Candlelight Processional... would you change your dates to avoid?

[Disneysince82]

I was getting ready to book our airline tickets & I just realized we are set to be at Disneyland during the Candlelight Processional....which I hear is amazing but we aren't VIP & we don't have a lot of interest in trying to sneak a peak What I am worried about is it being even extra busier even with the time of year. We have the ability to change our days to pretty much anytime in December -- other than 17th-19th because our son has finals. We could even do November but I REALLY want to see fireworks and I am worried about them not being daily or not fully up and going.

Do you think I should change it? I have a lot of flexibility but I also really have to lock in a date and book our plane tickets and change hotel reservations so if I change I need to soon.
extra bonus points if you can suggest another time! We are planning 3-4 days but can do up to 5 Right now we are booked December 4-7

 

[FreeTime]

I don’t think you need to change dates. The event itself is the draw for the VIP’s and won’t have a huge difference on the crowds.

 

[VGCgroupie]

No. When I went previously I didnt even know it was happening unless I went to Main Street. We will be there again this during the processional this year.

 

[Pluto468]

I think you'll be ok going on those dates. The processional doesn't effect much besides main St.

 

[Tinkaboo]

It is not nearly as bad as when they have that dance thing...AVOID THAT AT ALL COSTS!! Like everyone said, the people who are into it will start camping out on Main Street as soon as the gates open (it's the weirdest thing to see, I cannot imagine sitting there for 12 hours) and if you just know to avoid Main Street during the evening hours, really, just like any other Saturday night...busy.

 

[Disneysince82]

I don’t think you need to change dates. The event itself is the draw for the VIP’s and won’t have a huge difference on the crowds.

That makes me feel a lot better. Do you think it will at all impact trying to get reservations for things like WOC Dessert party or Fireworks

 

[Disneysince82]

No. When I went previously I didnt even know it was happening unless I went to Main Street. We will be there again this during the processional this year.

That make me feel a lot better!! I was worried we wouldn't be able to get reservations possibly for things like WOC dessert party or even just seeing fireworks. I probably needed to remember I am not getting the reservations at Club 31 LOL

 

[Disneysince82]

It is not nearly as bad as when they have that dance thing...AVOID THAT AT ALL COSTS!! Like everyone said, the people who are into it will start camping out on Main Street as soon as the gates open (it's the weirdest thing to see, I cannot imagine sitting there for 12 hours) and if you just know to avoid Main Street during the evening hours, really, just like any other Saturday night...busy.

I dont think I would camp out for anything for 12hrs LOL I am a little worried about the fireworks part and Main Street. I(when everyone else goes around) am someone who would totally camp at at least 1 of our days a few hrs to get a good view in front of the castle.I know they can be canceled but fireworks are maybe my favorite thing

 

[Tinkaboo]

That makes me feel a lot better. Do you think it will at all impact trying to get reservations for things like WOC Dessert party or Fireworks

Well, the WOC Dessert Party is in CA so it wouldn't be affected because it would also be happening about same time as CP, so no problem there. Be aware that WOC is NOT going to be the holiday version this year (@LKing, please correct me if I'm wrong), it'll be the regular one i love the holiday one...especially when it starts snowing...

Fireworks on those two nights will probably be jammed but that's pretty normal.

 

[Tinkaboo]

It's pretty strange if you don't know what's going on like I didn't the first time it happened to me. My friend and I always went right around that time . We camevin and people were putting down blankets along the street and grabbing all the benches and you could clearly see they were there for te long haul with bags of stuff.... I'm like " we must be missing out on something here".....til we asked a CM and they explained it all . So one year (last year?) we went a week later to miss CP and got caught up in the dance event....hordes of people....from all over...worst crowd scene I have been in at DL. YEP...I'm still gripin' about it...

 

[LKing]

Be aware that WOC is NOT going to be the holiday version this year (@LKing, please correct me if I'm wrong),

The website says that it will be WOC Happiness instead of WOC Season of Light.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/en...nia-adventure/world-of-color-season-of-light/
World of Color - Season of Light will be unavailable during the 2025 holiday season. Guests are invited to enjoy our World of Color Happiness! show which will run through the Disneyland Resort 70th celebration.

The Main Street train station may be closed while they set things up and during the show. The timing of fireworks that night might be adjusted.

I (when everyone else goes around) am someone who would totally camp at at least 1 of our days a few hrs to get a good view in front of the castle.I know they can be canceled but fireworks are maybe my favorite thing

Plan on three hours.

 

[Disneysince82]

It's pretty strange if you don't know what's going on like I didn't the first time it happened to me. My friend and I always went right around that time . We camevin and people were putting down blankets along the street and grabbing all the benches and you could clearly see they were there for te long haul with bags of stuff.... I'm like " we must be missing out on something here".....til we asked a CM and they explained it all . So one year (last year?) we went a week later to miss CP and got caught up in the dance event....hordes of people....from all over...worst crowd scene I have been in at DL. YEP...I'm still gripin' about it...

I would have been exactly the same way!!! I think it being so crazy on Main Street & than it possibly rolling into fireworks is what makes me worried. I totally understand how most people think I sound silly for that. It's just that fireworks for me personally is really going to be my highlight & It being during the holidays & the snow Which is extra silly because I live in Colorado so its not like I dont see snow! It's just that DL at Christmas is probably one of my earliest childhood memories & also one of the happiest.

I have such mixed feelings about the WOC not being the holiday version. It make me personally a little sad because I want to see the holiday one, but for our 7 yr old daughter who is a huge Inside Out fan she is going to love it -- which I know will make me happy.

 

[Disneysince82]

The website says that it will be WOC Happiness instead of WOC Season of Light.

https://disneyland.disney.go.com/en...nia-adventure/world-of-color-season-of-light/
World of Color - Season of Light will be unavailable during the 2025 holiday season. Guests are invited to enjoy our World of Color Happiness! show which will run through the Disneyland Resort 70th celebration.

The Main Street train station may be closed while they set things up and during the show. The timing of fireworks that night might be adjusted.


Plan on three hours.

Sitting for a few hrs or even 3 won't be hard for me but I am really about Main Street possibly adding an extra layer to my plan possilbly getting a good view in front of the castle

 

[LKing]

but I am really about Main Street possibly adding an extra layer to my plan possilbly getting a good view in front of the castle

I'm not sure what you are trying to say here.