Mousefest 2005: Epcot Christmas Tree Lighting Meet 12/3 6PM

[RaySharpton]

Christmas Tree Lighting Show and Ceremony and Lights of Winter Musical Arch Ceremony Tagrel Meet

ºoº Date: Saturday, December 3, 2005

ºoº Show Time: 6:00 P.M. (~20-minutes show length)

ºoº Meeting Time: 5:35 P.M.

ºoº Meeting Place: Between the Epcot Christmas tree and the Lights of Winters Arch. Look for me in my joker, santa hat with flashing lights: http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/data/500/18721Ray.jpg

ºoº For Who: Absolutely Anyone that would like to come and enjoy something in common. The love of Disney.



So who would like to attend?

Tagrel Names and (first names):

ºoº RaySharpton (Ray)
ºoº WillCAD (Will)
ºoº BaciBecky (Christine)
ºoº zakerdog (Carol) & Gary
ºoº SusanL (Susan)
ºoº TwirlerGirl (Sandy) & DH-David
ºoº Carrie (Carrie)
ºoº Jimbolini1963 (Jim)
ºoº JustJan (Jan) and DS-John-[8]
ºoº Figgy (Figgy) and Dave
ºoº MikeS (Mike)
ºoº MissBianca (MissB) & Bernard
ºoº CandiB (Candi)
ºoº Moley (Moley)
ºoº MargaretJ (Margaret)
ºoº Robin (Robin)
ºoº Stinkerbelle & Ken & Lisa
ºoº Kaycee (Karen)
ºoº Snickerdoodlesmommy (LindaC)
ºoº matysgranma & Tom Enri & Pam Enri & Tom Lally & Heather Lally & granddaughter Matylda Lally
ºoº Kathleena (Nancy) & Pat & Judy
ºoº ColoradoBelle
ºoº FLSharon & GHJ

And I will be bringing a surprise to give away to the first five families that are listed above that come to the meet and introduces themselves to me. Solos, and couples are family, too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v12/ddoll/Arches__tree.JPGCredit to ddoll from www.tagrel.com
http://www.usfhq.com/pictures/features/keepers_tales/christmas_around_the_world_main.jpgcredit to usfhg.
http://www.travelswithtigger.com/wdw1203/lights_winter.jpgcredit to travelwithtigger.

This is a magical, wonderful way to start the night at Epcot.

The Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony starts at 6:00 P.M. in front of the stage of the Epcot Christmas Tree with singing of holiday songs while waiting for the bus of Mickey Friends.

Then the stage fills with waving Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale, and many others.

Several WDW Epcot Country Castmembers from around the world also hop on the stage to sing.

Then...they light the Epcot Christmas Tree starting at the bottom of the tree and finally all the way up to the top.

And then everyone turns around and the Lights of Winter lights up and dances to the music.

You can see more lighted sculpture and the fountains and the Spaceship Earth in the background.

This is also my favorite spot to stop and enjoy all of the lights and music after Illuninations while everyone else is walking to the exits.

There is a small area between the Christmas Tree Stage and the Lights of Winter Arch.

I usually try to stand in the middle between the two.

Many children and families and wheelchairs sit down on the ground in the first 15-feet in front of the stage, so I try to stand at least 15 feet back from the stage. This is where I will be.

This location also allows for great place to take pictures of the stage show, and christmas tree. And when you turn around, the Lights of Winter Arch.

Does anyone have any pictures that I could post in this thread of:

1.- Nighttime picture of the Christmas Tree.

2.- Nighttime picture of the Lights of Winter Arch looking toward the Spaceship Earth.

3.- Stage pictures with characters.

TIP: To the right of the stage they sell roasted, candied pecans, almonds, Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars, bottle drinks, water, etc..

TIP: If you are not buying a Candlelight Processional Package that night, and you make Advanced Reservations to dine, make them at the 90 day mark. Epcot restaurants fill up very fast. Sometimes I eat a very late lunch or snack at night.

If you are purchasing a Candlelight Processional package you should pick your restaurant and times early, too.

TIP: Sometimes after the Christmas Tree show, you can take the boat launch on the left side going to Germany to make the standby line for the 6:45 P.M. CP show. I have done this a few times, but I like taking my time and visiting the Epcot World Story Tellers and then stand in line at the 8:15 P.M. CP show.

Happy Planning, Ray.

[ddoll]

I have a couple of pictures, Ray. They're not great though.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v12/ddoll/Epcot_arches.JPG
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v12/ddoll/Arches__tree.JPG

[RaySharpton]

Thank you ddoll for the great pictures.

I wish I could remember the name of the music that makes the likes go crazy on the Lights of Winter arch.

I really like when the lights light up from one section to another.

Sincerely, Ray

[WillCAD]

I think I can attend.

WillCAD (Will)

I'll look through my photos to see if I have any good ones of the tree or the arches.

[BaciBecky]

Oh, Ray, please add my name. This is such a wonderful idea - thank you!

BaciBecky - Christine

[AliciaG]

Mine aren't great, but I've got a few, Ray. The tree lighting is such a neat ceremony! :santaSmile:

http://tagrel.com/albums/Site-Linked-Images/422756_R1_3A.jpg
Festival of Lights Archway


http://tagrel.com/albums/Site-Linked-Images/EpcotTree.jpg
Epcot Tree in the Evening


http://tagrel.com/albums/Site-Linked-Images/422759_R1_13A.jpg
Tree Lighting Ceremony

[zakerdog]

Ray,

Sign myself & Gary up for this one, sounds like fun,

Carol

[Robin]

I didn't even realize last year the lights changed, until some friends brought me over to watch. Truly beautiful.

[RaySharpton]

Thank you for the great pictures Alicia.

Sincerely, Ray

[RaySharpton]

Thank you for signing up Will, Christine, Carol, and Gary. I'll put your names up on the list.

Don't forget your cameras. Maybe we can take some group pictures afterwards with the christmas tree and then the Lights of Winter for a background.

Sincerely, Ray

[Carrie]

I'm interested in this. I just have one question. If this is the same day that the MegaMeet is held, do we have time to make it over there after the meet?

[RaySharpton]

I'm interested in this. I just have one question. If this is the same day that the MegaMeet is held, do we have time to make it over there after the meet?


Yes, I think that you should have about three hours between the end if the Mousefest Mega-Mouse Meet and the Lighting of the Chistmas Tree.

Last year, the Mega-Mouse Meet was a 2-hour event from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M..

And the Epcot Lighting of the Christmas Tree show starts at 6:00 P.M..

If the Mega-Mouse Meet is being held at the Swan or Dolphin Resort again, you could take a very nice WDW boat launch from the Swan/Dolphin to the Epcot International Gateway entrance, located between Epcot's British and French pavilions.

I hope that you can join us.

Sincerely, Ray

[SusanL]

Hi Ray,
count me in too, I have never seen the tree lighting, I can't wait!!!

[RaySharpton]

Hi Ray,
count me in too, I have never seen the tree lighting, I can't wait!!!

That's great Susan. I'll add your name.

Sincerely, Ray

[Tagrel]

OK Ray - I've added this meet to our site MouseFest calendar of events!

Please add Tagrel, Kristen, Brinn and Maddy to the list! :)

[RaySharpton]

OK Ray - I've added this meet to our site MouseFest calendar of events!

Please add Tagrel, Kristen, Brinn and Maddy to the list! :)

Thank you Dave. I have added your family.

I can't beleive that this is my very first time hosting a Tagrel Meet.

I am so excited, that I want to host more meets. But I'll take it easy for now, and enjoy this one.

Sincerely, Ray

[TwirlerGirl]

Please add TwirlerGirl (Sandy) & DH (David) to your list.

See you all soon!

[RaySharpton]

I'll see you there, Sandy.

Sincerely, Ray

[Carrie]

You can add me to the list. I've heard about this but never saw it.

Hugs,
Carrie

[RaySharpton]

You can add me to the list. I've heard about this but never saw it.

Hugs,
Carrie

That's wonderful, Carrie. I look forward to meeting you.

Have you ever taken the WDW boat launches to Epcot.

They have these big boats that go from the Epcot International Gateway to the Boardwalk, then to the Beach and Yacht Club and then to Swan and Dolphin and then to MGM and back the other way.

It is a nice relaxing ride.

But if you wanted to walk, you can walk by way of the Boardwalk or on the other side of the lake by way of the Beach and Yacht Club.

Sincerely, Ray

[Carrie]

I've only taken the boat once, that was from MGM to Yacht Club. But I've seen them going to Epcot.

[Jimbolini1963]

Hi, Ray!

May I attend this meet?

Jim

[RaySharpton]

Hi, Ray!

May I attend this meet?

Jim

Absolutely, Jim. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely, Ray

[JustJan]

Hi Ray,

This is a great idea. It looks like my son John (age 7) and I will be there so please add us to this meet!

Thanks so much!

Jan (Tag Name JustJan) and John

[RaySharpton]

Hi Ray,

This is a great idea. It looks like my son John (age 7) and I will be there so please add us to this meet!

Thanks so much!

Jan (Tag Name JustJan) and John

That's great, Jan. I think that you will enjoy the meet.

Sincerely, Ray

[Figgy]

Gosh, I'm glad Dave put Mousefest meets altogether, I missed this meet.
Nice that you can host this, Ray! Add Dick and I to the growing list. We've never seen this either. Figgy

[MikeS]

This may turn out to be quite a long day for me so I'm tentative for this one...this would be my fifth and possibly sixth scheduled event for the day...God give me strength.

[MissBianca]

I think this is a lovely idea for a meet. Count us in, please. MissB and Bernard.

[RaySharpton]

Well, my goodness. This is becoming a great group. I'm looking forward to meeting you Figgy, Mike and MissB.

Sincerely, Ray

[CandiB]

Ray,

Somehow I missed signing up for this one! I already have it on my schedule, but I never let you know I plan on joining everyone. I have never seen the tree lighting up close. Last year we were across the lake at the CP when it happened. Can't wait to see everyone!

Candi

:mickeyXmas:

[RaySharpton]

Ray,

Somehow I missed signing up for this one! I already have it on my schedule, but I never let you know I plan on joining everyone. I have never seen the tree lighting up close. Last year we were across the lake at the CP when it happened. Can't wait to see everyone!

Candi

:mickeyXmas:

Hi, Candi. I'll be happy to add your name to the list and to meet you, too.

I always used to purchase a CP package every year. But sometimes I would wait awhile to purchase it and the times for dinner ran out fast. I could never pick a CP time and a dinner PS time that would allow me to make the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Lesson learned is to make CP package call as soon as they come out and know how all the times fall so that I could make the tree lighting ceremony.

Sincerely, Ray

[Moley]

Ray, I would really love to be a part of this event. I think it was an inspired idea for a meet. I've always wanted to make more time to see this event in full and I haven't. Please add me to the list. Look forward to meeting you in December! :mrgreenSanta:

[RaySharpton]

Ray, I would really love to be a part of this event. I think it was an inspired idea for a meet. I've always wanted to make more time to see this event in full and I haven't. Please add me to the list. Look forward to meeting you in December! :mrgreenSanta:

Hi, Moley. That's great. I look forward to meeting you, too.

Sincerely, Ray

[MargaretJ]

Add me please. MargaretJ - Margaret

[RaySharpton]

Add me please. MargaretJ - Margaret

Hi, Margaret. A fellow Georgian. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely, Ray

[Robin]

Ray, I would really love to be a part of this event. I think it was an inspired idea for a meet. I've always wanted to make more time to see this event in full and I haven't. Please add me to the list. Look forward to meeting you in December! :mrgreenSanta:

I'll be waddling over with Moley. :penguin: :penguin:

[RaySharpton]

I'll be waddling over with Moley. :penguin: :penguin:

Hi, Robin. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely, Ray

[Stinkerbelle]

You can add three more to this one - me, Ken and my friend Lisa.

[MissBianca]

I think this is going to be one of the best! Such a lovely time and location. Betcha we all hang around until Illuminations too

[Kaycee]

Ray,

Please add me to the list: Kaycee (Karen).

I am very excited about seeing you again, as well as Tagrel and his wonderful family and SusanL. And I'm thrilled to be meeting some longtime Internet friends for the first time. This is going to be a very special event - can't wait!

[Snickerdoodlesmommy]

Please add my name to the list!

LindaC :sun:

[matysgranma]

Here's a few more names to sign up to your list:
Tom Enri
Pam Enri
Tom Lally
Heather Lally
Matylda Lally (our grandaughter and 1st time visitor to WDW)
We look forward to this event!

[Moley]

How cool that you are taking a first timer and it is your granddaughter! I think this event will be one of the loveliest for a meet. Sure looking forward to meeting you then. :D

[matysgranma]

Were we able to be a part of this celebration? I noticed that our names have not been included yet on the list. Hope you can fit us in. We look forward to meeting everyone.

[Dawick]

Hi matysgranma,

Everyone is welcome to every meet - I'm sure it's just a small oversight that you haven't been included on the list yet! I'm sure it will be updated as soon as Ray sees your posts :-)

[kathleena]

Please count me in:

Kathleena (Nancy and Rod)

[Tagrel]

I must be doomed to forever miss this... I have to take myself off the list for this one. :( Our dinner reservation is just before the tree lighting. And CP is the one request that Kristen makes for the trip. I look forward to hearing all about it though! :yes:

[RaySharpton]

You can add three more to this one - me, Ken and my friend Lisa.

Hi, Stinkerbelle. I'm sorry that I haven't been around in a while. I'll put your name on the list right now. I look forward to meeting you and Ken and Lisa.

Sincerely, Ray :)

[RaySharpton]

I think this is going to be one of the best! Such a lovely time and location. Betcha we all hang around until Illuminations too

That sounds great. So many things to see and do.

Sincerely, Ray :)

[RaySharpton]

Ray,

Please add me to the list: Kaycee (Karen).

I am very excited about seeing you again, as well as Tagrel and his wonderful family and SusanL. And I'm thrilled to be meeting some longtime Internet friends for the first time. This is going to be a very special event - can't wait!

Hi, Susan. I am so sorry for not answering sooner. I haven't been around for awhile.

I would love to add your name and I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely, Ray :)

[RaySharpton]

Here's a few more names to sign up to your list:
Tom Enri
Pam Enri
Tom Lally
Heather Lally
Matylda Lally (our grandaughter and 1st time visitor to WDW)
We look forward to this event!

Hi, Matysgranma. I look forward to meeting you and your family. Your granddaughter will love seeing all of the Disney characters and the lighting of the christmas tree and the lights of wonder arch.

I'll add your name right now.

I apologize for not being around in awhile.

Sincerely, Ray :)

[RaySharpton]

Were we able to be a part of this celebration? I noticed that our names have not been included yet on the list. Hope you can fit us in. We look forward to meeting everyone.

I am so sorry Matysgranma. Your names and the others were not left off on purpose. I just haven't been around in awhile to post.

I am a firm believer in accepting everyone.

I think that anyone should be able to come to any meet that would like to come.

I should have left a message that I was going to be away for a while.

I look forward to meeting you and everyone.

Sincerely, Ray

[RaySharpton]

Hi matysgranma,

Everyone is welcome to every meet - I'm sure it's just a small oversight that you haven't been included on the list yet! I'm sure it will be updated as soon as Ray sees your posts :-)

Thanks, Dawick. I appreciate your reply. I feel so bad about this.

Sincerely, Ray.

[RaySharpton]

Please count me in:

Kathleena (Nancy and Rod)

Hi, Nancy. I'll add your names. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely, Ray :)

[RaySharpton]

I must be doomed to forever miss this... I have to take myself off the list for this one. :( Our dinner reservation is just before the tree lighting. And CP is the one request that Kristen makes for the trip. I look forward to hearing all about it though! :yes:

Hi, Dave. I apologize for not getting back sooner.

I'm sorry that you can't make it, but I understand.

I was never able to arrange the dinner and CP and the christmas tree lighting times either.

You guys enjoy the CP. We'll meet up at the other meets and for sure at the mega meet.

Sincerely, Ray :)

[ColoradoBelle]

Oh I can't wait!
Just got my airline ressies!
This is a MUST Do.
So please add me to the list

[ColoradoBelle]

:mickeyXmas: :circle:

[kathleena]

Hi Ray!

I have a slight change to my attendance. Rod will not be joining me, but my friends Pat and Judy will. Please save an additional spot around the light for us. :wink:

[ColoradoBelle]

Hi Kathleena...
looking forward to meeting you! Will you be attending the Merry Mixer on 12/01? We were thinking of getting all the DVCers from the boards together there in sort of a minnie-meet.

[kathleena]

Oh, yes, I will be there on 12/1. I had posted a thread in the DVC forum!

Trying to figure out what to wear for ID badge!

[kathleena]

Oh wait!!! Duh! I can use one of Tagrels designs for this year!

[ColoradoBelle]

I think I'm going to take my lime green visor that said THE DIS and just change it to say THE DVC.

And then for mousefest, I 'll get a Tagrel pin and change it to The TAG.....I bought those sticky foam letters, so it is EASY!!!

[RaySharpton]

Oh I can't wait!
Just got my airline ressies!
This is a MUST Do.
So please add me to the list

Hi, ColoradoBelle. I'll add you right now.

Sincerely, Ray

[FLSharon]

Ray, GHJ and I should be there too... I have seen the tree lighting and it's quite nice.

[RaySharpton]

Ray, GHJ and I should be there too... I have seen the tree lighting and it's quite nice.

That's great, I'll add your names.

Sincerely, Ray

[justlikeeyore]

Im new here is it too lake to sign up for for Christmas tree meet on 3Dec05

[Robin]

I'm not sure if Ray is traveling or not yet, but you're welcome to just come join us at the tree. :tree1:

[Moley]

I echo what Robin said. Justlike eeyore, it will be nice to meet you there! Have a safe trip over to WDW. :mrgreenSanta: