Candlelight processional timing?

[phoebusII]

We will be going to WDW for Christmas and are planning to do the Candlelight Processional dinner package. With the package, how early do I need to get to the stage for seating? I understand that people without the dinner package wait hours.

This may be a bit early to ask this question, as we still have 10 months until we go, but I like to plan ahead.

 

[DebbieB]

We will be going to WDW for Christmas and are planning to do the Candlelight Processional dinner package. With the package, how early do I need to get to the stage for seating? I understand that people without the dinner package wait hours.

This may be a bit early to ask this question, as we still have 10 months until we go, but I like to plan ahead.

What date? The lines are lower in the beginning of the month and during the week. Also depends on the popularity of the narrator.

 

[siskaren]

What date? The lines are lower in the beginning of the month and during the week. Also depends on the popularity of the narrator.

I don't see those as being issues if you have a package though, which the OP says she will. I would think that 45 minutes, maybe an hour would be fine. (I have done the CP with a package, but it's been a few years and I don't remember when I got in line.)

 

[phoebusII]

It will be the week between Christmas and New Years. Huge crowds, crazy time of year to visit, but it's when the kids are off school and we've talked about seeing WDW at Christmas for years. We went once during late November to early December when the kids were pre-school and toddler age. Very low crowds and a wonderful time. But with the CP package we should have guaranteed seats, rights? I'm wondering how far in advance to line up to have a decent view.

 

[AmyB2006]

I don't see those as being issues if you have a package though, which the OP says she will. I would think that 45 minutes, maybe an hour would be fine. (I have done the CP with a package, but it's been a few years and I don't remember when I got in line.)

When NPH is the narrator... Definitely an issue.

Lately you need to be lined up about an hour before show time. More for a popular narrator. This package is growing in popularity.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

I used the dinner package last year to see the Candlelight Processional with Neil Patrick Harris on Dec 2nd and got in line just over an hour early, I ended up sitting in front of the trees (my goal) but was still sitting about 5 or 6 rows back in the uncovered part of the theater.

When I got in the reserved line about 7:15 it was almost to Morocco, when we started moving about 30 minutes later the end of the line looked to be nearing the bridge by France. All the reserved guests must have gotten in though because right before the show they asked us to squeeze together to try to get some of the standby line in. I have no idea where the standby line ended but walking into the theater I noticed it was as far as I could see (beyond Germany), I remember feeling thankful I used the dining package but also feeling bad for all those people that stood in line for an hour or more that didn't get in.

The Candlelight Processional was a highlight of my trip, definitely worth the time and money.

Here's a picture for some perspective of what an hour early will get you on a NPH night. This was before we squeezed in a bit so I ended up a little closer to the center.

 

[phoebusII]

Oh my! I was afraid I'd need to get in line an hour early and was hoping it wasn't so. I'm so glad I asked. We will definitely be in line early to get good seats. Thank you for your answers!!!

 

[siskaren]

Oh my! I was afraid I'd need to get in line an hour early and was hoping it wasn't so. I'm so glad I asked. We will definitely be in line early to get good seats. Thank you for your answers!!!

I could certainly be wrong (especially since I haven't been in awhile), but I would be willing to bet that what Viva Las Disney experienced isn't the norm because NPH is a very popular narrator.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Oh my! I was afraid I'd need to get in line an hour early and was hoping it wasn't so. I'm so glad I asked. We will definitely be in line early to get good seats. Thank you for your answers!!!

As was mentioned a lot depends on the narrator, which show you're going to and if it's early or later in the month and the timing is only important if the area that you sit in very important.

We've never had gone to a show and waited in the line - most of the CP package people will have already entered and we just walk up and in. And I've never had a complaint about the seat.

 

[fla4fun]

I went to the 5pm show on Christmas Day, with a CP package. I wanted to be very close to take photos, so I got in line about 3pm, with maybe three families ahead of me. The line really didn't build a lot until about 4pm-ish, and then it built quickly. I think that if you want to be fairly close or fairly centered, I would get in line at least an hour ahead if you can (that may depend on which show you are seeing - much easier if it's the early one).

 

[Magpie]

One more variable: How many people are in your party!

We got into line a half hour early, and were standing way back past Morocco. And the narrator was Whoopie Goldberg! Seemed hopeless, right?

Well, about 15 people joined the couple standing ahead of us when the line started to move. A woman with a baby carriage was being especially obnoxious about not splitting up (which I found hilarious, considering how far back we were).

When we got to the stadium, it was looking pretty full. My husband I passed the group of 17 who were milling around looking lost and headed to the far side... and then down the aisle, where we found fantastic seats for the two of us. We had a perfect view - not too close (we made that mistake one year!), and nothing blocking our view.

The group of 17, by the way, did manage to stick together, more or less. But they were stuck way at the back behind the trees. (Why Disney has trees in the middle of a theatre is another question altogether! )

Ones and twos can almost always find good seats, no matter how late you line up. Larger groups will have problems.

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

We went last year and saw NPH. Non CP dinner package people were lining up before 3pm when we were heading to Biergarten for dinner. We were scheduled for the 6:45pm show on December 1st. We planned to get in line around 6. We were walking from the Germany area at that time. As we got to the America pavilion we were shocked at how far the CP reservation line was. It was moving but we kept walking to get to the end. It was near Morrocco! The CM that was directing people told us to just stand with him and when the line ends just walk in. I kept saying are you sure? That's a lot of people. Will we get in? He laughed and said yes you will get in. All the seats are great. We did what he said and stopped searching for the end of the line. We got in and say near the center of the theater. No problems. It's not a show where you need to sit in the front. It's about the whole experience. It was a beautiful night and a wonderful show.

If I were to do it again I wouldn't stress about the timing and the seating. Just head over there around 40 minutes before and you'll walk right in. Enjoy!

 

[JennyDrake]

I have been anywhere from Dec. 4-16. WITH the dinner package I line up 60-90 min in advance. YMMV.

ALso remember that if you are not under the shelter and it starts raining......

My only priority is under the shelter and not behind a tree!

 

[pxlbarrel]

Does anybody remember when the CP Dinner packages go on sale?

 

[AmyB2006]

We go every year and never see a popular narrator. It's always lining up at least an hour before. They usually go on sale sometime in June or July. It's not 180 days out like other dining reservations. All the packages are released on the same day.

 

[ses1230]

Does anybody remember when the CP Dinner packages go on sale?

I believe it was July 9th last year.

OP, I agree that the safe bet is to get in line about an hour prior to show time. We saw NPH last year and lined up 1.5 hours before and got great seats. If you are planning on NPH or the holiday week, I would say 60-90 minutes before.