Candelight Processional/First weekend of Dec ?

[kelmac284]

We are debating about going down for CP and that first weekend of DEC. I noticed on the website they have no hours posted and I know that that is when they do the castmember parties. Any idea when they WILL post hours? And how do these shortened hours affect touring? Also when does the CP packages go on sale?

TIA for any info.

 

[DangerMouse]

Here is some information I borrowed from MousePlanet about the CP:

It is actually not an official Disneyland event, and is not listed on the main schedule. Disney does offer dining packages to get some reserved seats for this event (once again, no details yet). It basically started as a private event set up by the CM's (employees) as a thank you to the park sponsors and other main folks that helped out the park. They allowed the public to watch if there was any leftover space, and it has grown into a big event.
Currently, guests are allowed to line up and watch behind the reserved seats at no cost. Shows are offered twice a day, around 5 and 8 PM.

It does force the parades that weekend to be offered earlier than normal (you get one in the morning), the Railroad operates for only part of the day and that the Main Street Station is closed. Also the traffic flow in and around the Town Square and Main Entrance is very heavy both evenings. Fireworks will be offered as normal at 9:25 PM (weather permitting).

The CM parties are scheduled for Monday Dec. 3rd and Tues Dec 4th, Disneyland will closes at 6 PM both nights, so the parade is held earlier, and the Fireworks are offered at 5:45 PM (in December it is already dark by then). DCA will remain open a few extra hours to allow guests to remain after 6 PM.

__

 

[DizneyMommy]

The hours for Dec are up and have been for at least a couple of weeks now I think.

As far as CP, if things go like they did last year, you cannot buy tickets unless you are an AP. They announce it very last minute and don't sell many seats, and only offer it to AP's. Last year it was I think $75 pp and it included dining at one of a few locations in the hotels.

On CM party nights you want to avoid walking out at closing at all costs! It is mass chaos. We did it last year to watch the fireworks and will never go on those nights again! The park was not crowded during the day, but when the park closes at 6pm exiting is a major nighmare.

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks guys. Yeah we are AP holders. I was wondering we were thinking about taking the kids but I didn't want to spend 75 bucks for them to NOT eat. I was thinking about getting the dinning packages for my dh, myself and mom. Is there any way that we could eat and then my teenage daughter could somehow meet us back in the park? I know we will have seats and the kids won't but I was thinking they could sit off to the side and watch or something. I know that sounds bad but I don't want to pay that kind of money for them to NOT eat a very expensive meal. I figured my 16 year old could take the kids on rides and they could get pizza or something while the grownups had a grownup meal and then they could meet up with us to watch the performance. Is that even possible?

And dummy me, when I went to the calendar I toggled down to DEC but I forgot to hit ok so it still had Sept's calendar DOH! (think Homer Simpson here) I saw those days marked out and was thinking they didn't have the hours for those days cuz of the parties. Ok yes I get the dummy award.

I see that the days of the CP (the weekend) DL is open till midnight which is great. We were then planning on going back to the park on that Monday but would probably have to leave by 3 or 4 anyway to catch a flight back home that day. Do you think the parks would be decent since it is a Monday in Dec? I figured it would be better to go on a Monday than that Friday? What do you think?

 

[DizneyMommy]

It won't be horrendous crowds, and most of the extra people will be camped out for a seat on Main St most of the day anyways.

As for your kids, people start staking out seats around noon (done it before - not so fun) so no, they would not be able to just walk up and find a spot. It's a zoo and there won't be a square inch of concrete left by the time you are done with dinner. They rope off a walkway closest to the buildings so people can still come and go and so that takes away some space, as well as the ropes which block off the reserved seating area, so there is not a TON of free space for the public to sit to begin with.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I found this information on another board. I'm not sure of the accuracy of it or where it originated from...but here it is. Last year, there were choices of $50 or $75 meals at certain restaurants (I think it was Napa Rose, Storyteller's and Hooke's Pointe). This year's info. mentions Napa Rose, Storyteller's and Ariel's Grotto. Here's the info.:


Disneyland's 2007 Candlelight Processional Info!!
Here it is Ladies and Gentleman! Disneyland's 49th Annual Candlelight Processional and Ceremony Information for this year's version of the beloved holiday event!

First and foremost, keeping with its long tradition, Candlelight will be held on Saturday, December 1st and Sunday, December 2nd. The Disneyland Symphony Orchestra, Handbell Ringers, and a Special Guest narrator will again be accompaning the aproxamately 800 person mass-choir, that will be comprised of High School, Community, and Church choirs, as the First story of Christmas will be retold with their voices and special holiday music all under the direction of the Candlelight Music Director and Orchestra Conductor, Nancy Sulahian. 12 songs including holiday classics and different versions of them provided in-house by the Walt Disney Music Company will be sung and played. Past special guest narrators include James Earl Jones, Olympia Dukakis, Mickey Rooney, and Dick Van ****.

There will again be 2 showings per night, one at 5:30 PM and 8:00 PM. They will take place at Town Square on Main street as it was last year. The stage will face Sleeping Beauty Castle and will be positioned at the entrance of the Main Street Train Depot/Station. All of that area will be taken up by the stage. Premium Seating will also be available to Passholders this year with the special offer called "Dining by Candlelight." This special offer invites AP's to dinner at either Napa Rose, Storytellers Cafe, or Arial's Grotto and then get premium seats for the time and date you requested. No date has been released to when the dining packages will be on sale. Most likely they will be sold the same time as last year, during mid to late November. Seating and Dining packages are limited and sell out VERY fast. If you are unable to obtain a seat, there will be viewing areas that surround the premium seating area. All Disneyland guests are able to view the ceremony from this area. As of last year, Disneyland officials had benches toward the back of the seating area, near the Main Street Christmas Tree. Lines for these benches begin to form around 30-40 minutes before the starting of the show and stretch down Main Street. Handicap viewing is also available which is located with the Main spectator viewing area to the left and right of the Christmas Tree. This event is highly popular and viewing area fill up fast. Be sure to come at least 1 hour before your show to get the best viewing spot possible.

Special Merchandise for Candlelight will be the yearly Candlelight Procession and Ceremony Pin, which will be sold at the Emporium.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I'd be questioning the validity of this... there has been no official public release of information from Disney as of now.

My first clue was this comment... "Be sure to come at least 1 hour before your show to get the best viewing spot possible."
I have gone in years past and staked out a seat around noon. By 2 or 3 hours before the show townsquare was PACKED, no room left. Aside from that, there is nothing specific in that info that I couldn't have written myself based on past years.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I'd be questioning the validity of this... there has been no official public release of information from Disney as of now.

My first clue was this comment... "Be sure to come at least 1 hour before your show to get the best viewing spot possible."
I have gone in years past and staked out a seat around noon. By 2 or 3 hours before the show townsquare was PACKED, no room left. Aside from that, there is nothing specific in that info that I couldn't have written myself based on past years.

I agree, except I'm wondering where they got the restaurant info. because that is different than last year's.

 

[DizneyMommy]

I would be very surprised if AG was included in the dining options. Last year I saw MAYBE a couple of young kids in the reserved seating, but no more than that. People just don't spend that much for little kids to eat and watch something they will not sit still through, and AG is not exactly the first pick for most adults dining alone and dropping $75 each. The food's good, but not that good. I would be surprised if they did not include Steakhouse 55 or at least Hook's Pointe again.

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks for that info. So if you DON'T score the dinning package and if you DON'T line up at noon are you out of luck to see it at all? What about the later performance. I mean I assume they line up at noon for the 5:30 so what about the 8:30 one. Do they clear everyone out after the first one? I am just trying to figure out a game plan if we can't get the dinning. My main reason for going is to try and see this thing and to be honest I don't even care if I can see it perfectly but I would at least like to be close enough to hear it. And we were actually going to try for the later show on Sunday night. Do you think that would be better worse or no different than any other show?

Sorry for all the questions but I have never been and I know you guys are the experts so I am just asking the best

 

[DizneyMommy]

Yes, your better bet for less wait would be the later show. Once the first show is over, most people move out on their own but I do not think they make anymore. You want to time it just right so you are in the walkway passing by the open seating when the first show ends and people are leaving, then duck the rope and plunk down in their spot. For the earlier show, I'd say you'd need to get a spot at least 2 hours before if you want to sit anywhere. Grab dinner and a book and bring a blanket, it gets chilly sitting in one spot so long, and one year it drizzled on us the whole time. You can hear it from pretty far up Main St, and since it is elevated on the train station you should be able to see it from at least half way up the street if there is any designated stading room there.

 

[kelmac284]

Ok good that is what I was thinking. And I found a thread and it said last year I think that they had cheaper meals for the kids thank goodness so if that is true and IF I can score some I can actually take them. I don't know aobut you but paying 75 bucks for a 6 year old is NOT desirable LOL. She never eats anyway but 15 I can handle. SOOOO I guess I will wait for them to release the info and try for the dinning and if we don't get in then we will just wait for the 5:30 show to end and be like vultures perched LOL and then as soon as someone gets up we will plop ourselves down LOL.

Thanks so much for your help and I hope something works out because I have always wanted to do this at least once and we are going specifically for this!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

In 2006, when the dining packages were booked online, there were no reduced prices for kids. It was fixed price menu. The dining package, except at an AP only napa Rose dinner, were available to thos ewho were not AP holders.

After the fiasco with online booking last year, I expect some revamping this year. So anything is possible as far as the dinign packages are concerned. By the way, the booking last year was on Nov 5.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Yes, your better bet for less wait would be the later show. Once the first show is over, most people move out on their own but I do not think they make anymore. You want to time it just right so you are in the walkway passing by the open seating when the first show ends and people are leaving, then duck the rope and plunk down in their spot. For the earlier show, I'd say you'd need to get a spot at least 2 hours before if you want to sit anywhere. Grab dinner and a book and bring a blanket, it gets chilly sitting in one spot so long, and one year it drizzled on us the whole time. You can hear it from pretty far up Main St, and since it is elevated on the train station you should be able to see it from at least half way up the street if there is any designated stading room there.

I was also surprised to AG on the list for the same reasons that you mentioned. A lot of people won't pay that amount when their kids will eat so little. My 12 y.o. DS and I were actually talking about that when I saw the article. Even with the $50 choices that they had last year, (which was the lowest), it is STILL too much money for a child who won't eat much. Oh well, it will be interesting to see what they do for the restaurant dining choices this year. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

[kelmac284]

Well for better or worse we bit the bullet and booked it!! I am sooo excited. WE booked our airfare and hotel so we are going whether we get the dinning or not. WE are going to try for the dinning and if for some reason we don't succeed well we will just have to try the swoop and drop at the 8:00 Sunday night showing LOL.

To be honest paying 50 bucks for my kids would even be worth it cuz really you are paying for the seats not the meal and it is like paying for the fantasmic preferred seating to me. And that is 59 per person.

Does anyone know what the meal is? Is it Price fixed meaning you get an appetizer, entree, drink and desert? Or do you get a credit and can order whatever and pay the difference if you order more or how does that work? I am just curious. It really doesn't matter either way I guess but my mom and I were thinking maybe you would get a 50 credit each way at the restaurants which would be great cuz the kids could get a kids meal and then the adults could get nicer meals to make up the difference but I suppose if we all get a 4 course meal then we can just eat what they don't.

Just wondering cuz I can't really find much info on the Disneyland version. Everything I have found when I do searches is all about WDW.

I am VERY excited though. This was TOTALLY unplanned. We are going in less than 30 days for our first ever MHT and are so excited about that and already have a week long trip planned for February to go to San Diego for a few days and visit family and go to the zoo and Seaworld and then spend 4 days and Disney but now this! My dh and I had planned to get away to see this over a year ago but when we decided to do the oct trip and then the week long trip in Feb we didn't think we could afford the dec trip but then we just said what the heck. We got decent air fare and cheap room so I am just ecstatic. Now if we can just score the dinning it will be all good.

I just hope they learned from last year on the whole fiasco with the computers. What a nightmare!

Oh and one last thing. We are all AP holders and to make it easier I was going to book for the 5 of us plus my mom. Do you know if they have a limit of how many you can book for? Hopefully she won't have to try and book hers on her own.

 

[DizneyMommy]

Last year it was fixed meals and I am pretty sure they let you know the menu before booking. I think each location had a slightly different meal, too.

We will be trying for a reserved seat this year, too. My husband dosen't know it yet :-0 I can't deal with sitting on concrete for 4 hours while 7 months pregnant, and last time we went and got drizzled on the entire time, he swore never again!

 

[kelmac284]

Oh boy I don't blame you a bit. It is bad enough NOT being pg. I couldn't even imagine it being pg. Plus there is the whole bathroom thing LOL. You know 50 bucks sounds like a lot of money till you realize how good that seat is when everyone else is sitting on that hard pavement. After the first few fantasmic preferred seatings I did I felt it was WELL worth the money even if I didn't get the deserts!!

I don't know which dinner you are going to but if you see a mom dad, 3 girls and a grandma that's us!

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I don't know about the other restaurants, but I know at Storyteller's, it was a 3 course meal, and as DizneyMommy said it was a fixed price and you had a few meals to choose from at each restaurant. I tried to find a link that I had about last year's CP dining, but I can't find it at the moment. If I do, I'll post it. I feel the same about the price. $50 might seem like a lot for a child, but I feel you are paying for the seat and the convenience of having one. My DS and I both have food restrictions, so I doubt he'll be able to eat much, but having the seat is well worth the $ that we'll spend on the whole thing.

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

Here's the info. that I was looking for from last year. I can't find any specific info. about the meal choices that were offered. Let's hope the prices stay the same and that they will still offer some $50 choices for this year.



Candlelight Processional

A reminder that online registration will open for Candlelight Processional dining packages this Sunday (November 5). Unlike previous years when the dinner package required spending a certain amount of money from the regular menu (and frequently people ended up purchasing food they didn't want), this year's plans are just a flat fee depending on the restaurant. Unfortunately, along with this also comes limited specified menu selections. Non-alcoholic drinks are included.

Each of the six restaurants will have two seatings: One at 3:30 p.m. (for the 5:30 p.m. performance) and another at 5:30 p.m. (for the 8:00 p.m. show).

All guests can register for the two least expensive categories but the seatings at Napa Rose in the Grand Californian Hotel are restricted to reservations made by annual passholders.

At $50 per person are Hook's Pointe (Disneyland Hotel) and Storytellers Cafe (Grand Californian Hotel). For $75 per person you can choose from Granville's Steakhouse (Disneyland Hotel), Yamabuki (Paradise Pier Hotel), or The Vineyard Room (Disney's California Adventure). Napa Rose, which again is restricted to annual passholders, costs $125 per person.

 

[kelmac284]

Thanks yeah I found that same info on mouseplanet but I couldn't find anything about the food either. I kind of figured it would be a fixed menu but that is fine. It is still worth it. I mean when you figure you get a meal which for Disney standards you pay at least 20 or 30 bucks anyway for an adult and then it is WELL worth that much for a seat at an event such as this, Fantasmic the parade etc.

Good luck to all of us who will be trying to get the dinning!! And thanks to everyone who has answered my mirade of questions.

I am just trying to be as informed as I can so I know what to expect.

Thanks again all and if I see anything or hear anything on all the sites I visit I will be sure and post!!