Candlelight Processional ~ do I *need* a package???

[Nancyg56]

Quick question, we have 5:30 ADR at Coral Reef for the 8:15 show. NPR is there. What time do we need to be in the line in order to get decent seats? I am a little worried now that I see how late CR can go for ADR's. My DSIL is willing to dine and dash to secure a place while we finish eating our meal, he is NPR biggest fan

 

[QueenElinor]

I just changed our trip dates. No NPH for me. Now I'm stuck with Trace Adkins or TBD. I had to google Trace. We are not country music fans & didn't know who he was. Have there been any rumors of who the TBD will be????

Sent from Tracey's iPhone using DISBoards

Even if you're not a Trace Adkins fan, he has an awesome voice. I'm not a big country fan, either, but I would be happy with this choice.

 

[1stvisit0909]

tyou can get a menu for Lecellier at Allersnet.com with pretty recent prices. a filet is pricey, but you could get a burger, I think.

the problem is the restaurant has different reservations held for the CP package than regular reservations. so many people ar trying to book Le CEllier for lunch now (since it will be 2 TS credits in 2013,) that I
m not sure you would be able to get a reservation .(yes,e ven tho you currently have a reservation. I don't think they will just "switch it over" .)

if you really want lecellier, I would keep it. It wil be 2 TS credits next year, anyway. and, as a PP said, you get a lot of food on the Dining plan.


Oh yeah! as another PP just reminded me, with the CP package, you get an appetizer! (not so with the DDP anymore)
mosseheadbeer/cheddarcheese soup!!!

Yeah this is why we did it. I could not believe we scored a noon ressie for Le Cellier for the CP for Christmas day, but we did! 5 pm show. I can't wait. We decided to get a package for F! too, so we just upgraded to the DDP from the QSDP.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

You don't need a package. The upside of no package is the rain factor. If it rains go another night or later in the evening. There aren't that many covered seats and it's horrible in the rain.

The last 2 years we have not done a package. We had great seats but you do have to commit some time to standing on line.

The package line also requires a wait and the reserved section includes lot of seats with obstructed views due to the trees.

 

[cruisingkat]

I just changed our trip dates. No NPH for me. Now I'm stuck with Trace Adkins or TBD. I had to google Trace. We are not country music fans & didn't know who he was. Have there been any rumors of who the TBD will be????

Sent from Tracey's iPhone using DISBoards

I am not a country music fan but I love Trace Adkins' voice. Having seen him on Celebrity Apprentice (he made it to the final) a few years ago, I think he would do a great job.

 

[Robo]

the reserved section includes lot of seats with obstructed views due to the trees.

You can sit just about anywhere in the theater if you do the pkg.
And, those without the pkg. can be subject to "filling in" any seats that have
not been already taken up by showtime and beyond.
The trees are common to ANY seating in the last "quarter" of the house.

 

[Indio]

I've used the dining package to see CP once, and listened to it a second time while having dinner outside the Liberty Inn. It's a lovely show but I would never wait multiple hours in line to see it! Is it just me??

I agree completely! We just stood at the back and you can hear perfectly. Actually, most of my family was ready to go after a few songs. I would NEVER waste 2TS credits on this - especially since you can see and hear for free - you just can't sit down.

 

[j44]

You'd need to ask yourself (and your party) some questions.

Do you want a seat in the theater?

How good a seat do you want?

Are you OK with waiting in line for at least an hour, possibly two or three, maybe more?

How popular is the narrator? The standby line starts forming for the really popular ones right when World Showcase opens. If you're at the back of a line like that, you may have trouble finding seats or at least sitting together.

Maybe consider paying OOP for a package at a less expensive place like Via Napoli, and using your dining credits elsewhere for better value. If you are not concerned with sitting in the theater and would just like to be able to hear, you can stand at the back of the theater, sit in the American pavilion (outdoors), and you can hear pretty much to the borders of Japan and Italy.

Thanks to everyone for this very helpful thread. I have been to Epcot more times than I can count (I live in Florida) but have rarely been for the Christmas holidays. Never seen the Candlelight Processional. I know where the American Gardens Theater and American pavilion are.

Forgive my somewhat basic question, but for those people who don't make it into the theater for a seat, is it possible to SEE anything in the Candlelight Processional while hanging out either near the American pavilion or somewhere else, even if it is an oblique or side view? I realize the view would be far from the stage and not great, but just wondering. I realize the music travels for a good distance around the park, and that is great, but being able to see some of the proceedings, albeit from a distance, would be better. TIA for your help.

 

[TeresaNJ]

Thanks to everyone for this very helpful thread. I have been to Epcot more times than I can count (I live in Florida) but have rarely been for the Christmas holidays. Never seen the Candlelight Processional. I know where the American Gardens Theater and American pavilion are.

Forgive my somewhat basic question, but for those people who don't make it into the theater for a seat, is it possible to SEE anything in the Candlelight Processional while hanging out either near the American pavilion or somewhere else, even if it is an oblique or side view? I realize the view would be far from the stage and not great, but just wondering. I realize the music travels for a good distance around the park, and that is great, but being able to see some of the proceedings, albeit from a distance, would be better. TIA for your help.

Yes, you can absolutely see the choir, as well as the narrarator, although you will be weaving and doging most likely. When not doing a package, I usually grab a seat on the wall around the trees in front of the American Adventure. You won't see the narrarator from here, but you can see the top of the choir, as long as tons of people aren't standing in front of you, LOL. Or you can stand at the back of the theatre, and do the weave and dodge to see. Never the less, you will be able to hear everything. If you have a seat a little bit before the show starts, you will see the choir coming out of the back of the AA, holding their candles!

 

[Nancyg56]

Thanks to everyone for this very helpful thread. I have been to Epcot more times than I can count (I live in Florida) but have rarely been for the Christmas holidays. Never seen the Candlelight Processional. I know where the American Gardens Theater and American pavilion are.

Forgive my somewhat basic question, but for those people who don't make it into the theater for a seat, is it possible to SEE anything in the Candlelight Processional while hanging out either near the American pavilion or somewhere else, even if it is an oblique or side view? I realize the view would be far from the stage and not great, but just wondering. I realize the music travels for a good distance around the park, and that is great, but being able to see some of the proceedings, albeit from a distance, would be better. TIA for your help.

The last time I was there I wanted to see the performance again so I just waited by the rope at teh back of the theater. I was not looking for a seat. I had a perfect view from dead center. It was just outside the theater but perfect!

 

[LisaCat]

Depends on the date (crowds are much heavier as Christmas approaches) and the popularity of the guest narrator.

------------------------
Examples of just how busy the CP can get-

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=43444084#post43444084


And, here is quote saved from the boards-


------------------------------------------

This is why I went with the package. NPH is the narrator for my trip.

 

[letsgoreds]

Ha! I was there last Dec for NPH. The lines were INSANE!!! There was no where to see anything at all. Maybe listen far, far away. I have never seen this, and was willing to wait 2 hours, but CM told us it wasn't going to happen, and this was at 3/4pm. Now I understand...that people were lining up at noon. Craziness! Big regret that I didn't buy a package.

 

[hydrotony]

I was just there for Eat to the Beat concerts and noticed that some trees in the seating area closest to the middle were removed and seats added. Better sight lines now with those trees gone and more seats. The outer trees were also trimmed a lot and easier to see through.

 

[Nancyg56]

This is why I went with the package. NPH is the narrator for my trip.

Mine too! I cannot wait! I am planning on trying to hear Geena Davis as well.

 

[j44]

Yes, you can absolutely see the choir, as well as the narrarator, although you will be weaving and doging most likely. When not doing a package, I usually grab a seat on the wall around the trees in front of the American Adventure. You won't see the narrarator from here, but you can see the top of the choir, as long as tons of people aren't standing in front of you, LOL. Or you can stand at the back of the theatre, and do the weave and dodge to see. Never the less, you will be able to hear everything. If you have a seat a little bit before the show starts, you will see the choir coming out of the back of the AA, holding their candles!

Again, many thanks to all who posted in this very helpful thread, especially to TeresaNJ (TNJ) who responded to my specific question.

Just as an update for those who are interested, I attended the Candlelight Processional (CP) earlier this week. I followed TNJ's suggestion, and stood directly behind the short (three or four inches high) stone wall at the back of the America Gardens Theatre (AGT), which separates the AGT from the main World Showcase walkway. (Robo has an excellent picture of the AGT in this thread.) I stood at the very right corner of the stone wall, facing the stage.

I arrived about 15 minutes early for the 6:45 p.m. show. The orchestra was in place and began playing some songs a few minutes later. I was surprised at how much I could actually see of the entire performance. I had been to Epcot many times but, for whatever reason, had never seen a show in the AGT. As TNJ suggested, I saw the choir enter the AGT with their candles. While I was obviously somewhat far away from the stage, I could see narrator Blair Underwood and about 80% of the choir. Some small trees were slightly in my way, but no people.

The performance was fantastic--narrator, orchestra, and choir worked well together. I found standing at the back of the AGT a good way to enjoy the CP. It lasted about 50 minutes.

Happy Holidays to all.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Again, many thanks to all who posted in this very helpful thread, especially to TeresaNJ (TNJ) who responded to my specific question.

Just as an update for those who are interested, I attended the Candlelight Processional (CP) earlier this week. I followed TNJ's suggestion, and stood directly behind the short (three or four inches high) stone wall at the back of the America Gardens Theatre (AGT), which separates the AGT from the main World Showcase walkway. (Robo has an excellent picture of the AGT in this thread.) I stood at the very right corner of the stone wall, facing the stage.

I arrived about 15 minutes early for the 6:45 p.m. show. The orchestra was in place and began playing some songs a few minutes later. I was surprised at how much I could actually see of the entire performance. I had been to Epcot many times but, for whatever reason, had never seen a show in the AGT. As TNJ suggested, I saw the choir enter the AGT with their candles. While I was obviously somewhat far away from the stage, I could see narrator Blair Underwood and about 80% of the choir. Some small trees were slightly in my way, but no people.

The performance was fantastic--narrator, orchestra, and choir worked well together. I found standing at the back of the AGT a good way to enjoy the CP. It lasted about 50 minutes.

Happy Holidays to all.

We had a package with Andy Garcia. He was great!
We also heard but did not see Blair Underwood. We sat on the fountain wall in front of The American Adventure.