Candlelight Processional?

[RoyalCanadian]

OK -- call me stupid. (The line forms here -- ) But what is the Candlelight Processional? What happens there? Why is it so popular?

I have no intention of ever attending it -- my job as a Lutheran minister generally keeps me otherwise occupied at that particular time of year, but there must be something in the CP that draws people in -- something the Church can learn a whole lot about.

I'd be glad to hear about your experiences with this Disney tradition and why you attend it. Is attending worship at Christmas a tradition in your family -- or does Disney somehow do this in a way that makes the Christmas story much more approachable?

 

[GEM]

Interesting question! We are not at all religious people. We do not attend any church or participate in any religious activites. We don't even attend church on the "special days" like Christmas, Easter, etc. We do celebrate and enjoy the other side of the holidays - Santa, time with family, Christmas trees, traditions like baking cookies, doing special things for charity, etc.

However, we do enjoy attending the CP. For us, the incredible music is the draw. The mass choir and huge orchestra are amazing! It's just a wonderful performance. And, even though we don't really believe in the religious aspect of it, it is a lovely story with absolutely beautiful music. Also, we do know all those songs and they do bring back memories for us of many wonderful Christmas celebrations with our families.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Sounds quite nice -- I'd love to get a sense of the CP program. What happens?

 

[goofy4tink]

We do attend church on a regular basis. My dd, then 10, and I first did CP last Dec. It was incredible. There is a huge choir of about 100 or so kids from different school choruses. Then there is a central group of 'professional' singers from WDW, about 15 or so. They are backed up by a 50 (or so) piece orchestra. There is a guest narrator who tells the Christmas story. As the story progresses, the narrator stops and the musicians do an appropriate piece of Christmas music for that particular section of the story. It is quite wonderful. A great way to start of holiday season. THat will be first and then we will do MVMCP.

I would be interested in knowing how the 'non-Christian' people out there feel about this particular show. Do you attend it? Do you enjoy it? Just wondering.

 

[LoveMickey]

We are not church going people either, but we love CP.

It's very moving to be there. The chorus is wonderful, the narrators are great and it gets you into the Christmas Spirit.

There is a CD out there which has the narration and the music, it does give you a sense of the show, but not the feeling of it.

 

[Northwoods]

We are very active in our church and are making our first Christmas trip to Disney. We will be there on Christmas Eve - and plan to attend the CP - as we would normally attend our Christmas Eve service at home. It wouldn't feel like Christmas without the telling of the story of Christ's birth.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by RoyalCanadian
Sounds quite nice -- I'd love to get a sense of the CP program. What happens?

The large choir processes into the theater, singing as they come, each member carrying a candle (battery-powered). They are accompanied by the Disney Orchestra. Also singing are Disney cast members and the Voices of Liberty. A celebrity narrates the Christmas story - between each part of the narration, the choir sings. Even my 16 month old nephew was fascinated by this beautiful presentation. The show lasts about 45 minutes.

Disney sells a CD of the event. Obviously, it is not the same as being there, but it is a very moving listen all by itself. I love to listen to it as I prepare for the Christmas season. Perhaps you could get someone to bring one back for you or you could call Disney merchandisng and order one to be sent to you. I doubt you will be disappointed.

Best wishes -

P.S. There is a more detailed description here and here.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Thanks for all the replies and the links to the descriptions.

 

[storybookmum]

Dear Neil,

I haven't seen this yet, and didn't know about it when we were there in December of 2000, our first (and whirlwind) visit to Epcot.

However, it sounds wonderful, and I know our family will be very excited to go to see it.

We are Christians and I know we're both looking forward, in the general chaos of Disney to have a chance to ground ourselves again and begin this year's holidy season with our focus in the right place. We'll be making the CP our last stop before leaving, if all goes as planned.

Have you noticed the September event coming up in Disney with the Christian bands? Night of Joy? If DH and I could only swing it, we'd be there, with all those wonderful artists there praising God together. We attended our first Christian concert last month (Mercy Me and Michael W. Smith) and it was staggering to see and hear the huge crowd singing together.

God bless,

Kris

 

[Sunkissed]

I have never been to WDW in December, so I cannot say how, as a Jew, I will react to the CP. However, my boyfriend is Lutheran and the trip is his birthday gift, so we will be attending. I think I will enjoy the performance, if only for its theatrical merit.

 

[laceemouse]

We are Christian church goers and did the CP in 1999. Even my youngest, only 2 at the time, enjoyed it. The music is wonderful and the show is very moving. The narrator for our evening was Brian Dennehy (sp?) so the kids did not know who he was. My older 2 read the list of performers and saw that Lavar Burton was going to be there later in the month. They knew him from Reading Rainbow and would have been thrilled to see him!!!! We hope to go back again one of these years. In answer to your question about drawing in non-church goers, I think that the pagentry of the Disney show is just so beautiful that almost anyone would enjoy it, but kids who have never sat through a church service before might still say it was boring (not as exciting as riding a coaster.) My kids were pretty awe struck by it!!! Lacee

 

[ceejay13]

We are regular protestant church goers and have done the CP twice and just got our ressies for this year. Both times were incredibly moving we thought. Yes, I also am very familiar with the Christmas Story but narrated by a trained actor/actress backed up by an incredible choir and orchestra gave me chills both times and we can't wait to go back this year.