Candlelight Processional

[DizneyNutz]

Hi All
The DH and I are planning our 5th trip in December of '06. We are trying to decide what "extra" things we want to do, such as the Candlelight Processional, Keys to the Kingdom Tour, etc., and we need some help. We have never done the CLP and aren't huge "eat out" fans, a plate of nachos and a margarita work for us, so we are trying to decide if we want to invest the $'s in the CLP? Is it worth the money? Can you actually veiw the CLP w/o buying in to the "dinner package" and if so, how, where do you wait to be admitted in to the theater? Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Many thanks.

 

[Muushka]

We have done Candlelight Processional every year since 1992. Love it. The first year we found out about it we waited in line and never made it in because of limited seating. After that we always bought the package. But we enjoy a 'forced great meal' every once and a while, and that fits the bill nicely.

I think if I really did not want to eat the meal (because I agree, the package is a little $$), I would attempt to get in line (line forms to the right of the theatre for non/package people (to the right when facing the water)) at least 1.5 hours early to be assured a seat. Some people watch the show from the outside (not nearly as enjoyable) of the theatre.

Hope more people post their suggestions. It is a wonderful presentation of the Christmas story.

 

[DizneyNutz]

Thank you for your post. The DH and I were looking through all the reviews of the restuarants listed in all three tiers and have about decided that, if we do it, we'll dine at the Japanese Restaurant, we have bounced back and forth between Canada and the Coral Reef, never eaten at either place, but didn't find very good reviews for either place, especially, the Coral Reef. Where have you eaten and was it worth the $$ including the CL Processional, priority seating...did you dine before or after the show and what would you recommend?

The Christmas Story is truly the meaning of Christmas, and I couldn't imagine hearing it with a 50 piece orchestra "doing backup!" That's got to be truly amazing. Again, thank you for your post!

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I was told to do the early dinner and catch the last show at the CP. Then, after the show, step outside and you can see illuminations right outside the theatre.

 

[TDS373X]

I had wanted to see CP since I'd first heard about it many years ago but had been unable to go at holiday time until 2005. I had debated about getting the package because I thought it was pricy but after reading all I could find on these boards about having to wait in the standby line and maybe not get in I decided to go for a mid tier package and we ate at Rose and Crown. Which was very good I thought. For me the CP was a must do and because I had dd6 with me standing line the line all evening was just not a realistic option. I would not hesitate to shell out the $$ for this again especially after seeing the standby line. It is a GREAT show and we both enjoyed it. Go have a nice dinner and enjoy the show you won't be sorry.

 

[lizanne]

We did this in '05 for the first time and I sure hope I get the opportunity to see it again. We did the dinner package and went for early dinner - late show. Next time I would do it in reverse, I think that would make better use of our time and it was dark for the early shows too.

 

[byoung]

Do CP package every year it's great.

 

[SoleilLoca]

Can someone give me some more info on this? How much does it run, what are the restaurant choices...or, can someone tell me where to find this info? DH and I are taking a holiday trip and I think we'd both enjoy this. thanks!!!

 

[Muushka]

Thank you for your post. The DH and I were looking through all the reviews of the restuarants listed in all three tiers and have about decided that, if we do it, we'll dine at the Japanese Restaurant, we have bounced back and forth between Canada and the Coral Reef, never eaten at either place, but didn't find very good reviews for either place, especially, the Coral Reef. Where have you eaten and was it worth the $$ including the CL Processional, priority seating...did you dine before or after the show and what would you recommend?

The Christmas Story is truly the meaning of Christmas, and I couldn't imagine hearing it with a 50 piece orchestra "doing backup!" That's got to be truly amazing. Again, thank you for your post!

Boy are you going to love the Candlelight Processional! You got that meaning thing down perfectly! We have never been disappointed.

We usually eat at Rose and Crown. We eat here because we always enjoy the service, very nice people and the food is pretty good. But we do the 6:45 performance and then make an 8:15 dinner reservation. That way when we are about to have dessert, Illuminations starts. It doesn't get any better than this! Many people really enjoy Le Cellier at Canada, they do have great food. We have never eaten at Japan. Just Canada, Morocco and Italy (both just so-so to us). You may want to call up a menu and see what looks good. I think you are a DVC member (yes?). We usually bring uneaten food back home and I eat it during the week. For us it is worth getting a seat, and the meal is part of the tradition. We will be going again this year somewhere between 12/4 through 12/9. Maybe we will see you there!


Happy planning

 

[DOOM1001]

The closer you get to Christmas the more necessary it is to get the package.They let everyone with the dinner packages in first, if you're not close to the front of the stand-by line you risk not getting a seat.We went early December and we got great seats in the stand-by line, then we went around Dec. 20-22 and made the stand-by line at the 5:45 show and didn't get in , came back and made the line very early for the 8:15 show and got in, but just barely!!

 

[Lady SnowElla]

My girls & I attended Christmas Night 2005 for the first time. It was so beautiful. We did do the package & actually had sits in the first row. We all loved hearing the Christmas story with the beautiful choir & orchestra. The girls love to tell everyone they saw John Stamos on Christmas Day. I had hoped to do Rose & Crown but it was booked. We ended up doing the 6:30 pm performance & then eating at Japan. The food was awesome. My girls still talk about how great it was. As we finished dinner & went out on the stairs at Japan we were able to watch the Christmas Illuminations from a wonderful spot.

 

[MHTeacher]

My family and I attended the CP this past November, after Thanksgiving. It was a beautiful experience. We did buy the dining package, so that we would be assured of a seat. I noticed that however, we could have gotten a seat anyway without the preferred seating (6:45 show). I'm sure this has to do how early or late in the season you are at WDW ( and we were there early---Nov. 28).

You will really enjoy the program; it is very moving.

 

[bishop1989]

For me personally, and I know the flames are coming, but the CP did nothing for me. It was a nice atmosphere and the orchestra sounded great, but the hoopla that surrounds the event is way over hyped IMHO. We did it once, but won't again in the forseeable future.

 

[Tinkerbell_Girl]

The CP is beautiful! We saw it last year. We didn't get a package though and still got to see it. We waited a hour in the stand by line and sat in the last row.

 

[pixiepower1971]

The first year we went it was me , DD8,DD6 and my DM. My mom and I loved it, my youngest fell asleep and my oldest listened but it didn't strike her as a favorite thing to do again. We did not do a package but it was early in Dec. We still waited in line for a long time. It was tough on the kids and my kids are very patient and don't complain very much!


This past Dec it was me, DH, DD9, and DD7. DH fell asleep though he won't admit it! DD7 fell sleep again. My DD9 and I enjoyed every moment. At the end my DD9 hugged me and told me she now understands why I love this show and can we go again next year? I will take her and my mom...DH and DD7 will do something else!

We did the dining pkg this year at Biergarten. We LOVE this restaurant. So do the kids. We almost didn't because of the cost- we have the DDE and you can't use it on this. We also usually don't eat big sit down meals often at WDW. It was worth every penny! The line was still long but we were guaranteed seats. I will now be booking the CP dining pkg every year.

 

[pixie36]

So if you have the dining package can you use one of the credits (or two) to use in conjunction with the CP dinner packager?