2022 Candlelight Processional

[lynzi2004]

So I booked our trip for December 1-4, not realizing that it was "Candlelight Weekend." We've never been to Disneyland and have plans to be in the parks on that Friday and Saturday rope drop to close, but do NOT plan on attending the processional. I have a few questions...

1. Will we be able to park hop and get to and from the two parks easily enough during the performance if we want?
2. Will Disneyland still have fireworks and parades on that night (I don't think their schedule is released yet, but was wondering about past years?)
3. Should we just pick a different weekend altogether?!

Any other tips and tricks would be appreciated. While we can pick a different weekend, going through the week is not an option due to school schedules! Thanks!

 

[Lisa24jks]

I can't answer #1 as I didn't park hop when I was there during last year's Candelight. But I'm curious to hear other's answers, because we'll be back there the same weekend and want to park hop this year. I have a feeling it's all about timing. But also there are back walkways on main street that they may direct you to exit in and out of during the processional. (The same way they had us going during MSEP this summer.) Disney is generally good at making some sort of path for those entering/exiting.

2. the answer is yes. However, the afternoon parades were earlier than usual, like 12:30 and 3:30, I think. But they did still happen, as did the Fireworks (obviously, weather cancellations, not withstanding.)

3. Nah. If you just avoid the very front of the park around the processional time, you'll be fine. We just kept our distance during the time of the processional and we experienced no issues at all. The crowds were no better or worse than any typical weekend, IMO. I was a little worried beforehand, but really it was not a problem at all.

 

[kikismom]

We'll be there the same time as CP as well. We are planning on being in DCA Saturday night and will stay at the back half of the DL Sunday night. I haven't been that weekend for 9 years and I remember it being packed!

 

[lynzi2004]

I can't answer #1 as I didn't park hop when I was there during last year's Candelight. But I'm curious to hear other's answers, because we'll be back there the same weekend and want to park hop this year. I have a feeling it's all about timing. But also there are back walkways on main street that they may direct you to exit in and out of during the processional. (The same way they had us going during MSEP this summer.) Disney is generally good at making some sort of path for those entering/exiting.

2. the answer is yes. However, the afternoon parades were earlier than usual, like 12:30 and 3:30, I think. But they did still happen, as did the Fireworks (obviously, weather cancellations, not withstanding.)

3. Nah. If you just avoid the very front of the park around the processional time, you'll be fine. We just kept our distance during the time of the processional and we experienced no issues at all. The crowds were no better or worse than any typical weekend, IMO. I was a little worried beforehand, but really it was not a problem at all.

We'll be there the same time as CP as well. We are planning on being in DCA Saturday night and will stay at the back half of the DL Sunday night. I haven't been that weekend for 9 years and I remember it being packed!

Thank you both for your replies! We are looking forward to the weekend!

 

[Aurora0427]

So I booked our trip for December 1-4, not realizing that it was "Candlelight Weekend." We've never been to Disneyland and have plans to be in the parks on that Friday and Saturday rope drop to close, but do NOT plan on attending the processional. I have a few questions...

1. Will we be able to park hop and get to and from the two parks easily enough during the performance if we want?
2. Will Disneyland still have fireworks and parades on that night (I don't think their schedule is released yet, but was wondering about past years?)
3. Should we just pick a different weekend altogether?!

Any other tips and tricks would be appreciated. While we can pick a different weekend, going through the week is not an option due to school schedules! Thanks!

We were there last year on the Thursday and Friday before, and Friday was a completely normal day in the parks.

 

[2tinkerbell]

We have been there at that time for several years. The parades are earlier. Disney opens up the back walkway and have 1 sidewalk for entering and the other sidewalk for exiting. The most crowded time/place is after the 1st performance and the second performance begins. You have people on the sidewalks, Main Street blocked off and a line of people waiting for the standing only spots. It is crowded and basically insane. All that said, just make sure you are where you want to be before the 1st performance. Personally, if I didn’t want to see the Processional, I would be at DCA and plan to watch the fireworks from between the parks or I would be inside DL and just stay inside, avoiding Main Street until after both performances.

One thing to note is the train does not operate during this time so don’t plan on entering and taking the train to avoid Main Street.

I find Candlelight Processional fantastic so we plan on the standing only spots for viewing so we are always in the crowd. Even watching the choirs going down Main Street singing is a highlight.

 

[l4dyj8]

We’ve been there a few times at this time. It’s easy to plan around if you know the times. Just give your self a good cushion of time to be at the other park or just away from the event.

 

[Angel141925]

Just as a heads up we went the week of the processional last year. We didn’t actually go the day of. Our last day was the day before. We’re planning the same time this year. The day before the processional there was no fireworks and the park closed earlier. I can’t remember exactly I just remember it being earlier. I may have just been an hour or so earlier but was still disappointing since we like to close the park instead of rope drop. I can’t remember about the parade. I’m pretty sure it was going on but I know for sure there were no fireworks on the schedule. I remember being sad about it but then realizing we were already seeing the fireworks 3 times so I couldn’t be that sad lol.

 

[bbeagle]

Candlelight Processional Speakers we’re just announced today. Dinner packages go on sale starting October 6

 

[Malcon10t]

Candlelight Processional Speakers we’re just announced today. Dinner packages go on sale starting October 6

This would be for WDW. Disneyland doesn't have dinner packages, and narrators will be announced later.