Candlelight Processional--do dinner package or skip it?

[anneofgreengables]

Going to WDW in December with two little kids and want to see Candlelight Processional. Should we get the dinner package or save our money and just line up in advance? Is the dinner package included in the dining plan, and if so, how many table-service credits are counted towards it? Or do we have to pay for this dinner package out of pocket?

 

[PCFriar80]

Going to WDW in December with two little kids and want to see Candlelight Processional. Should we get the dinner package or save our money and just line up in advance? Is the dinner package included in the dining plan, and if so, how many table-service credits are counted towards it? Or do we have to pay for this dinner package out of pocket?

I can't answer the dining plan questions, but can tell you that either way you will be lining up. The CP dinner package guests line up (to the left, if you're facing AG theatre) and the stand-by to the right. Package guests get preferred seating and stand-by fill in the rest. It seems the early show is the most popular, and the last the least, based on my experience. Other things to consider to measure crowd levels....weekend vs. weekdays and the guest narrator! Hope that helps with your decision!

 

[snowglobe girl]

We skipped the dinner package and stood in the "stand-by" line and still got a seat - but it was up at the top of the theatre and nearing capacity.

 

[AStamm]

You might want to rethink this one with two little ones. We did the Garden Grill/Candlelight Processional package in December 2004 and ended up holding our DS across our legs as he slept through almost the entire show. DH and I still had a good time, though. We're going to skip the processional this year when we're at WDW over Christmas.

 

[runwad]

what is the Candlelight Prosessional??

 

[disneydiz]

The most popular shows are the second and third. We did the dinner package this past Xmas and it was included in the dining package. We went to the first show (5:00) and got in line about 4:20 -- there were already about 100 people in line. Those without dinner packages were lined up earlier than 4:15 and only not all of them were able to get into the show. We picked Le Cellier for our dinner, right after the show. We met some people at the restaurant who had purchased the Candlelight dinner package, but they didn't go to the show. Apparently, the package was the only way they could get a dinner reservation at Le Cellier.

 

[tjmouse]

I would do the package. When we were there the first week of December, the lines were HUGE. I personally cannot imagine waiting in that line only to not get a seat. At least the package guarantees you a seat.

 

[Viki]

We did this in Dec (05) with the dinner package, but frankly I would skip the whole thing. Bad music, lackluster readers, not worth it.

 

[SkipperBubba]

While I respectfully disagree with the preceding comment regarding bad music, both DW and I found it to be a very beautiful and touching event.

DW and I had the package, early show, with later ADR at Rose & Crown (Illuminations) and we found it to work quite well. We lined up (in the rain) about 45 minutes early and wound up seated in the 4th row... under the roof.

We used the meal credits from the premium plan, and it was available for the regular dining plan as well.

 

[Viki]

One of the reasons I say "bad music" is because I adore real choral music. What was particularly diappointing about this program was that it didn't really feature choral music. Instead, the small group of professional singers who perform at the American pavilion, and who are very good, were miked over the chorus of singers from WDW cast and choirs from throughout the state. What a shame that was. Here were two conductors conducting 5 or 6 performers with the choirs used only as background.

 

[anneofgreengables]

DW and I had the package, early show, with later ADR at Rose & Crown (Illuminations) and we found it to work quite well. We lined up (in the rain) about 45 minutes early and wound up seated in the 4th row... under the roof.

We used the meal credits from the premium plan, and it was available for the regular dining plan as well.

Are you saying you used the dinner packages for the Candlelight Processional, picking the Rose & Crown for the restaurant in the package, which also doubled as your Illuminations viewing? So if you watched the early CP show and didn't go to Rose & Crown until Illuminations time, then that means you don't have to do your dinner right before or after the show--it can be much later/earlier?

 

[SkipperBubba]

Are you saying you used the dinner packages for the Candlelight Processional, picking the Rose & Crown for the restaurant in the package, which also doubled as your Illuminations viewing? So if you watched the early CP show and didn't go to Rose & Crown until Illuminations time, then that means you don't have to do your dinner right before or after the show--it can be much later/earlier?

Yes... we went to the 5:00-ish showing of CP, the wandered around a bit before checking in for our 8:00 ADR at Rose & Crown. We had time to do two trips on Test Track in between.

The downside was that the restaurant was jammed and it took awhile for us to get seated. We requested porch seating and the CM's raised the sides at Illuminations time and we had an excellent view.

One other thing to keep in mind is that for the holidays, Illuminations adds about 4 1/2 minutes to the show which really is amazing.

 

[kev97rach]

I can't answer the dining plan questions, but can tell you that either way you will be lining up. The CP dinner package guests line up (to the left, if you're facing AG theatre) and the stand-by to the right. Package guests get preferred seating and stand-by fill in the rest. It seems the early show is the most popular, and the last the least, based on my experience. Other things to consider to measure crowd levels....weekend vs. weekdays and the guest narrator! Hope that helps with your decision!

When do they announce who the guest narrators will be on what nights? I saw last year they had Jim Caveizel and John Stamos. Would love to see one of them! I want to do the dining pkg. but would love to know which narrators on which night so I can pick. Any info??

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Does the CP dinner package eat off the regular menu or is it selective like the Fantasmic package? We are considering this at Le Cellier...

 

[DoomBuggyBabe]

Greetings, all...
Mrs. SkipperBubba here .
In response to kev97rach, the 2005 list of narrators went up Aug. 4. And that list is always subject to change. When we made our CP plans, Jim Caviezel was supposed to be our narrator. But then Gary Sinise pulled out, and WDW switched JC to fill in on his dates. We got Christian singer Jaci Valasquez instead. She was good, but I was bummed about missing JC, as we'd heard he is excellent.
In response to Cinderumbrella, guests have the regular menu to choose from.
Enjoy,
Q

 

[kev97rach]

Thanks DoomBuggyBabe. I guess it won't matter who the narrator is, it's supposed to be good from what I hear! Thanks.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Greetings, all...
Mrs. SkipperBubba here .

In response to Cinderumbrella, guests have the regular menu to choose from.
Enjoy,
Q

Yipee!!!!!! Thanks

 

[TSM1993]

Do the Candlelight Processional dinner package. Did it Dec 05 daw John Stamos. He was really good. But people start lining up for this about 2 hours before. We had the package and by the time we got there about 1 hr before the line for the people with the package was already down to England ( I think thats after the American pavillion) if not it was stretched to the nesxt country. So very long lines at least when we were there.

 

[Hugpug]

I did the Dinner Package and show last year for the first time. I enjoyed the show very very much. I plan on doing it again this year but at a different place for dinner. I did LeCeller and I was not impressed with it. Everyone has its own likes and dislikes. The steak was not as good as Concourse and the service was not all that good and my table was in a very poor location not to mention mahy guest had problems with there ADR'S being messed up. Mine was cancelled but Guest Service at POFQ fixed the problem promply. If you decide on the Package make sure you have an ADR # for the Show and one for the place you are going to eat at. You can see the show without a package as it is an open theater.

 

[LUVMICKEY]

Hi Everyone,
I know this is probably a really dumb question that I should already know, but what is an ADR? Am I just being thick?

Michele