Candlelight Processional 2006

[eatntae]

I went to the Candlelight Processional on Saturday night, the 5:30pm showing, with guest narrator Hector Elizondo. This was the first time I've seen it, and I thought it was great. I didn't really know what to expect, and by the end of the show, I was very impressed. We arrived at DL at about 2:30, and when we got on Main St., there was already a line for bench seats. We decided to get in line, since we didn't want to stand the entire time. We arrived just in time, because my girlfriend and I were got the last 2 bench seats.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if anybody else went, what day/time, and who their narrator was.

 

[argusp2]

I was there too. It was an awesome show. I was very impressed. I was also fortunate enough to get on the bench seating behind the reserved seats. I am still trying to rack up posts so I can load some pictures, until then....

I don't what it is but my "Disneyland going ju-ju" has been so awesome! Since I became a Premium Pass holder, EVERYTIME I've gone to DL, the crowds have been great! It has never been crowded. In fact, it has been uncannily spacious!

Hey eatntae! You're name wouldn't happen to be Reggie would it?

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

I went to the 5:30 show both yesterday/Sat. and today/Sun. I also didn't know what to expect; there wasn't much info from the boards. I expected it to be much more crowded than it was. My sis & I were planning to go to the later show on Sat., but ended up getting a pretty decent spot to stand in the street in front of the Emporium about 45 min. before showtime so we just stood there and waited. We could see the narrator and most of the choirs, but a tree blocked our view of the "living Xmas tree" and the trumpeters on top of the train station. However, we could hear well. It was very moving. In fact, we enjoyed it so much we decided to go again tonight (Sun).

We again went to the 5:30 show, arriving at about 4:45. This time we got a spot to stand in the street on the opposite side, with a perfect, unblocked view of the whole front of the train station, including the living Xmas tree and the trumpeters, although my view of the narrator (Andy Garcia) was blocked. From that side we could see the members of the choir right in front of us as they turned left at the flagppole area to march around and then climb the steps up to the train station platform. It was just as beautiful and moving the second time and nice to see it from a different angle.

We thought Hector E. did a better job on Sat. Andy Garcia sounded like he was reading his lines cold--he muffed his part a couple of times, although it didn't spoil the program.

As far as crowds, yes, it was crowded but not anything like trying to get a good spot in the hub for the "Remember..." fireworks show. And the park wasn't bad at all on Sat. We went to CA during the day on Sun. so can't comment on park crowds during the day on Sun.

I would definitely go to it again--I'm already thinking about coming again next tear. I suppose the definition of "crowded" is relative. I live in AZ and don't come to the park that many times a year. I also often come during peak times (summer, holidays) so I'm used to being at DL with people around. We didn't ride that many rides, but those that we did (HM, POC) had no more than 10 min. waits. It was very enjoyable to see the holiday decorations and have pleasant weather (not even that windy once inside).

 

[Albort]

i thought they cancelled it on Sat. I saw many many signs backstage that says "Candlelight has been cancelled due to weather"

I didnt get to see it but i saw many many flashy lights going on during my lunch break...

 

[NotSoLittleMermaid]

The fireworks were cancelled Sat., but the CP was presented at both times, although it was very windy. Maybe the signs were there in case they needed to be put out at the last minute.

 

[bclydia]

We were there on Sat for the 5:30 performance. It was beautiful.
We had tickets and were seated in the second row in front of the choir.
We had a good view of Hector Elizando. It was very moving and we loved every minute.
I thought the park was quite crowded on Saturday and I saw people staking out spots for the processional before 10am!!! One lady sat on the curb doing cross stitch. Maybe a Dis'er?
It was very windy and the only problem (other than one minor mistake by Mr. Elizando) was the noise of the wind over the microphones. Sounded like thunder.
I thought it was a wonderful evening.

 

[Disneyluvr81]

We went to the 5:30 show on Sunday night. This was my boyfriend and I's first time going to the processional. I was able to get us the dining package at Granvilles (or Steakhouse 55 - whatever it is being called now) and I must say, the food itself was worth the price tag. We had a choice of either a grilled portebello mushroom in a wine sauce or Dungeness Crab Cake in Saffron Sauce (I had that, it was oh so yummy!!) for an appetizer, either a 14oz New York, 18oz Rib Eye or Halibut steak. I got the New York and by boyfriend got the Rib Eye. We both agreed that they were two of the best steaks we have had at resturaunt in a long time. (Each was served with mashed potatoes and asparagus). Finally the desserts -- either a "Chocolate Bar" - flourless cake almost like mousse, very very good or creme brulee.

I had really wanted to go to Storyteller's because we have eaten there before and really enjoyed it but by the time I was even able to get on the system all of them were sold out. I am happy we got to experience Granville's though as it is a place we wouldn't normally have eaten at, unless it was for a very special occassion.

We were seated in the Silver Section (not sure where all of the sections were located) but we were in the second row almost right in front of the conductor. I really enjoyed the whole production. I was a little bit unimpressed with Andy Garcia -- I personally thought it felt like he was just reading it for the sake of reading it and there were a couple of noticable hiccups. But it was still an amazing experience and my boyfriend and I both agreed we are going to make every effort to make it a yearly thing! Being a newbie annual passholder - I am now realizing just how much I have missed out on over the years!!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We saw the 8pm show on Sat night and it was so windy that a sheet of the conductor's music flew into the front row of the audience! The performance was amazing, especially the trumpeteers on the roof.

We ate at Storytellers and enjoyed the food and service, though the fixed menu was way too much food. In addition to the fixed menu, we also had the choice of the buffet.

The menu had a choice of an excellant corn chowder or a salad as an appetizer. The entree was a choice of baked chicken, salmon, Santa Maria style ribs or four cheese pasta. I had the pasta (very good) and my husband reported the salmon was also excellant. The dessert was a Choclate Dream cake: a pecan brownie layer, followed by chocolate ganache, a layer of chocolate cake, another layer of ganache, more cake, then icing, topped by a white chocolate castle floating in clouds of whipped cream! Yum-o!

We also sat in the second row, right in front of the conductor. Excellant view and wonderful and moving performances. After the problems with reserving the package on-line, we were glad to find that everything went smoothly that evening for us.

-- Suzanne

 

[eatntae]

I was there too. It was an awesome show. I was very impressed. I was also fortunate enough to get on the bench seating behind the reserved seats. I am still trying to rack up posts so I can load some pictures, until then....

I don't what it is but my "Disneyland going ju-ju" has been so awesome! Since I became a Premium Pass holder, EVERYTIME I've gone to DL, the crowds have been great! It has never been crowded. In fact, it has been uncannily spacious!

Hey eatntae! You're name wouldn't happen to be Reggie would it?

Angel, I presume.

 

[coolshannie]

I just wanted to say that the choir from my high school ( green valley high shcool) was one of the choirs in the Candlelight Processional. I was in the park on saturday and heard them sing, and I thought it was just wonderful!

 

[argusp2]

Hahahahaha

Hey Reggie(eatntae)!

Small World! (pun intended) How did you do on your final?

Angel

 

[DevilDuckie]

How long will they be doing the CP?

 

[Iggipolka]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the CP? Is there a seperate price for it and how do you book it?

Thanks!

 

[bclydia]

Sorry, but the Candlelight Processional (CP) was only for the two nights Dec 2nd and 3rd.
It happens the first weekend of December in Disneyland.
In short, it is a large scale Christmas Cantata. They have a large choir, made up of about 10 smaller ones, a small orchestra and a celebrity narrator. Together they tell the story of the first Christmas out of the book of Luke. It is an amazing show, very moving and beautifully well done. I loved every moment of it.
While anyone in the park may stand on Main Street to hear it and catch glimpses of the stage, to get seats you need to book a dinner package. They were only available to annual passholders this year and sold out VERY quickly. They were expensive and hard to get but it was wonderful to be there for it!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I second everything that bclydia said except that you could purchase some of the dining packages without being an annual passholder. The package that included dinner at Napa Rose was only available to APs. -- Suzanne

 

[allison k]

We were able to go this year. We were there on Saturday 5:30 show. Fortunately, we received our tix free from DL, since DH's work played a small part in getting the larger instruments used by the orchestra. Plus, afterward, we got to attend a reception over in the Innoventions building. Very, very nice!

Loved the show. I would love it if we get an opportunity to do it again!

 

[Iggipolka]

Video of part of this years CP