ºoº "Epcot's Candlelight Processional 2005 F.A.Q. & Information,let's share our info.

[RaySharpton]

This planning is harder then I thought, back when I didn't think I'd care who narrated and didn't know about the tree lighting. I think I've got my schedule rearranged how does this sound.

Friday Dec 2: 5:30 dinner package at Marrakesh with 8:15 CP and Illuminations

Tuesday Nov 30: 6:00 Tree lighting, 7:00 dinner at LeCellier??, Illuminations

How does this timing sound for dinner/event/walking to next location and any wait time? How early should we show up to the tree lighting to be able to see it, where's the best viewing?

Thanks, Calie

Hi, Calie. Both of your plans sound perfect. I'll have to remember that for my own timing, too. Thank you for posting.

I love the Marrakesh restuarant and the chicken, steamed vegetables and couscous. The presentation is wonderful, and they use certain spices to make it taste just right. I'm a steak person, but I love this place. It is also very romantic.

And they have a dancing lady every hour that invites the kids up to dance with her which is so cute.

This allows you plenty of time to dine and leasurely walk to get in the CP package line which will be on your side of the American Garden theater.

You could enjoy Japan on your way to getting in line.

And the Canada's Le Cellier is right next to the Christmas tree lighting. This is also perfect timing to take your time to walk to dine and enjoy the night.

Have a great time.

Sincerely, Ray

 

[RaySharpton]

If you have a package, what time do you need to get in line for a good seat?

Hi, triplefigs. Some people get in line up to an hour ahead of time. Sort of like when people line up on Magic Kingdom's Main Street to watch the Spectromagic parade.

WDW asks that you be there at least 30 minutes before showtime.

I guess it just depends on hour many people buy a CP package that night.

And the seats are on bleacher type seats with no numbers. It is first come, first serve.

The first several rows that are under a roof cover and separated by a walkway to the second tier are considered reserved seating for CP package. Sometimes, depending on the number of people that purchase the CP package and any number of VIP's that are allowed, they sometimes extend the reserved seating to the second tier.

Most people prefer to sit near the center, and not on the far left or far right side of the reserved seating.

Also, the very first row is really, really close. Too close for me.

I think that if you got in line at least an hour early for CP package that your odds of being near the front of the line very good.

That is versus being in line back where Japan or Morocco pavilions are located.

I have been in both places arriving 45 minutes before showtime.

I guess it is the toss of the coin.

But you'll forget where you are sitting after you see the glorious show. It is amazing.

Sincerely, Ray

 

[triplefigs]

This is my tentative plan. Any problems you can see?

Sat, Dec 3 CP Package Dinner at 4:30-4:45 pm (haven't chosen a tier yet) and show at 6:45pm
Sun, Dec 4 Tree Lighting at 6:00 pm with dinner at LeCellier at 7pm and then watch Illuminations

 

[ccgegg]

This is my tentative plan. Any problems you can see?

Sat, Dec 3 CP Package Dinner at 4:30-4:45 pm (haven't chosen a tier yet) and show at 6:45pm
Sun, Dec 4 Tree Lighting at 6:00 pm with dinner at LeCellier at 7pm and then watch Illuminations

Glad to see you're doing CP after all, triplefigs! I know you were wondering how the trips would hold up. They'll do great! (edit: come to think of it, maybe that was Liznboys who was debating)

Have you checked the menu prices at LeCellier? You might consider doing that with your Sat CP dinner pkg. My math shows that I'll actually save money doing the CP pkg.

 

[RaySharpton]

This is my tentative plan. Any problems you can see?

Sat, Dec 3 CP Package Dinner at 4:30-4:45 pm (haven't chosen a tier yet) and show at 6:45pm
Sun, Dec 4 Tree Lighting at 6:00 pm with dinner at LeCellier at 7pm and then watch Illuminations

Hi, triplefigs. In the first plan, as an example, if you were at Le Cellier at 4:45 P.M., and assuming that they actually let you sit to dine at that time instead of 30 minutes later. And assuming, maybe a maximum of one hour to dine from beginning to end. As an example, you might walk out of the doors of the Le Cellier at either 5:45 P.M. or 6:15 P.M..

Remember the guest on the first post that didn't get to dine until 45 minutes after her ADR.

Well, if you did get out of Le Cellier at 6:15 P.M., as an example, then you would have 30 minutes before the CP show started.

And you would have to walk through Canada, England, accross a bridge, past France, past Morocco, past Japan, and then finally to the American Garden Theater.

The second plan sound perfect. It allows you plenty of time to get from the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and only walk to one country, which is Canada. The entrance to the Le Cellier is on the far right side of Canada which is also closest to the Christmas Tree.

I am just speculating these times that I am giving you based on my experiences, but I can't run like many younger couples or families.

I have also enjoyed myself more when I did not feel rushed, and thinking whether or not I can make it from point A to point B in time.

So I always allow a safe cushion of time.

So I guess that I am trying to say is that everyone is different and knows what they can plan on doing and how fast or slow they can get to each place in WDW.

Sincerely, Ray

 

[ccgegg]

But if you get an ADR at 4:30-- and the place opens at 4:00-- would they really be that far off/behind to where you'd get seated 30-45 min after your ADR? I guess anything is possible, but I think 4:30 is a very safe choice.

 

[calie_j]

This is my tentative plan. Any problems you can see?

Sat, Dec 3 CP Package Dinner at 4:30-4:45 pm (haven't chosen a tier yet) and show at 6:45pm
Sun, Dec 4 Tree Lighting at 6:00 pm with dinner at LeCellier at 7pm and then watch Illuminations

Looks good to me, I have the exact same schedule for tree lighting/Le Cellier on a different night. When choosing your tier one thing I noticed when comparing Marrakesh (tier 2) to LeCellier (tier 3) is the children's meals are more expensive at LeCellier yet they're the same price for any level of the CP package. I chose level 2 because I have to pay adult price for my 14yr old and it wouldn't be worth it at level 3 to pay $45 for his $20 entree he'd like and no app there that he'd like even with DD's child's price. Since you have 3 children your best value is probably a level 3, check the menus to verify for your tastes and let us know what you decide

Calie

 

[ccgegg]

I'm the furthest thing from a Hollywood expert, so I had to google Eartha Kitt. I see her mentioned once in this thread, but only as a choice-- not as an opinion of how good she was last year (her first, according to Allears). Does anyone know how well Eartha Kitt did? I could totally rearrange our plans and do Lou Diamond Phillips, but I kind of like our itin the way it is now.

 

[triplefigs]

Hi, triplefigs. In the first plan, as an example, if you were at Le Cellier at 4:45 P.M., and assuming that they actually let you sit to dine at that time instead of 30 minutes later. And assuming, maybe a maximum of one hour to dine from beginning to end. As an example, you might walk out of the doors of the Le Cellier at either 5:45 P.M. or 6:15 P.M..

Remember the guest on the first post that didn't get to dine until 45 minutes after her ADR.

Well, if you did get out of Le Cellier at 6:15 P.M., as an example, then you would have 30 minutes before the CP show started.

And you would have to walk through Canada, England, accross a bridge, past France, past Morocco, past Japan, and then finally to the American Garden Theater.

The second plan sound perfect. It allows you plenty of time to get from the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony and only walk to one country, which is Canada. The entrance to the Le Cellier is on the far right side of Canada which is also closest to the Christmas Tree.

I am just speculating these times that I am giving you based on my experiences, but I can't run like many younger couples or families.

I have also enjoyed myself more when I did not feel rushed, and thinking whether or not I can make it from point A to point B in time.

So I always allow a safe cushion of time.

So I guess that I am trying to say is that everyone is different and knows what they can plan on doing and how fast or slow they can get to each place in WDW.

Sincerely, Ray

Thanks, Ray. I think I'll try for a 4pm ADR for the CP Dinner Package. Trying to decide between Biergarten (LOVE German food), San Angel Inn (thought the kids would like the mountain/boat).

Or... doing a 4pm CP Package at LeCellier and then doing dinner at 7pm the next night at the patio of Rose and Crown (the Harry Potter Restaurant to my kids!) to see Illuminations???

 

[aubriee]

We arrive at MCO around 9:20 AM on Dec 9th. My mother will have to have an ECV and hopefully it will be at the resort waiting for us. I would really like to have Jim Caviezel as a narrator and Dec 9th is his last night. Saying all of that, does this seem possible: First available ADR at Coral Reef as soon as they open (so we can ask to sit next to the tank), tree lighting ceremony at 6:00pm, CP at 8:15pm, and still be able to find a good place to view Illuminations with my mom's ECV? Where would you suggest? It will be her first ever trip to WDW and I'd love to do this for her very first night. Thanks!

 

[Pete W.]

This will be our lst cp, so after reading this thread I am assuming you shouldnt go to the lst show since it isnt dark and you loose the candelight effect?

I've never been to Florida in December, but in NJ it's quite dark by 5:00 pm at that time of the year. We're planning on doing the CP on 12/24 at 5:00. Will there really be that much daylight?

 

[ccgegg]

I've never been to Florida in December, but in NJ it's quite dark by 5:00 pm at that time of the year. We're planning on doing the CP on 12/24 at 5:00. Will there really be that much daylight?

Sunset on Dec 1 is 5:29pm. By Dec 31, it's at 5:40pm. And even at sunset, it isn't what I would consider "dark".

 

[RaySharpton]

We arrive at MCO around 9:20 AM on Dec 9th. My mother will have to have an ECV and hopefully it will be at the resort waiting for us. I would really like to have Jim Caviezel as a narrator and Dec 9th is his last night. Saying all of that, does this seem possible: First available ADR at Coral Reef as soon as they open (so we can ask to sit next to the tank), tree lighting ceremony at 6:00pm, CP at 8:15pm, and still be able to find a good place to view Illuminations with my mom's ECV? Where would you suggest? It will be her first ever trip to WDW and I'd love to do this for her very first night. Thanks!

Hi, aubriee. I think that you should have plenty of time to make all of the events.

Maybe after you arrive at your resort, you can rest before going to dinner.

I don't know off the top of my mind what time the Coral restaurant opens for dinner, but the Christmas tree show starts at 6:00 P.M, and the christmas tree lighting starts at the end of the show about 6:20 P.M.

You would have plenty of time to make the 8:15 P.M. CP show, too.

Have a great time.

Sincerely, Ray

 

[triplefigs]

Ok, I have an interesting CP question for the experts! Let's say I buy the CP Package for Sat, Dec 3. I pick up my tickets and go to the 5pm CP show. BUT!!! We don't want to eat the CP Package dinner that night (kids would be fine eating CS or going back to the resort). We are coming back to Epcot the next night for the tree lighting. Can we use the CP dinner on Sunday, Dec 4? Or do you have to use the meal the same day as the show? I hope I explained that well enough. BTW, I'd be getting LeCellier if that makes a difference.

 

[RachelTori]

Something else we might want to mention with regard to the seating: you should also be careful not to sit right in front of the *horns* - I heard some complaints about that last year!

 

[CarolMN]

Ok, I have an interesting CP question for the experts! Let's say I buy the CP Package for Sat, Dec 3. I pick up my tickets and go to the 5pm CP show. BUT!!! We don't want to eat the CP Package dinner that night (kids would be fine eating CS or going back to the resort). We are coming back to Epcot the next night for the tree lighting. Can we use the CP dinner on Sunday, Dec 4? Or do you have to use the meal the same day as the show? I hope I explained that well enough. BTW, I'd be getting LeCellier if that makes a difference.

No - you have to eat the same day as the show. Your vouchers will have the date on them and are only good that day. Doesn't matter which restaurant you choose.

Best wishes -

 

[triplefigs]

No - you have to eat the same day as the show. Your vouchers will have the date on them and are only good that day. Doesn't matter which restaurant you choose.

Best wishes -

Thanks for the quick reply! Guess we'll get to eat at 2 Epcot restaurants now!

 

[ccgegg]

I know they sell CDs of the Candlelight Processional when you walk out. What about a DVD? I plan to videotape it, but obviously that isn't nearly as good.

 

[lillygator]

What a great thread!
We will only be at WDW 12/8-12/10 before our cruise...doing MVMCP on the 9th so that leaves the 8th only...
last year we did Teppanyaki and while it was fun I woud like to try something different yet still close to the pavilion....any suggestions?

 

[TPCShauna]

So does anyone have any recommendations on restaurants to AVOID for CP? DH is a picky eater and I would hate for us to end up someplace with food that he won't eat.

TIA!