CP for kids and teens--will they enjoy?

[JenniD44]

I'm trying to decide wether to do the CP package with my children. I would also like to see Illuminations since it will probably be our only EPCOT day, but it will take half the day. Our "dinner" reservation is at 3:40 for the 6:45 CP. My kids are 13, 9 and 7 and I think they would probably rather do the rides and such. We also have an ADR for a late breakfast at Akershus at 10:30. For those of you who have seen the CP before, do you think the kids would like it? Is it worth the 2 TS credits it will take? TIA

[Silver Queen]

I'm not sure what to tell you about the 2 TS credits. We went last year when it was only one and definitely felt it was worth it. This year we're going to take a chance and probably watch the CP standing from the back. As far as your kids are concerned I guess it depends on how you feel about Christmas. For us the CP was one of the highlights of our Christmas season. the event, spirit and music are just wonderful. My son is grown now but I know he would have just loved the CP when he was younger. I believe that it's important for children to experience more than just rides and attractions and this is a first class Christmas concert.

[fla4fun]

Originally Posted by JenniD44

I would also like to see Illuminations since it will probably be our only EPCOT day, but it will take half the day.

I'm a little confused by this statement. Illuminations will be at 9:30pm, well after the CP shows have ended for the day, so you shouldn't have to miss it. If you book the package, they are setting aside a special viewing area, so you shouldn't even have to fight for a spot along the lake.

If it were me, I would probably try to get a package for the last show at 8:15. That show lets out about 9pm - plenty of time to get into place to watch Illuminations. Also, it will give you a wider break between your late breakfast and dinner, as well as give you more uninterrupted ride time.

[Bete]

If you go to church as a family every week, then I would consider it somewhat the same to go to CP. If your children like to sing they may enjoy the concert part of it. How serious you take Christmas and it's meaning is another aspect.

Even if you have to take a lesser restaurant of choice you may be better off doing the later CP show; hence, you will have more time for the rides and such. Also, everyone may enjoy a rest more with sitting after a full day, etc if you go the later show, as previously mentioned by another poster. With preferred viewing of Illuminations being included now for the package it should be decent viewing even if you get out later for CP.

I think CP is worth seeing once and being outside for it is okay, but not too many people want to stand for 45 minutes to see it all that way. Good seats and a good view does help to enjoy it more.

I wasn't sure if you were the only adult, but you could always split up your group with some going and some not if another adult didn't mind not going and supervising the other children not going. It sure would save some credits that way.

We never miss CP if we go at Christmastime. We always get the package, too. I think it's a great way to get the spirit before the holiday actually comes. We never tire of going to it.

[goofy4tink]

My dd, now 16, loves CP. She first saw it when she was 10 and loved it then. But, she is a church goer. The music is quite beautiful as are the readings by the narrator. It's only about 45 mins long, if that, so it isn't as if you are sitting there forever.
And if you book a CP pkg, you do get that preferred viewing area for IllumiNations that night, which saves time searching for a decent spot.
Now...is the CP pkg worth it??? Hard to say. It's always been 1 TS credit in the past. Now, it's 2, and you're still going to a 1 TS restaurant..so the food really isn't going to be any different than it usually is. But, there is that preferred viewing perk. Only you can decide if it's worth it.
You do still have to get to the line early...you may find that you are waiting in line for 30 mins or so, even with the pkg, but you will get in. So, with the show and the wait, it's going to take about 90 mins, tops, out of the day..I imagine you would be eating anyway, so didn't include that in the time spent.

[Judy from Boise]

I agree If they do well in church they would do well at CP.

[WDW4us2006]

I am so sorry but what is CP?

[mdinme]

good question we're wondering too WHAT IS CP?

[laceemouse]

It is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.
It is a Christmas production where a guest celebrity reads the Christmas story from the Bible while an orchestra and choir perform classic Christmas music.
We have seen it 3 or 4 times with our kids being as young as 2. We always love it, but our kids go to church and are familiar with the Bible story, etc. We also don't see WDW as only rides, we enjoy all of the shows there.
Last year we saw Neil Patrick Harris and my girls love him!
The music is outstanding, just gorgeous.
We always buy the dinner package, I have no idea how many credits it would be worth to you, we have never used the meal plan to pay for it.
We view it as a MUST SEE at Disney during the holiday season, but if you consider music and reading from the Bible boring you may not like it

[laceemouse]

It is very popular

[brittanyherndon]

Originally Posted by laceemouse

It is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.
It is a Christmas production where a guest celebrity reads the Christmas story from the Bible while an orchestra and choir perform classic Christmas music.
We have seen it 3 or 4 times with our kids being as young as 2. We always love it, but our kids go to church and are familiar with the Bible story, etc. We also don't see WDW as only rides, we enjoy all of the shows there.
Last year we saw Neil Patrick Harris and my girls love him!
The music is outstanding, just gorgeous.
We always buy the dinner package, I have no idea how many credits it would be worth to you, we have never used the meal plan to pay for it.
We view it as a MUST SEE at Disney during the holiday season, but if you consider music and reading from the Bible boring you may not like it

I have to go then I am a major church nut

[Sher]

My family really enjoyed the CP. It was the highlight of our Christmas trip. Both of my girls are in band so they enjoyed the orchestra. Another unexpected highlight was the woman doing sign language. My girls were fascinated by her and asked me to be sure I took a picture of her. We always try to remember the true meaning of Christmas and I loved that even at WDW we could celebrate that truth. I would definitely give it a try. Not sure about the dining thing--we have never done it. We did dinner in Canada and then headed over for the program on Christmas Eve--perfect.

Sher

[JenniD44]

Thanks for all the replies. I know I would enjoy it very much and I think my girls 9 and 7 would like it too. I guess I'm more worried about DH and DS, 13. Neither is a big church or choir fan, so I'm afraid they may not like it. Maybe we will try to split up and I'll take the girls. Sounds like we would still have a couple of hours after before Illuminations, maybe we could do some of the World Showcase then.

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by laceemouse

It is very popular

Incredibly popular! Disney sells a Candlelight Processional Dinner package....it is now up to 2TS credits. The cost depends on which restaurant you choose, but it is relatively expensive in any case.
You do not need to buy a pkg to get into the CP though. You can do the standby line, to the right of the theater (the line to the left is for those who bought the pkg). My experience has shown that people line up hours before the show they want to see. Those that have bought the dinner pkg get to enter the theater area first, then 10-15 mins later, those in the standby line get to head in.....they do have to look hard for seats, and it's sometimes almost impossible to get more than 2 or 3 seats together when using the standby line.
So, yes, it is very popular.

[brittanyherndon]

Originally Posted by JenniD44

Thanks for all the replies. I know I would enjoy it very much and I think my girls 9 and 7 would like it too. I guess I'm more worried about DH and DS, 13. Neither is a big church or choir fan, so I'm afraid they may not like it. Maybe we will try to split up and I'll take the girls. Sounds like we would still have a couple of hours after before Illuminations, maybe we could do some of the World Showcase then.

that sounds like a great idea