Candlelight Processional

[kwelch10377]

I am going WDW the first week of Dec and want to see the Candlelight Processional for the first time. I've read that people start lining up about 45 mins prior to show time and they let you in 15 mins prior to start. Out of the 3 show times is there a better time to go crowd wise?

 

[Robo]

I am going WDW the first week of Dec and want to see the Candlelight Processional for the first time. I've read that people start lining up about 45 mins prior to show time and they let you in 15 mins prior to start. Out of the 3 show times is there a better time to go crowd wise?

That is inaccurate info for those WITHOUT a CP Dinner Pkg.
That IS generally true of CP Dinner Pkg. guests...

But, if you are planning just to "walk up" to a show…
know that some guests arrive and line-up about 1:00PM (or earlier) the day of the shows and
either stand in line the rest of the day
-or- (and we don't know if they will do this plan this year)
CMs will hand out wristbands to specific shows to those guests waiting.

Some CP narrators are EXTREMELY popular and their shows will be completely filled.

 

[kwelch10377]

That is very inaccurate info.

Can you share info that is more accurate? I got that info from AllEars.

 

[Robo]

Can you share info that is more accurate? I got that info from AllEars.

Please reread my post.
(If you got that from ALLEARS, you must have been reading about guests with the CP DINING PKG.)

 

[KateP85]

If you get to a show 45 minutes before the show begins, you will be watching the show from the line. Depending on the narrator and their popularity, people get there hours before the show starts! Is there a particular day you're looking to go? That will make a difference as to how busy it will be. I know last year they handed out wristbands to stop people from forming lines early on; I believe you approached to get a wristband and were told what show you would be returning for. But again, this happened hours before the show.

 

[kwelch10377]

If you get to a show 45 minutes before the show begins, you will be watching the show from the line. Depending on the narrator and their popularity, people get there hours before the show starts! Is there a particular day you're looking to go? That will make a difference as to how busy it will be. I know last year they handed out wristbands to stop people from forming lines early on; I believe you approached to get a wristband and were told what show you would be returning for. But again, this happened hours before the show.

I am looking to go to one of the shows with NPH from 11/30-12/3. I am pretty flexible on day/time. I know he will be a popular to see so I am just trying to figure out an ideal plan prior to going.

 

[siskaren]

Please reread my post.
(If you got that from ALLEARS, you must have been reading about guests with the CP DINING PKG.)

Yep, it says to get there 30-45 minutes prior to showtime if you have the dining package. And since the OP is going the first week of December and the narrators for the 1st through the 5th are Neil Patrick Harris and Whoopi Goldberg, I'd say it's going to be unlikely to get in without a dining package. If by first week they mean the first full week though, they might have a better chance.

 

[kwelch10377]

Yep, it says to get there 30-45 minutes prior to showtime if you have the dining package. And since the

This is what I read:

"Seating without the dinner package is on a first come, first serve basis for each show. Folks line up 45 minutes (longer as you are closer to Christmas) before show time. 15 minutes prior to the show, seating is then opened up to those on line. Also, keep in mind if you wait in line for the 2nd or 3rd show of the night, that you will be hearing the show before yours as it is performed."

 

[Robo]

This is what I read:

"Seating without the dinner package is on a first come, first serve basis for each show. Folks line up 45 minutes (longer as you are closer to Christmas) before show time. 15 minutes prior to the show, seating is then opened up to those on line. Also, keep in mind if you wait in line for the 2nd or 3rd show of the night, that you will be hearing the show before yours as it is performed."

Yup.
Just went to the site.

Some REALLY poor info.
AllEars is usually very accurate. Not on this one.

 

[Robo]

I am looking to go to one of the shows with NPH from 11/30-12/3. I am pretty flexible on day/time. I know he will be a popular to see so I am just trying to figure out an ideal plan prior to going.

Based on info from last year:

For NPH:
Get to the American Gardens Theater by 12:30PM (earlier can't hurt.)
Be prepared to wait about an hour to see if CMs show up with wristbands.

Best thing that I can tell you is to come back to these boards as Thanksgiving Day approaches and check for updated news.

We will all find out what actually happens on the first day of the CP, which is Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.

 

[siskaren]

This is what I read:

"Seating without the dinner package is on a first come, first serve basis for each show. Folks line up 45 minutes (longer as you are closer to Christmas) before show time. 15 minutes prior to the show, seating is then opened up to those on line. Also, keep in mind if you wait in line for the 2nd or 3rd show of the night, that you will be hearing the show before yours as it is performed."

I thought you were referring to what's written further down the page:

"Not exactly. There is a reserved section for those with the dinner package. The reserved section is front and center, behind any VIP seating. Within the reserved section, seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so if you want your choice of seats, you should arrive 30-45 minutes early. 15 minutes prior to the show beginning, available seating is opened up to folks without dinner package tickets."

 

[KateP85]

I am looking to go to one of the shows with NPH from 11/30-12/3. I am pretty flexible on day/time. I know he will be a popular to see so I am just trying to figure out an ideal plan prior to going.

AllEars is giving out some crappy information there! I would aim to get to the American Gardens Theatre anywhere between World Showcase opening and 12pm on one of the days you're looking to see him. Hopefully they will come along with the wristbands, you can pick one up, and be on your way.

I will say, NPH was so popular last year, they managed to screw up the seating at the show we were at. We were part of the dining package, and ended up sitting apart, DH and DS up front, and me perched at the back, on a seat I ultimately gave up because I literally had about 6 inches of space to squeeze my butt. There were guests with wristbands who got turned away for our show because it was all full, and I know plenty of them were not happy. We complained about our crappy seats and were given tickets (the dining sticker things) for the 8.15pm show - which was also oversold! With the addition of FPs this year, I think there may be shows where no stand by guests can be accommodated.

 

[KateP85]

I thought you were referring to what's written further down the page:

"Not exactly. There is a reserved section for those with the dinner package. The reserved section is front and center, behind any VIP seating. Within the reserved section, seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so if you want your choice of seats, you should arrive 30-45 minutes early. 15 minutes prior to the show beginning, available seating is opened up to folks without dinner package tickets."

This is wrong too. They sell so many dining package seats these days, dining packages on the popular nights end up taking up most of the theatre, there is no guarantee of being front and center. I certainly wasn't; I was back, behind a tree, perched on the end of a row that I ended up kind of falling off the end of. Hopefully they sell less dining package tickets this year.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I chose to go in line at 3:30pm after my Candlelight Processional Lunch Dining Package last December to see Whoopi Goldberg for the early show. The standby line was hours long at that point, the CP Package line was backed up to past Morrocco. None of the standby folks got in on that show. I didn't know about the wristband thing so maybe some of those people got in.
As soon as the show was over I bolted from that area - the crowds were scary, just too many people in the American area.

I am doing another Dining Package this year for NPH and am planning on getting in the CP line as soon as my dinner is over for the 8:15pm show which is what I chose.
He's so popular that I am expecting it to be extremely crowded.

 

[kwelch10377]

I ended up booking the CP package on 12/3 just in case. I figure if I can do it without the packing on Mon, Tues or Wed night then great and I can cancel, but if not I have it as a backup.

 

[okilydokily]

I just stand back by the American Adventure area. You can see and hear things just fine. Sure you have people walking in front of you, beats waiting for hours to have a seat. But that is just what I like to do. Got to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus too.

 

[Im_her_Mickey]

We're going to the December 6th CP with Joe Morton as the narrator. Has he done this before? Trying to figure out how popular he might be.

 

[kevind2112]

I ended up booking the CP package on 12/3 just in case. I figure if I can do it without the packing on Mon, Tues or Wed night then great and I can cancel, but if not I have it as a backup.

That's the night we've been looking for a CP package. We just found out recently that our daughter will be performing in the CP that night, so we've been scrambling to make out trip reservations. Unfortunately, and not surprisingly, that date is completely sold out for the dining package. We've been calling every morning hoping for a cancellation, but so far nothing. We'll keep at it though!

 

[valeriemouse]

I'm curious about Joe Morton too. I have the lunch package on Dec. 7th. I know he is the guy from Scandal (command!) but have no idea if that excites anyone but me, lol. I was only planning on getting there 30-40 minutes early.

 

[Im_her_Mickey]

I had honestly never heard of him, and had to look him up on IMDB. My parents didn't really recognize the name, but when they saw his picture, they realized who he was.