Category — s. FAQ and Glossary

(This page is one of a series explicating Walt Disney World lingo, abbreviations, and FAQ for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World.)

DISNEY’S 2012 INTERNATIONAL FLOWER AND GARDEN FESTIVAL AT EPCOT

Every year from roughly early March through mid-May, Walt Disney World presents the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival.

In 2012, it’s scheduled for March 7-May 20.

The gardens at Epcot are almost always lovely, and they are at their loveliest during this period.

Disney’s own wonderful landscaping is supplemented by additional plantings, topiary, and specially themed gardens.

Also presented are special programs presenting gardening tips, and weekend concerts.

See the official Walt Disney World web page for the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival here.

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TWELVE TICKETS IN TOTAL AVAILABLE FOR DISNEY MILITARY SALUTE

Steve at MilitaryDisneyTips has posted here that the discounted Disney World Military tickets are not unlimited, as we previously thought, but limited to a total of 12.

Only 6 can be “purchased/activated/utilized” per day for the life of the deal, which ends September 30 2012.

I apologize for causing more than my usual confusion on prior posts about how many total tickets are available!  (I probably should have a separate category on this site called “apologies.”)

Disney World’s military discounts site still does not have details of 2012 up, but Steve’s got all the core stuff on this page and its links.

OVERVIEW: WALT DISNEY WORLD ADMISSION TICKET PRICES 2012

(Updated to reflect a policy change–the update is below in red.)

Three types of Walt Disney World prices are important to think about:

• Walt Disney World theme park admission ticket prices—the tickets that grant you admission to the parks
• Walt Disney World resort hotel prices, and
• Park and hotel food prices

This page focuses on Walt Disney World theme park admission ticket prices for 2012 until the summer of 2012, when they typically go up.

MORE DETAILS ON WALT DISNEY WORLD ADMISSION TICKET PRICES 2012: HOW THE TICKETS WORK

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(This page is one of a series explicating Walt Disney World lingo, abbreviations, and FAQ for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World.)

THE CANDLELIGHT PROCESSIONAL AT EPCOT

The Candlelight Processional is a well-loved part of Disney World’s Christmas season celebrations.

It’s performed in the American Gardens Theater in the American Adventure pavilion at Epcot from the Friday after Thanksgiving until December 30, as part of Epcot’s Holidays Around the World celebration.

The show happens three times each evening–5p, 6.45p, and 8.15p.  (Note that the same Friday after Thanksgiving, the Illuminations showtime and park closing time shifts to 9.30, allowing time between the last Candlelight show and Illuminations.)

It includes an orchestra and mass choir performing traditional and contemporary Christmas carols, and a guest celebrity narrator who presents a gospel-based version of the Christmas story.

A Disney tradition since it debuted at Disneyland in the late 50s, the Candlelight Processional can be a hard show to get in to.

Each show has two lines.  One is reserved for those who bought Candlelight Dinner Packages, and the other for walk-ups.

Those who bought the packages are guaranteed a seat, and seated first.

Walk ups will then be admitted to any available remaining seats–and sometimes there aren’t nearly enough for all those standing in line.

THE CANDLELIGHT DINNER PACKAGE

Despite the name, packages are available for both lunch and dinner–the lunch package is required for those intending to see the 5p show.

Purchase of the Candlelight Dinner package–usually reservable beginning in July–grants guaranteed seating at the Candlelight Processional, as well as access to a pre-arranged Illuminations viewing area–plus a meal!

Prices vary by whether dinner or lunch, by the restaurant reserved, and by age (younger vs. older than 10–kids younger than 3 are free).

2012 prices have not yet been released, but likely will range for those older than 9 from $40 to over $70. In 2011, the package was available for booking in late July.

Users of the Disney Dining Plan can also book this package, at the price of two table service meal credits.

This is a very special show for those for whom it might interest, and hence I recommend the Candlelight Dinner Package as a way to be sure you get a seat!

Those not sure of the appeal of the show should know it isn’t the singing of a bunch of songs like “I’ll be Home for Christmas”–it’s much more like the nativity gospels brought to life through narration and song.  That is, this isn’t a “holiday” show–it’s a Christmas show.

For more, see Disney’s web page on the Candlelight Processional and the Candlelight Dinner Package here.

Josh’s easywdw.com has a lot more info on the Processional and Dinner package here.

DISNEY WORLD’S SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

While Christmas itself is December 25 of course, Walt Disney World provides a special Christmas celebration at the Magic Kingdom many nights in November and December.

This celebration is called “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.”

At the party, many of the Magic Kingdom’s rides are open, and cookies and hot chocolate, special events, and slightly different Christmas parades and fireworks, and even snow (!) are offered.

The official Disney World page for this event can be found here.

MORE ON MICKEY’S VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS PARTY

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(This page is one of a series explicating Walt Disney World lingo, abbreviations, and FAQ for first time family visitors to Walt Disney World.)

WALT DISNEY WORLD’S GRAD NITES

Grad Nites are a Disney Youth program (see this). 

Traditionally, several times a year, usually on Friday and Saturday evenings in the late spring after the Easter rush, the Magic Kingdom closes to the general public at 7p, and opens to high school kids celebrating their graduation.

Disney has announced that 2011 Grad Nites at Walt Disney World will be 4/29, 4/30, 5/6, and 5/7.

Grad nights have little impact on regular Walt Disney world visitors, other than the loss of the opportunity to see the evening Main Street Electrical Parade and fireworks show Wishes on these nights.

Most of this site’s itineraries send families to the Magic Kingdom on their last Saturday night for Wishes and the parade–suggestions for alternate nights have been provided here and here.

As it turns out, these 2011 dates will be the last time Disney offers grad Nites at Walt Disney World. See this on the Disney Parks blog for more.