CandleLight Processional or not?

[jonestavern]

CandleLight Processional or Not?
Am on the fence as far as CandleLight Proc goes. DH thinks no go but I would like to know what all of you really enjoy about it, or why you choose not to go--
We do have our tix for MVMCP & we know we'll like that--

DS is 16, there'll just be DH & moi, perhaps DBil, no small ones this trip! Please let us know your thoughts--will we really be missing out & if so on what?

Thanks in advance!
Jean

 

[philaround]

If you are into the religous asprct of Christmas mixed with a great show this is a must see. DW, me , & DGS[3] did this last December. I wasn't sure if I wuld enjoy it but booked it anyway. We all loved it.

 

[wfloyd]

We love to go to the Candlelight Processional each year. DW has had different groups sing in it each year so we primarily go to watch her students but there have been times we went just to hear the narrators. We feel it is a good way to get into the holiday spirit.

I guess you could say that we would recommend seeing it while you are there.

 

[tazz23]

My family are jewish (although not very religious) but even so we saw it last year and loved it!
We originally chose it as a 'family night out'- it was something new that we hadn't seen and we thought we'd make an evening of it! We got the candlelight package (similar to the fantasmic dining package where you get a pass which guarantees you entry to the show plus dinner in an epcot restaurant) and then also planned to see illuminations all in the same night.

The show is not very long (1 hour i think?) and it passes really quickly and other posters have said its a great way to get into the holiday spirit, it was very moving watching the amount of singers on the stage singing and there was a woman signing, which was beautiful to watch.
Saying that my brother found it boring but it gave us something to talk about afterwards and we had the best meal of the whole trip in the Garden Grill that night- excellent service. We actually spent longer in the restaurant than we'd planned for but we managed to catch the end of illuminations which made the night even more special!

If you do decide to see it, i'd definitely get the dining package- the stand by queue travelled half way around the world showcase, with people queueing for hours to get a seat- it was insane!

 

[MrShiny]

I would suggest doing it - it is pretty nice. The religion is tempered (maybe too much!), but the music is wonderful. Even with the dinner package, you'll probably stand in line, but you will get seated.

 

[MickeyMacks]

tazz23,

What date did you go when there was a long line-up? Was it for one of the earlier shows or one later in pm? Do you think there'd be a long line the first week of December?

I'd like to go but think my DS8 would be bored since it's 40 minutes long. My parents and sister may want to go - just wondering if they should dinner book package...

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't think the religious aspect is tempered at all. It is just not in your face, so to speak. The reader reads a passage from the Bible that is relevant to the season and then the choir sings an appropriate hymn/song. It is incredibly moving. My dd and I did it for the first time 2 yrs ago and when we were there last Nov/Dec we had to bring dh to see what we were so thrilled with. When I go solo in Dec this year, I'll still be going but I don't think I'll be doing a pkg since I am alone. I may just perch on the stonewall behind the theater.

Nope, wouldn't even think about missing it. One of the hightlights of our holiday trip.

 

[tazz23]

mickeymacks, we went on the 18th December for the 6.45pm showing(although there was one at 5 i think and also one at 8?) because we wanted to see the tree lighting ceremony first with the characters, so yes it was probably busy due to the christmas crowds beginning to arrive! I was still shocked at how long the lines were- i was told that many people park hop to epcot in the evening and local residents come just to see the show.

I'd think the beginning of december should be fine in stand by- maybe another diser could confirm this?
We chose the package, because we were going to eat dinner in epcot anyway that night, so it seemed logical to get the package.

 

[lulu71]

I'd think the beginning of december should be fine in stand by- maybe another diser could confirm this?
/QUOTE]

Lines were crazy in early December too. Last year, I think we went on the 5th and the standby line was nuts! The package line was long too, but at least it moved fast once it started moving.

 

[suez live]

Aside from the Liberty Singers screeching at ear-piercing decibels that drown-out the visiting student groups (which I am sure is by design), it is great. Then again, you can hear everything fine from anywhere in the America Pavilion and avoid the bucks (or Italy, or Norway, or Test Track, or inside Spaceship Earth, or the parking lot, or Orlando International Airport. . .did I mention how loud the Liberty Singers are?!).

Certainly a must-see as you can’t miss hearing!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

We walked by last year and the last few rows were basically empty. This was the last week of Nov./ 1st week of Dec. We didn't go because of our 2 year old. I think it was the 5:00 show. I believe the later shows are more crowded because it is beautiful when it is completely dark.

Lori

 

[DebbieB]

I'd think the beginning of december should be fine in stand by- maybe another diser could confirm this?
/QUOTE]

Lines were crazy in early December too. Last year, I think we went on the 5th and the standby line was nuts! The package line was long too, but at least it moved fast once it started moving.

I believe that was one of the nights Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ) was narrator, he drew big crowds. We were able to get in on standby the night before for Kirk Franklin, we walked up about 15 minutes before. We also saw Marlee Matlin later in the week and got in with no problem. We love this show, we usually see it 2 or 3 times during the week with different narrators. We got the package for Dec 6 with Jim Caviezel. I think this year we will not do the package since I have a DDE card.

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I'd think the beginning of december should be fine in stand by- maybe another diser could confirm this?
/QUOTE]

Lines were crazy in early December too. Last year, I think we went on the 5th and the standby line was nuts! The package line was long too, but at least it moved fast once it started moving.

The 5:00 show was closed to guests on Dec. 5th. This may have caused the later shows to be more crowded than usual.

Lori

 

[Eeyore2003]

I would definitely use the package and definitely plan on going. It's really beautiful. One year we saw Ben Vereen and this last year we saw Marlee Maitlin. I would also recommend going to one of the later shows, I think it's nicer seeing it all in the dark. It really gets you in the Christmas Spirit. I'm going to miss seeing it this year since we're going in November.

Two years ago MVMCP was really nice, last year it was so crowded that we rode a couple rides, watched the parade and fireworks, walk around looking at long lines some more and left. I think it's all how you hit it. When I asked DH about it this year he said that if we went in December, he wouldn't mind missing MCMCP, but the CP was definitely worth it.

 

[jonestavern]

Wow! great info. I am definitly going, will have DS 16, read yr advice & make up his own mind. As for DH & DBil I'm sure they'll say if they can hear it it's a 'no go' for them
I do have 2 more questions:
When are the narrators announced?
Re: dining pkgs: Will Norway be the full buffet or the new character buffet? The Dis site is just a re-cap of last yr, so of course it is the old menu. I have called twice, spoken to 2 CMs & gotten no clear answer. DS 16 likes Akershus, & we both like the "old" menu--anyone out there know? I am assumming it will be the new menu & Princesses ?


Thanks in advance-
Jean

Nov/Dec '05 OKW

 

[Feralpeg]

We love it. If you like Christmas music, it's not to be missed.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Candlelight Processional is the best show on Disney property that can be found, any time of year. We love it and see it several times each trip when it is being performed. Pretty soon we'll transition out of post-Thanksgiving trips to going in the summer and we'll miss the Candlelight Processional. Your DH and BIL would be foolish not to see this incredible show.

The orchestra is incredible, and the singing is beautiful. It is quite an event and not to be missed.

If you plan on having a sit down meal in Epcot when you are there, definitely do the dinner package. You'll save a couple bucks on the meal and you'll have guaranteed seating for the show without waiting in a long line.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm still debating the package myself. My DH doesn't like lines especially if he doesn't get in to the show after waiting.

I was thinking I would try not doing the package UNLESS Jim C is there when we're there.

I hope the narrators are announced before the package goes on sale so that can help me decide. I, too, will have the DDE card so I only want to do the package to see Jim...but that of course, might not happen this year anyway and this will be moot!

 

[jonestavern]

A few more questions:
1) if not using the dinner pkg is there a charge to see the Candlelight Processional?
2) when do they announce the narrators?
3) assuming Akershus is Princess buffet for the Candlelight? DS16 really likes Akershus, for the old menu we'd brave the Princesses--

thanks!

Jean

 

[beattyfamily]

A few more questions:
1) if not using the dinner pkg is there a charge to see the Candlelight Processional?
2) when do they announce the narrators?
3) assuming Akershus is Princess buffet for the Candlelight? DS16 really likes Akershus, for the old menu we'd brave the Princesses--

thanks!

Jean

1) Candlelight Processional is free just as Fantasmic is.

2) It used to be in the Fall but I think we knew August last year.

3) I doubt Akershus will change at all for the CP and it remains to be seen if they offer it for the package. My guess is they will.