Candlelight Processional with kids. Yay or Nay?

[Louisianagal]

Hi guys! This is my first post on the boards. My husband and I and our 2 boys will be going to Disney World 12/10-12/17 2017. I really want to attend the Candelight Processional as I have never experienced it before, but my DH seems to think the boys won't enjoy it. They will be 4.5 and 6.5 at the time we go. Do you bring your children and are they entertained? Trying to convince him we need to attend! Thanks in advance.

 

[Alesia]

There's nothing entertaining about the candlelight processional. It's lovely, but it's very solemn - like a church service. Unless your kids are very good at being still and quiet, i''m with your husband on this one.

 

[SaintsManiac]

First of all Hi from Louisiana!

We decided to opt out last year, because I really didn't think my 5 year old could sit through it. I think it was the right choice. Sorry to be a downer!

 

[ktlm]

It is like a church service. We actually have a few mega churches around here that do the living Christmas tree and have a very similar show, just without the celebrity host. We have always skipped it because we can do the same type thing at home, and I knew that DD would not enjoy sitting still for it that much at WDW when there are so many other things to do- even though she is a show kid and loves music. We stopped outside of the area to watch some of it one year as I wanted to watch it, and she started asking if we could leave pretty quickly. There are a ton of videos of it on youtube, so you could watch it and Judge for yourself.

 

[Jennasis]

Yup...it's like going to church. Solemn...beautiful. As a kid i would've been bored to actual tears.

 

[Bete]

Even with a dinner package you wait in line. That can be a 30 to 60 minute wait in line depending on when you enter the line. It's very boring to wait in this line.

Maybe, hubby would allow you to enjoy the show while he entertains the boys elsewhere in the park.

Another choice is for you to go to the late show and let dad bring the boys back to the resort.

If your boys do well in church it may work, but be prepared to exit. To exit quickly sit where you won't be disturbing too many if you have to leave.

The show goes for about 55 minutes give or or take a few minutes.

 

[Louisianagal]

Thank you all for the advice! I think we may skip the Processional and enjoy it when the boys are a little older. They are definitely not the quiet-in-church type lol.

 

[Bete]

Outside the theater in the back there are a few areas were you can at least hear the performance. There will be others trying to do the same there, but at least you can get a small taste of it that way. You can listen for a few minutes there.

 

[emmabelle]

I spent the extra money and booked the dinner package when the kids were 12 and 14, they both fell asleep....

 

[disnut8]

Outside the theater in the back there are a few areas were you can at least hear the performance. There will be others trying to do the same there, but at least you can get a small taste of it that way. You can listen for a few minutes there.

I agree with this. You can get a table outside the Liberty Inn and sit there and listen to the songs (you can't hear the narration) and your kids can run around and have a good time. Also, the show is about 45 minutes so that's a long time for younger kids to be seated and not disturbing others. A compromise might be for you to go into the show and your husband and kids wait outside.

 

[Spridell]

I went for the first time this past Monday night. I will say it is very impressive but like people have said it is like being in church. We stood in the back with other people and watched for about 20 minutes and left. That might be an option for you and your kids.

 

[Nancyg56]

We took my DGD twice, She hated it both times! LOL! SHe was a good sport, her Mom and Dad wanted to see NPH so she was along for the ride, but I doubt I could drag her there again and since DD and DSIL dont care for it either, she's golden!

 

[Spridell]

We took my DGD twice, She hated it both times! LOL! SHe was a good sport, her Mom and Dad wanted to see NPH so she was along for the ride, but I doubt I could drag her there again and since DD and DSIL dont care for it either, she's golden!

Yeah we saw Neil Patrick Harris this past Monday and it was very very crowded. They say he always draws a big crowd.

 

[Nancyg56]

Yeah we saw Neil Patrick Harris this past Monday and it was very very crowded. They say he always draws a big crowd.

I had booked the package that year for our family, but DD and DSIL had no intentions of joining us for the show until NPH was announced. It was crowded.I loved it!

 

[Sandi]

I wouldn't take my 22 yo kid. To the OP, if you really want to see it, consider letter your DH and the kids do something else while you enjoy the CP. I know it's a family vacation and all, but splitting up for a bit to allow one member of the family to experience CP while the others do something they enjoy is not a bad thing. You'll also have a better perspective for a future trip.

 

[Nancyg56]

I wouldn't take my 22 yo kid. To the OP, if you really want to see it, consider letter your DH and the kids do something else while you enjoy the CP. I know it's a family vacation and all, but splitting up for a bit to allow one member of the family to experience CP while the others do something they enjoy is not a bad thing. You'll also have a better perspective for a future trip.

The first year we saw this as a family, I loved it. I was the only one. I decided to watch it again, but did so on my own, and never even wnet inside the pavilion. I watched from just outside the theater, was treated to lovely music all around me because members of the choir that had already performed were in my area and sang throughout. My family did what they wanted, and I enjoyed some time to myself. After teh show I got a beverage and a treat and saw Illuminations once again. (Something else my crew simply endures for me! )

 

[mshanson3121]

Hi guys! This is my first post on the boards. My husband and I and our 2 boys will be going to Disney World 12/10-12/17 2017. I really want to attend the Candelight Processional as I have never experienced it before, but my DH seems to think the boys won't enjoy it. They will be 4.5 and 6.5 at the time we go. Do you bring your children and are they entertained? Trying to convince him we need to attend! Thanks in advance.

Pretty much what everyone else said. I would take my kids no problem, but they've been going to church every Sunday since they were babies, so they would know what to expect. Plus they love stuff like that, but I would guess that's probably an exception to the rule of kids.

 

[IWannaBuildASnowman]

We went when my daughter was 5, and she enjoyed it, but she loves music and singing. So it really depends on the kid.