It may be the most magical time of the year but Christmas time is also one of the busiest times of the year at Walt Disney World. So should you even be considering a Disney vacation at Christmas? Many would say that the answer is a definite yes! Yes the lines may be long and the parks sometimes full to capacity but many guests feel that the magic of Disney at Christmas is worth joining the crowds.

There are so many special displays and events in Disney World at Holiday time that any visit is going to be extra special. Look out for special parades at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Or if you are there in the time before Christmas week consider if Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party would be a good choice.

Photo courtesy joe penniston

As always with a Disney vacation a little planning goes a long way. This is even more important at this special time of year. In particular if you want to dine at a Disney restaurant you may make Advance Dining Reservations. At the moment you can only do this 90 days in advance but this is set to chance on 27th October 2009 to as far in advance as 180 days. Disney resort guests have an advantage as they can make reservations for up to 10 days of their stay. To make an Advance Dining Reservation call 407 WDW DINE or book online with Disney. Gone seem to be the days when you could leave your dining plans to the last moment. Restaurants do get booked up well in advance so make your reservations as far ahead as you can.

Disney World operates Holiday Prices (that is of course increased pricing) for the season from 16th December until 3rd January. So you may find your meals costing a little more than usual. Always check when you make your Advance Dining Reservations.

Photo courtesy of amandaB3



The parking lots do reach capacity at Disney World at Christmas and New Year so you really do need to arrive early. If you can then arrive before opening time to be sure you will get in. They will also close the parks if they reach capacity – yes it really does happen. I know this from personal experience one Christmas time and it was not a magical moment! For this reason it is better not to consider park hopping at these busy times. You may leave one park and then find you can’t get into another! This applies to all Disney guests even those staying in the resorts. If they have reached capacity fire codes dictate that no more guests can get into the parks.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Photo Courtesy of steve-stevens

You may have heard of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and wondered if it was worth the extra expense.This is a separately ticketed Disney event held every year on select nights in the run up to Christmas. So you need to buy a separate ticket for this event specifically for the Very Merry Christmas Party.

Tickets go on sale early each year and many dates sell out. Whilst this is a wonderful and very popular event, guests should be aware that Mickey’s Christmas Party is very popular and it can get pretty crowded. So don’t go expecting lines to be shorter as more often than not the waits for the rides can be pretty long. But do go if you want the great Christmas events and atmosphere.

Most guests say that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a good bet if you are visiting before Christmas and want to get into the Holiday mood.

The 2009 tickets are now on sale – get them early as they do sell out. 

Dates for 2009 are:



November 10th

November 12th

November 13th

November 17th

November 19th

November 20th

November 29th


December 1st

December 4th

December 6th

December 8th

December 9th

December 10th

December 11th

December 13th

December 15th

December 17th

December 18th



 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts at 7pm and closes at midnight. Officially you can’t enter Magic Kingdom prior to 7pm with just the party ticket but some guests have reported in previous years that they have got in earlier than that. But don’t plan on it!



ADVANCE PURCHASE: Adults: $55.38; Children 3-9 $48.99 (not available Nov 29, Dec 4, 11, 17-18)

DAY OF EVENT (IF AVAILABLE): Adults $62.84; Children 3-9 $56.45

ANNUAL PASSHOLDER AND DVC DISCOUNTS: Adults $52.19; Children 3-9 $45.80 available only for the following dates: Nov 10, 12, 13, 17, 19; Dec 6, 8



If you have a particular day in mind then buy your tickets as early as possible as some dates, particularly those closer to Christmas and at weekends, do sell out. Of course you can expect those dates to be pretty crowded too so perhaps it is best if you go expecting the party spirit but with long lines for the rides.



Is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party worth it? Well most guests agree that it is as it gives you the chance to get that wonderful Holiday atmosphere in the build up to Christmas. Disney World is a very special place to be at Christmas.

But if you are going to be at Disney for the days just prior to Christmas right up to New Years Eve as well then you will get all of the benefits of the parade,fireworks, snow on Main Street as part of your regular Magic Kingdom Admission.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights

Photo Courtesy of dreamagicjp

The amazing Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights event is held every year at Disney Hollywood Studios. In 2009 it will run November 10 2009 to January 3 2010 which is slightly longer than in previous years.

This particular Disney Christmas tradition has an interesting story. Since 1995 the Osborne Family Lights have been lighting up the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The story begins with Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock, Arkansas, businessman who put up Christmas lights for his young daughter. Over the years the display got big. Well huge really. Mr Osborne bought the 2 homes next door for his amazing display which consisted of 3 million lights! The neighbors didn’t share his enthusiasm for the lights and took him to court. The Arkansas Supreme Court declared them a public nuisance and he was fined and given a suspended jail sentence.

Disney World stepped in to rescue the Osborne Family lights which have been displayed at Disney Hollywood Studios ever since.

The display now has 5 million lights, and 66 snow machines! They were renamed the Dancing Lights in 2006 – some of the lights are now animated and appear to ‘dance’ to the music!



The display is free as part of your admission to Disney Hollywood Studios. They are located in the Streets of America backlot and each night there is a lighting ceremony. The display will start on November 10th and run to Jan 3rd.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights have become a favorite Christmas tradition for Disney World and are well worth a visit. Be sure to check them out if you are visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Christmas and New Year.

Disney Christmas Decorations

Disney certainly knows how to decorate for Christmas! Each park has a huge Christmas tree with it’s own individual theme. The Christmas tree at EPCOT, just over the bridge of the entrance to World Showcase, has presents representing all the nations included in EPCOT.



Decorations usually start going up in the park by mid November at the time that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts. So this year they should be starting around 10th November to appear in the parks. Much of the work is done at night so of course the results seem to magically appear in the morning when you arrive at the park.

It a great time to visit from this time onwards as the decorations for Christmas make Disney an even more magical place! If you can possibly visit the first 2 weeks of December, following Thanksgiving, then you will find crowds and relatively light. You get all the benefit of the Christmas decorations without the long lines of the Holiday Season.


There is a short Christmas tree lighting ceremony each day at 6pm in EPCOT. Christmas time at EPCOT is a particularly magical time.
Each of the World Showcase countries has it’s own Christmas celebration which runs from November 30th to December 30th. Each country has it’s own storyteller who will give you an insight into their heritage and Holiday celebrations. Make sure that you stop by the beautiful Christmas shop in the German pavillion which is full of amazing decorations for the Holidays.

Epcot Candlelight Processional

Photo Courtesy of amandaB3

A spectacular event of mass choir and orchestra held in EPCOT’s America Garden’s Theater just in front of the USA pavillion in the World Showcase.

The Candlelight Processional is free on a first come first served basis as there is limited seating in this undercover, but outdoor venue. If you can’t get a seat then it can be a good idea just to stand at the back for a while and listen to this spectacular event. It can get a little cold at that time of year so try a hot chocolate drink to get into the spirit of Christmas!

The Candlelight Processional begins on November 27th and ends on December 30th 2009. The scheduled guest narrators for this year are:

27th to 29th November – Isabella Rossellini
30th November to 2nd December – John O’Hurley
3rd December to 5th December – Steven Curtis Chapman
6th December to 8th December – Anika Noni Rose
9th December to 11th December – Andy Garcia
12th December to 14th December – Vanessa Williams
15th December to 17th December – Abigail Breslin
18th December to 20th December – Whoopi Goldberg
21st December to 23rd December – Briand Dennehy
24th December to 26th December – Edward James Olmos
27th December to 30th December – Angela Bassett and Courney Vance

If you do want to reserve seating then a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package is available by calling 407 WDW DINE or by booking online.

The Theater is small and it is often difficult to get a seat – so the only way to guarantee a seat is by booking the Package which also includes access to a preferred viewing area for Illuminations Reflections of Earth.



Seating in the Theater for the dining package is in 3 different tiers according to which restaurant you choose. You eat your dinner before the Candlelight Processional and reservations are available in all the World Showcase restaurants. Prices vary according to which one you choose. The prices range from $32.99 to $51.99 for lunch for adults or $44.99 to $58.99 for dinner. Child places are available at discounted rates. If you have the Disney Dining Plan you can use two of your credits for the Candlelight Processional Package.

Disney Resort Hotels at Christmas

Photo Courtesy of tcarter81

It can be a lot of fun to spend some time in a Disney resort hotel at Christmas – even if you are not a guest there. Every hotel has wonderful decorations. One of my favorite places to visit is Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa which has a huge tree in the lobby which has to be seen to be believed. And look out for the Gingerbread House too – a Disney chef Holiday tradition.




Epcot Illuminations is one of the things which really should be on everyone’s ‘must see’ list when they go to Disney World. This amazing fireworks,music, lights and pyrotechnics show plays out every night at Disney’s Epcot around the World Showcase Lagoon. Prepare yourself for one of the best fireworks shows you have ever seen.

The opening words are:

Good evening. On behalf of Walt Disney World, the place where dreams come true, we welcome all of you to Epcot and World Showcase. We’ve gathered here tonight around the fire as people of all lands have gathered for thousands and thousands of years before us… to share the light… and to share a story. An amazing story as old as time itself, but still being written. And though each of us has our own individual stories to tell, a true adventure emerges when we bring them all together as one. We hope you enjoy our show tonight:Reflections of Earth.

What is the story of Illuminations Reflections of Earth? After what sometimes seems like a lot of anticipation the lights around Epcot go dim. Then a single firework shoots across the World Showcase Lagoon from the United Kingdom Pavillion. The start of the fireworks is used to represent the Big Bang and the creation of the Universe. Then things become a little more calm with scenes evoking the nativity of the earth.

After this spectacular introduction the mood changes with a more sedate tempo and the beginning of the journey of the huge globe across the World Showcase Lagoon. This is a 350,000 pound globe on a barge! Difficult to explain what this looks like but it is certainly unique and innovative. Images are projected on to the globe to give the illusion of a floating earth. The display uses almost 300 LED screens to project images depicting the earth from the dinosaurs to present day. Personally I know this is very clever but this is the part of Illuminations that is a little slow for me – not much is going on and usually I just want the fireworks to start again!

The globe then opens out, signaling the finale of pyrotechics and fireworks. This is the part of the story which symbolizes a new age and a new beginning.

Illuminations makes use of lasers in the display. For those of you who like Disney trivia here is an interesting one for you. THE FAA has to grant advance permission for any system using lasers outdoors. This means that every night Orlando International Airport has to be notified when Epcot Illuminations starts so that air traffic control can be advised.

How Do I Decide Where to View Epcot Illuminations?




The first thing you need to do is decide how you are going to leave the park after Illuminations! Epcot closes when the final firework has left the sky. You will soon realize that up to 30,000 people will be leaving at the same time that you are. So you need to plan how important it is to you to leave the park quickly and balance that against where your ideal or available viewing spot is. If you are not in a rush to exit the park then simply decide where you would prefer to view and be prepared to stake out popular spots ahead of time!

Most people will exit through the main entrance. If you are one of them then the closest place to the exit around the Lagoon is either near Canada or Mexico. 

If you are a guest at one of the Disney Epcot resort hotels then to exit more quickly you may want to be close to the World Showcase exit located between France and the United Kingdom.

If you aren’t concerned about getting out of Epcot quickly then you have a lot more scope as to viewing spots. Personally I don’t like to rush out of the park. Take the chance to sit down for 10 minutes or so until the crowds start to thin out. One of my favorite spots to just relax and take in the atmosphere is close to the fountains in France.

Where are the best places to view Epcot Iluminations?

Most places give a decent view. Just watch out for trees which may block your view! But some spots are definitely the good ones. Be aware that at busier times these great viewing spots will be reserved an hour or two in advance.Personally I would not do this – but if this is your one shot at seeing the show then you may decide you want to.



The Rose and Crown Restaurant:

If you can snag a table near the window this is a great spot to view – and you can be in comfort actually sitting down! Make your Advance Dining Reservation for around 45 minutes to one hour before Illuminations starts and ask for a table where you can view the fireworks. Even if you don’t get a great viewing table then one thing you can do is eat in the restaurant and stay until show time – the staff will usually help you find a good viewing spot outside. This gives you a very close view of the pyrotechnics and it does get surprisingly warm! This is one of the most intense viewing places.

Cantina de San Angel Terrace

Possibly the most popular viewing spot. It gives a great view and easy access out of the park after the end of the show. Even at slow times this one is going to fill up first.
Again this has the advantage of being able to sit down (if you get there early enough). This is a counter service restaurant so you don’t need reservations.


The Japan Pavilion.

If you get there early enough to snag a place on the raised viewing platform outside the restaurant then this is a great viewing place.

The Bridge Between France and The United Kingdom

A great view with an easy route out of Epcot if you are taking either the World Showcase or Future World exit.

Epcot Illuminations Cruise

Would you like to know a very special way of viewing the Epcot Illuminations fireworks? Well for those looking for a unique experience how about booking the Disney Epcot Illuminations Cruise?

The 24 foot Breathless craft is available for hire for that truly memorable experience. The Breathless can accommodate up to 6 people and is available for hire starting at $275 plus tax which includes a driver.

You can also hire a pontoon boat for up to 10 people for an Illuminations cruise and costs from $275 plus tax.

If you have a special occasion to celebrate then a Birthday or Celebration Fireworks cruise is available too. $220 with tax for a 21‘ pontoon or $275 with tax for up to 10 adults or 12 guests if there are children in the party. The pontoon will be decorated for your celebration.

Getting a reservation for an Illuminations cruise does require planning ahead. These cruises do book up early. To reserve call 407-WDW-PLAY, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m EST up to 90 days in advance. You have to give a credit card guarantee and your card will be charged unless you cancel 24 hours in advance.

Each boat will be positioned under the International Gateway Bridge and you will get an amazing view of Illuminations. Guests do report that this splurge really is worth it.

Wherever you view Epcot Illuminations Reflections of Earth you are sure to appreciate this spectacular display. Make sure that you plan to see it at least once on your visit to Disney World.




Photos used under Creative Commons from expressmonorail

Anyone who has tried to make Advance Dining Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table will know that sometimes it feels as though you have embarked on Mission Impossible! Unless you call right at the first minute of the first day you can make ADRs (90 days ahead for everyone, and up to 100 days ahead for Disney resort guests) then you will most likely be told that there are no tables left. So we know it is very popular!

What if you don’t manage to get Advance Dining Reservations for Cinderella’s Royal Table. Try again. Sometimes there are cancellations and you will strike it lucky.

Do remember though that there is a 24 hour cancellation policy. When you make your ADRs you will be asked for your credit card details – and they will be charged unless you cancel within the 24 hours before you are set to dine.

But does the Cinderella dining experience live up to the expectation? Of course it gives you a chance to actually get inside Cinderella’s Castle. And for this alone it is worth it for many Disney World visitors. The interior of the restaurant is very well done. Just as you would expect the inside of the castle to look – lots of stained glass,stone work and wood. It is also much smaller than most people imagine – another reason why it is so difficult to get in!

It is pretty pricey. At $42.99 for dinner for adults with tax and gratuity as extra this is not an inexpensive dining option.

Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant is what is known as a photo package experience. What does this mean? The price of the meal also includes a photo with one of the characters.

Many people love the fact that a photo is included with the meal. The photo package is four 4×6 prints and one 6×8 print of your photo, as well as one 6×8 print of Cinderella Castle in a Cinderella photo holder. Each party of 1 to 4 guests will get one photo package,5 to 8 guests will receive two packages.

For me and for many other guests though the feeling is that it would be better if the price was lower and the photograph was not included. Personally I do not like to have to wait in line to have a picture taken (and this is what often happens). This may be because I have hundreds of pictures already of myself and my family with Disney characters! But I would prefer to be able to skip this part.

The time with the characters is good for a Disney character dining experience. The restaurant is small so when I have been there we have had plenty of time with the characters. Who will be there? As with all Disney character dining restaurants the list can, and does, change so don’t promise your little ones (or yourself) a special character. But the ones you are likely to find are Cinderella, The Fairy Godmother, Princess Belle, Princess Aurora and Snow White.

So what is the food like at Cinderella’s Royal Table? Not great but not bad either. For that price I would expect a higher standard. But with this Disney restaurant you are going there for the experience of dining in Cinderella’s Castle. The food is fine, but nothing to get that excited about. There are plenty of choices including a Children’s menu. Some guests do report feeling rushed but I have never really found this to be so.

So is Cinderella’s Royal Table really worth it? I would certainly say it is somewhere you should experience at least once. The unique quality of being located inside Cinderella’s Castle really is a lot of fun.

Have an expectation that the food will be fine but nothing that special. If you want to dine with Cinderella and have great food then try out dinner at 1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian. Overall Cinderella’s Royal Table is a good Disney experience though – if you can get in then you should give it a try.

Want to know even more including finding out what exactly is on the menu and even get a peek inside to see what the restaurant looks like? I have written a free guide for you here:

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Photos used under Creative Commons from armadillo444

Which are the absolutely not to be missed rides at Walt Disney World? People do often ask me which rides they should go on first and which they should make sure they definitely experience. Which would make it into your Top 10 Disney World rides?

There are so many innovative and fun rides at Disney that it was so difficult to pick just my Top 10. Because of the size of Disney World a Top 25 would probably be an easier list!

I have just written the new EverythingMouse Top 10 Disney World Rides with great pictures, fun facts, videos and tips to get the most from each attraction. I chose all of the photos to show you a slightly different view of the rides than you usually get. So make sure you look out for Jack Sparrow, an unusual view of a Disney roller coaster classic and a spooky image of a spectacular elevator ride.

Photos used under Creative Commons by Joe Penniston.

Disney World Epcot

Are you planning a trip to Disney World and wondering what Epcot theme park is really like? If you are making your first visit to Disney World then Epcot is probably the park that you read about but really can’t decide what it is all about. You may have read that Epcot doesn’t have the much for kids to do. I hear this a lot but have to say that I just don’t agree with that. In recent years in particular Disney has done so much to make sure that every member of the family has a lot to keep them happy in Epcot. From Test Track to Epcot Soarin, Spaceship Earth to The Seas With Nemo and Friends there is something for everyone.

So why did Epcot get the reputation of being the ‘grown up’ Disney park? Possibly because of the World Showcase. Epcot is divided into 2 parts. Future World and World Showcase. Epcot is huge and you really do need 2 days to have any chance of seeing it all. Some people say that Epcot should stand for ‘Every Person Comes out Tired’!

Future World is the part of Epcot where you will find the headliner rides such as Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track,Soarin,and The Seas With Nemo and Friends. The idea behind Future World is to educate. Now I know this may sound like this is not much fun – an educational theme park? But the reality is that this is Disney at it’s best. Yes you will learn something but at the same time you are going to have a lot of fun.

World Showcase is probably the part of Epcot that it’s critics see as the most ‘grown up’ So just what is World Showcase? It is a representation of 11 countries – with replica architecture, shopping, shows and attractions. Each country in World Showcase is a representation of what that country has to offer and all the Cast Members and products sold are from that nation. So if you want a troll from Norway, chocolate from the United Kingdom,a kimono from Japan or silk slippers from China then this is the place to be.

Each country in World Showcase has a restaurant. Here you will find some of the best restaurants in the whole of Disney World. Try authentic Moroccan favorites,fish and chips from Harry Ramsden’s in the United Kingdom or the finest French cuisine in Chefs de Paris. There really is something for everyone in the restaurants and counter service dining locations in Epcot.

And to end your day at Epcot on a perfect note you cannot miss Illuminations Reflections of Earth. One of the most amazing fireworks displays ever created for Disney World this features lasers and pyrotechnics which have to be seen to be believed.

So is Epcot just for grown ups? I really don’t think so. It is probably my favorite Disney park in the world and also my kids all say the same. There is plenty for the children to do. Disney has made great progress in the last few years in trying to get away from the idea that kids just don’t enjoy Epcot as much as the other parks. World Showcase seemed to be their sticking point, but a lot of children really enjoy going around the different countries. Particularly when they have the Kidcot stops. It is amazing how much children enjoy collecting the stamps and symbols from each country in World Showcase to put on their Epcot masks. This activity is free for all kids at Epcot and it really is a big hit. I have lost count of how many masks my kids have made!

So do you want to see a complete guide to Epcot. I have a free guide which has some great photos and tips for how to make the most of your visit:

Disney World Epcot – The Complete Guide