Candlelight free to AP holders!

[QueenBeeMB]

Here is the link to the article on the Disney Parks Blog:
Disney Parks Blog - The official blog for Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line

I for one just jumped out of my seat when I read this.

 

[Minnie Loves Mickey]

I am very excited about this!!! I can't wait until we get more information on how to reserve our spot.

 

[Tiradan]

Since this is now free to AP holders, does that mean it's open seating and first come first served? If that's true then booking a dining package to get reserved seating might be an option I'd have to consider. I hope the dining package is at Napa Rose, cause the last time I ate there it was really good.

 

[Malcon10t]

I don't think it is "free" for seating. Reread that section:

"however, performances from December 3-20 will be open to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders and guests booking special, to-be-announced dining packages for the 2012 holiday season. "

I read this as it will be open to AP holders and their guests who are booking the special dining packages (like it used to be back 3-5 years ago...)

 

[QueenBeeMB]

"There will be no cost for registered Annual Passholders to attend the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional."

That is what I read, that to me means free.
But I guess ill just have to wait until they open reservations and see what happens.

 

[Malcon10t]

"There will be no cost for registered Annual Passholders to attend the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional."

That is what I read, that to me means free.
But I guess ill just have to wait until they open reservations and see what happens.

I think it will be interesting, as there is really only about 450-500 seats for the Processional.

 

[QueenBeeMB]

I think it will be interesting, as there is really only about 450-500 seats for the Processional.

But I think if they do it like the APEE that must be reserved ahead of time, times 18 night's, plus the dining reservations...that are NOT free obviously. It just might work.

 

[Tiradan]

It does sound like we're going to have to register, hopefully this will make the process a lot more orderly. I wonder where the waiting area will be.

 

[Malcon10t]

It does sound like we're going to have to register, hopefully this will make the process a lot more orderly.

Really? Did you ever try to register for the prior AP dining seating where they were charging $100-300 per person? A free seating is going to be a total circus. First, there are only about 500-600 seats. Second, they will reserve approx 1/2 of those for "VIP", Club, and performers tix, leaving about 300 seats a night for actual AP holders. 300 seats, 18 events, and almost 1 million AP holders trying to get "free seats" for only about 5000 people.

I wonder where the waiting area will be.

Same place it always has been, in the entry area by the floral design, they will have "holding pens" for various colors of tickets. You go to the area of your colored tix...

ETA - I just want to add I am not against this, I just think it is going to be a circus...

Here are my kids at last years Candlelight. Well, the 4 on the right are mine, we were photobombed by one of the orchestra members! It was fun...

 

[cmwade77]

I think it will be interesting, as there is really only about 450-500 seats for the Processional.

This would be true if it were to run every night on Main Street; however, given the mess that it causes I don't see how they could possibly run all 20 nights on Main Street. The first two nights they might, but I would imagine the rest will either be at Big Thunder Ranch (since the Fantasyland theater is not going to be an option unless they speed up the construction) or moved to DCA at the Hyperion.

As for the comment about finally something free for passholders, they have been doing a lot since the price increase for passholders, i.e. Glow with the Show, special Fantasmic! showings, etc.

 

[Tiradan]

Circus or not, I am looking forward to my first Candlelight Ceremony and Processional

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

You can always go stand and watch the CP for free, even if you aren't an APer. I did last year, and blogged about it here: http://myyearwiththemouse.com/2011/12/05/candlelight-procession-2011/

It's not any different than standing and waiting for Fantasmic! I did read that the will do all 20 shows on Main Street. I'm interested to see how that's going to work.

They have been making a real effort to do things for APers this past year, particularly since the price hike, like cmwade77 said, Glow with the Show WoC, F! 20th, the nighttime Soundsational, and coming up F! Glow with the Show. Plus the special foods they offer for the events and having the park closed down. I think they are still experimenting, but are trying for some big "value-add" to the APs.

 

[Malcon10t]

The first two nights they might, but I would imagine the rest will either be at Big Thunder Ranch (since the Fantasyland theater is not going to be an option unless they speed up the construction) or moved to DCA at the Hyperion.

They have said all 20 nights will be on Main St.

 

[Malcon10t]

Circus or not, I am looking forward to my first Candlelight Ceremony and Processional

I love the Candlelight, and there are a LOT of great views, even without the seating. I am hoping we get some great narrators. We loved Gary Sinise last year. Last year was extra special since my son proposed to his GF (now wife) at Candlelight.