Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths that who would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the August 28, 2008 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

Q. I would like to know if there are any dates available as to when the Disney World resort hotels will put up their Christmas decorations in November. I am particularly interested in the carousel, trees and ginger bread houses. Thank you. (Submitted by Dianne)

A. Dianne, Disney officially announces the dates of their big holiday park events, but does not release dates on when the holiday garb will hit the resorts. You can kind of gauge dates by looking at the bigger park happenings, though. The earliest event this year is the Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party on November 10. That's also the first night they'll turn on the marvelous light display on Cinderella Castle, Castle Dreamlights – don't miss it if you're there. Unfortunately, the rest of the holiday events aren't set to begin until after Thanksgiving this year. Holidays Around the World, the Candlelight Processional, and the holiday version of IllumiNations all begin on November 28. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios also begins on the 28th, as does Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at the Animal Kingdom and the Festival of the Seasons at Downtown Disney.

I talked with Cast Members at a number of the Deluxe resorts, and they are optimistic about the decorations being complete by Thanksgiving. They were very cautious, however, about promising anything much earlier. You might be safe with going that week leading up to Thanksgiving, but a visit much earlier could find the decorations to be hit or miss. Whenever you do go, may I suggest that you try to fit in a visit to Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is unique all year round, and is especially stunning in its holiday finery.

Q. We are going in November and will spend a couple days in the parks. Could you tell me when the Candlelight Processional debuts for the season? We have made two trips in November but have been too early for it and I really would like to see it. (Submitted by Charlotte)

A. Charlotte, I hope that you have a late-November trip scheduled, as the first Candlelight Processional this year is on Friday, November 28 at 5:00 p.m. John O'Hurley (J. Peterman on Seinfeld) is the debut narrator. Every year as far back as I can remember, the Candlelight Processional hasn't started until after Thanksgiving, so to include it in your vacation plans, a post-Turkey Day visit is a must. For more details, visit the Candlelight Processional page on TheMouseForLess.com.

Q. We're going to be at the World for Christmas and we have purchased the Dining Plan. My question is, can the Dining Plan be used for the Candlelight Processional? Also, how does it work for the Fantasmic! Dining package? Or does it? (Submitted by Greg H.)

A. You're in luck, Greg! You can use Dining Plan credits for both the Fantasmic! Dinner package and the Candlelight Processional package. Let's start with Fantasmic! The dinner package at both Hollywood and Vine and Mama Melrose run one table service credit, and for Hollywood Brown Derby (a Signature location) it is two. Hollywood and Vine is a buffet restaurant, so it's all-you-care-to-eat, and your beverage is included. At both Mama Melrose and the Brown Derby, you'll get an appetizer, entrée and dessert – again, gratuity is not included. When you make your reservation, even though you are on the Dining Plan, the Cast Member will take credit card information to hold your package. Note that if you don't cancel your reservation prior to 48 hours before your dinner, you will be charged $10 per person.

After your meal, your server will give you a voucher for seating in a reserved section of the Fantasmic! theater. Don't enter the theater with the non-package hoi polloi – look at the map on your voucher for the location of the Oscar's Super Service and your back-door to Fantasmic! Arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to Fantasmic!, and you'll be shown to the Witch seating section, on the right side of the amphitheater. Seats aren't reserved, only the section, so the earlier you arrive, the better choice of seats you'll have.

OK, on to the Candlelight Processional package. As with Fantasmic!, for the Candlelight Processional package you'll have a credit card hold at the time of reservation, and there's a cancellation fee if you drop the package within 48 hours of your reservation. There's lots of information explaining the Candlelight Processional package on TheMouseForLess.com, so I won't repeat it here. But please know that the Candlelight Processional package is quite popular, and, in my book, a '"must do" if you don't want to wait in line for a good hour or longer prior to the Candlelight Processional show. If you haven't made your reservations yet, for the Candlelight Processional or for the Fantasmic! Dinner Package, stop reading right now and call your travel agent or (407)WDW-DINE. Good luck, Greg, and have a wonderful visit to the World.