Candlelight Processional Strategies?

[christinadei]

Is there a way to not wait 2 hours without getting a dinner package? I plan to see the 5:00 showing. We are sneaking in 1 day on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (crazy busy?) and trying to do it on a budget. Even the cheapest package for lunch will be $80 for the 4 of us. But I really don't want to wait 2 hours to get a seat either. Any advice or tips?

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I don't think there is a way to avoid it. Even the people with dinner packages have to wait in a long line. Maybe someone else will have a strategy, but I don't think there is any way around it.

 

[christinadei]

What time would i need to line up for the 5:00 show if I didn't ahve the dinner package? What time if I did? I would love to plan our day and also be sure to get to see the show. Thanks!

 

[luke6417]

I have never had to wait over an hour. Another strategy is to show up just before show time. Many times people who are waiting for "good seats" will wait for the next showing and you can walk right in. You just might not have the best seat. I've even been led to the side and told that I was welcome to sit on the ledges on the sides of the theatre. I've perfromed in Candlelight 4 times so it's not the end of the world if my seat isn't the best.

On a side note, the one time my family and I opted to do a dinner package we had terrible seats.

 

[mickaholic4077]

Since you are going Thanksgiving Day weekend,there is no way around waiting on a long line. I always bring a book and take a seat from the outdoor seating for Liberty Inn and sit and read for the 2 hours to make it palatable.

 

[christinadei]

I just can't imagine waiting in line for 2 hours with 2 boys, 6 and 4! How long will we have to wait in line if we get the dining package (for the 5pm showing)?

 

[MinnieFan4ever]

We usually line up around 40 minutes prior to the show. We have always sat middle front-ish. If you don't care where you sit, you can show up 10 minutes prior to the show. There really are no BAD seats, just some better than others.

 

[christinadei]

We usually line up around 40 minutes prior to the show. We have always sat middle front-ish. If you don't care where you sit, you can show up 10 minutes prior to the show. There really are no BAD seats, just some better than others.

I really don't care where we sit! I would much rather have bad seats than wait in line for hours. I am afraid that if we get there late, there will be no seats left. Will it fill to capacity on Thanksgiving weekend? They boys will be really bummed to miss it. I wouldn't mind waiting in line for a little while though. I can plan ahead with things for the kids to do while we wait.

 

[a*lil*bit*goofy]

i would imagine it fills whether its aholiday weekend or not. sounds like its wait or don't go, kwim. if the boys will be that bummed about missing it, then you can explain to them that you all wait patiently in line for up to 2 hours, or miss it all together, and if they are willing to wait, then maybe try that?

 

[christinadei]

Do I need to wait 2 hours or not? Some people say less than one, others say 2 hours.

How long will I need to wait with the dining package?

What If I don't get the package and line up 45 minutes to an hour before the show? Will I get in? HELP! (can you tell that I'm stressing abou this )

I looked at TGM and all he says is people wait up to 2 hours. There is no advice, other than get the dining package. But then what? How much time will that save me?

 

[mousebit]

It sounds like your family would be really disappointed if you miss it, so I wouldn't chance it it I were you. I'd just have to sacrifice the extra $80 for lunch. A friend went Thanksgiving week-end last year and could not get in. (Don't know what time they lined up, tho) Good luck!

 

[christinadei]

Okay, I don't want to miss it. I think the boys would like Garden Grill (I already have a late lunch reservation), so maybe I'll stop being cheap. See, BF is the day before and I want to save my money to SHOP! Haha. Okay, I'll sacrifice the money, I certainly do not want to miss it.

Maybe we can get the package and wait in line for 30 minutes? Is seating guaranteed with the package? So, if we wanted, we could go right before the show and still get seated?

 

[disneygal55]

My family and I have done the CP almost every year during Thanksgiving week for the last 5-6 years. We have never done the package deal. We usually start waiting about an hour or so before the show. We've always had fantastic seats. I don't think the seats are reserved for the package people but they are let in first. If they show up late...they're on their own. But you don't want to get there too late. One year we were just about the last group let in. We'll be there again this year...again with no package deal.

 

[NancyIL]

I arrived at WDW the Tuesday after Thanksgiving last year, so I went to Epcot in the evening. I ate dinner at Liberty Inn across from the America Gardens Theater, then found an empty spot on a bench (not under the roof covering) and listened to most of the last Candlelight Processional program. I know that wouldn't have happened Thanksgiving weekend, but it was pretty uncrowded that Tuesday night. I was glad I went my first night because the temps were still fairly warm. It got MUCH colder the following evenings.

 

[mom2ee]

seating with package "not guaranteed" being said, you still need to show up in line at the designated time before they let the standbys in...you will get a seat then but what seat is not guaranteed

if you dont want to do a package, you could always grab something to eat at the American Pavillion and sit outside, barring cold and lots of people, and watch/listen from afar. Not the same intensity as within the American Gardens Theatre, but good for the $$$

 

[DelitefulDory]

If you get the dinner package you are guaranteed first choice of seats. They line up the package people on one side (usually over on the Japan side), the stand bys on the other. The sooner you get in line, the closer you'll be to the stage. If you just want to be "in" the ampitheater then you could show up about 45 minutes early. I myself would not purposely wait any longer than that though.
Once a few years ago, DH and I had a situation beyond our control, we had a package deal for the 5:00 show, but due to something that happenened, we were running way late. We ran up to the package line at 5 minutes before the show was to start and a CM did get us in even though stand bys were being turned away.
As long as you keep the badge that you'll recieve when you check in (that's at the front of Epcot) then you are pretty much guaranteed a seat.

 

[mickaholic4077]

This year,you get your badges at the restaurant when you pay for your meal. It guarantees you a seat at the performance you booked.

 

[christinadei]

When do they start seating people? As long as I get there before that, I'll get in with the package people, right?

 

[DelitefulDory]

This year,you get your badges at the restaurant when you pay for your meal. It guarantees you a seat at the performance you booked.

Really? That's good to know.
I think they start seating 15-20 minutes before the show. As long as you have your badge, you'll have a seat.