Tips about Epcot, Kids, Magic Kingdom, Souvenirs and Special Events

CHRISTMAS - For many years my wife and I have given up going to the Candlelight Processional for keeping to more "kid happy" events and rides. Last time we made dinner reservations with the reserved Candlelight Processional package for the four of us. When it came show time we let the kids out of it and looked over the long line of standby people hoping to get in. We spotted someone wearing a WWII veterans' insignia, so we handed the kids' passes to that older couple and wished them a Merry Christmas. - Mark Benjamin

CHRISTMAS - If you happen to be in the Magic Kingdom anytime after December 20th and find yourself anywhere near the back of the park (Adventureland, Frontierland, or Liberty Square) near the time of Wishes and wish to exit the park, TAKE THE WDW RAILROAD FROM FRONTIERLAND TO THE PARK EXIT! There is literally a sea of people down Main Street with no access through the crowd. - MJK813

CHRISTMAS - One of my favorite times to visit WDW is at the holidays. We never miss the Candlelight Processional. Try going to the early show. Stop by and see Santa and Mrs. Claus first in the USA Pavilion. Santa and Mrs. Claus are usually there until 5 p.m. Then grab a hot dog and wait in line to see the early showing of the Candlelight Processional. Both Santa and the Processional are worth the wait. - reenmch

CHRISTMAS - We are frequent visitors of Disney, but it wasn't until December 2006 that we experienced the Disney Christmas spirit. What we did to add more fun to our trip (and actually help locate our stroller) was we purchased some battery-powered Christmas lights before our trip and we cable-tied them to my then 4-year-old's stroller. I also purchased some big jingle bells with holly and some thin bendable gold garland and also attached it. During the day our stroller was easy to spot with the decorations and the sound of the bells, but at night it was awesome! I cannot tell you how many comments we received even by cast members! People wanted to know where they could buy that! We actually put the lights on it this year in February when we were there just for the fun of it. It was brighter than the glow necklaces that they sell at the parks. - Jackie Nylen

CHRISTMAS - We didn't know about this on our trip, but I really wish I would have taken a tour of the mobile homes at Fort Wilderness campground. Apparently, there is much competition between the residents to outdo one another. Be sure to go to American Adventure in Epcot if for no other reason but to hear the Voices of Liberty (the a cappella group that performs in the lobby before the American Adventure show). They are always good, but especially so during the holidays. - Shirley

CHRISTMAS - There are pros and cons of seeing the Osborne Lights right when the switch is flipped. On the plus side, there is that big "WOW" moment when the street goes from dark to fully lit. However, on the negative, you are completely surrounded by throngs of people. Even on a day that was otherwise not crowded in the park, the crowds at the beginning of the Osborne Lights were amazing. We had no choice but to move with the crowds, and really couldn't see things very well at all. This would be particularly hard with young children. I would recommend waiting until later in the evening and letting the initial crowds thin some. - Rodney Green

CHRISTMAS - I like to get to the (Osborne) lights later rather than earlier because of the crowds. If you are there when they turn on the lights, it is like being in a herd of wildebeests. Wait until a half hour or so before the lights go off (which is usually when the park closes) and then you can still see the dancing lights and snow with fewer people. I also like to go during the Extra Magic Hours in the evening as it is less crowded. I always check at the resort concierge to make sure the lights will be on during EMH. - Sue Van Vleet

CHRISTMAS - I have a small tip for seeing the Osborne Spectacle of Lights at Hollywood Studios. We were there back in 2006, and the perfect time for us to see the lights was when Fantasmic! was going on. So, plan for dinner right when the fireworks show is starting, visit the light show, and then go to the later showing of Fantasmic! - A.C. Williams

CHRISTMAS - On our last visit to Disney, we booked a 7:30 p.m. dinner at the Sci Fi Dine in Theater. After our meal, the park was ready to close and was almost completely empty. We walked around the corner from the restaurant to the Osborne Lights and to our amazement we practically had the place to ourselves. Music was still playing and the lights seemed to be glowing just for my family and friends. It was magical to stand there in the radiance of those lights and the holiday spirit was certainly upon us. - Eileen Fuzer from NJ

CHRISTMAS - Our favorite way to see the Osborne Lights is to spend the afternoon at the Hollywood Studios. Make an Advance Dining Reservation at either Mama Melrose or The Hollywood Brown Derby and enjoy the rest of the afternoon riding our favorite rides or seeing a couple of shows. About 30 minutes before the scheduled lighting, head over to the Streets of America Backlot area and stand near the Muppet Vision/Star Tours end of the street. Enjoy all the dancing lights and music. Stay in this general area for a while until the crowds thin a bit. Get some hot chocolate in a souvenir mug and have a good time watching the people watching the lights. If you wait for about 30 minutes after the lights start, you should have no problem walking through the rest of the display without any trouble. Happy Holidays! - Debbie Wills (not Deb Wills!)

CHRISTMAS - This tip is helpful any time of year, but for Christmas season we use red and green glow sticks or necklaces and tie them to our stroller to help us find it a little easier in the dark! We used pink for my daughter's birthday visit while at the Pirate & Princess Party. Any added touch to personalize your stroller is helpful, especially when the strollers are moved around while you are on the ride (the stroller parking in Fantasyland is always busy and the cast members constantly keep things organized to run smoothly). - Suzanne from NH

CHRISTMAS - This tip is helpful any time of year, but for Christmas season we use red and green glow sticks or necklaces and tie them to our stroller to help us find it a little easier in the dark! We used pink for my daughter's birthday visit while at the Pirate & Princess Party. Any added touch to personalize your stroller is helpful, especially when the strollers are moved around while you are on the ride (the stroller parking in Fantasyland is always busy and the cast members constantly keep things organized to run smoothly). - Suzanne from NH

Blogger Kristin Ford shares the following tips for navigating Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party:

-- Guests can collect their special Christmas Party Sorcerer of the Magic Kingdom cards beginning at 4 p.m. if they have their party wristbands. Get this done early so you don't forget and then save it for another day at the Magic Kingdom when you're not trying to get to all the party entertainment.

-- Club Tinsel, the dance party inside Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe, typically does not get very crowded, so it's the perfect place to take a break from crowds or from waiting for other entertainment. You could even pick up hot chocolate and peppermint bark cookies at the nearby Lunching Pad and sit at one of the many tables in the restaurant.

-- The Magic Kingdom continues to offer allergy-friendly and healthy snack alternatives to those who prefer to skip the cookies. In the past, individual packets of apple slices and apple juice were available at each station upon request.

-- If you want to see new Zootopia characters Nick Wilde and Judy Hopps, get in line before the party officially starts at 7 p.m. Reports from the first week of the parties say the pair began greeting guests early, as long as you have your party wristband. At the very least, you'll save party time by getting what are sure to be long lines out of the way before most holiday entertainment starts.

Be sure to check out Kristin's blog for more tips and for what's new for 2016 at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party.

MVMCP - AllEars offers some tips:

-- Take advantage of the 4 p.m. entry into the Magic Kingdom. Your Christmas Party ticket will get you into the park, no need to use a day on your general admission tickets.

-- Watch the Castle Lighting Ceremony shortly after dusk (check your guide map for the time).

-- Take advantage of the special Character photo opportunities that seem to change each year. 2016 includes Zootopia's Nick and Judy, Sandy Claws, all 7 of the Dwarfs, Princesses with their Prince. -- The Treat Stations have special gluten-free and sugar-free cookies available upon request. You can also get sugar-free hot chocolate.

-- There is a new castle show - Mickey's Most Merriest Celebration.

-- Find someplace other than Main Street (which gets very crowded) to watch the parade, which begins in Frontierland.

-- Attraction wait times are generally lower later in the evening.

Epcot - Let me start by saying, like so many others, I always look forward to your newsletter. After reading one of the "tips" this week, I was reminded of a really special Father's Day gift we did for my husband the last time we were in Disney. (Father's Day just happened to be during our trip) I purchased a khaki hat with the little Mickey on the front and we took it to every country in Epcot and had them write "Happy Father's Day" in their native language. They were all more than happy to do it for us & thought it was the neatest idea they ever saw. Now there is a special keepsake for my Disney loving hubby! - Sheri H.