Candlelight Processional Questions

[Sparrow'sLady]

Are the number of participating restaurants (2022/2023) much less than they used to be? I feel like when I did this many years ago almost all of the WS restaurants participated, but in 2023 it was only about half.

If you do not book a dinner for reserved seating, are the seats for stand-by bad (all the way in the back)?

 

[thanxfornoticin]

Are the number of participating restaurants (2022/2023) much less than they used to be? I feel like when I did this many years ago almost all of the WS restaurants participated, but in 2023 it was only about half.

If you do not book a dinner for reserved seating, are the seats for stand-by bad (all the way in the back)?

There is no question the participating restaurants are less than they used to be for the CP dining package. That number seemed to change with the pandemic and hasn't returned. It seems like they might have opened up more 'seats' at each of the remaining restaurants, but I have not way to prove or verify that. But I know the last time we did the CP package, we were in line 40 minutes before the show and ended up seated farther back than we expected.

Your other question is tougher to answer. Depending on how close to Christmas and the host that night, there could be very few standby seats remaining. I don't think any of the seats are actually 'bad'. In fact, some nights you'll see the crowd 4-10 people deep standing behind the theater watching. But we have seen people stand in line for a seat, not get one for one show, and remain in line for a seat at the next show.

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

There is no question the participating restaurants are less than they used to be for the CP dining package. That number seemed to change with the pandemic and hasn't returned. It seems like they might have opened up more 'seats' at each of the remaining restaurants, but I have not way to prove or verify that. But I know the last time we did the CP package, we were in line 40 minutes before the show and ended up seated farther back than we expected.

Your other question is tougher to answer. Depending on how close to Christmas and the host that night, there could be very few standby seats remaining. I don't think any of the seats are actually 'bad'. In fact, some nights you'll see the crowd 4-10 people deep standing behind the theater watching. But we have seen people stand in line for a seat, not get one for one show, and remain in line for a seat at the next show.

Thank you for the response. This is our last trip we are making, so we want to see it...but I find the per person price for the decent meals to be insane, so I am not sure which way to go. :/

 

[mlayman7]

We have gone every year for the last 10 years, to us it is that good. The price is up there and we have 3 kids, 2 adult priced, but it's one of those special things for us. The wait for the dinner guests is always backed up, and we get in line about 45 minutes prior to start of our show.

 

[Disneydawg74]

There are obstructed view seats behind those pillars. But so long as you’re not there, you can see and hear the show.

 

[jimmymc]

I believe they have. After doing a package last year, it seems like there were a lot of seats reserved for the performer's families. I got in line around 30 minutes before showtime and still found a decent seat, but I was behind the main aisle that divides the front and back of the theater.

 

[TheHulamuffins]

For quite a few years, we have gone to the Candlelight Processional (with a dinner reservation) on or close to the last day of the Processional. The line of people with reservations is usually quite long, but there have always been many seats available for those without dinner reservations. You can hear very well from any spot in the auditorium. In fact, one year for some reason, I sat with my Dad and step-mother at a table near the American Experience, and we could still hear with no problem. If you are far from the stage, you will miss seeing the expressions of some of the singers, and you might have a problem seeing the ASL interpreter, but otherwise, I don't think you will have any difficulty.