Help needed for the Christmas candlelight processional

[avoiding work]

We will be in Disneyland the weekend of the Candlelight procession. Since the procession occurs on two nights (Saturday and Sunday), we were thinking that we could go to the procession on one night, and go and visit other parts of the park the other night. Two questions I was hoping that I could get some input:

1. Is it a good idea to visit other parts of DL during the procession? Will DL be crowded everywhere? (We could go to CA or go visit some other part of California.)

2. Is there a strategy for seeing the procession without buying the dinner package? (The dinner package is too expensive for our budget.)

[LeftCoaster]

You can see the procession on Main Street without having to pay for the dinner package. You just have to stand for the event. Definately plan on getting there early.... Well, depending on how many people you have. If it'sjust one or two, you can usually still find a spot reasonably close to show time.
I think Ca. Adventure will be your best bet of where to "tour" on the non viewing evening for Candlenight.

[sters]

What is the candlelight procession at Disneyland? Is it like the one at Epcot?