins. Since we missed the MK this trip. So, we might give that a whirl.
Thanks for asking!

[cousininmiami]

I loved the Candlelight processional as well. Our celebrity narrator was Isabella Rossalini. We will make plans for Christmas this again, it was wonderful we had the best time ever!

[Amy]

It was beautiful. Chita Rivera (whom I was not familiar with) did an excellent job, and the experience was joyful. We dined in Germany beforehand, and got to view Illuminations afterward. That was kind of a let down, I really liked the 1992-era version. I highly recommend doing the dining package. Takes all the stress away of trying to make sure you get into a show. Otherwise, there are long long lines. In fact, as we were leaving our show, we passed a 100+ foot line of people waiting on standby to get in.
I wish I could have gotten to hear Voices of Liberty at the AA, they were in the show, but it's not the same thing.
We stayed at Riverside, which is a moderate resort, but we really enjoy the layout of the property. Very wooded and peaceful. We were only there a couple days, so my kids are asking if we can go back in Feb. with their cousins. Since we missed the MK this trip. So, we might give that a whirl.
Thanks for asking!

I'm glad to hear someone else liked the older version of Illuminations better. Both F1gment and I liked the older version much better too but you don't often hear anyone else say that...

[theBIGyowski]

I loved the Candlelight processional as well. Our celebrity narrator was Isabella Rossalini. We will make plans for Christmas this again, it was wonderful we had the best time ever!

A relative of mine is friends with the sound man for Jimmy Kimmel Live. When we were out there visiting, we got tickets and were able to go backstage before and after the show. We got to meet Isabella Rossalini and Gavin DeGraw. Awesome folks. Sadly, security confiscated our cameras at the door and there were other security there making sure we didn't take pictures with our phones. So you'll just have to take me for my word. It was really cool meeting celebrities and seeing them as normal, down-to-earth people who enjoy things other than the entertainment industry.

[Amy]

I loved the Candlelight processional as well. Our celebrity narrator was Isabella Rossalini. We will make plans for Christmas this again, it was wonderful we had the best time ever!

A relative of mine is friends with the sound man for Jimmy Kimmel Live. When we were out there visiting, we got tickets and were able to go backstage before and after the show. We got to meet Isabella Rossalini and Gavin DeGraw. Awesome folks. Sadly, security confiscated our cameras at the door and there were other security there making sure we didn't take pictures with our phones. So you'll just have to take me for my word. It was really cool meeting celebrities and seeing them as normal, down-to-earth people who enjoy things other than the entertainment industry.

That is an awesome opportunity BIG! I haven't seen Isabella Rossalini in many things, but I have always enjoyed her work. She seems like a very nice person Strange that they wouldn't let you take your camera though...you would think they would just request you not take photos if that is what they wanted...

[kellybus]

Without a doubt I would attend MVMCP. The atomosphere of this event is well worth the extra dollars and time. Plus there is so much fun for the young at heart. DON'T MISS THIS EVENT!!!!!!