Candlelight Processional 2024

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

Heartbreaking to miss Josh Gad by a hair, but we’ll be on a Disney cruise so I can’t move it around. I do like that there’s far more dining options this year.

Surprised I haven’t heard more excitement about Jodi Benson (the original voice of Ariel) closing it out.

We’re hoping to catch Jodi on the last night - super excited!!

 

[Sweetbeans]

We have never attended the CP and are doing as much research as we can. Ideally, we would like to book the 6:45 show and an earlier dinner. I would like to know if a 4:30-5:00 dinner reservation is doable, and do we get a list of restaurants and available times only after we pick a date and showtime?

 

[scrappinginontario]

We have never attended the CP and are doing as much research as we can. Ideally, we would like to book the 6:45 show and an earlier dinner. I would like to know if a 4:30-5:00 dinner reservation is doable, and do we get a list of restaurants and available times only after we pick a date and showtime?

Personally I don’t think you’ve given yourself enough time. I would allow a minimum of 2 1/2 hours between ADR booking and show start.

You will want to allow for things like, seating delay, slower service, walk to theatre, etc. it’s a personal decision but I tend to err on the side of caution. I want to enjoy our meal and not feel rushed.

 

[MermaidMommy]

So I am new to all this so quick question.

I would like to see one of the shows after Christmas.

Is my best bet, buying a dining package to do that? Do I need to wake up early and get it as soon as it goes sale?

I am also curious if I need to buy an Epcot ticket now or do they sell out that week? ( Can I buy day of? )

Just seeing what I need to do to guarantee entry.

Thanks!

I think the dining packages sold out within minutes last year. EPCOT hasn't reached capacity in recent memory, but as PP said, this is the first year without park reservations since they were introduced, so while it's highly unlikely, there's no guarantee.

 

[JoJoGirl]

I think the dining packages sold out within minutes last year. EPCOT hasn't reached capacity in recent memory, but as PP said, this is the first year without park reservations since they were introduced, so while it's highly unlikely, there's no guarantee.

I’m hoping reservations will last a little longer this year since so many restaurants are offering
CP packages. Could be wrong but fingers crossed.

 

[Artygal90]

Pricing for dining packages is out: https://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/candlelight_processional.htm

There are increases on the low end (Biergarten up to $71/pp) but Le Cellier etc are still the same at $104/pp.

*Very importantly *, it looks like the packages now require prepayment at booking AND you forfeit the full package price if you cancel within a 48 hour window of your reservation. I guess this will cut down on ADR hoarding and help availability last longer? Not my favorite change though. It makes me reconsider booking a package at all - maybe standing at the back just outside the theatre is fine with me if it saves me upwards of $75 and I can stay flexible.

I’m editing this post to strike out the prepayment info as WDW’s website doesn’t mention anything about it. It may be inaccurate information from wdwinfo.com.

 

[kdka421]

*Very importantly *, it looks like the packages now require prepayment at booking AND you forfeit the full package price if you cancel within a 48 hour window of your reservation. I guess this will cut down on ADR hoarding and help availability last longer?

Missed that update, thanks for calling it out.

 

[bethy]

Hmmmm - I just did the math and for my party of 6 I think the cost is going to be just too high. We might linger outside where we can hear the music - I think that could be magical, too.

 

[Geomom]

Pricing for dining packages is out: https://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/candlelight_processional.htm

There are increases on the low end (Biergarten up to $71/pp) but Le Cellier etc are still the same at $104/pp.

*Very importantly *, it looks like the packages now require prepayment at booking AND you forfeit the full package price if you cancel within a 48 hour window of your reservation. I guess this will cut down on ADR hoarding and help availability last longer? Not my favorite change though. It makes me reconsider booking a package at all - maybe standing at the back just outside the theatre is fine with me if it saves me upwards of $75 and I can stay flexible.

So the Disney website only says credit card guarantee vs advanced payment.

From Disney:
Important Information
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are only offered during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays—November 29 to December 30, 2024.

Alcohol will only be served to Guests ages 21 and older with a valid form of identification.

****Reservations require a credit card guarantee.***

Guests will receive Candlelight Seating badges at the restaurant after their meal. The badge will specify the date and showtime they have reserved.

Guests with the Candlelight Processional Dining Package will enter America Gardens Theatre in a separate queue and will be seated on a first-come, first served basis. Seating is guaranteed.

Guests who have not reserved a Candlelight Processional Dining Package will be seated at the Candlelight Processional on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is based on availability due to limited capacity.

Valid theme park admission is required to enter EPCOT; admission is not included in the price of the dining package. A theme park reservation may also be required for park entry. Learn about theme park reservations.

 

[CarolynFH]

cut down on ADR hoarding and help availability last longer

I think you’re right.

Hmmmm - I just did the math and for my party of 6 I think the cost is going to be just too high. We might linger outside where we can hear the music - I think that could be magical, too.

We’ve enjoyed listening from the back, and depending on where you stand and how many other people have the same idea, you may be able to see, too.

 

[Artygal90]

So the Disney website only says credit card guarantee vs advanced payment.

From Disney:
Important Information
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are only offered during EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays—November 29 to December 30, 2024.

Alcohol will only be served to Guests ages 21 and older with a valid form of identification.

****Reservations require a credit card guarantee.***

Guests will receive Candlelight Seating badges at the restaurant after their meal. The badge will specify the date and showtime they have reserved.

Guests with the Candlelight Processional Dining Package will enter America Gardens Theatre in a separate queue and will be seated on a first-come, first served basis. Seating is guaranteed.

Guests who have not reserved a Candlelight Processional Dining Package will be seated at the Candlelight Processional on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is based on availability due to limited capacity.

Valid theme park admission is required to enter EPCOT; admission is not included in the price of the dining package. A theme park reservation may also be required for park entry. Learn about theme park reservations.

Huh. That’s interesting. I saw the prepayment information on the wdwinfo.com article I linked. I wonder which one is right?

 

[erionm]

Huh. That’s interesting. I saw the prepayment information on the wdwinfo.com article I linked. I wonder which one is right?

Disney World. The pre-payment information was up on wdwinfo.com before pricing was announced, so I suspect it's very old information as CP packages haven't been prepaid for many years.

 

[Artygal90]

Disney World. The pre-payment information was up on wdwinfo.com before pricing was announced, so I suspect it's very old information as CP packages haven't been prepaid for many years.

Oh I see! I didn’t know they used to be prepaid. I’ll edit my OP to avoid confusion.

 

[Artygal90]

Missed that update, thanks for calling it out.

I think I got wrong info - looks like WDW’s page mentions nothing about prepayment.

 

[Disneyhanna]

Wow, the Shiki-Sai price is so high and who knows what it includes, the most expensive item that isn't sharable (or A5 wagyu) is $38, so that's a huge gap. Thinking about maybe trying for lunch at the creperie.

 

[Skywatcher1206]

I know which one I am going to try for! Fingers crossed I am able to get it. I have my first, second, and third choices.

 

[mickey916]

We were planning on eating at Teppan Edo anyhow but $105 per person when we don't want dessert or an alcoholic beverage is way too steep. We'll take our chances on getting a seat without a dining package.

 

[Geomom]

Teppan Edo is ridiculous...$1 more than Le Cellier?! Entrees at Le Cellier cost more than the ones at Teppan Edo. Definitely changed my plans now that prices came out. Decided to book Teppan Edo without the package for a day we don't plan to watch the candlelight processional.

 

[tx911]

Teppan Edo is ridiculous...$1 more than Le Cellier?! Entrees at Le Cellier cost more than the ones at Teppan Edo. Definitely changed my plans now that prices came out. Decided to book Teppan Edo without the package for a day we don't plan to watch the candlelight processional.

Looking at the website it looks like Teppan Edo might include appetizer, entree, and dessert?
Whereas the default seems to be Entree and dessert.

 

[0FF TO NEVERLAND]

Wow, the Shiki-Sai price is so high and who knows what it includes, the most expensive item that isn't sharable (or A5 wagyu) is $38, so that's a huge gap. Thinking about maybe trying for lunch at the creperie.

You can get better sushi at your own local place. Not saying it was bad, but no where near worth the cost for what you get