Candlelight Processional - Dining Suggestions?

[YesIamaPirate14]

Good morning!

I'm returning to WDW for the week just prior to Christmas - first time during the holiday season - and very much looking forward to taking in all of the activities. One of these is the Candlelight Processional, which I understand is a must. I am thinking of attending this show mid-week. I am also considering making dinner reservations in so that I can take advantage of the "priority" seating.

What are your thoughts on the necessity of making dinner reservations in order to secure good seating for the show?

What restaurant(s) would you highly recommend?

Thanks!

PJ

 

[danny1649]

Welcome to the Dis,I moved your post here to our Restaurants Board.The experts on here will be able to give you some great information. Danny

 

[ChelleinNC]

There are different "tiers" for the CP packages, so choosing depends on the amount you want to spend, type of food that you like and at this close of a date, availability. We'll be going to Garden Grill for our CP dinner, as our family really enjoys it.

The following info is from the disboards, go to Events, then to Candlelight Processional. All of the show times and tiers and prices are listed there.

"The Candlelight Processional dining packages allow you to enjoy a meal at one of Epcot's restaurants, while guaranteeing you a seat for the show. It's important to note that at times this is THE only way to get a seat. Those with Dinner Packages are the first to be seated - those waiting in line (a.k.a. the one's who didn't buy the package will be given the very few seats that remain.) If you're in Disney during the holiday's this is a "Don't Miss" event. "

 

[JennyDrake]

DEFINITELY get the package, although "good luck" at this date. My guess is you are going to be limited to what-ever-has-an opening. This was the case in OCTOBER when I booked for December 12-16.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Good morning!

I'm returning to WDW for the week just prior to Christmas - first time during the holiday season - and very much looking forward to taking in all of the activities. One of these is the Candlelight Processional, which I understand is a must. I am thinking of attending this show mid-week. I am also considering making dinner reservations in so that I can take advantage of the "priority" seating.

What are your thoughts on the necessity of making dinner reservations in order to secure good seating for the show?

What restaurant(s) would you highly recommend?

Thanks!

PJ

You don't say how many are in your party, looking for CP seats. I've gone to see the CP solo several times, and I've actually had some seats that I'd say were better without the package but that's because I was naive enough to think that with the package, I didn't have to get in line at all. Come to think of it, I've gotten perfectly adequate seats without the package without waiting in line at all. With the package I dined at Rose and Crown, which I thought was rather loud and hectic. I prefer the first show, which means dining at lunch, which is generally a quieter time to eat.

 

[Redbudlover]

I was unable to get the tier I wanted for the package whne I booked in October. I have tried several times since then to see if someone had cancelled that I could get, but so far, no luck. The week you are trying to get seats I have been assured are impossible without waiting in lines for two hours... I will be there Christmas Eve - maybe mid week is more accessible. Let us know!

 

[Golf4food]

If you really want to do it I'd say you must have a dinner reservation - the stand-by line on the night we went last year was many hundreds of people long and stretched through two countries. Heck, the reserved line stretched all the way to China - literally (ok, so it is right next to America, but it sounds more impressive, haha).

Honestly, we were disappointed in the show. We are both Christians and I am a classical musician - should have loved it on paper, but honestly was kind of bored in reality. It isn't anything you can't find in any city in the US during December except for the celebrity narrator. We won't go back, we'd rather use the time in the park.

Your mileage may vary.

 

[YesIamaPirate14]

Thank you all for your feedback....looks like I better make a decision and get on the phone.

 

[Boomer1]

If you are planning to eat at one of the restaurants anyway I would book the package if you would not be eating at a restaurant anway I would line up in the stand by line 45 min in advance and you will most likely get seats we have gone a number of times sometimes with the package sometimes not and there are almost always a few empty seats left and all the seats are good. If you do book the package be carefull which restaurant you take we have done Le Cellier,Alfredos and The nine Dragons. The way the dining works is you get an appetizer an entree and a dessert so go hungry. if you would normally eat this much it not such a bad deal if this is excessive you end up paying for a lot of food you cant or should not eat. All the restaurants we tried the food was resonably good but we thought the Nine Dragons was very exspensive for what you get I think you could order the same meal off the menu and pay less than the package. They always reserve some seats for the standby line so if you line up early enough you will get a seat and you probably not stand in line any longer than you would between wating to be seated in the restaurant and standing in the reserved line. Good lick hope this helps.

 

[YesIamaPirate14]

Have a confirmed ADR for Rose & Crown for the late show. There was not much left to choose from. Will try back over the next few days to see if we can get Japan or Canada.

Thanks again for all your feedback.