Candlelight Processional Dinner - Watching & Waiting

[Kathy Z]

I'm not sure on how long it takes for you to walk from Le Cellier to American Gardens Theater, but it is less time than it took us to walk from Coral Reef. We did that in about 25 minutes, walking rather quickly.

The reserved line for the theater lines up towards France. The line for persons without the CPP lines up on the other side. So from Tutto Italia you would only be able to see if the non-reserved line is forming.

 

[emilymad]

So is this the basic strategy to have dinner and then immediately go get in the CP line?

 

[dadschum]

yes that is pretty much the strategy because if you are going to the 8:15 show dinner reservations are made between 5-6pm allowing you about 90 minutes to eat.

for the 6:45 show dinner reservations are made between 3:30-4:30 and

5pm is lunch between 1:45-2:45

So unless you score a reservation on the earlier side of the reservation window, you have about 90 minutes to eat and then get in line.
As I understand it, you have guaranteed seating with the package but still have to get in line to secure a spot. At really busy times, the theatre will fill and if you expect to saunter up at 10 minutes to show time, you will not get in, though this is my first time trying this so I can't speak from experience.

We are shooting for the 8:15 show on Thurs 12/9. Hoping that since it is a weeknight in early December it won't be too bad. We are a party of 5. If we get a reservatin at 5pm, either we have a really long time to eat, or we could be done by 6:30, make our way near the theatre and maybe putter in some shops until we see a long line forming. Might afford us about 45 minutes to an hour of extra time. We will see. If we eat at 6 and are done by 7:30 then I figure we will have to go get in line immediately.

If it were Xmas week, I would expect a mob scene.

 

[motsmom]

If you wait till later Thursday (like after 10am) would you have to hold longer or less time, I wonder, than if you start calling at 7?

We want tier 2 restaurant, not one of the "primo" ones at 6:45 on the 10th....

It seems like if they'd do a staggered resrevation system (start each week's ressies on consecutive days) or even let you book online with full payment it would be less frantic on just one day?

Thanks for posting that Illuminations area is not same place as theatre; we've never been and thought it was!

 

[Cinderella1122]

I'm not sure on how long it takes for you to walk from Le Cellier to American Gardens Theater, but it is less time than it took us to walk from Coral Reef. We did that in about 25 minutes, walking rather quickly.

ick..my parents want to do Coral Reef as part of the package. I dread the walk.

 

[tracipierce]

I'm actually getting butterflies in my stomach as the date draws near, anyone else feeling like that?!??

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

I'm actually getting butterflies in my stomach as the date draws near, anyone else feeling like that?!??

Me too!

 

[poohj80]

Still hoping the TBD narrators are announced before Thursday!

 

[PRmamiDEdos]

Maybe this has been answered before, but I wanted to know what's involved with the dinner package for CP?

Do you get an appetizer, entree, non-alcoholic beverage and dessert? It only says that tax and tip aren't included.

Is it the same amount of food that you get whether you pay for it on the DP or OOP (appetizer/no appetizer)?

Thanks!

 

[emilymad]

I'm actually getting butterflies in my stomach as the date draws near, anyone else feeling like that?!??

Yes! It feels like a military operation just to get the reservation let alone actually eating and getting in line on the actual day!

 

[Brier Rose]

Hi everyone!

We're anxiously counting down these last few days too, and I had a few questions maybe you all could help me with. I haven't actually called to make a dining reservation in awhile now, so I feel a bit out of the loop.

We have a party of 8 (7 plus a highchair), which number should I call? Don't want to lose precious time by having to be transferred to a different department!

Also, should I let them know upfront that our party is willing to be split up, or is that something they automatically look for and offer anyway?

Last one, we would prefer dinner, but honestly don't mind if we have to do lunch. Should I just give the date and ask for any available time,lunch or dinner? Or start off more specific, asking for dinner since that is what we would want the most?

We've done the CP at Le Cellier many times in past years, but I don't remember it ever being this stressful!

TIA

 

[tracipierce]

Yes! It feels like a military operation just to get the reservation let alone actually eating and getting in line on the actual day!

Oh I can't even think as far ahead as eating and getting in line on the day, we want xmas eve and I'm just terrified of not getting a ressie as we can't do another day

 

[Kathy Z]

I'm actually getting butterflies in my stomach as the date draws near, anyone else feeling like that?!??

I've been controlling my CPP anticipation pretty well but then last night I got another bit of news that kept me wide awake for a few hours. It was good news (another invitation from my sister & her husband to join them and our other sister & her husband for a week on Sanibel Island.) But the stressful part was that instead of the usual first week of February we are invited for President's week. Ouch on the plane fare. Double ouch on the rental car down there for that week. It is still a wonderful invitation, just the most expensive week in February, travelwise, for us. Sorry for going off-topic.

We'll only have 9 weeks of MI winter between 2 weeks of (hopefully) sunny & warmer FL.

 

[Mineu]

Ok-I have been waiting to book CP since May, spent the last 3 weeks of summer gettting up early until they announced the release date, have been waiting patiently for said release date, and guess what: I have to have a CT scan on 8/26 at 8:00 a.m.-arrive 30 minutes ahead of time So, what are the odds I'll be done by 7:15/8:15 Orlando time -one hour after they open the lines? Should I call from my cell and hand it off to my husband -what if they don't have what we want-can he come up with adequate substitutions on the spot???? How can I train him this quickly?

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Ok-I have been waiting to book CP since May, spent the last 3 weeks of summer gettting up early until they announced the release date, have been waiting patiently for said release date, and guess what: I have to have a CT scan on 8/26 at 8:00 a.m.-arrive 30 minutes ahead of time So, what are the odds I'll be done by 7:15/8:15 Orlando time -one hour after they open the lines? Should I call from my cell and hand it off to my husband -what if they don't have what we want-can he come up with adequate substitutions on the spot???? How can I train him this quickly?

First, he must understand the enormity of his task!!! I would provide him with an "if this...then this..." diagram complete with arrows so it's foolproof ...but I can get carried away with these things. I would recommend a trial run (or several LOL) I sure hope you can get it done before you leave or on your cell...you'll have to be stalking those phone lines and use speed dial for sure.

 

[Mineu]

First, he must understand the enormity of his task!!! I would provide him with an "if this...then this..." diagram complete with arrows so it's foolproof ...but I can get carried away with these things. I would recommend a trial run (or several LOL) I sure hope you can get it done before you leave or on your cell...you'll have to be stalking those phone lines and use speed dial for sure.

I like your idea-perhaps a flow chart? The only thing is that he resists training and has little patience...hmm, I may have to train one of the children instead and bring them to school late....

 

[ginnymack]

Am I the only that has noticed the odd price of the Children's meal on the last group listed below? I noticed the same thing on last year's price list. Why would that group of restaurants have the cheapest adult meals but the most expensive (by far) child's meal?

I have 2010 Info!

I called this morning and talked to a very nice and helpful CM who was incredulous that the info for this year was not posted anywhere. She gave me everything that I needed, so here goes….

If you are on the Dining Plan the CP Package is 2 Table Service Credits


Package includes:

Appetizer, Entree, Dessert, non alcoholic beverage (but NOT specialty non alcoholic beverages) or Full Buffet at any restaurant that is buffet service, guaranteed seating for CP, and preferred viewing area for Illuminations (I asked where it is but CM did not know)

I only asked about narrators for the week of 12/4-12/11 so she gave me what is posted already: Did not ask about other dates.

12/7-12/9 Jodi Benson
12/10-12/11 Whoopi Goldberg

The shows are at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm

If you go to the 5pm show you will be eating lunch on the package; reservations for lunch are made between 1:45pm and 2:45pm assuming you have 90 minutes to eat.

If you are going to the 6:45pm show you will be eating dinner with reservations between 3:30pm and 4:30pm; assuming you have 90 minutes to eat.

If you are going to the 8:15pm show you will be eating dinner with reservations between 5pm and 6pm; assuming you have 90 minutes to eat..

She said there is no tier system this year. The following is the pricing info.

For the following restaurants the prices are as follows:

Lunch $38.99 adults/$12.99 child (ages 3-9)
Dinner $46.99/$15.99

Nine Dragons
San Angel Inn
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose & Crown

For the following restaurants the prices are as follows:

Lunch $51.99/$13.99
Dinner $61.99/$16.99

Teppan Edo
Tokyo Dining
Chefs de France
Tutto Italia
Coral Reef
Le Cellier

For the following restaurants the prices are as follows:
Lunch $32.99/17.99
Dinner $46.99/$23.99

Biergarten

Dinner Only $46.99/$23.00

Garden Grill

Phone Lines open at 7am, Thursday morning. Good Luck all!

 

[Kathy Z]

Ok-I have been waiting to book CP since May, spent the last 3 weeks of summer gettting up early until they announced the release date, have been waiting patiently for said release date, and guess what: I have to have a CT scan on 8/26 at 8:00 a.m.-arrive 30 minutes ahead of time So, what are the odds I'll be done by 7:15/8:15 Orlando time -one hour after they open the lines? Should I call from my cell and hand it off to my husband -what if they don't have what we want-can he come up with adequate substitutions on the spot???? How can I train him this quickly?

First, I hope that you are well and that the CAT scan is not because of anything seriously wrong. (It would be great if it is to confirm that you are currently doing well.) Of course, your husband won't be able to use that cell phone anywhere near where the scan is being done.

I agree with the pp who suggested a flow chart type thing for your DH. Good luck with everything.

 

[Mineu]

Thanks-I appreciate the happy thougts!! It's something that I have to monitor from time to time-so, hopefully, it will continue to be good news!Disney planning is a great distraction -it would be nice to start the day with my restaurant and time of choice all set

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Yeah, after all the waiting and preparing, I've got to work early on Thursday morning. I'm still not sure if I'll be able to make the call or not, especially with how long hold times are probably going to be. I'm going to have draw up a flow chart and detailed instructions for DW so that she can make the call.