Anyone ever NOT get a seat at Candlelight Processional?

[McKelly]

We want to see this but I will have DD5 and DD4 with us and I don't know what their moods will be like by dinnertime. I don't want to book the dinner package and then have a miserable meal because my kids are tired, but I don't want to miss it either. Any suggestions? I was considering just waiting in the standby line, but am afraid I won't get a seat. I cannot picture the theater right now and how many people can fit in it.

 

[webmomom]

I am sure this has happened in the past if there is someone there that is very popular. I would not worry. If you are not too concerned on actually seeing the person you can sit anywhere outside and still hear it beautifully. i know part of the beauty of this is what is going on inside, but as I said if you have a problem and can't get a seat, you can still hear it by the American Pavillion.

 

[bridegirl]

The standby lines have always been really long when we've been to CP

Although I will say, with a 4 and 5 yr old, you may be better NOT in the first row anyway

The orchestra is very loud for littles ears when you are right in the front

If you are going to have dinner in epcot anyway, I would book the package so you have the option of the reserved section

At the end of a long day at WDW - the last thing my kids want to do is stand in ANOTHER line

Btw - ours are 5 and 2 now and we have taken them every december since they were born - and they love it!


Susy

 

[DebbieB]

If you go on a weeknight before Christmas, you should be able to get in, I would get in the standby line 30 to 45 minutes before. I have seen weekend nights where all the standbys did not get in. One time Wayne Brady was the narrator and he has a big following because he is from Orlando, the standby line was huge. We decided to get something to eat and sit at the tables across from the theater. You can't see the choir and the speaker but you can still hear it, it's pretty loud. That way you could listen to it without worrying about your kids getting fussy in the theater.

 

[goofy4tink]

Also, be aware that you still have to wait in a line even if your get the dinner package!! We did the late CP show last Dec. (middle of the month) and we got in line about 40 minutes before the show and there were a ton of people ahead of us...probably 100 or so. So, either way, you will be in a line.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Although I've gotten a seat every time, the worst seat I had was the night I did the CP (but then, I didn't get there until about 15 minutes beforehand-didn't know any better). That time the only seats left were in the very front row, right in front of the stage. Had a much better view of everything on the other 2 times, when I sat in the back. Those times I didn't get in line either. One time I just stood right in back of the theater, the stand-by line was so long. But then after they let everyone in, there was still room to sit, so I just mosied on over and sat down. Must admit that was early in December (12/9) and a weeknight. Next time I'll get there much earlier even for the preferred seating, since the dinner that I had, at Rose and Crown, as part of the package, was wonderful.

 

[Nanu57v]

During our trip in December, my DH and I waited in the standby line for over an hour. We didn't get the package because the restaurant we wanted was already sold out of packages. I knew we'd get in, because only 20 people were in front of us, but the CM's didn't start letting us in until 20 minutes after the show had started!!!! Just a warning.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

The first time we saw CP, we booked the package...James Avery was the narrator and it was EXCELLENT! Bought the cd w/Phyllica Rashad and listen to it often!

Last year, we did NOT book a package....but were near the American Adventure when the show started....I stood right outside of the theatre, on the sidewalk. The music was wonderful, but the narrator was VERY hard for me to hear (may have simply been my location....) however, since I knew the script by heart (from the cd...) I enjoyed it anyway....not quite the same though!

Maybe you should consider booking the package for yourself and an evening at the Neverland Club for the kids!

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Maybe you should consider booking the package for yourself and an evening at the Neverland Club for the kids!

If you did consider this, the Sand Castle Club at the Beach Club would be closer than going to the Polynesian.

 

[missyc]

This is something new to me! What is the CP?

 

[Blueberry]

Last time my DH and I did CP we decided we did not want to deal with the line and we did not do a dinner package...It was close to showtime, but we still were able to grab a table right on the wall in front of the Liberty Inn and the American Pavilion. DH grabbed us a couple of chicken sandwiches and we had a great seat for CP without the hassle of sitting in the theater..We could see it all, hear it all and we were much more comfortable, also we could beat the crowd when it was over. Just a thought for those with small children. If they want to move around a bit, it might be a better option for you all.....

 

[webmomom]

Candlelight Processional

 

[missyc]

Yea....I know that CP stands for Candlelight Processional....but what/where is is?

 

[webmomom]

It is held every Xmas season at Epcot. At the American outside Pavallion. It is a combination of CM choir, different school choirs and a well know person reading the Xmas story from the Bible. The music is great. It really put you in the Xmas mood. they will put out a list of the performers before Xmas, but usually some of them has a change of plans and other celebs fill in for them.

You can book a dinner package if you choose. There are different rest. in Epcot and then you can get reserved seating to see the show. the last time we did it, there was two levels of dinning. the first one was less money and you got to eat at places like, Germany, Garden Grill and then the other more expensive you can eat at places like Le Ceillier, France, etc. If you don't choose to do this, there is a standby line. This line usually starts forming very early. If you do book the package there is a separate line for them and people all so start standing in this line early. Personally I don't know why as all of the seats are good. They are down front. But as a lot of the posters have said you can also hear it if you stay in the American Pavillion area.

One more, there are usually a couple of shows at night and if you book a package they will ask you which one you want to go to. This is personal choice, we have always done the processional first then gone to eat, but others prefer to eat first and then go see the show.

I hop this has answere all or most of your questions. One more thing. This usually books out early.

 

[missyc]

Thanks for explaining!

 

[AKASnowWhite]

Originally posted by CoolDisneyCat
If you did consider this, the Sand Castle Club at the Beach Club would be closer than going to the Polynesian.

Very true! I guess the choice of "kid clubs" would depend on your plans before/after CP and dinner!

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

We were planning to do the Candlelight Processional the Saturday night after Thanksgiving in 2002. We did not do the dinner package, because we had the silver add-on, and it could not be used for the dinner package. Anyway, the line for the CP was very long. I was not willing to stand in line for 1-2 hours to get a seat. We ended up sitting around the Christmas tree outside the American Adventure. While I couldn't see everything that went on, I could hear everything. It was still a very moving performance. I think some of the Thanksgiving crowd was still around, though, because we didn't encounter crowds like that for the rest of the week!

Hope this helps!
Christy

 

[northern michigan]

Does CP ever sell out? Which restuarants or dates are most likely to sell out right away? Is this another hard to get PS like CRT?