Candlelight Processional

[Karen M]

We will be at Epcot one day, on December 14th. I am trying to find out if the candlelight processional is worth it? If you think it is would you recommend the dining package? I have heard great things about it but want to make sure before we spend the time and money that it is worth it. Myself, DH and our son who is 6. TIA

 

[DisFam4]

Try here: ***Official Candlelight Processional Dining Package Watch - 2018***
Your narrator is Blair Underwood for that evening. We are going on 12/21 and booked a dining package just to ensure we get seats - our narrator is Auli'i Cravalho. We went years ago and loved it and wouldn't miss it.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Whether or not it’s “worth it” is subjective. I think it’s beautiful but my DH finds it boring and solemn. My littles get fidgety too, but my oldest loves it. Watch it on YouTube to get your feel of it.

 

[georgina]

We no longer line up or get a package to get seats. You can hear well from outside the theater and can stand in the back area and see some. That way you can leave anytime also.

 

[Eswift]

We will be at Epcot one day, on December 14th. I am trying to find out if the candlelight processional is worth it? If you think it is would you recommend the dining package? I have heard great things about it but want to make sure before we spend the time and money that it is worth it. Myself, DH and our son who is 6. TIA

It sounds cool to have the narrator and so on, so we were really intrigued. However, I watched it on youtube and I'm not anti religion at all, where I'm from religion is not front and center like it is in America. After watching some videos I realized the bible reading (I'm sorry if it's not the bible, whatever it was from) of the religious story was just not for me at all. Zero interest in it at all.

However, I imagine you could be non religious and still like it, or you could be religious and hate it, or like it. It's completely subjective.

 

[jaiminee krikit]

We were at WDW a few years ago for Christmas. We did the dining package for the CP. We did the 645 show, so there was another show going on while we were waiting in line. I think we got in line around 530 (and were probably the 30th or so in line), so we did watch and listen from outside the theater. I tried to ignore it, but it was impossible.
When we went in, we grabbed seats right behind the walking aisle, so we had a little room in front of us during the show. I found the show absolutely spectacular! Our narrator was Gary Sinise and he did very well. The choir(s) was amazing, and the orchestra was flawless. I am a musician and I appreciate live music, this lived up to all my expectations. The conductor was very into the music, bouncing around, jumping, he was so fun to watch. The show brought me to tears multiple times with its beauty. I am not a religious person at all and I still found it wonderful. It was honestly my favorite thing we did that entire week. That being said, DH thought it was okay. DD was 10 at the time and she was kinda bored with it.
If you think your son would enjoy it, I'd definitely give it a try. We did it on Christmas evening, so the standby line waited for several hours (I saw people in line for the 500 show at 1 in the afternoon), but I don't know how busy they will be when you're there. If you can splurge, go for the dining package. But if you have any doubts about your family enjoying it, I'd just watch/listen from outside the theater.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Yes, I think it's nice to do at least once and yes, if you're a family who was planning on eating a table service dinner in Epcot anyway, I think the dinner package can be worth it (depending on where you eat). There are some places I don't think are "worth it" for dinner, with our without the package, but I do think the package can add some value just by the time it saves you from having to stand in line to ensure you have a seat. You'll still have to stand in line but you won't have to line and wonder if you'll make it in or not.

 

[LSUfan4444]

It sounds cool to have the narrator and so on, so we were really intrigued. However, I watched it on youtube and I'm not anti religion at all, where I'm from religion is not front and center like it is in America. After watching some videos I realized the bible reading (I'm sorry if it's not the bible, whatever it was from) of the religious story was just not for me at all. Zero interest in it at all.

However, I imagine you could be non religious and still like it, or you could be religious and hate it, or like it. It's completely subjective.

If your "non-religious", do not believe in the birth of Jesus Christ and do not celebrate Christmas for the day that God sent his only Son to walk among us I can't think you would find much joy in the Processional. I think you're time would be much better spent other places.

If you just want to be in the company of someone famous and hear the narrator read a story this is most definitely NOT the event for you.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think value is subjective. My family is divided on the worth, and the value is determined by the narrator. I love the program and find the music beautiful, so I find the time and money invested in the CP worth it. The rest of my family will only go if they like the narrator. This year we are all going because I booked a CP with Gary Sinise, and the last time the bunch went with me was for NPH.

I htink that if you are on the fence, it is fine to enjoy it from outside teh pavilion. One of my best memories was standing outside the ropes. I was watching the last show while the rest of my family was exploring elsewhere, when all of a sudden there was "surround sound." A group young people who had already performed was congregated on my area and were singing along with the current choir. It was absolutely lovely.

 

[gwynne]

If your "non-religious", do not believe in the birth of Jesus Christ and do not celebrate Christmas for the day that God sent his only Son to walk among us I can't think you would find much joy in the Processional. I think you're time would be much better spent other places.

If you just want to be in the company of someone famous and hear the narrator read a story this is most definitely NOT the event for you.

Oh my. I believe it's perfectly fine for guests to go and enjoy listening to a narrator.

 

[Nancyg56]

Oh my. I believe it's perfectly fine for guests to go and enjoy listening to a narrator.

This is the only reason my DD and her family join me. After the first time, they were done in terms of the show itself. DH and I are the Christmas music and Christmas Story fans, however if they like the narrator they feel it is well worth the time and money, and we all go.

 

[JennyDrake]

With a 6 yo I WOULD get the dinner package if you decide to go. FYI even WITH the dinner package you will need to line up a good hour in advance for a "better" seat undercover just in case it rains....

 

[Lorelei18]

In 2017 we did an evening dining package so that we could get the last show. And despite booking it in our reservation, we had to make sure we pointed out to our waitress that we were doing the package. Also note, if you choose a lunch package you are likely to get seats at one of the two earlier shows.

In my mind, it was well worth it. We were one of those people who waited til after the previous show was done to get in line, so maybe more like 45 minutes before our show, and my husband even looked at the line we got in and said, "no way are we getting seats, I'm taking the kids on Test Track if we don't get a seat." I packed little treat bags for all of the kids to open and enjoy while we waited with glow sticks, stickers, ring pops, etc. We ended up in the second row right outside of the overhang, behind the handicapped seating. We had pretty good seats and felt immersed in the show (with the choir, orchestra and trumpeters, it is more impressive I think to be a bit closer as we were). It was a big group of us, my in laws, DH, DS5, DS7 and DS11 as well as a couple we are friends with and their two sons 7 and 9.

When the trip was done, I asked my DS11 what his favorite things we did were, as we knew this was probably our only time going at Christmas, we did a lot of "special" things. His answers were the HEA dessert party and the "choir" concert (MVMCP didn't even rank for any of my kids, which surprised me). After the fact, DH enjoyed it and was glad we did it. My friends and their sons were glad we did it as were my two youngest sons, who I did have to cuddle with a bit as it is a 40 minute show and they got a bit antsy. Just know, it does involve a bit of effort and waiting, even with the dinner package.

It depends on your family though. My children are used to going to musical performances of orchestras that are around the same length. I grew up singing in choirs, and our family members are all in really into music. I felt the performance quality was really great (we live in Cleveland and have a world-renowned orchestra so we have high standards). I was nervous about doing it because it was a significant time investment and my youngest was at a squirmy age, but it was honestly the one thing I really cared about seeing, and after the fact my kids and family were glad we did it.

 

[Bete]

Has your 6 year old gone to any adult style music shows before? How did he do? This is somewhat like going to church. How does he do with going to church? Will your child be patient? If you are not sure about it then be close to the exit for a fast exit if necessary.

I would definitely do the dinner package to avoid any extra waiting time. My choice would be the Biergarten. It's one of the cheaper packages and it's pretty close to where you need to be. The Biergarten is a buffet and there's a kid section for the buffet.

 

[Delirium]

We're going to try and catch it the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. We did not get the dining package, deciding to take our chances in standby. While we wouldn't wait that long for a ride, we don't mind waiting in standby up to 60 minutes to enjoy a special concert like this. If that does not get us in the theater so be it. We'll hang around outside and still be able to hear.

 

[mnasf]

For my family, it is worth it. We love the atmosphere, choir, reading, etc. We do the dinner and line up early so we can get great seats. It's worth it for us. I find it to be a very moving experience. My kids have gone as toddlers, but not all children would like it.

We will be at Epcot one day, on December 14th. I am trying to find out if the candlelight processional is worth it? If you think it is would you recommend the dining package? I have heard great things about it but want to make sure before we spend the time and money that it is worth it. Myself, DH and our son who is 6. TIA