Candlelight Processional questions

[AndreaDM]

First of all, I have never been, so all I know about it is what I've read here, but it really seems like something I'd enjoy. Second, we just found out this weekend that my step-son is going to be there with his high school choir in Dec.! So, we are considering a quick weekend trip (I *think* they perform on that Sunday, but getting info from a 16 year old boy is ) to go and hear the choir and take in all of the holiday decor, etc. I guess my question is what to expect? We will probably just buy a one day ticket to Epcot. How much time should we allow for the processional and what times are they? I'm a planner of course so just want to make the most of the one day. Should we book a dining package? Anyone else's child perform there? Sorry for all the rambling questions, I'm sure we'll find out more info closer to the date, but I just want to get an idea of what to expect. TIA!

 

[Armoire]

Interested in this, too!

We opted for a dining package for guaranteed seating, which seems worthwhile (especially for a popular celebrity reading). I can’t imagine paying so much just to get into Epcot only to wait in a standby line without guarantee to see the show.

 

[yulilin3]

First of all, I have never been, so all I know about it is what I've read here, but it really seems like something I'd enjoy. Second, we just found out this weekend that my step-son is going to be there with his high school choir in Dec.! So, we are considering a quick weekend trip (I *think* they perform on that Sunday, but getting info from a 16 year old boy is ) to go and hear the choir and take in all of the holiday decor, etc. I guess my question is what to expect? We will probably just buy a one day ticket to Epcot. How much time should we allow for the processional and what times are they? I'm a planner of course so just want to make the most of the one day. Should we book a dining package? Anyone else's child perform there? Sorry for all the rambling questions, I'm sure we'll find out more info closer to the date, but I just want to get an idea of what to expect. TIA!

the shows are at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm, they are about 56 minutes long
Depending on time of year and narrator you could find a standby spot by getting in line as early as 3 hours (for popular narrators) or about an hour before (less popular narrators)
I don't think your step son will know which show is performing as they are still taking high school choir videos to audition (I know because my daughter's audition video is next week)
My son and daughter have done CP for the past 8 years and I have never bought the dining package until last year. I am a local and an ap holder so I don't mind waiting in line for hours(I've gotten in line for NPH at noon for the 5pm show and I wasn't even the first one in line)
But if you don't want to spend a chunk of time in the standby line I would recommend the CP dinning package. My kids have performed with NPH, Edward James Olmos, Gary Sinise, Jodi Benson, Anthony Mackie among others and the most popular narrators are NPH, Gary Sinise and Edward James Olmos.
Not knowing which show your step son is performing is the real issue when booking the dinning package, if he's performing the first show (5pm) it'll be just that one show but if he's performing in the 6:45pm show he will also perform in the 8:15pm show.
If you have any other questions let me know, it is truly a great experience for the singers, it's also quiet physically demanding, many kids feel faint and tired because of lack of stamina, dehydration or pure exhaustion, the lights are very bright and hot on stage and having to hold one position for 45 min is draining, make sure to tell him to hydrate properly for a week before he comes, eat properly that day and don't lock the knees while on stage

 

[AndreaDM]

Thank you so much for that information! I believe Gary Sinise will be the narrator and I do NOT want to spend hours in line so we will book a package once I know when he is performing. I'm so excited he gets this opportunity, since joining choir he has really come out of his shell and become a different person, it's been so good for him.

 

[yulilin3]

Thank you so much for that information! I believe Gary Sinise will be the narrator and I do NOT want to spend hours in line so we will book a package once I know when he is performing. I'm so excited he gets this opportunity, since joining choir he has really come out of his shell and become a different person, it's been so good for him.

Gary Sinise is one of my favorites, he's an amazing narrator

 

[Laura's Dad]

Thank you so much for that information! I believe Gary Sinise will be the narrator and I do NOT want to spend hours in line so we will book a package once I know when he is performing. I'm so excited he gets this opportunity, since joining choir he has really come out of his shell and become a different person, it's been so good for him.

What a great opportunity.

 

[mamaofsix]

Lots of CP and dining package info on this thread if you're interested (particularly check the first 3 posts of the thread):

https://www.disboards.com/threads/o...ocessional-dining-package-watch-2018.3674294/

Have fun planning!

 

[JennyDrake]

_I_ would definitely do the dining package in your situation.

 

[cleophus12]

We also loved Gary Sinise. He brings a very personal element to his narration. And I think I would also do a DP to be sure you get in to see your family member. It's a great evening. One of our very favorite WDW experiences.