Candlelight Processional

[OnePrincessMom]

I have a few questions on this, if anyone can help. From what I have read online it occurs three times nightly, is that correct? When do they usually announce the narrators? There are dining packages? If no package, how early should we line up? Thanks!!

 

[Mome Rath]

I have a few questions on this, if anyone can help. From what I have read online it occurs three times nightly, is that correct? When do they usually announce the narrators? There are dining packages? If no package, how early should we line up? Thanks!!

Yes, 3 shows with the same narrator each night. It depends on the lineup when they release it, some dates will be filled earlier than others usually left "TBA." I can't remember the actual date when they announce the first ones. Yes, there are dining packages with a lot of choices on times. If you want to be anywhere near the front (esp. with really popular narrators) I highly recommend the dining package. Even with the dining package most people start lining up at least an hour and a half early, or as I did, as soon as one show let everyone and and put the rope back up, I got in line and I had a dining package. If no package it is hit or miss if you'll get in or not. My experience was with Neil Patrick Harris, last show of the night, so it was a madhouse, but it was worth it.

 

[gatorlisa]

I went in 2010, with the date specifically chosen to see Steven Curtis Chapman as narrator. I want to say a lot of the narrators were posted by late summer, with a number of TBD spots that were filled in in the fall. I did not do a dining package. Got in line about an hour, maybe hour and a half prior to the show I wanted to see (I can't remember now which show it was). There were two of us and we didn't end up with actual seats. We were perched on a planter near the back. But at least we got in, and even from the back, it was a wonderful experience. If you aren't interesting in dining (I wasn't), be willing to invest a couple of hours waiting. It is totally worth it, I just hated giving up so much time to waiting in line for what was a very quick weekend trip from Georgia.

 

[sharonabe]

Without a package, you'll need to be in line at least a couple hours before the show. There are some narrators that would require much more time and no guarantees you'll get in at all.

With the package, you should be able to line up 45 min before. If it's a popular narrator and you want a choice of seats, that time goes to more like the 1 1/2 hrs pp spoke of above. With the package, at least you know you'll get in.

Dining packages are not cheap. Lunch is your best bet if paying OOP. If you're on the DDP and want to use credits, it'll cost you 2 credits per person no matter when or where you eat.

 

[TAK]

With the package, you should be able to line up 45 min before. If it's a popular narrator and you want a choice of seats, that time goes to more like the 1 1/2 hrs pp spoke of above. With the package, at least you know you'll get in.

What if you don't care *where* you sit, just that you do? We're planning on getting the dining package because we want to be sure of seats at all, but aren't fussy about where they'll be. With the dining package are we guaranteed a seat, even if we don't line up super early?

 

[BarbieGal457]

I did this last December and if I remember correctly, they suggest you get in line no later than either 30 or 45 minutes prior. After a certain time, even with the dining package, you aren't guaranteed anymore once they start letting standby in (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). We did the dining package and got in line 45 minutes before and got wonderful seats. We saw Ana Gasteyer and she was awesome, and I would 100% do it again and 200% recommend the dining package. We did it 12/9 I believe and the standby line was unbelievably long for the middle show (ours). The dining package was on the more expensive side in the end, for what we ordered, but it was worth it as our line was much shorter and it was nice to be able to sit. We were a bit more toward the end of the dining package line and we really still had a great selection of seats to choose from.

 

[Mome Rath]

What if you don't care *where* you sit, just that you do? We're planning on getting the dining package because we want to be sure of seats at all, but aren't fussy about where they'll be. With the dining package are we guaranteed a seat, even if we don't line up super early?

Yes, absolutely. If you get a dining package, you get a pass to get in (it was a sticker you put on your jacket/shirt). Don't be shocked by the line, though, it runs back through Morocco and into France, but as long as you have a pass you can get in. Remember that the package comes with a specific show to go to, mine was the last one of the night. So, just make sure you go at the right time.

ETA; as said above you do want to get in the dining package line soon enough to beat the last person in that line through, as they start letting standby in after that.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

This is one of our favorites things to do during the holidays, but it can be very busy depending on when you go and who is presenting. The full list will not be completed until late summer/early fall. I have seen many narrators and I think either Gary Sinise or Edward James Olmos are the best narrators. Jodi Benson was also really great. We always do the dining package and get in line roughly 60 minutes before the show. We always get a seat in the front by the center in the first 5 rows.

 

[TAK]

Thanks, to the OP for asking the questions and for the advice given!