Candlelight Processional "Cheater" Viewing

[mamaofsix]

Our family of 8 (6 kids) is considering traveling to the World in early December. A question for those who have seen the Candlelight Processional at Epcot:

Is it possible to view / listen to the concert by standing outside of the concert location? We would really love to experience it, but a dining/seating package would be so incredibly expensive for our family. And waiting in line for hours only to be turned away seems like too much for us.

We don't mind standing to get a glimpse instead, if that's possible.

Just wondered if anyone has tried this tactic and how you enjoyed the experience?

Thanks!

 

[wilkeliza]

You can definitely hear it from the tables at the QS in America but know many people will sit there for a long time to be able ot enjoy the show. There is an area taped off that you are allowed to stand in that is close to the venue and you can also stand inside the pavilion area you just can't make a dead stop for too long on the promenade.

 

[hiroMYhero]

I've watched from the perimeter and had a view of the complete stage. The music can be heard from the Pavilion areas.

Moving you to the main TPAS board so you can receive more replies.

 

[ElsieAstronaut]

We stopped at a few different spots as we were walking by, and while it wasn't the best view ever, we could hear perfectly. I got a few decent pictures, thanks to camera zoom too, lol.

 

[maxiesmom]

You can hear and see a bit from outside the theater, but you won't have an unobstructed view. Not by a long shot.

 

[Nancyg56]

I have watched it from the center of the outside of the pavilion. It is a good view, but I did wait there for a while. I think it is worth staking out the spot ahead of time if the narrator is very popular.

 

[WhispyPixie]

Yes, you most certainly can hear it while strolling by or sitting at the American Pavilion. Your view on the other hand will be sketchy with occasional glimpses. CM's keep the traffic moving along to avoid pile ups. If a permanent viewing spot is important, be prepared to camp out for a table or spot. Some narrator's have huge followings and it can be hard to secure a location. This is one of our FAVORITE things to do close to Christmas and if you have never experienced it.......definitely worth doing!

 

[cleophus12]

I would also recommend going to the earliest performance. The line doesn't seem to be quite as long for the early show.

 

[writerguyfl]

Honestly, there's really not a lot to "see" at the Candlelight Processional. Sure, it's nice to be close enough to actually see the narrator's face...but, it's not a requirement.

You certainly can stand just outside seating area at the back of the theatre. Lots of people do this at every show. The only downsides to this plan are the you are further away and you will easily hear the conversations of the people walking past behind you.

And waiting in line for hours only to be turned away seems like too much for us.

As to this concern, I think the claim to you must wait for hours to get a seat is vastly exaggerated. Hundreds of people are admitted from the Stand-By line for each performance. This past December, I joined the long Stand-By line about 40 minutes prior to the last show and I got in without a problems (as did at least 50 people behind me). That was a night when Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator, who is one of the most popular narrators.

 

[Bete]

I don't believe your kids will want to stand. Now, if you are just staying for a few minutes then that's fine. There are places you can do this there.

Go on a day when there is a non popular narrator and go to the early show (5:45pm) and get in the stand by line if you don't want to pay. I would probably be in line at least 2 to 3 hours before the show.

Another thought is go to the CP dinner package and pick a cheaper meal place like the Biergarten. You can make this everyone's Christmas gift for the year. I think this is worth seeing once. You have to eat anyway.

Try to cut back at home and get a little more money saved up. Cut back on lights, heat, and a/c. Make cheaper meals by stretching them with rice or noodles and make casseroles. Think about cutting back your services of cable and cell phones.

 

[georgina]

? Don't think the kids will want to stand, but they should wait 2-3 hours in line for a seat?

There really is no need to get a dining package or pay for the Candlelight Processional. Especially in early December, we just walked up to a spot just behind the fence and stood; this was shortly before the show started and we could hear and see very well. There was an open area in front of us. I remember it was the latest show because we left a little early to stake out our Illuminations spot.

 

[Nancyg56]

? Don't think the kids will want to stand, but they should wait 2-3 hours in line for a seat?

There really is no need to get a dining package or pay for the Candlelight Processional. Especially in early December, we just walked up to a spot just behind the fence and stood; this was shortly before the show started and we could hear and see very well. There was an open area in front of us. I remember it was the latest show because we left a little early to stake out our Illuminations spot.

I know! I like the CP, but it is not the must do for children that it is for many adults. My family barely indulges me if I want all of us to go, and we do book the meal package. If I tried to tell them it was their christmas gift we would have a mutiny.

OP- I wanted to see it again so I went to the entrance of the Pavillion and stood there. I did not need a seat, so I did not bother with the SB queue. The view was lovely, and one of the best treats I had was the "stereo" sound around me. I had been joined by some members of the previous show's choir, and they sang along. It was really wonderful.

This show is more about the sound then the view though, so if you are in the vicinity you will hear the music.

 

[goofy4tink]

As noted already, it's about hearing it vs seeing it. I usually book one CP pkg per year, then just stop and listen as I pass by at other times. But, be aware...if it's a popular narrator, the crowd will be at least 8 people deep, standing behind the theater area!! I've grabbed a bite to eat at, at the American Pavillion, for an early show, and just sat and ate as I listened to the show.

 

[WhispyPixie]

After reading so many other responses, I of course want to wish you the best in catching a show. We attend the CP every time we go at Christmas, so perhaps our experience does encounter a higher traffic time. After missing the CP the first time due to not having a package we always book one now. It is a Christmas celebration for our family. On a side note, we are a family that LOVES music, vocal and instrumental. Being "in the middle" of the music is awe-encompassing for us, so we make it a priority. We certainly don't mind waiting to get in, but being short, I hate trying to peer around people when I am 5 people deep standing in the back. I would agree that the first show is going to be your best bet for catching it.

I think peoples experiences are inconsistent due to the narrators & time of per performance and how close to Christmas you are.

 

[klmall]

We attended the CP in 2007 and did not in 2011 and 2014 but I did stand for awhile in 2014 and got this picture from the back. So decent views are possible even in crowds.

 

[ShellieMimi]

Cut back on heating your home & serve your family cheap casseroles so that you can attend an event at Disney World?! Yikes!

As others have said, there really isn't much to "see." If you're in the vicinity, you will be able to hear the music just fine, and the music is what really brings out the holiday spirit.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

I saw it this past year when Jodi Benson and Cal Ripken Jr. were narrating. I did the dining package for both, but I was also to walk right up and get a seat for Jodi Benson at the last show of the night. I want to say that this show is 45-50 minutes long. I don't know if you or your entire family would want to stand for that long just to listen to the show. You can hear it fine from the back if you wanted to stand, but I would try and get a seat if you can. It's definitely a show not to be missed during the Christmas season at WDW in my opinion.

 

[dreiwhit]

We were at Epcot the week after Thanksgiving 2016, and we could hear the audio from the Candlelight Processional when we were at the American Pavilion without a problem.

We saw that the lines for CP would start forming about three hours before the next showing. IMHO, I wouldn't wait that long. You could even see the show from a distance behind the rope line, as I watched some of it from there.

One thing we learned is that Epcot was more crowded when the CP was going on. My wife over heard several people say that the only reason they came to Epcot was to see or hear CP.

 

[disneyvoice]

We did it when my son was three and enjoyed it. I am almost positive, however, that my son thought we were attending church in the middle of Epcot. I don't know if I would spend the money to do it again. I lean towards "no, I wouldn't" because after that one time we were able to find a nice comfy spot to sit at for free in the America pavilion and we could hear everything just fine. It was a nice rest from walking around. We must have been during a less crowded time because the performance had already started but there was still plenty of seating available in the America Pavilion. If you have a narrator you just have to see then it would probably be worth it. We were only a few rows from the front of the theater when we paid to do it. I remember being super excited to be so close to the narrator but for the life of me I cannot remember who it was now! Some young, good looking guy!!

 

[maxiesmom]

If all you truly want is to hear the music, then do what I do. Grab a funnel cake and sit on one of the low walls/planters on the other side of the walkway. You can hear perfectly.