Is It Worth the Cost and Time?

Fantasmic Dining Package Review at Hollywood Studios: Worth the Cost?

by josh on January 6, 2012

Updated January 6, 2012.

The proper name of “Fantasmic” is “Fantasmic!” with the exclamation point.  I tossed and turned over removing the exclamation point, simply in order to make punctuation easier and make it seem like I’m not yelling!!!! at you every other sentence.  However, after taking time to read up on other people’s definitions of proper punctuation and not wanting to lessen the show’s impact, I have decided to keep Fantasmic!’s proper name throughout this article.  Enjoy and sorry for yelling!

What is Fantasmic!

Fantasmic! is a nighttime spectacular featuring a wide assortment of Disney characters, fireworks, water screens, laser beams, a 40-foot-tall-fire-breathing-dragon, a classic orchestral score, and Mickey Mouse as Sorcerer Mickey.  Housed inside of the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at Hollywood Studios, Fantasmic! is set on top of a 50-foot tall man-made mountain surrounded by water.  Nearly 50 performers take part in the production, which is routinely “sold out,” despite a theater capacity approaching 10,000 people.   Fantasmic! is a blend of live-action performances and animated sequences that are projected onto “screens” made entirely of mist.  Most of the live-action appears directly on the mountain and several scenes occur on the water surrounding it.

Fantasmic! invites guests into Mickey’s imagination, where the forces of good and evil clash in a battle of epic proportions.  Characters from just about every classic Disney film are present, including Belle, Beast, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Snow White, Aladdin, Jasmine, Ursula, Pocahontas, Captain Hook, Jafar, Scar, The Queen of Hearts, Maleficient, and a host of others.  As is common in dreams, the exact plot of Fantasmic! is somewhat muddled as the story jumps from scene to scene.  Viewers are likely to grasp the fact that the good guys are fighting the bad guys, but I wouldn’t concern myself too much with the storyline.  It is pretty clear that Disney wants to get out as many fan favorite characters as possible during the 25-minute show, which isn’t possible without drastic scene changes.

Scary Factor

Fantasmic! is not downright frightening and it’s unlikely to upset anyone over the age of ten.  Nonetheless, younger children may find the show scary because it is dark and there are a slew of Disney villains threatening Mickey and the other protagonists.  Fantasmic!’s climax features a 40-foot-tall-fire-breathing-dragon that may overwhelm young kids.  If your children have a history of being upset at loud, dark, and potentially scary shows, you may want to skip Fantasmic! or sit near the back of the theater where you can make a quick and easy escape if it becomes too much.  The great majority of kids don’t have any problem with it because the action is a ways off on stage and nothing particularly bad happens to any of the characters.

The Change From Performances On “Select Nights” to Performances “Most Every Night”

From January 2009 through June 2011, Fantasmic! was only offered on “select nights.”  Most weeks, guests visiting Disney World would only have two or three nights where they could visit Hollywood Studios and enjoy Fantasmic!  That changed abruptly in July 2011, when Disney began scheduled the show nearly every night.  As we move through 2012, Fantasmic! is scheduled every night where Hollywood Studios doesn’t close early for a private event of one variety or another.  These events are rare and Fantasmic is usually scheduled 28 or 29 days a month in 2012.

This change has “helped” standardize crowds at the Studios over the course of the week.  Previously, Hollywood Studios was at its busiest when it hosted Fantasmic!  Crowds on days with Fantasmic! even eclipsed days with morning or evening Extra Magic Hours.  With Fantasmic scheduled every night, we don’t see the giant drop off in crowds from one day to the next.  The Studios is still busier when it’s hosting Extra Magic Hours, it’s later in the week, or when Magic Kingdom isn’t offering evening entertainment, but Fantasmic! and similar operating hours keep crowds relatively steady.  Fantasmic! also keeps people around in the evening.  When Fantasmic! isn’t scheduled, people tend to leave shortly after the 3pm Parade and few people Park Hop over to the Studios because the restaurants aren’t particularly good and the 7pm or 8pm close isn’t anything special.  Fantasmic! gives people a reason to stay and keeps crowd levels heavier and waits longer into the evening.

Weather, Cancellations, Technical Difficulties, and Scheduling

Besides having to deal with larger crowds throughout the day, there are a number of other potential frustrations one might encounter when trying to see Fantasmic!  The most common is weather.  Specifically, rain and lightning.  The great majority of Disney’s shows, attractions, parades, fireworks, and rides are not closed due to inclement weather.  Fantasmic! is one that does close due to weather.  Neither the stage nor the seating sections are covered at Fantasmic! and the show does get canceled if it’s raining hard enough or if there is a chance of lightning.  Heavy rain makes the stage unsafe for the actors to perform and lightning is dangerous due to the chance of electrocution.  What’s most aggravating is the fact that Disney will not announce that Fantasmic! is canceled until right before the show is scheduled to begin in most cases.  The show usually begins as scheduled during periods of “light rain” as long as lightning isn’t in the area.  However, it is always possible that the show will be canceled midway through if it does become too wet.

The second, less common problem, is technical difficulties.  In particular, Maleficent as the 40-foot-tall-dragon occasionally isn’t ready for prime time.  The show goes on without the Mistress of All Evil’s transformation into the dragon and it’s highly unlikely Disney will announce the dragon will not be making an appearance.  The show can also be shortened or stunts left out if there are technical difficulties or because of weather.  If you’re not familiar with the show, chances are you won’t even notice.

If Fantasmic! is canceled and you have purchased the Fantasmic! Dining Package, the official line is that Disney does not need to reimburse you or provide tickets to see another show.  This is due to the fact that there is limited seating in the reserved section, which will likely be full to capacity for the next show, and the fact that you did get to enjoy your meal.  However, you may be able to go to Guest Relations at the front of Hollywood Studios and ask for tickets to another show or make other arrangements.  You may be able to get additional FASTPASSes for one of the Parks or tickets to another Fantasmic! show.  It is very unlikely you will receive any sort of refund, but you may be able to get something that doesn’t cost Disney much, but will be advantageous to you.  Be as nice and understanding as possible; it is much more likely they will help you out if they like you and feel sorry for you.  Tell them that Fantasmic! was what you were looking forward to the most on your vacation and you are devastated that you won’t be able to see it.

The Wait

Hollywood Hills Amphitheater seats about 7,000 people with additional standing room for 2,000 to 3,000 more.  On average, about 25,000 people visit the Hollywood Studios each day or about 150,000 people each week.  Not everyone who enters the turnstiles wants to see Fantasmic!, but a lot of them do.  While the fact that Fantasmic! is now shown nightly helps lower crowds at any particular show, the first show of each evening usually reaches capacity.  To guarantee decent seats together, you’re looking at a 60 minute wait for the first Fantasmic! show.  If a second Fantasmic! is scheduled, you can usually secure good seats together if you arrive at least 30 minutes early.  When crowds are particularly low and a second Fantasmic! is scheduled, you may be able to arrive just five or ten minutes early and secure seats, but that’s always a gamble.  If the overall crowd level is a 7 or above and Hollywood Studios isn’t recommended, consider lining up for the first Fantasmic! 90 minutes early or for the second Fantasmic! at least 50 minutes early.  While those numbers may sound high, they aren’t an exaggeration.

Disney opens the “doors” to Fantasmic! about 90 minutes before the first show is scheduled to start and people may enter the Amphitheater and find their seats.  Before that, people line up in a queue outside the Amphitheater’s entrance on Sunset Boulevard.   The bad news (other than the length of the wait) is that there is very little preshow entertainment and the seating is on uncomfortable metal bleachers without backs.  You will probably want something to keep you occupied, whether it be an iPhone, Nintendo DS, old-fashioned book, or whatever else.  Time does not typically go by quickly while waiting for Fantasmic! because there is very little to see or do and the seats are so uncomfortable.

If you need to leave the Amphitheater, a cast member will issue you a ticket for reentry on your way out.  Make sure you obtain one of these tickets before exiting because you may not be admitted to the Theater if it fills to capacity.  The ticket is only necessary if you’re planning to exit the entire Theater complex and head back down Sunset Boulevard.  It is advisable to either eat a quick service or table service meal before you get in line or bring the counter service food with you.  There is  a concession stand inside the theater that offers theme park staples like hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, pretzels, and soft drinks.  It isn’t an extensive menu and the food is what you would expect from the various pushcarts and small kiosks around the theme parks.  It’s a long walk up hill from Sunset Boulevard to the Theater.  Keep that in mind if you’re planning to carry a lot of food from another location in the Studios.  Bathrooms are also located at the top of the seating area.

The First Show or the Second Show of the Night?

Throughout most of the year, Disney originally schedules one Fantasmic! show on nights when Fantasmic! will be available.  About two weeks before the start of the next month, Disney may add a second Fantasmic! 90 minutes after the first show is scheduled to start on select nights.  For example, let’s say Fantasmic! is currently scheduled at 7:30pm every night in October.    On or around September 17th, Disney will update the operating schedule for October.  At that time, they may add a second Fantasmic! on certain nights.  In our example above, Fantasmic! would now begin at 7:30pm and 9pm.  A second Fantasmic! is usually added because Disney is expecting additional demand on those nights.  A second Fantasmic is more common when the overall crowd level is high or the Studios is hosting morning or evening Extra Magic Hours.

When two shows are scheduled, the second show is almost always less crowded than the first show.  Families with young kids will naturally head to the earlier show in order to get back to their resort at a reasonable time.  The Fantasmic! Dining Package is also only valid on the first show, which means just about everyone who paid for the Dining Package (explained below) will be at the first show.  If evening Extra Magic Hours are scheduled at another Park or another Park is open late, anyone wanting to Park Hop to a different Park will be at the first show.  All of this makes the second show significantly less crowded than the first.

If there is a second show scheduled and you’re not using the Fantasmic! Dining Package, I would strongly recommend visiting the second show if you’re able.  Don’t be alarmed if it seems like the line goes on forever or there is a huge mob of people waiting to enter the Amphitheater.  It takes a lot of time to clean the seating area after the first show concludes and Disney doesn’t allow anyone to enter the stadium until it’s clean.  For the second show, it’s not uncommon for Disney to let everyone enter the theater at once, unlike the more orderly procession of the first show.  Don’t be too concerned; there will be plenty of room for everyone to get a good seat.

Fantasmic! Starts After the Park Closes?  Can Everyone See It?

If Hollywood Studios’ hours are 9am to 7:30pm, Fantasmic! will usually start at 7:30pm.  If there are two shows scheduled and Hollywood Studios’ hours are 9am to 10pm, the first show will usually start at 8:30pm and the second show will begin at 10pm.  This means Fantasmic! will end after the rest of the Park closes.  It is a common misconception that the Parks shut down right when the Park Hours indicate that they close.  In reality, it is very common for the theme parks to accept dining reservations right up to the official closing time, meaning diners will finish their meals well after the theme park is “closed.”

In addition, many of the shops will remain open for 30 minutes to an hour after the official Park close to accommodate late shoppers.  Ride operators are also supposed to allow guests to enter the queue right up until the official close.  Anyone who is allowed to enter the line will be allowed to ride, even if the wait is 45 minutes right before the Park closes.  This means that everyone is welcome to stay for Fantasmic!, even when it’s scheduled to start right when the Studios is scheduled to close or even after it’s scheduled to close.  Occasionally, Fantasmic! will start at 10:30pm when the posted hours state Hollywood Studios closes at 10pm.  Even then, everyone is welcome to stay and enjoy the show.  This is also true if the Fantasmic show begins during evening Extra Magic Hours.  Off-site visitors are welcome to stay for those shows as well.  Disney runs buses for about 120 minutes after the Parks officially close to accommodate all those with late dining reservations and they are quite aware of the Fantasmic! crowds and how many additional buses will be required to transport the 10,000 people leaving Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at the end of the night.

The Best Seats

There are no intrinsically bad seats inside of Hollywood Hills Amphitheater, thanks to the fact that the action takes place on a 50-foot-tall mountain in the middle of a gigantic stage.  Of course, seats in the middle section afford the best, most direct view of the action.  I recommend sitting at least a third of the way up the bleachers because it can be difficult to see the boats traveling along the water if you sit in the first few rows.  In addition, it’s not uncommon for people in the bottom-third-section to get wet during the performance.  If you do end up in the first few rows, you may want to put on your poncho and protect your belongings by putting them in a bag or covering them with something.  If you are poncho-less, consider moving elsewhere in the stadium, even if it seems like the view won’t be as good.

As you enter, you may find that Disney employees are systematically filling up the Amphitheater section by section, rather than letting people sit wherever they want.  This may result in your group being seated somewhere that you don’t want to be.  If you notice that they’re seating people in an inopportune place, you can step to the side and let people go by until they start seating guests in a better section or row.  Or, you can sit in your original seats for a minute and then get up and find other seats in a more desirable section.

What to Do After the Show is Over

After the show concludes, most people will hop up, gather their things, and try to cram through the exit on their way to Disney transportation or the parking lot.  If it’s the first show of the night and the Park remains open for an extended amount of time, many people will head to nearby rides like the Tower of Terror and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster.  If you saw the last show of the night and the Studios is “closed,” I would recommend holding back and letting the hordes exit first.  After the Amphitheater clears out, head to the stores along Hollywood Boulevard (the main drag).  Most of the stores will remain open for at least a half hour after Fantasmic! concludes.

“After hours” shopping is the best because you won’t be wasting precious Park time looking for the perfect coffee mug for grandma and the shops will be mostly empty.  After about 30 minutes have passed, head out to the bus stop or parking tram, where you should find that most of the people will be long gone and the lines will be short.  This will result in a less stressful end to the night and shopping is more enjoyable than waiting in line outside, even if you don’t plan to purchase anything.

What is the Fantasmic! Dining Package?  What is Included?  How Much Does The Fantasmic! Dining Package Cost?

The popularity of Fantasmic! has spurred Disney to offer a “Fantasmic! Dining Package” similar to the popular Candlelight Processional Dinner Package available at Epcot over the holidays.  With the limited availability of Fantasmic! and popularity of the Meal Package, Disney added lunchtime reservations and changed the name from the “Fantasmic! Dinner Package” to the “Fantasmic! Dining Package.”  The Fantasmic! Dining Package can be booked by calling Disney Dining directly at 1-407-939-3463 up to 180 days in advance of the reservation date or it can be booked online (Disney added online booking for the Fantasmic! Dining Package on December 17, 2010).  A regular reservation at a participating restaurant will not increase your chances of getting a Fantasmic! Dining Package reservation and it is not possible to convert a regular dining reservation to the Fantasmic! Dining Package if the Package is sold out.

The package is very popular and often “sells out” soon after it becomes available.  Similar to the way Disney now handles Character Dining and Signature Restaurants, the Fantasmic! Dining Package requires that you put a credit card on file.  You will not be charged until you consume your meal, but there is a $10 fee per person if you do not show up to the reservation and do not cancel at least 48 hours before the reservation time.  You may cancel up to 48 hours before the reservation time with no penalty.  If you call and the Package is sold out, you may have success if you keep calling.  People often cancel and availability may reopen closer to the date of the show.  You’ll have the most success booking the Fantasmic! Dining Package if you book exactly 180 days from the date you’d like to use the Package.  If you’re staying at a Disney-owned resort, you can also make reservations for an additional ten days after your check-in date.  Check http://www.pscalculator.net/pscalc.php to find out when it’s 180 days away from your check-in date.

Unlike the Candlelight Processional Dining Package that is available at most of Epcot’s restaurants, the Fantasmic! Dining Package is only available at three restaurants – Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose’s Risorante Italiano, and Hollywood & Vine.  From my Best Table Service Restaurants at Hollywood Studios review, you would know that Hollywood Studios isn’t known for its fine dining.  However, you should have an enjoyable meal regardless of which restaurant you choose.  I wouldn’t recommend Hollywood & Vine, but it would suffice if you’re not expecting much in the way of quality food.

Pricing is different for each of the three restaurants and looks like this:

All prices include tax, but do not include gratuity

Hollywood Brown Derby Lunch and Dinner

Two Table Service Credits on Disney Dining Plan

Adults (anyone over the age of 9): $50.05 or $58.57

Kids (ages 3-9): $12.77 or $18.11

Hollywood & Vine Lunch
Not available

Hollywood & Vine Dinner (no characters)

One Table Service Credit on Disney Dining Plan

Adults (anyone over the age of 9): $28.75 or $40.46

Kids (ages 3-9): $14.90 or $23.42

Mama Melrose’s Risotrante Italiano Lunch and Dinner

One Table Service Credit on Disney Dining Plan

Adults (anyone over the age of 9): $35.14 or $38.33

Kids (ages 3-9): $12.77 (same price for regular and peak seasons)

The price difference is due to the fact that the Fantasmic! Dining Package is more expensive during certain dates.  The first price is for “Value and Regular Seasons.”  The second price is during “Peak Seasons.”   In 2012, the following dates have Peak Season pricing: February 16 – February 25; March 9 – April 14; June 1 – August 4; December 21 – December 31.  Pricing can always change; make sure to verify the cost at time of booking.

The Fantasmic! Dining Package includes the meal and a seat in the reserved section of the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater for the first showing of Fantasmic! for everyone on the reservation.  At Hollywood & Vine, the meal includes the full buffet just as it would if you were paying for it without the Dining Package.  At Mama Melrose and Hollywood Brown Derby, the Package includes appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage.   The appetizer is included even when you book with the Disney Dining Plan.  This is a nice bonus because appetizers are not usually included on the Dining Plan.  If you are considering Mama Melrose, you may want to try to book the Fantasmic! Dining Package even if you have no intention of using the reserved-section tickets in order to get a “free” appetizer.  No one will check to see if you actually use the tickets and you can either give them to someone else who wants to see the show or discard them.

While two sections are reserved for Fantasmic! Dining Package guests, there are no assigned seats.  The Package is only available on days when Fantasmic! is scheduled and the tickets are only valid on the first show of the same night as the reservation.  It is not possible to book the dining reservation on a Sunday and get tickets to see Fantasmic! on Thursday.  You will receive your tickets at the end of your meal.

Is the Fantasmic! Dining Package Worth the Cost?

If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan and want to eat at Mama Melrose, Brown Derby, or Hollywood & Vine, you should book the Fantasmic! Dining Package if it’s available.  The credit cost is the same as eating at the restaurant without the Package.  The menu at lunch and dinner is the same at Mama Melrose and Hollywood Brown Derby, so it doesn’t matter if you book lunch or dinner as far as food selection are concerned.  You can order anything you like.  Your experience at Hollywood & Vine will be exactly the same whether you use the Fantasmic! Dining Package or not.

However, there are a few caveats to take into consideration when thinking about whether or not the Fantasmic! Dining Package makes sense, especially when paying out of pocket.  First, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and 50’s Prime Time Café are not available with the Fantasmic! Dining Package.  It’s a shame, because both of these restaurants have more to offer than either Mama Melrose or Hollywood & Vine, both in terms of food quality and service.

Second, the assigned meal times are much earlier than most people would like.  The latest possible dinner reservation with the Fantasmic! Dining Package is 5:00pm, regardless of when Fantasmic! is scheduled to start.  While this gives people plenty of time to eat and get over to the Amphitheater, most people would prefer to eat dinner later.  Since 5:00pm is the most popular time to book, many reservations are even earlier in the day.  You might consider a lunch reservation instead – the menu and price will be the same and it’s more convenient to eat lunch at 12pm rather than eat “dinner” at 3:30pm and try to change your meal schedule around for the rest of the day.

Third, you will still need to arrive at the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater at least 25 minutes before Fantasmic is scheduled to start.  Disney routinely opens the reserved seating section up to everyone about 20 minutes before Fantasmic! is scheduled to begin.  If you aren’t there before that happens, you won’t be guaranteed a seat and will probably find yourself in the standing-only section.  Disney doesn’t make this fact particularly clear, probably because the main selling point of the Fantasmic! Dining Package is the ability to see the show “without a wait.”  While it’s likely your wait will be less than if you were sitting with the general public, you will still be waiting at least 30 minutes.

Fourth, the cost of the Fantasmic! Dining Package is a fixed price, regardless of what you order or how much you eat.  While you can “get your money’s worth” if you order one of the more expensive items, it is also very possible you won’t “come out ahead” if you choose one of the less expensive options.  Many of the entrees at Mama Melrose are in the $12-$18 range and the cheaper flatbread pizzas are usually prepared better than the more expensive steak.  Like with the Dining Plan, a fixed price meal may make you feel like you need to order the more expensive items in order to “get your money’s worth” even though you would prefer to order less expensive items that you would potentially enjoy more.

Finally, the seats in the two reserved sections do not offer the best vantage point.  As stated earlier, there really aren’t any bad seats inside of the theater thanks to the elevated stage, but the reserved sections are the two furthest away from the center.  Once you enter the reserved section with your tickets, you may leave and find a seat in the general admission section if you see better seats.  Be careful, because it may be a hassle to be readmitted to the reserved section if you leave.

The reserved seating section is pictured below:

Fantasmic Reserved Seat Section

Map overlays courtesy of Robo, frequent poster on the disboards.com

Even with the various detractions, the Fantasmic Dining Package can save you time.  It will allow you to see Fantasmic! with a 30 minute wait, rather than the 60+ minute wait required in the stand-by line.  The Dining Package is especially advantageous if you were planning to eat at Mama Melrose, Brown Derby, or Hollywood & Vine anyway or plan to use the Disney Dining Plan.

The Package also presents value if you’re a big eater or were planning on purchasing the more expensive items anyway,.  The menu for Mama Melrose is the same for lunch and dinner and is available at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/mama-melroses-ristorante-italiano/.  The menu for Hollywood Brown Derby is also the same for lunch and dinner and is available at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-brown-derby/.  Look to the right of the page and you’ll see blue links that will take you to the various .PDF file menus.  Currently, you could put together a meal that costs about $50 at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano.  With the Fantasmic! fixed price being just $35-$38, the Package can present additional value above and beyond the Fantasmic tickets.

Just like with the Candlelight Processional, you will be able to see Fantasmic! without the Dining Package, as long as you’re willing to wait.  If the menus at the participating restaurants don’t appeal to you, you may be better off booking at another restaurant and waiting the 20 or so additional minutes required to get a seat in the general admission section.  Should a second Fantasmic be scheduled, you’ll be able to attend that show with a wait similar or shorter than you’re looking at with the Dining Package for the first show.

There’s a reason Disney offers the Fantasmic! Dining Package at the restaurants and times it does – they would not be that popular otherwise.  Still, you should have a very pleasant meal at either Mama Melrose’s or Hollywood Brown Derby and it’s very possible to get your money’s worth under the right circumstances.

Let Me Reiterate Fantasmic! is Truly Awesome

This review is a bit on the negative side, which is unfortunate because Fantasmic! is an amazing show, featuring mesmerizing special effects and an ensemble of classic Disney characters entertaining in a way you won’t find anywhere else in the world (other than Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea which also feature Fantasmic! shows).  The problem is not the 25-minute show in and of itself – it’s the struggle that is often necessary in order to see it.

What is the Best Way to See Fantasmic!?

If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, I would strongly recommend considering the Fantasmic! Dining Package.  Out of pocket, it can be a great value if time is of the essence and you plan to order and eat expensive entrees.  If the Fantasmic! Dining Package is completely booked or you’re apprehensive about the restaurants, remember that you’ll still be able to see Fantasmic! with just a slightly longer wait.  If a second show is offered, do your best to attend it.  It will be considerably less crowded and will require a shorter wait.  Enjoy and remember to bring something fun to do while you wait.

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Are Disney World Extra Magic Hours Worth It? A Strategic Guide

by josh on January 5, 2012

Updated January 27, 2012 with an updated list of open attractions.

Updated January 4, 2012 with a clearer discussion of how to make the most of Extra Magic Hours and new information on current crowd tendencies.

What Are Extra Magic Hours?

Extra Magic Hours are a perk that guests staying at select resorts on Disney property receive.  Everyone staying at a Disney owned resort in the Value, Moderate, Deluxe, Deluxe Villa, and Disney Vacation Club levels receive access to Extra Magic Hours and all guests staying at the Swan, Dolphin, Shades of Green, and Hilton at Downtown Disney are also Extra Magic Hours eligible.  There is no additional charge for Extra Magic Hours – the program is included in the cost of the resort room.

Extra Magic Hours are scheduled at one, two, or three theme parks each day.  Other than the summer months (June, July August) and the weeks around holidays, Extra Magic Hours are generally scheduled at just one Park each day, other than one day each week when they are scheduled at one Park in the morning and a different Park in the evening.  Most often, we see a morning Extra Magic Hour at Animal Kingdom and evening Extra Magic Hours at Hollywood Studios on Mondays, but the schedule changes throughout the year.

There are two types of Extra Magic Hours – morning Extra Magic Hour and evening Extra Magic Hours.  Morning Extra Magic Hour is one hour long and occurs before the Park opens to the general public.  In most cases, morning Extra Magic Hour is from 8:00am to 9:00am.  If the theme park is opening at 8am to the general public, the morning Extra Magic Hour will be scheduled for 7am to 8am.  Evening Extra Magic Hours are three hours long and start immediately after the Park closes to the general public.  For example, Epcot usually closes at 9:00pm.  When it has evening Extra Magic Hours, it will be open from 9:00pm to 12:00am for those with access to Extra Magic Hours.

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Disney World Quick Service, Regular, and Deluxe Dining Plan Introduction

by josh on January 4, 2012

Updated January 4, 2012 with new information and pricing for 2012 plans.

Introduction

Along with lodging, theme park tickets, and transportation, food is one of the biggest potential costs associated with any Disney World vacation.  In fact, food purchases may very well be the largest overall expensive.  In an effort to help vacationers budget food expenses (and guarantee most of your dining dollars go right back into Disney’s pocket), Disney offers several pre-paid Dining Plans to guests staying at Disney-owned resorts.  If you are staying “off-site,” at one of the Downtown Disney hotels, at the Swan, Dolphin, or Shades of Green, or any other resort/hotel/motel/tent/etc., you will not be eligible to purchase the Dining Plan.  You must be staying at a Disney Value, Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa that qualifies.  In addition, the Disney Dining Plan must be purchased as part of a package that includes at least a One Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket for everyone on the reservation or you must be an Annual Passholder, Disney Vacation Club owner or renter, or add a Dining Plan as part of a land/sea cruise package.

Furthermore, everyone on the same reservation must purchase the same Dining Plan for the entire length of the stay.  For example, it’s not possible to book a room for four adults and purchase a Dining Plan for less than four people or purchase different Dining Plans for each person.  The Dining Plans can be added to your package up to 72 hours before your check-in date, so you have some time to consider your options, even after you make an initial reservation.  There is no benefit to adding the Dining Plan when you book your package, other than it will save you a phone call sometime in the future.  There is no discount for paying for it early and you don’t run the risk of them selling out of Dining Plans.  It’s also much easier to add the Dining Plan than it is to remove it and you don’t run the risk of any fees or charges for removing the Dining Plan too close to your check-in date.   Once you qualify for the Dining Plans, you can begin to figure out if one of them “makes sense,” both in terms of potential savings and convenience.

There are three common Disney Dining Plan “tiers” available.  A Premium and Platinum Dining Plan are also available, but they include a lot of other recreational activities, spa treatments, and other goodies and those will have to wait for a different article.  They also cost $179 per adult per night for the Premium Plan and $239 per adult per night for the Platinum Plan.  This article will take a look at the Quick Service Dining Plan, “Regular” Dining Plan, and Deluxe Dining Plan.

How Much Do The Dining Plans Cost?

Quick Service Dining Plan

  • Adults: (Ages 10+) $34.99 per night
  • Children (Ages 3-9): $11.99 per night

“Regular” Dining Plan

  • Adults (Ages 10+): $51.54 per night (Value/Regular Seasons) or $53.54 per night (Peak Season)
  • Children (Ages 3-9): $15.02 per night (Value/Regular Seasons) or $16.02 per night (Peak Season)

Deluxe Dining Plan

  • Adults (Ages 10+): $85.52 per night (Value/Regular Seasons) or $89.52 per night (Peak Season)
  • Children (Ages 3-9): $23.79 per night (Value/Regular Seasons) or $25.79 per night (Peak Season)

Peak Season for the Dining Plan is different than Peak Season at the resorts.  In 2012, the following dates have Peak Season pricing: February 16 – February 25; March 9 – April 14; June 1 – August 4; December 21 – December 31.

For all Dining Plans, kids age two and younger do not qualify.  They can either eat some of someone else’s food, you can purchase a separate item from the menu for them (and pay for it separately), or you can bring food for them to eat.

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Figuring Out If One of the Disney Dining Plans Make Sense For Your Group

by josh on January 4, 2012

Updated January 4, 2012 with 2012 information.  Updated pricing in the examples, unique items on the kids’ menus, language, and differences in the 2012 Dining Plans versus the 2011 Dining Plans.

Now that we have an idea about what we’re getting ourselves into with each of the three Disney Dining Plans, we can begin to consider whether or not one of them “makes sense” in our particular circumstances.

The Dining Plan is (Potentially) a Lot of Food

The first thing I recommend doing is sizing up the members of your group.  How much food does each person normally eat?  Would everyone be happy eating McDonalds for lunch followed by Applebee’s for dinner (Regular Dining Plan)?  Burger King for Lunch followed by Taco Bell for dinner (Quick Service Dining Plan)?  Olive Garden for Lunch followed by Chili’s for dinner (Regular or Deluxe Dining Plan)?  IHOP for breakfast, followed by Red Lobster for lunch, followed by Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse for dinner (Deluxe Dining Plan)?

The Dining Plan comes with dessert at every meal other than breakfast.  Do you plan to eat cake, cookies, ice cream, or a similar item at every meal?  Can everyone eat that much?  There won’t be a lot of “doggy bags” or taking food home for later, unless you want to walk it around the theme parks with you or take the time to drop it off in a car/locker.  Consider what you would normally order at a restaurant or quick service location.  Check out the various menus at Allears and ask people in your group what they might order at several restaurants you’re considering.

With the rising cost of the Dining Plans, you can no longer assume that they will save you money.  In 2012, the Quick Service Dining Plan costs the same as 2011, but the Plan now includes one snack instead of two.  You could look at that as a $4 increase in cost or a $4 decrease in benefits.  The cost of the other Dining Plans increased in 2012 by a couple of dollars per person, per night.  However, it’s important to take into consideration that the cost of dining around Disney World is also increasing.  If you plan to eat the same way in 2012 and you were pleased with the value on the Dining Plans in past trips, chances are that they will continue to “make sense.”  If the cost is becoming prohibitive and you plan to share more meals, skip desserts, eat off-site, bring more food with you, etc. then paying out of pocket for meals may make more fiscal sense, even if out of pocket prices seem daunting.

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Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2011 Characters, Strategy, Merchandise, Food, etc.

by josh on November 10, 2011

Off to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Let’s go over the evening and see what we can do to minimize frustration and maximize the experience. Unfortunately, because it’s dark out from the beginning of the event, a lot of these pictures are garbage.  Nonetheless, they should help further the narrative.  Hopefully http://www.disneyphotographyblog.com will get over there to capture some images where we can all see what’s going on and say, “Wow, that is gorgeous!”  You’re just going to have to take my word for it on some of these.

As in past years, you can enter Magic Kingdom with your Mickey’s Christmas Party ticket as early as 4pm, even though the event doesn’t officially begin at 7pm.  Should you purchase your tickets online and select the “Will Call” option, you can print your paper certificate and take it to any ticket window to pick up the plastic tickets that you’ll use at the turnstile to enter the Magic Kingdom.  This includes guest services at any of the theme parks, your Disney resort concierge desk, and the Ticket/Transportation Center.  For more information on purchasing and picking up your ticket, see the first three sections of my Mickey’s Halloween Party Review here.

Disney has additional bag check lines nearest the buses to expedite the security check process.

Once you (hopefully) make it through security, you’ll see Guest Services ahead of you on the far right of the turnstiles (before you enter the Magic Kingdom) and a Will Call window behind you.  This is important if you still need to exchange your Will Call certificate for the plastic tickets or need to purchase tickets for the event.  Otherwise, continue to the turnstiles.

If you are entering Magic Kingdom with your Mickey’s Party Ticket, you’ll be directed to use the turnstiles on the far right side nearest to Guest Services.  The turnstiles say “event entrance” above them.  Just inside the turnstiles, you’ll see cast members dressed up in festive outfits handing out wristbands.  Present your ticket and they will fit you with a wristband. For some reason these people on the left are in a line even though there is no one in either of the two turnstiles to the right.  If you previously entered the Magic Kingdom with a different kind of ticket (Magic Your Way, Annual, Complimentary, etc.) you can either head back to the front of the Park to pick up your wristband or head over to the Stitch’s Great Escape FASTPASS machines in Tomorrowland to pick up your wristband.

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Disney World Holiday and Christmas Activities in November and December 2011

by josh on November 7, 2011

Updated November 16h for 2011 – added more information about Downtown Disney and Joyful! at Epcot will indeed be back.

Holidays and Christmas Activities at Disney World

There are several distinct advantages to visiting Disney World during the holiday season.  Outside of holiday weeks, most of November and December sees average to slightly below average crowds and the cost to book a Disney resort is relatively low.  Due to “the economy,” Disney has been generous with promotions and discounts, offering free dining, room-only savings, and gift cards for many dates that traditionally are not discounted. For the budget conscious, avoiding the week of Thanksgiving and December 23rd – January 1st is smart, because prices and crowds increase dramatically.  The weather is also cooperative for those of us who overheat easily in the summer months.  High temperatures hover around 75 degrees in November and 72 degrees in December, with lows of about 55 degrees daily.  Of course, this varies from year to year, but Orlando is rarely uncomfortable weather-wise in November or the first two weeks in December.  If you’re looking for warmer weather, consider the first week in November when highs are usually in the low 80s.

Of course, cost, crowds, and comfortable temperatures aren’t what make Disney World so special over the holidays.  If that’s all we were concerned about, we could visit in January or February and be just as happy.  No, what makes Disney World so special during the holidays is the abundance of holiday extras.  There are Christmas parades, holiday fireworks, Cinderella Castle lighting ceremonies, Cinderella’s Holiday Wish Stage Show, snow effects on Main Street, a 65-foot Christmas tree,  meet and greets with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and your favorite Disney characters in their holiday finest, dessert parties, and more.  And that’s just at the Magic Kingdom.  I haven’t even begun listing the special events at Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Downtown Disney, and the various Disney resorts on property.

Here’s a rundown of the holiday events you can expect to find at Disney World in November and December 2011.  This does not include New Year’s Eve events, which will be covered in a future article.

Magic Kingdom

“Free” Events

Cinderella Castle Dream Lights and Cinderella’s Holiday Wish Stage Show

Nightly at 6:15pm, November 4, 2011 to January 7, 2012

This is one major event that Disney does not publicize well, probably because they want you to think that it’s part of the “hard-ticket” Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  This isn’t the case, and the Dream Lights ceremony/Cinderella’s Holiday Wish Stage Show is performed nightly, even on evenings that don’t have a Mickey’s Christmas Party.  First performed on November 11, 2007, Cinderella’s Holiday Wish is brief (about seven minutes), but powerful.  Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald all participate alongside Cinderella and Prince Charming at the base of Cinderella Castle.  The culmination of the show is the lighting of Cinderella Castle with over 200,000 LED white icicle lights.  The best place to experience Dream Lights  is near the Castle Forecourt stage, but far back enough that you can see the whole Castle .  On nights when the Magic Kingdom closes at 7pm for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, announcements will begin soon after the show concludes that the Park is closing for the Party.  You can ignore these announcements right up until 7pm.  The 6pm to 7pm hour is an excellent time to revisit the major rides because so many people will exit immediately after the show.

Magic, Memories, and You With Holiday Flair

15 Minutes Before Wishes and Possibly A Second Show 35 Minutes After Wishes on Non-Party Nights, 9:15pm During Mickey’s Party Nights – November 8 – ?

The Magic, Memories, and You Castle projection show will add a special holiday segment beginning November 8th – officially, “The nightly light show on Cinderella Castle gets in ‘the spirit’ throughout the holidays with a special segment that wraps the Magic Kingdom landmark in colorful bows and boughs, gift paper and ribbons, ornaments, candy stripes and multi-colored strands of lights … and gingerbread.”  When Magic Kingdom does not close at 7pm for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Magic Memories, and You begins 15 minutes before Wishes.  There may be a second Magic, Memories show that begins 35 minutes after Wishes as well.  For example, if Wishes begins at 8pm, the Magic, Memories, and You show would begin at 7:45pm with the possibility for a second show at 8:35pm if Magic Kingdom is open past 8pm.  The show is not offered during regular Park hours on Mickey’s Party nights, but the show is scheduled at 9:15pm for Party ticket holders with Holiday Wishes (the special Fireworks show) scheduled at 9:30pm.  As far as viewing locations, you need to be very close to the Castle to see the pictures of guests that are being projected.  Unfortunately, locations right up close to the Castle aren’t necessarily preferable for Fireworks viewing.  In order to take in the perimeter fireworks for Holiday Wishes specifically, you would need to be further back – near Casey’s Corner on Main Street is usually best.  Unless you want to see if your picture is projected, I recommend standing further back on Main Street.

Santa and Mrs. Claus Meet and Greet

November 24 – December 24

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus are available near City Hall at the front of the Magic Kingdom for the traditional, “What would you like for Christmas?” meet and greet.  Santa will begin to make November 24th and will continue appearing through Christmas Eve from 10am to 6pm daily in Tour Guide Gardens.  Tour Guide Gardens is located to the left of City Hall, just inside the Magic Kingdom entrance.  Rumor has it that the real Santa Claus takes the place of one of his helpers on Walt Disney’s birthday and the anniversary of his death, December 5th and 15th respectively.  If you have a chance to visit on either of those dates, it’s your best chance to chat with the real thing.  The best time to visit with Santa is from 1pm to 3pm.  Because the meet and greet area is near the entrance, people tend to see it and visit Santa as they enter the theme park between 10am and 12pm.  That area clears out from 1pm to 3pm, but begins to get busier again after the 3pm Parade.  Technically, you’ll find the shortest wait if you line up at 9:30am, but then you’re missing the best two hours to see the most popular attractions.  If meeting Santa is more important than Space Mountain or Dumbo, you’ll want to get in line prior to 10am.  Otherwise, 1pm to 3pm is usually best.

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Is the 2011 Candlelight Processional Dining Package Worth It?

by josh on June 22, 2011

October 18 Update: Chita Rivera added to December 16 – 18.

October 8 Update: Geena Davis replaces Whoopie Goldberg on December 2nd and 3rd.

September 27 Update – Whoopi Goldberg no longer appearing.  No replacement has been named.

July 1, 2011 Update: Restaurant pricing and information added.  Reservations open up July 26th 2011.

June 22, 2011 Update: Some 2011 Narrators Added (the blue highlighted links underneath the following paragraph).  Note that this article is mostly the same from last year until more details about pricing and times are available.  However, the core information will stay very similar or exactly the same.  I will continue to make updates as information is announced.

Where and What is the Candelight Processional?

The Candlelight Processional is a seasonal show that takes place in Epcot at the outdoor American Gardens Theater in front of the United States Pavilion.  It is performed each night at 5:00pm, 6:45pm, and 8:15pm and each show lasts about 45 minutes.  This year, the Processional runs from November 25, 2011 through December 30, 2011.  The show tells the story of Christmas from a Christian Biblical perspective and is very much religious in tone.  A celebrity narrates the story while a 50-person orchestra plays music and a mass choir sings popular Christmas songs.  The full narrator list has not yet been announced, but they are expected to include the following:

You may click any of the names above and it will open up their Wikipedia page in a new window if you are unfamiliar with any of the celebrities.  It’s important to note that it’s quite likely some of the narrators will change before the list is finalized.  Last year, the list was change five or six times before it was finalized and some dates did not have a name attached until just a few days before the Processional began.  In other words, while it is fun to look forward to or plan to see a specific narrator, things can and do change as schedules conflict.

Will My Kids Enjoy the Candlelight Processional?

It depends on the child.  Sorry there are so few definitive answers when it comes to these sorts of things, but there truly is no “one size fits all” when it comes to what people will enjoy, especially when those people are children.  If your kids are capable of waiting an hour or more for a 45 minute narrated show with a choir and orchestra then they should enjoy it.  On the other hand, if they have trouble sitting through even the most exciting cartoon or movie then they will most likely have problems making it through the Processional without disrupting you and others.  If they enjoy school band concerts or they have enjoyed similar choir or orchestra performances in the past then they should thoroughly enjoy the show.  From what I’ve seen, about 75% of kids are enthralled, 15% look bored, and 10% are constantly squirming and begging to leave.  Generally speaking, older children enjoy the show much more than kids under the age of nine.

What Does The Candlelight Processional Cost?

The show is free, provided you have some way of getting into Epcot to see it (whether it be an Annual Pass, Magic Your Way Ticket, or a hole in the fence).  However, the popularity of the show has spurred Disney to offer a Candlelight Processional Dining Package similar to the one offered for Fantasmic.  For a set per-person price or two credits on the Disney Dining Plan, the Candlelight Processional Dining Package includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage at one of a variety of restaurants.  In addition, you will get to enter the theater for the Candlelight Processional for a specific show before those who don’t purchase the Package and you will also be admitted to the private viewing area for Illuminations which starts at 9:30pm (one area for all Package users).

2011 Candlelight Processional Dining Package Pricing:

Show 1 includes lunch and a seat at the 5:00pm show.  Show 2 includes dinner and a seat at the 6:45pm show and Show 3 includes dinner and a seat at the 8:15pm show.  Tax and tip are not included in any of the prices.  The format is

Restaurant Name

Lunch: Adult Price / Child Price

Dinner: Adult Price / Child Price

Biergarten
Lunch $ 32.99 / $ 17.99
Dinner $ 50.99 / $ 25.99

Rose & Crown Dining Room
Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99
Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99

Nine Dragons
Lunch $ 38.99 adult / $ 12.99 child
Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99

Restaurant Marrakesh
Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99
Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99

San Angel Inn
Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99
Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99

Via Napoli
Lunch $ 38.99 / $ 12.99
Dinner $ 49.99 / $ 15.99

Garden Grill
Dinner $ 52.99 / $ 26.99

Les Chefs de France
Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99
Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99

Tokyo Dining
Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99
Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99

Teppan Edo
Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99
Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99

Tutto Italia
Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99
Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99

Coral Reef
Lunch $ 51.99 / $ 13.99
Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99

La Hacienda de San Angel
Dinner $ 64.99 / $ 17.99

Le Cellier Steakhouse
Lunch $ 53.99 / $ 14.99

What Time Should I Make My Dining Reservation with the Candlelight Processional Package?

You will be given a block of time in which you can book your reservation.  It is generally about three hours before the show is scheduled.

Show 1 (5:00pm): Dining reservation between 1:45pm-2:45pm

Show 2 (6:45pm): Dining reservation between 3:30pm-4:30pm

Show 3 (8:15pm): Dining reservation between 5:00pm-6:00pm

I would recommend scheduling the meal towards the beginning of the window, so you have plenty of time to eat and get in line for the show.

What Proof Do I Need to Get into the Reserved Seating Section?

When you arrive at the restaurant to pay for your meal, you will receive a badge for each person on the reservation.  The badges do not have names on them and there is no way to prove that the person with the badge is actually the person who was on the reservation.  You will definitely want to keep your badges safe.  While I’m sure it’s frowned upon, you can technically give the badge to whoever you want.  For example, if you’re traveling with your extended family, you could give your kids’ badges to someone else in the family and let Grandma watch the kids while the adults enjoy the show.

Which Candlelight Processional Package Restaurant Should I Pick?

Make sure you read over my Best Epcot Restaurants review, which ranks all of the Epcot restaurants in a variety of categories including best food, best atmosphere, best value, and best overall restaurant.  If you’re paying out of pocket, I would go with Biergarten for lunch if you’re on a budget.  It’s a fun restaurant and you’ll have plenty to eat.  The regular price for adults at Biergarten is $19.99 for lunch, so you’re paying a $13 premium per person for the seat at the Processional and the private viewing area for Illuminations.  On the Disney Dining Plan, I would go with whichever restaurant appeals to you from the $64.99 Dinners for the 6:45pm show.  Since you’re using two credits regardless of restaurant, you might as well go with the most expensive (which luckily includes the best restaurants).  I don’t recommend the Coral Reef, but any of the others are fine.  Tutto Italia and Le Cellier are the most expensive out of pocket and serve some of the best food, so you may want to look in that direction.  I do Like Rose and Crown, but more for lunch or to take advantage of the location for IllumiNations.  It’s not such a great idea with an earlier reservation and fixed priced meal.  Please note that having a reservation at a restaurant will not help you get a reservation with the Candlelight Processional Package.  For example, if you have a reservation for Tutto Italia at 5:30pm and call back to book the Package and they are sold out at Tutto Italia, you can’t “convert” your normal reservation to a Candlelight Processional Reservation.

Is The Candlelight Processional Package Worth the Cost?

It depends (I know you hate that).  I like the Candlelight Processional Package and generally recommend it, although it may not be necessary depending on when you choose to see the show.  All of the restaurants available in the Package normally cost one credit on the Disney Dining Plan.  This means you’re basically using an extra credit for the appetizer, reserved seat at the Processional, and private viewing area for Illuminations.  Out of pocket, the value depends on which restaurant you choose.  From The Best Epcot Sit Down Restaurants we can see which restaurants potentially cost the most out of pocket.  The bolded prices don’t include the appetizer, which will increase the price of the meal by $5-$10 or so.  The value depends on which restaurant you select, what you order, and how much you plan to eat.  If an appetizer is enough to fill you up, the Candlelight Processional might not be a good deal because you’ll be paying an exorbitant amount of money for food you won’t be eating.  If you’re already concerned that you aren’t going to have enough Dining Plan credits then it might not be the best idea either as it does cost two credits for restaurants that would ordinarily cost one.  On the other hand, if you have leftover credits anyway or plan to eat at least one gigantic meal during your trip, the Candlelight Processional makes a lot more sense.

When you purchase the Package, you’re paying not only for the meal, but also peace of mind and convenience.  The Package guarantees you a prime, comfortable seat at the Candlelight Processional and an excellent vantage point to see Illuminations – two of Epcot’s best shows.  It also cuts down on the time necessary to wait in line for the show to begin.  Without the Package, you won’t know where you’ll sit.  Just because you’re in front of someone doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a better seat than they will due to the way the “cast member” will lead the line into the theater.  It isn’t a “free for all” where you choose where you sit.  Instead, you sit in the seat as assigned by your place in line.  This means you might be on the far edge of a row while the people in back of you get a much better seat in the middle of the theater.  Purchasing the Package also means you won’t have to stake out a viewing spot for Illuminations an hour or more before the show begins.  To a point, you will need to decide how much your time is worth and whether or not you would prefer to spend extra money or credits to not wait in line.  That’s basically what it comes down to.  You can certainly “get your money’s worth” if you eat at Tutto Italia or Le Cellier and order the most expensive items.  It’s unlikely you’ll feel like the Package is a waste of money unless you visit on a day with extremely low crowds or don’t enjoy your meal.

How Long is the Wait for the Candlelight Processional?  When is the Best Time to See the Show?

The 5pm show is almost always the least crowded and your best chance to get a seat without purchasing the Candlelight Dining Package.  The only downside is that it may not be completely dark at that time.  While it won’t hamper the show in any physical way, a lot of people prefer to watch the Procession in darkness, because it adds a bit of ambiance to the story.  Here are some general guidelines about the best way to see the Processional:

  • As far as crowds are concerned, weekdays are always better than weekends.  Friday and Saturday will be the two busiest days, along with any day with Extra Magic Hours.
  • The 5pm show is almost always the least crowded and the 8pm show is the most popular.
  • Even if you purchase the Candlelight Processional Dining Package, you will still want to be in line 30 minutes or more prior to the start of the show.  People who purchase the Package really, really want to see it and they will be in line for it early, even though they are guaranteed a seat somewhere in the theater.
  • Popular narrators will bring larger crowds with them and the wait time necessary to get a seat will dramatically increase.  At the moment, I expect Whoopi Goldberg, Michael W. Smith, and Trace Adkins to be the most popular.
  • November 25th-27th and December 20th-30th will be extremely busy due to the higher overall crowd level.  If the Candlelight Processional is important to you, consider the Dining Package to guarantee a seat.  Otherwise, be prepared to wait 90 or more minutes with no guarantee of being able to sit.
  • My favorite tactic is similar to what I do at other shows.  Plan to be in the United States Pavilion around 4:15pm and check the line.  Be sure to ask the attendant at the back of the line whether or not he/she thinks you’ll be able to get a seat.  They count the number of people as they enter the line and they have a good idea about whether or not there will be a seat for you.  If you get the green light then you can either get in line or if the line is really short, grab a snack/drink and get in line.  If it already looks like it’s close to “selling out” then you know you’ll need to return even earlier for the next show or you can enter the line now in anticipation of the next show.  On the evenings right before Christmas, you may need to get in line more than two hours ahead of the scheduled start time.
  • It is possible to hear the show from the World Showcase promenade without being seated in the theater, but it is usually difficult to see.  If you have seen the show in the past, listening may be enough, especially if it saves you two hours in line.

What is the Private Illuminations Viewing Area Like with the Candlelight Processional Package?

The private viewing area is located at the base of the World Showcase near Future World.  In other words, it’s near the entrance to the World Showcase from Future World.  There are no seats, so you will either be standing for the duration of your wait or you may be able to sit on the ground.  It’s quite a hike from the United States Pavilion to the front of the World Showcase and it will probably take you at least 20 minutes to get from the theater to the Illuminations viewing area.  It will take longer depending on the crowd level and how many people you have to dodge and push through.  The good news is that you’ll be among the first to exit Epcot after Illuminations if you’re getting on a bus, going to the monorail, or returning to your car in the parking lot.  If you’re headed to the International Gateway to exit to your Epcot-area resort then you’ll probably want to find somewhere out of the way to stand for a while as the masses exit.  It will be extremely difficult to move against the waves exiting Epcot in the opposite direction.  If your plan is to exit through the International Gateway and you can find a good spot along the rail near the theater, you may want to forego the private viewing area and grab the spot.  I recommend visiting the 6:45pm show because it will give you plenty of time to move to the private viewing area.  You will be much more rushed if you visit the 8:15pm show.

This Is Much More Complicated Than I Was Expecting.  Is It Worth It?

Yes, the Candlelight Processional is one of Disney’s best and longest running shows.  At potentially no additional cost, you will get to enjoy a celebrity narrating the story of Christmas in front of a 50-person orchestra and mass choir.  On the other hand, if you aren’t interested in a religious show or singing and music then you probably want to skip it.  The question about whether or not it’s worth waiting an hour plus is a more difficult question to answer.  Considering the standby line at Soarin’ is at least 60 minutes in the afternoon for a five minute ride, waiting 60-90 minutes for a 45 minute live show with hundreds of performers doesn’t seem like that bad of a tradeoff.  If you’ve completed most of what you want to do at Epcot and Disney World in general then you’re not losing out on much by waiting in line for the show.  If there’s plenty more on your itinerary, and you’re chomping at the bit for the show to be over so you can run to Test Track, you’re probably better off enjoying the rides and other attractions, rather than spending potentially three or more hours on the Candlelight Processional.  I have never heard anyone talk poorly about the Processional, other than to say it was more religious in tone than they were expecting.  Other than that, it is a professional show of the highest caliber and anyone who enjoys Christmas, signing, and music will love it.

Let’s Book!

The Dining Package is available by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

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Star Wars Weekends Review and Overview of Characters, Events, Shows, And More

by josh on May 30, 2011

Star Wars Weekends is an annual event held at Disney’s Hollywood Studios during regular theme park hours.  There is no additional cost to attend, meaning the price of the ticket is the same as any other day.   Traditionally, the event occurs over four weekends (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) in May and June.  Occasionally, the event will not include any May dates, so you may want to plan a trip that includes the first full weekend in June if you’re planning a trip before the dates are announced and Star Wars Weekend is an integral part of the trip.  Disney usually announces the dates during the first week of February, with more details emerging as the first date draws near.  Star Wars Weekends are a lot of fun and you don’t necessarily need to be a die-hard Star Wars fan to enjoy many of the events.  Activities include indoor and outdoor stage shows, celebrity autograph sessions, special Star Wars character meet and greets, Star Wars Parades, limited edition Star Wars merchandise, a Star Wars themed dance-off, and celebrity hosted shows.  While past Weekends have included big name appearances, recent focus is on the Clone Wars animated series.  Many of the celebrity guests are voice-actors or directors on the show.  Let’s have a look at what you can expect.

Crowds

For many, the biggest concern regarding a Disney World vacation is the crowd level, both overall and specifically to an individual theme park on a specific day.  If you’re looking for the lowest crowds, you’ll want to avoid a Star Wars Weekend date.  Somewhat surprisingly, it may seem like less people are meandering about the Studios, but that’s only because they’re occupied with other activities.  So far in 2011, we’ve routinely seen triple digit waits at Toy Story Mania and Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, along with waits at Star Tours and Tower of Terror that are about 60% higher on average than recommended days during the week.  However, Disney has greatly extended the operating hours for Star Wars Weekend days, which means there are two or three good hours to tour in the morning and late evening.  The Park tends to clear out after Hyperspace Hoopla and the first Fantasmic.  Those of you who are late risers can have success if the Studios doesn’t close until 12am and you’re able to stay up that late.  You’ll be in great shape if you arrive prior to Park opening and take care of the headlining attractions or the major meet and greets first thing.  Once 10:30am hits, crowds are going to be significant, especially over Memorial Day Weekend and into the second Weekend in June when most schools are on summer break and crowds increase overall.

Sunset Boulevard at 12pm on May 29th.  Note that there are no Star Wars characters or activities down here, other than the merchandise tent.  These people are all going to Beauty and the Beast, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror.  Or they’re lost.

The 11am Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show.  Almost completely full – a rarity, particularly for the early show, which is the least crowded.

These are people waiting to get into the Studios at 12:20pm.  Lines in the afternoon to enter the Studios are almost unheard of during recommended days during the week.

Touring Plan

You’ll be in better shape if you can swing two days at Hollywood Studios during your stay or whittle down your touring plan to just a few of the usual attractions.  That way, you can focus on the Star Wars characters, shows, events, Parade, etc. without having to worry about the Disney Jr. Live on Stage schedule or getting into position for the 3pm Parade.  You can certainly enjoy both Star Wars and “regular” activities in one day, but meeting the Star Wars characters takes a lot of time, as does lining up for a good spot for the Parade and other shows.  With only one day, you’ll need to plan carefully and decide which attractions, characters, and shows are more important.

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Richard Petty Driving Experience Ride Along Review at Walt Disney World Speedway

by Judy on March 15, 2011

This guest review was written by our easyWDW itinerary forum moderator and owner of Help Around The Mouse, a comprehensive Disney World vacation planning service.  If you are feeling overwhelmed as you try to plan your dream Disney vacation, you may want to give Judy a ring.  Along with her team of planning experts, Judy will listen to what you have in mind and help you plan a vacation tailored to your individual needs.   If that sounds like it might be of interest, check them out over at http://helparoundthemouse.com/.

Before Christmas last year, Richard Petty offered discounted prices on Ride Along vouchers.  Since we had a trip coming up in February, I thought it a fine idea for my husband and our soon to be 16 year old daughter — so I purchased two vouchers.  I think the price was around $60 for each one.  A little pricey, but everything I had read said that this was quite a memory for the participants, and I thought it was a unique experience they could share.  You don’t need reservations if all you want to do is the Ride Along. But– they don’t run every day, so do call before your vacation and check to see the days and hours they are running. And, if you have your heart set on doing it, don’t save the experience for the end of your trip. If it rains — you’ll be out of luck.

Luckily, we  rented a car for the trip, so getting to the track was easy.  If you have ever driven to the Magic Kingdom and parked in the Ticket and Transportation Center parking lot, you may have driven by the entrance to the track on your way out of the parking lot.  If you don’t have a car, I hear you get to the Ticket and Transportation Center, and they have shuttles that take you to the track. Personally, I am glad we had a car.

Entering the track is kinda cool.

Enter by driving under the track….

…And back up the other side.

From there, the folks at the front desk will sign you in and get you started.  You suit up in coveralls, and then, within a few minutes, head out to the track.  Jamie took a little while to find the one that would fit her.  The small was not a men’s small– just small!

Another employee will finish suiting you up, ask you to sign your life away, and then pose for pictures.

Jon went first.  A quick hop in the car, an official photo, and then, bam– he was off.   Three laps later, it was Jamie’s turn.

The time on the track was over in minutes.  After the ride, you go back inside, leave your gear behind, and they have a plaque waiting for you complete with your picture to commemorate the trip. We passed.

The entire event, from entering to exiting the Richard Petty Experience, easily took less than 30 minutes.

I am glad we did this in February when the weather was perfect.  I can’t imagine this in August. The heat and humidity, fumes and noise would not be a pleasant combination for families on a summer vacation. There is no air conditioning under the tent while you wait outside.  And did you note the coveralls and helmet? Not fun if your already hot!

Was it worth it? Yeah.  It was a different experience. I don’t think I would have been happy if I had paid full price (starting at $99 per person for the Ride Along and going all the way up to $2,099 per person for the Speedyway Challenge). But, for $120 total, they had a once in a lifetime experience.

At last I hope it’s once in a life time.  Jamie gets her license soon….. !!

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FASTPASS at Disney World – How To Take Advantage of Disney’s Fourth Greatest Invention

by josh on October 6, 2010

Updated January 27, 2012.

What is FASTPASS?

First introduced in 1999, FASTPASS is a “virtual queuing system” offered at many of Disney’s most popular attractions.  Unlike other theme parks that charge for “front of the line access,” FASTPASS is completely free for all ticket holders.  All a person needs to take advantage of FASTPASS is the ticket they used to gain entrance to the Park.

FASTPASS is similar to the “take a number” system you may be familiar with at your local Department of Motor Vehicles.  Each FASTPASS-enabled attraction has a bank of machines near its queue entrance.  Visitors may obtain a FASTPASS by inserting their Park ticket into one of these machines, which will scan and return the ticket along with a small piece of paper known as a FASTPASS.  Instead of having to wait for a number to be called, each FASTPASS has a return time printed on it for some time in the future, allowing the user to “save” their spot in line and tour the Park freely while they wait.  Once the time stated on the FASTPASS arrives, the FASTPASS user can return to the attraction and enter the FASTPASS queue, which is designed to have a wait of ten minutes or less.  This arrangement is beneficial to both theme park guests and Disney.  Just one use of FASTPASS can save a visitor more than an hour in line, allowing them to explore the Park and see additional attractions.  Disney benefits because a person that isn’t stuck in a long line is more likely to spend money at a store, kiosk, or restaurant.

As previously mentioned, FASTPASSes are printed with a return time for some point later in the day.  Each attraction prints a certain number of FASTPASSes for each return window, which is usually one hour long.  The minimum return time is 40 minutes in the future.  For example, if you collect a FASTPASS for The Many of Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at 9:00am, chances are that it will have a return window of 9:40am to 10:40am.

Each attraction distributes a certain number of FASTPASSes for each hour-long window.  If demand doesn’t exceed supply, then the machines will continue to distribute FASTPASSes with return times that are just 40 minutes in the future.  If demand exceeds supply, then the return time will be later and later in the day as the attraction runs out of FASTPASSes for each specific window.  For example, let’s say that The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh distributes 100 FASTPASSes for each possible hour-long window.  That means 100 FASTPASSes would be distributed for 9:40am to 10:40am, 100 for 9:45am to 10:45am, 100 for 9:50am to 10:50am, etc.

If fewer than 100 FASTPASSes are distributed, then FASTPASSes will continue to give return times just 40 minutes in the future.  However, if more than 100 FASTPASSes for a window are distributed, the attraction will then give out FASTPASSes for the next window.  Let’s say that 500 people pick up FASTPASSes for Winnie the Pooh between 9:00am and 9:10am.  The first 100 people would get the 9:40am to 10:40am FASTPASSes.  The next 100 would get the 9:45am to 10:45am FASTPASSes.  The next 100 would get the 9:50am to 10:50am FASTPASSes, and so on.  By 9:10am, 500 FASTPASSes would be distributed and the current FASTPASS return time would be 10:05am to 11:05am, or 55 minutes in the future.  Thus, attractions that give out fewer FASTPASSes or have higher demand tend to run out of FASTPASSes earlier and give return times that are further into the future.

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