Candlelight Processional Package Question

[WhitGB]

Does anyone know what times the candelight processional dinner package dining reservations are for? Or have been in the past?

I need to schedule our breakfast/lunch ADR and don't want them on top of each other if the dinner package is really early.

TIA

 

[DisneyGuess]

2010 times:

For the 5:00pm Candlelight Processional, the ADR timeframe was 1:45-2:45.
For the 6:45pm Candlelight Processional, the ADR timeframe was 3:30-4:30.
For the 8:15pm Candlelight Processional, the ADR timeframe was 5:00-6:00.

HTH!

 

[Chellymouse]

The meals are generally scheduled 1.5-2 hours prior to your chosen seating. Example: if you wish to see the 6:45pm show, plan on eating around 4:45-5:30 at the latest. You have to have enough time to eat and take your place in the line up for dinner package holders. If you have to make an ADR for that day, you may want to make it as early as possible or try to get the late performance of CP.

 

[WhitGB]

Thanks for the information everyone, this is exactally the information I was looking for. It is just my mother and I so we will try for the late seating.

Does anyone know if it is easier to get the earlier or later dinner reservation? If it makes a difference we are visiting Nov 30-Dec 4.

Again, Thanks!

 

[larryz]

As soon as they open for reservations, call, at 7 am that morning, eastern time. You'll be in a long, but distinguished, line of folks waiting to speak to a CRS CM.

You also have the option to reserve on line (I think CPP was added with the latest upgrade) but run the risk of server saturation taking down the system.

Bottom line, you might just be lucky to get ANY time, depending on who's narrating during your visit. Be flexible.

 

[RMulieri]

Thanks for the information everyone, this is exactally the information I was looking for. It is just my mother and I so we will try for the late seating.

Does anyone know if it is easier to get the earlier or later dinner reservation? If it makes a difference we are visiting Nov 30-Dec 4.

Again, Thanks!

The first CP showing of the evening is the easier of the bunch to get ressies for.But alot depends on WHO is narrating.If it is a popular narrator, the dinner pkgs book fast regardless of times.Last year the pkgs went on sale August 24th and even then the narrator list wasn't finalized and there were a few TBA's listed and a few changed

 

[Disneyaunt4]

I have a question about the CP, if we do the early package will it be as good as if we do a later one when it is darker? This will be our first time and I want it to be the best it can be.

 

[aloha517]

I have a ? too ..What happens if my ADR date comes before the CP packages go on sale? Can I go ahead and make ADR'S for the resturant and then add the package at a later time? Want to make 4:30 ressies for Teppan Edo on Sat 12/10...my ADR date is June 9th..

 

[goofy4tink]

I have a question about the CP, if we do the early package will it be as good as if we do a later one when it is darker? This will be our first time and I want it to be the best it can be.

While it is a bit more spectactular when it's dark, I wouldn't worry about having to get the early show. I've been to the 6:45 and the 8:15..enjoyed them both the same. The 5 show always has plenty of people there...they seem to be enjoying it as well.

I have a ? too ..What happens if my ADR date comes before the CP packages go on sale? Can I go ahead and make ADR'S for the resturant and then add the package at a later time? Want to make 4:30 ressies for Teppan Edo on Sat 12/10...my ADR date is June 9th..

Nope, you can't switch a current ADR over to one for CP. You have to make a brand new one. Besides, the one you want may not match up with the show you end up seeing. Go ahead and make the ones you want now...then when they open the window for CP bookings, make a new one and cancel the one you won't need.

 

[tinka-belle]

The CP packages are a separate inventory, can't add it to an existing normal ADR. You'll find at your 180 day mark that lots of CP restaurant inventory is held back and not as many normal ADR slots are open. As long as you call for CP when they become bookable you should be fine.

We've done the 5pm show, lines are not as bad even for standby unless it's a really popular narrator. It's not fully dark yet, but the show is still spectacular.

 

[CynBeth]

If you don't make a dinner resservation is it easy to get in to one of the shows of it is a Friday night and the first date of this event?

 

[RMulieri]

If you don't make a dinner resservation is it easy to get in to one of the shows of it is a Friday night and the first date of this event?

Usually...But it depends on WHO is narrating.If it is someone extremely popular you may not get in.If you choose to forgo a dinner pkg , guests trying to get in on standby line up and wait( again depending on when in December it is, the time of show and the narrator) anywhere from 60-120mins prior to showtime.On nights closest to Christmas and witha popular narrator I have seen people wait standby for over an hour and still not make it into the theater.In any event, if you can't get in, you can still hear it all just by hanging out in fron of the theater or the AMerican Adventure pavilion at Epcot WS

 

[goofy4tink]

If you don't make a dinner resservation is it easy to get in to one of the shows of it is a Friday night and the first date of this event?

As already mentioned, it depends on which show and who the narrator is. I have seen people lining up at 3pm for the early show for a popular narrator. By 4, that line was ridiculously long. The shows on the weekend evenings tend to be more popular. So, try for a midweek show, with a less popular narrator. Or, you can always just stand in the rear, on the sidewalk, and watch/listen. I have paid for the CP pkg every year for at least one show....and I have never really regreted it. Then, for other shows, I grab something to eat at the American pavillion and sit and eat as I listen to the show across the walkway. But, again, I have seen it about 20 times to date.
Now that the price has gone up so high, I tend to think that I won't pay for it again. It's just not worth the amount they are charging. Sure, you get preferred viewing for IllumiNations but not in a spot I want to watch from.

 

[PamelaKay]

I have been to both the 5 and 8:15 show. The sound is the same at both, but the 8:15 lighting was spectacular while it was just ok at 5. I think either the 6:45 or 8 would be best because it is dark outside.

 

[Dan Murphy]

.....I have seen people lining up at 3pm for the early show for a popular narrator. By 4, that line was ridiculously long. ...

Last year, for Whoopi, I asked the people at the front of the line when they got there......11 AM.

 

[goofy4tink]

Last year, for Whoopi, I asked the people at the front of the line when they got there......11 AM.

I saw those crowds...it was simply incredible Dan. Sorry I missed seeing you then. Karen and I had CP pkg for the late show on one evening. When we stopped by, at the rear of the theater, to see how the show was going on Whoopi's other night, the crowd was extraordinary!!! I have never seen people 5-8 people deep back there!!! Man, she was popular as a narrator.
I am so glad I saw her. I doubt I can top that experience.

 

[CynBeth]

Do you pay for tickets and if so what is the cost? What is the show like? Thanks!

 

[goofy4tink]

Do you pay for tickets and if so what is the cost? What is the show like? Thanks!

You don't actually 'pay' for tickets. The CP is free. Anyone is welcome to stand in the standby line and try to get in without buying the dining pkg. Or you can just stand on the sidewalk that runs behind the theater and listen/watch from there.
If you want a seat, without being in the standby line you can buy a pkg at a restaurant. The dinners vary in cost depending on the tier you eat at. For instance...LeCellier is going to be a top tier spot and cost you more than the lower tiered Marrakesh. You will be given the time you will eat based on the show you want to go to. When you eat, you will be given a sticker that shows you have paid for the pkg. Then, about 40 mins before the show starts, you will head for the reserved line.

The show is pretty terrific. It is a telling of the life of Christ, with the emphasis on the Christmas story. There is one choir made up of WDW CMs, as well as the singers from the American pavillion. There is a full sized orchestra and choirs from 3 or 4 area high schools. The choirs sing music that is relative to whatever was just read. The narrators are varied. I saw Whoopi Goldburg last Dec. Depending on who the narrator is, it can be hard to get ADRs. Whoopi's shows sold out very quickly.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[CynBeth]

That helps a lot, thanks!


I do have some more questions. Is the dinner always before the show if you do a package or is there a choice for after? Also, how long does the show run? When in July do tickets usually go on sale?