Candlelight Processional Dinner Question

[MDM]

For those who have done the Candlelight Processional in the past, did you eat before the show or after the show. We can't decide which is better? Any suggestions or guidance?


MDM

 

[Debs5angels]

We ate after the show. This way we didn't feel rushed to eat knowing that we still had to walk across the park to get to the CP. Have a great time!

 

[CheshireVal]

We usually go to the 5pm show and eat afterwards.

 

[Kaycee]

We go to the first show and eat afterward. We don't like to feel rushed through dinner, plus we prefer not to have a full stomach (and bladder!) while enjoying the show.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We eat early and like to go to a later show when it's dark and we think it's more striking. However, we always eat dinner early, that's our style.

Bobbi

 

[pearlieq]

We like the 5pm show and dinner afterwards. If you go to the later shows you still hear half of the previous show while you're in line, plus the early show with dinner afterwards gives you plenty of time to get settled for Illuminations.

 

[goofy4tink]

We try to eat around 5ish, then hit the later show. We love it when it's dark for the show. Besides, we tend to eat dinner on the early side when in WDW. It's a late breakfast for us that day and early dinner. It helps save a little money only eating the two meals, since we tend to spend a little more for our CP meal.

 

[ktglads]

We did the second show and ate afterwards. I want to say we had a 8:30 seating for dinner. This gave us until 6 for the parks, do the show, a little bit of browsing in the countires, and dinner.

Illuminations is at 9:30 when the processional is going on. We missed it but were already planning on seeing it another night so it was no big deal.

 

[DebbieB]

We like going to the 6:45 show with dinner around 8:00-8:15. Since we stay at BWV, we take the leftovers back to the room for lunch the next day. This year we will probably skip the package since I have a DDE card.

 

[Pennsy22]

We like the show better after it's dark so we eat early and go to the last show. Last Christmas we drove down and arrived the day we were seeing the show. Thank goodness we didn't run into any traffic jams.

 

[Dana49]

We always see the 6:45 P.M. show and have the 8:00 P.M. dinner. We've done it both ways and for whatever the reason we prefer to eat after.

 

[ms.ojo]

My first thought was to eat early (we usually do w/ the kids) and then enjoy the last show. it would be dark for the show so that's neat....but it would also mean we'd hear some of the previous show if we're standing around waiting to get in. (Though we wouldn't have to stand too long since we'd do the CP pkg)

Then I thought no...let's do the 5pm show. No worries about dinner running longer than expected. We'd make sure the kids had a snack first, see the show, and enjoy a leisurely dinner. If we wanted to walk past the pavillion later and hear portions of the show again we could. Otherwise we'd pend whatever time we had after dinner visiting countries and picking a spot for Illuminations. But reading the posts it doesn't sound as magical in the daylight. Is this really true??

Would love to hear from more of you please!!!

 

[ccgegg]

Ms.Ojo,
We have kids the same ages and we're planning to eat at 4:45 or 5:00 (CP dinner pkg), then do the 6:45 show. I've never seen CP, but if the name includes "Candlelight", I would think it is more striking at night. Sundown is around 5:30 that time of year. If we allow 60-75 minutes for dinner, that is in no way rushed for us. And then we won't hear the 5pm show while standing in line..... plus the kids will be full and happy.

We're already doing LTT on the same night.... so when and where should we meet for CP?

 

[jaysmom4285]

We went to CP December 7 last year, and did the 6:45 show, then ate at 8 PM at Rose and Crown. We debated the 5 PM show, and I'm glad we didn't, because it is not dark at 5, no matter what time they say sunset is. We were roaming around Future World around 5 and saw the singers doing their processional, and you couldn't even tell that their electric candles were on. It is much more impressive when you can get the full lighting effect, so I would recommend passing on the 5 PM show, unless you have no other option. We got in line about 6:10 for our CP show, and we were let in around 6:15. The line seemed long to me, but we still got very good seats, about halfway back in the center. They didn't open the other line till most of the CP package people had been seated.

 

[paladin]

We have done both, however we prefer to eat afterwards. As others have said, you don't feel rushed. But either way, hope you love the show (we certainly do; we usually see it twice during our trip)

 

[ms.ojo]

Ms.Ojo,
We have kids the same ages and we're planning to eat at 4:45 or 5:00 (CP dinner pkg), then do the 6:45 show. I've never seen CP, but if the name includes "Candlelight", I would think it is more striking at night. Sundown is around 5:30 that time of year. If we allow 60-75 minutes for dinner, that is in no way rushed for us. And then we won't hear the 5pm show while standing in line..... plus the kids will be full and happy.

We're already doing LTT on the same night.... so when and where should we meet for CP?

This is too funny! Actually, we're in FL from 11/28-12/11. First week at POFQ and visiting Disney parks 11/29-sat 12/3...then offsite at a conference which is when we plan to do MVMCP.

OMG...just realized, I purchased tickets for AP holders on 12/13....and we won't be in FL then!!! ok, just got off the phone w/ ticket svcs and no problem. Order hadn't even shipped yet. They swapped my tickets for the other date and I paid a few $$ more (non AP date, just adv purchase price) THANK GOODNESS for your post that got me focused on dates!! We were originally going to be in Disney the week AFTER the conference, but decided it would be better to do it the week before. When are you traveling???

 

[ccgegg]

When are you traveling???

Dec 11-16. Glad I could "help".
Ya know, you may want to be a good DIS soldier and PM LilMamiBella that you're cancelling your primo PS for LTT on the 13th. I read a post from her yesterday that she was only able to get a 6:50 PS for that night.

 

[ms.ojo]

Actually I didn't have a PS for LTT. I was trying to get one and couldn't get a good time so I was just going to do a counter svc place. But IF I did have one...I certainly would have done so...that's a nice idea.

 

[Disney29]

We ate first and then went to the show. There is something about watching it when it is dark. It is really a nice show.

 

[Collette]

We really liked the 6:45 show also. Even though we arrived quite early for the package line, we were about 30 people back and couldn't hear much of the earlier performance.

Our dinner was at Garden Grill around 8:10 I think. We weren't intending to see Illuminations that evening and wanted a restaurant that would get us out of the park before the crowds. It was a great experience - the characters were delightful!

My kids are young adults - maybe that timing is too late for younger kids.

Have fun deciding!!

Collette