Candlelight Processional- do I really need package?

[mariamouse]

Hi guys!

My mom and I are interested in attending the Candlelight Processional on Monday, December 12th for the first time. Neil Patrick Harris is hosting and we are happy to attend any of the three show times that evening.

We called to inquire about the CP lunch/dinner package last night and were shocked at how expensive the packages are! The CM said the minimum amnt for a lunch package was $41! The available restaurants at that price point were Nine Dragons, Marakesh, San Angel, Via Napoli, and Rose & Crown. Ideally, we would have preferred to try a nicer restaurant like Le Cellier, but no luck in regard to package availability. We could eat here if we were doing a normal reservation.

So, given that it is a Monday and earlier in the Christmas season, do we really need to buy the lunch package if we want to get seated for a show? My main concern is NPH's popularity. How clear is the view of the show from outside the theater if we cannot be seated? If you think we do need to purchase a package, which restaurant would you choose?

Thanks!

 

[mlnbabies]

From what I have read on here, NPH is very popular and you may want to think of getting the package. I booked our CP dinner package at Biergarten for Dec. 8. The narrator for the evening is Isabella Rossellini and I wanted to wait in the standby line and my dad thought it would be a good idea to book so we don't have to wait in the standby line for an hour.

I also didn't want to pay the high cost of the package but we had several $50 meals to choose from. I can't wait to try Biergarten since they have a buffet and a show.

 

[sharonabe]

That's a tough one. I see your point with it being a Monday and all, but NPH is probably one of the most popular narrators.

You can see and hear from the walkway above the theatre, but you don't really feel like you're part of the show. We grabbed an outside table at Liberty Inn right next to the walkway, and we could hear okay, but couldn't see much because we were across the way.

If it is something you definitely WANT to do and you don't want to wait in line all evening, I'd go for the package. Remember, you get app, entree, dessert, and drink for that price. My choice would be Via Napoli.

If you get in line for the first show, but don't make it in, you do get to stay in line for the next show and should make it in to that one. However, you can't leave the line and that's a lot of time waiting. AND you will hear the show while you're waiting.

 

[ccgirl]

Hi guys!

My mom and I are interested in attending the Candlelight Processional on Monday, December 12th for the first time. Neil Patrick Harris is hosting and we are happy to attend any of the three show times that evening.

We called to inquire about the CP lunch/dinner package last night and were shocked at how expensive the packages are! The CM said the minimum amnt for a lunch package was $41! The available restaurants at that price point were Nine Dragons, Marakesh, San Angel, Via Napoli, and Rose & Crown. Ideally, we would have preferred to try a nicer restaurant like Le Cellier, but no luck in regard to package availability. We could eat here if we were doing a normal reservation.

So, given that it is a Monday and earlier in the Christmas season, do we really need to buy the lunch package if we want to get seated for a show? My main concern is NPH's popularity. How clear is the view of the show from outside the theater if we cannot be seated? If you think we do need to purchase a package, which restaurant would you choose?

Thanks!

I would say for Neil Patrick Harris, yes a package is required if you want a seat. I guess I don't think $41 is bad when you consider it includes a lunch and a seat at a spectactular show.

 

[budbeerlady]

IF You really want to see the show, get the package. You can take your chances but I have heard he is very popular. We did the dinner package last year for Steven Curtis Chapman, the show was wonderful and was worth the $ to do it. I knew I had a seat in the theater and no stress.

 

[JimmyV]

I booked our CP dinner package at Biergarten for Dec. 8. The narrator for the evening is Isabella Rossellini and I wanted to wait in the standby line and my dad thought it would be a good idea to book so we don't have to wait in the standby line for an hour.

Oh, come on now! Your dad wanted to book so that he would be guaranteed a seat with a closer view of Ms. Rossellini.
Not that there's anything wrong with that!

 

[debrapagliasotti]

I'm gonna agree with the others and say to do the package. 1st choice would be Via Napoli, 2nd choice San Angel.

 

[Jillinwonderland]

If you really do not want to spend the money on a package but want to see NPH my suggestion is to get in the standby line as early as possible (2 hours or more before the first show, keep an eye on the line and make a judgement call). If you don't make it into the first showing you can stay in line and get 2nd or 3rd showing, OR stand right behind the seating area. The view is fine. I've sat up front, way back and stood and never had a problem. Where ever you are you will hear him and the choir just fine.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I would recommend getting the package. I was only able to attend this once but it was nothing short of AMAZING!!!

The downfall was that we waited an hour+ to ensure that we got in. A package takes away this long wait.

I remember others sharing too that if you chose to not get a package and wait for the 2nd or 3rd show, in order to get seats you need to wait in line for a long time and while waiting are overhearing the show already in progress. If you like the 'surprise' of seeing/hearing something for the first time (like I do) this could take away a bit of the anticipation.

Just my .02. If it were me $41 would be money well spent!

 

[mariamouse]

Thanks for all the responses! We decided to book a CP lunch package with San Angel. Should I switch to Via Napoli instead? That's two votes now for Via Napoli over SA...

 

[momto2inKC]

I wasn't planning on getting the package but went ahead and booked it last week. We wanted to see Neil Patrick Harris on the 12th and that seemed to be a very popular night on a couple of different Disney forums. I didn't want to waste hours in line. We ended up getting it for lunch at Le Cellier.
As far as San Angel or Via Napoli....i've never had VN but have had SA and didn't enjoy anything but the atmosphere.

 

[quirty30]

Thanks for all the responses! We decided to book a CP lunch package with San Angel. Should I switch to Via Napoli instead? That's two votes now for Via Napoli over SA...

LOL - another vote for Via Napoli here. We've never seen the CP before, and we're going a week after you. I justified the price of the package because it's really not much more than we'd pay if we ordered a la carte for the same items; and Via Napoli is a place where we wouldn't think of missing appetizers and dessert (must have Arancini and Zeppole!!!!) In my mind, the guaranteed seats for the CP are a bonus. And I don't have to worry about standing in line for hours only to discover we can't even get close. Since this is a first Xmas season trip for us, and likely the only one we'll have for many years, I didn't want to take that chance.

 

[mariamouse]

Thanks for all the advice! We switched from San Angel to Via Napoli for lunch and agree that we will appreciate knowing that we can be seated for the CP. Should I be worried that the 5pm show will feel significantly less "magical" than the later showings due to its being lighter out then?

 

[dclfun]

Thanks for all the advice! We switched from San Angel to Via Napoli for lunch and agree that we will appreciate knowing that we can be seated for the CP. Should I be worried that the 5pm show will feel significantly less "magical" than the later showings due to its being lighter out then?

We do prefer the later shows, although it will usually get "dark" during the earliest show at some point. I'm so glad you booked the package as it's worth it to avoid stress/a long wait time in a long line, and you have to eat anyway, right? ---Kathy

 

[RachaelA]

We watched it from outside last December when Whoopi Goldberg hosting and it was a Friday night. We had no problem showing up like 15 minutes beforehand and being able to see. People didn't even stay the whole time so we ended up right on the ropes pretty quickly.