Skyegirl1999
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 11, 2016
- Messages
- 4,257
Hello! I remember back in my DISboards heyday, there used to be posts about viewing Candlelight. I’ve watched it five times, but always as a walk up. This year, I have three family members singing in the choir, so I decided this was the year to try the “all-day campout,” and I figured I’d do a post!
Each year, the procedures vary a bit, so my experience may not match future years. I decided I’d come early and give it a shot, but I was very aware I might be unsuccessful.
I arrived at the parking structure at 6:32, and there were already quite a few cars! I got through the parking booth at 7:05, was on the escalator down at 7:11, and was on a tram at 7:15. (For the record, I considered parking at GardenWalk, which I think is open earlier, or Ubering over, knowing the structure would put me “behind,” but I didn’t want to spend money not knowing if this plan would work. I have Inspire, so I don’t pay for the structure.)
When I hit the esplanade, I thought my dream was over. Some “campers” I’d talked to last year said you had to be “near the front” to get a curb, and clearly, I was not that. But I picked a line I knew would split behind a tree, and I decided to check it out.
They started letting people in just after 7:20, and I got in at 7:28. Luckily for me, they changed procedures a bit from last year, and rather than ONLY allowing one row on the physical curb, they had blocked off a little section with a rope. (They also had no seating on the City Hall side, which is different, and I hear there are some benches or chairs or something on the other side of the tree, but apparently less than usual.)
Here is my little spot! The whole section was full within minutes of my arrival here.
A few notes from the people around me (many of whom do this every year):
- If you want to be “first,” you get dropped off by someone at about 6 so you’re the start of the security line.
- They are very pleased by the rope behind us and seem to think this will keep us from being “squashed” during the show. I think they will clearly take down this rope when we all stand, so while it’s very nice for this “camp out” waiting time, I don’t assume it will change the viewing experience.
- I am here solo, but several people around me have assured me they will protect my stuff if I run for food or a bathroom break. I had brought a lot of snacks just in case I couldn’t leave.
Each year, the procedures vary a bit, so my experience may not match future years. I decided I’d come early and give it a shot, but I was very aware I might be unsuccessful.
I arrived at the parking structure at 6:32, and there were already quite a few cars! I got through the parking booth at 7:05, was on the escalator down at 7:11, and was on a tram at 7:15. (For the record, I considered parking at GardenWalk, which I think is open earlier, or Ubering over, knowing the structure would put me “behind,” but I didn’t want to spend money not knowing if this plan would work. I have Inspire, so I don’t pay for the structure.)
When I hit the esplanade, I thought my dream was over. Some “campers” I’d talked to last year said you had to be “near the front” to get a curb, and clearly, I was not that. But I picked a line I knew would split behind a tree, and I decided to check it out.
They started letting people in just after 7:20, and I got in at 7:28. Luckily for me, they changed procedures a bit from last year, and rather than ONLY allowing one row on the physical curb, they had blocked off a little section with a rope. (They also had no seating on the City Hall side, which is different, and I hear there are some benches or chairs or something on the other side of the tree, but apparently less than usual.)
Here is my little spot! The whole section was full within minutes of my arrival here.
A few notes from the people around me (many of whom do this every year):
- If you want to be “first,” you get dropped off by someone at about 6 so you’re the start of the security line.
- They are very pleased by the rope behind us and seem to think this will keep us from being “squashed” during the show. I think they will clearly take down this rope when we all stand, so while it’s very nice for this “camp out” waiting time, I don’t assume it will change the viewing experience.
- I am here solo, but several people around me have assured me they will protect my stuff if I run for food or a bathroom break. I had brought a lot of snacks just in case I couldn’t leave.
.
