Candelight Processional

[jazzatola]

Can anyone please tell me what the crowds are like with the Candelight Processional?? Thanks in adavance

 

[disneychrista]

Rule of thumb...if you want to be there for something so does everyone else. It will be busy.

 

[jazzatola]

I understand it will be busy..we are not going down for that reason..we actually are not even going to watch it...I'm curious how far the crowds back up on Main Street ( I heard that it takes place in front of Main Street Train Station) and about how long it lasts..Thanks

 

[tallpkb]

We were there last year, and I couldn't believe how crowded Main Street was. It was incredible seeing the processional, and the glimpses of the train station were awesome!

 

[spacemermaid]

I've only been to the Park during the CP once (2008), and, IMO, the crowds were . Long story short, Main Street was so crowded when we wanted to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day that we & others exiting the Park were led behind the buildings on Main Street in order to bypass the crowds. We were told that the Park had reached capacity & that me might not get back in if we left; we chose to leave anyhow, because it was crowded. (Like you, we didn't plan to watch the CP; those were just the days BFF could get off from work, so that's when we went)

BUT...

...the good part was, the weekdays afterwards, the Park was practically empty . So, that more than made up for the half day where we only got to go on 3 or 4 rides.

 

[Shellyf62]

Can you tell me what date the CP is on?
Thanks

 

[Sherry E]

Can you tell me what date the CP is on?
Thanks

The CP will be held on December 4th and 5th (Saturday and Sunday) this year, unless there are any sudden schedule changes. The Cast Member parties should be on Monday and Tuesday (12/6 and 12/7).

 

[JH87]

Do we know who's narrating this year?

 

[Sherry E]

Do we know who's narrating this year?

I don't think so. I haven't heard anything yet. WDW announces their CP narrators way in advance, and their CP lasts for many more nights, if I'm correct (different narrators on each night, I think). But DLR always treats things more casually and leaves us all in suspense (like on the Halloween thread) for months without much information!!

 

[ConnieB]

The CP will be held on December 4th and 5th (Saturday and Sunday) this year, unless there are any sudden schedule changes. The Cast Member parties should be on Monday and Tuesday (12/6 and 12/7).

What are the Cast Member parties, and do they affect Main Street the same way that the CP does?

We'll be there that weekend.

Is the rest of the park crazy, or if you get in early enough and stay off Main Street can you still enjoy the park? And how "early" is "enough"? Last time we went during CP we had very little kids so we left before it even started, we only knew about it because of the chairs being set up. But now that they're teens...well, they're not going to want to go back to the hotel before dinner, lol.

Oh...and how about DCA, is that crazy busy because everyone else is avoiding Main Street or it's reached capacity.

Hmmmm, I'm starting to think this may be a day to something in town...maybe Medieval Castles, lol.

 

[Sherry E]

What are the Cast Member parties, and do they affect Main Street the same way that the CP does?

We'll be there that weekend.

Is the rest of the park crazy, or if you get in early enough and stay off Main Street can you still enjoy the park? And how "early" is "enough"? Last time we went during CP we had very little kids so we left before it even started, we only knew about it because of the chairs being set up. But now that they're teens...well, they're not going to want to go back to the hotel before dinner, lol.

Oh...and how about DCA, is that crazy busy because everyone else is avoiding Main Street or it's reached capacity.

Hmmmm, I'm starting to think this may be a day to something in town...maybe Medieval Castles, lol.

I don't know too much about the CP or the CM parties other than the info I have stored in my memory from what people have reported here. I wish I could say I had first-hand knowledge - just for the sake of being able to speak from personal experience.

From what I've heard, I don't think the CM parties affect crowd levels too much, because that first week in December is probably the least crowded full week of the holiday season, anyway (I suppose that's why the CM's have their parties then - because it won't interfere too much with the seasonal crowds). What I think it may affect are the hours that DL closes. Hopefully someone else can jump in here and either confirm or deny that!

As for the crowds in DL on CP days - I, too, wonder if the crowds mainly stick to Main Street, or if they spread out all over DL. All I have heard is that it is "very, very busy" on CP days. That doesn't tell us much. I have a feeling that the crowds may extend past Main Street and into other areas.

I don't recall hearing any stories of DCA being exceptionally crowded last year during CP weekend. That doesn't mean that it is or isn't, of course, but I just don't recall anyone mentioning DCA having a significant surge in crowds.

This year is so different because WoC has been a dominating force in DCA for the last 3 months, and I imagine it will still continue through the rest of the year on a more limited schedule. WoC has increased crowds in DCA overall, so I am really wondering what kind of impact that will have on the already busy holiday season.

 

[goldies 5]

We don't mind the Candleight Processional evenings at all. Especially Sunday night. People clear out quick after it is over and it is like a ghost town. Everything has been walk on for us at night.
CM party days, are great. Very manageable. The park closed at 6:00. They do fireworks and snow at 5:45.
CAP was open until 9:00 and the past few years have been very light there those evenings. I will say last year did have more traffic, but still very manageable.
Who knows with WOC?

 

[spacemermaid]

I don't know too much about the CP or the CM parties other than the info I have stored in my memory from what people have reported here. I wish I could say I had first-hand knowledge - just for the sake of being able to speak from personal experience.

From what I've heard, I don't think the CM parties affect crowd levels too much, because that first week in December is probably the least crowded full week of the holiday season, anyway (I suppose that's why the CM's have their parties then - because it won't interfere too much with the seasonal crowds). What I think it may affect are the hours that DL closes. Hopefully someone else can jump in here and either confirm or deny that!

As for the crowds in DL on CP days - I, too, wonder if the crowds mainly stick to Main Street, or if they spread out all over DL. All I have heard is that it is "very, very busy" on CP days. That doesn't tell us much. I have a feeling that the crowds may extend past Main Street and into other areas.

I don't recall hearing any stories of DCA being exceptionally crowded last year during CP weekend. That doesn't mean that it is or isn't, of course, but I just don't recall anyone mentioning DCA having a significant surge in crowds.

This year is so different because WoC has been a dominating force in DCA for the last 3 months, and I imagine it will still continue through the rest of the year on a more limited schedule. WoC has increased crowds in DCA overall, so I am really wondering what kind of impact that will have on the already busy holiday season.

Disneyland does close earlier on the nights when the CM parties are held. For the past 2 years, the Park was practically empty on those 2 days, especially in 2009, because it was pouring rain for a few days that week. (Yeah, I'm one of the weird ones who LOVES being at the Park in the rain ) So, even though the Park closed early, we were able to go on whatever rides we wanted to, with a minimal wait/no wait, multiple times if we wanted to!

Some of the best days to be in the Park, IMO.

 

[ConnieB]

Disneyland does close earlier on the nights when the CM parties are held. For the past 2 years, the Park was practically empty on those 2 days, especially in 2009, because it was pouring rain for a few days that week. (Yeah, I'm one of the weird ones who LOVES being at the Park in the rain ) So, even though the Park closed early, we were able to go on whatever rides we wanted to, with a minimal wait/no wait, multiple times if we wanted to!

Some of the best days to be in the Park, IMO.

I'm confused....sorry....you said Disneyland closes early but then you said it was practically empty? Do you mean that during the day it was empty even though it closed at 6pm (a time quoted by person above)? Or does it close for a short time for their party and then reopen?

Oh, and I just had a thought... if the locals know it closes at 6pm maybe they won't bother coming during the day?

Thanks! I'm trying to wrap my head around this CP....at WDW they do CP for weeks on end with different speakers and the general public can get in to see it....best way to ensure a seat is buying their dinner package, but if you're willing to stand you can see/hear it all over the American Pavillion).

 

[disneyfan4ever54]

I'm confused....sorry....you said Disneyland closes early but then you said it was practically empty? Do you mean that during the day it was empty even though it closed at 6pm (a time quoted by person above)? Or does it close for a short time for their party and then reopen?

Oh, and I just had a thought... if the locals know it closes at 6pm maybe they won't bother coming during the day?

Thanks! I'm trying to wrap my head around this CP....at WDW they do CP for weeks on end with different speakers and the general public can get in to see it....best way to ensure a seat is buying their dinner package, but if you're willing to stand you can see/hear it all over the American Pavillion).

On the days of the CM parties, it closes early at 6 p.m. and remains closed to the public for the night, while the CM parties take place. DCA is open later than usual to make up for DL closing early.

 

[JH87]

Disneyland does close earlier on the nights when the CM parties are held. For the past 2 years, the Park was practically empty on those 2 days, especially in 2009, because it was pouring rain for a few days that week. (Yeah, I'm one of the weird ones who LOVES being at the Park in the rain ) So, even though the Park closed early, we were able to go on whatever rides we wanted to, with a minimal wait/no wait, multiple times if we wanted to!

Some of the best days to be in the Park, IMO.

I would LOVE to be in DL when it rains!!!
I hate the rain, but it seems like it would be fun in DL, like your a little kid again running around in the rain, not caring if you get wet, running to all the rides!
Disneyland makes everything so much better!
And the fact that its so empty would be great! i Have never been to DLR with light crowds all day, so I would like to know what that feels like lol.

 

[spacemermaid]

ConnieB: sorry my explanation was confusing! disneyfan4ever54 got it right...Disneyland was open until 6pm, then all the guests (read: those of us not lucky enough to be able to attend the CM parties...I've heard they're pretty cool!) have to be out. Disneyland is then only open to those attending the CM parties for the rest of the night; the Park doesn't resume normal operations (ie: open to the general public again) until the next morning.

The rest of the week was soooo nice...the Park was relatively empty; California Adventure was aghost town! But that was the past couple of years; I don't know how things will pan out crowds-wise with WOC there now. It's anyone's guess!


JH87: Disneyland in the rain is ! Sure, some rides will be closed, and there won't be any fireworks, but between the way the Park seems to empty & the added atmosphere of the wet weather, it's my favorite time to be there! Add in the holiday lights & decorations, and, well...it was amaaaaaaaazing!

 

[ConnieB]

On the days of the CM parties, it closes early at 6 p.m. and remains closed to the public for the night, while the CM parties take place. DCA is open later than usual to make up for DL closing early.

The above poster that I quoted said that the parks were nearly empty those 2 days.....do you know what they meant? Is "everyone" on Main Street watching so the rest of the park is empty? Or maybe during the day it was empty because no one wanted to come knowing it was closing early?

Just trying to figure out whether we want to be at either park or maybe make those nights when we do other things in the area and avoid Disney that weekend.

 

[tinkermell]

ConnieB: sorry my explanation was confusing! disneyfan4ever54 got it right...Disneyland was open until 6pm, then all the guests (read: those of us not lucky enough to be able to attend the CM parties...I've heard they're pretty cool!) have to be out. Disneyland is then only open to those attending the CM parties for the rest of the night; the Park doesn't resume normal operations (ie: open to the general public again) until the next morning.

The rest of the week was soooo nice...the Park was relatively empty; California Adventure was aghost town! But that was the past couple of years; I don't know how things will pan out crowds-wise with WOC there now. It's anyone's guess!


JH87: Disneyland in the rain is ! Sure, some rides will be closed, and there won't be any fireworks, but between the way the Park seems to empty & the added atmosphere of the wet weather, it's my favorite time to be there! Add in the holiday lights & decorations, and, well...it was amaaaaaaaazing!

We were there last year and I remember the rain very well. Like you, I don't mind the rain, but last year it ruined our plans. We specifically came down that weekend to watch the Candlelight Processional. On the weather channel and radio, there were constant warnings of a big snow storm coming to the
Grapevine. So on Sunday night, the night we were supposed to watch the show, we checked out of Paradise Pier early, and left before we couldn't get through the pass.

I was sooooo disappointed, and I actually cried. I had been looking forward for months to finally seeing it at DL. We saw it at WDW and loved it. I wish DL could do it more often like WDW, but the space just does not allow for it every weekend. I guess they could move it to DCA, but then there would be mutiny. They have been doing the CP for for about 52 years I believe. That is quite a tradition, that should be kept up at DL!!

Well, we are going to try again this year.

Hopefully no snow storms over the pass.

 

[tinkermell]

The above poster that I quoted said that the parks were nearly empty those 2 days.....do you know what they meant? Is "everyone" on Main Street watching so the rest of the park is empty? Or maybe during the day it was empty because no one wanted to come knowing it was closing early?

Just trying to figure out whether we want to be at either park or maybe make those nights when we do other things in the area and avoid Disney that weekend.

Hmm? I think it is getting confusing because of the abbreviations being used here.

CP = Candlelight Processional
CM = Cast Member

It would be easy to get the initials mixed up. If you are not, then please excuse me.

So on Saturday and Sunday, the days of the CP, DL is very busy and is open late.

The following Monday and Tuesday, are the CM parties. Those are the days that DL closes early, and the parks are nearly empty. To me, those would be great days to go if possible. Parades and the fireworks are still happening early on in the day. After DL closes, walk over to DCA, and enjoy that park and the new WoC. I'm even wondering if they are going to redo the show for Christmas this year. That would be cool!

Hope this helps.