Candlelight Processionals at Epcot?

[Joey04]

Are there any good links explaining the Candlelight Processionals at Epcot during December?

I thought I had been doing my homework pretty well, but somehow I completely missed this. Are they worth an hour?

Thanks so much in advance.

Joey

 

[tinan]

Here is the info taken from WDWinfo.com

Held every year at Epcot, the Candlelight Processional is not to be missed. A mass choir, joined by a 50-piece live orchestra and a celebrity narrator, tell the story of Christmas in words and music, in a very moving performance. Performances are held at the America Gardens Theatre.

Performances take place each evening at 5:00pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm
2006 Candlelight Processional Narrators:

11/24 - 26: David Robinson
11/27 - 29: John O'Hurley
11/30 - 12/2: Rita Moreno
12/03 - 05: Chita Rivera
Community Relations Night, Dec. 3rd – 5:00 p.m. show
12/06 - 08: Brian Dennehy
12/09 - 11: Steven Curtis Chapman
12/12 - 14: Maureen McGovern
12/15 - 17: Kirk Cameron
12/18 - 20: Neil Patrick Harris
12/21 - 23: Cuba Gooding Jr.
12/24 - 26: Gary Sinise
12/27 - 30: Marlee Matlin
** The 5:00pm performance on 12/3 is a Community Relations Event. No Candlelight Dining Packages are available for this performance.
The Candlelight Processional dining packages allow you to enjoy a meal at one of Epcot's restaurants, while guaranteeing you a seat for the show. It's important to note that at times this is THE only way to get a seat. Those with Dinner Packages are the first to be seated - those waiting in line (a.k.a. the one's who didn't buy the package will be given whatever seats remain. If you're in Disney during the holiday's this is a "Don't Miss" event.

Dining packages are broken up by tiers, with the lower tier representing the lower-priced dining venues. Below you will find the price and dining venue for each tier.

NEW: For 2006, all dining will be scheduled prior to the performance time chosen. Separate lunch pricing for the 5:00pm Candlelight Processional

Guests who have the Magic Your Way Dining Package or MYW Premium or Platinum packages will use 1 dinner entitlement regardless of which restaurant is chosen.
Price does NOT include gratuity, tax or lobster entree


Tier 1:

Biergarten – Germany
Garden Grill - The Land (Recommended)
Tier 2:
San Angel Inn – Mexico
Nine Dragons Restaurant - China
Rose and Crown - UK (Recommended)
Restaurant Marrakesh – Morocco (Recommended)
Tier 3:
Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada (Recommended)
Chefs de France - France
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki - Japan (Recommended)
L’Orignale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - Italy
Coral Reef- The Living Seas

This will be our first time going to the CP and we chose to dine at the Biergarten because we like German food

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Are they worth an hour?

One word..... yes.

The entire night can be oh, so inspiring. The combination of beautiful Christmas Songs and the readings are matched together. It will kick-start your holiday spirit. We are Orlando Locals, and with the warm weather we look so forward to this event every year, most years we go more than once.

One word of caution, some nights, depending on the scheduled speaker, you may not get into a performance, and you may have to wait, in line, for the next. I know two years ago we went to see James Caviezel and it was packed. So don't assume that you will only spend 1-hour for this performance. Still I say it's worth it.

 

[Tinkerboy00]

Oh, I want to do this. And there are so many good people to choose from. But I'm thinking I want to see Neil Patrick Harris, or Rita Moreno

 

[Joey04]

Please don't flame me, but I am not familiar with any of those names!

How can I find out more about who is who?

Thanks so much. It looks hopeful about still getting ADRs this late, but I want to do this right.

Thanks again,

Joey

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

Please don't flame me, but I am not familiar with any of those names!

How can I find out more about who is who?

Thanks so much. It looks hopeful about still getting ADRs this late, but I want to do this right.

Thanks again,

Joey

google

 

[mickaholic4077]

I checked the official WDW site yesterday and December 3-5 is once again TBD(no name yet)!!!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

Please don't flame me, but I am not familiar with any of those names!
How can I find out more about who is who?

Joey,

Click this, look for names, then click name.
Steve does a great job with this info:

http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/schedule.htm

 

[Bride In The Attic]

Definitely worth every minute of the hour! We do it every year and it never fails to give me chills. The choir and orchestra are amazing - and the Voices of Liberty are always wonderful. While I am a Christian and the birth story always makes me emotional I think anyone of any faith would find the show very worthwile. If you like the music they sell the CD's of the show in many of the shops in Epcot.

 

[disney queen]

we go every year! it is a tradition!

 

[MHTeacher]

Are they worth an hour
Joey

YES !!! It was an amazing show---gave me chills.

 

[Joey04]

Thanks.

I actually found a couple more links for this even, although nothing is more helpful than the opinions of members here.

allearsnet com/tp/h_cpfaq htm

www wdwinfo com/holidays/candlelight_processional htm

goflorida about com/od/specialevents/a/wdw_epcot_cp htm


I was quick to post the question (knowing nothing about the show at all), but a couple things I forgot to mention for our situation,

1. It’s me, my wife, our 4yo son, and 2yo daughter (very young kids)
2. We are only going to Epcot this one day, it will be our arrival day at Orlando / Disney World, so we don't expect to get to Epcot until about noon or 1:00 PM
3. We aren't on the Disney Dining plan, so to get preferred passes; we will need to pay big bucks at a restaurant.
4. Will want to spend time at Future World, which closes at 7 PM
5. Will want to reserve a good spot for Illuminations, 8:45 to 9 PM for the 9:30 PM show (fortunately this is just 8:30 PM in our time zone.)

Should this change the recommendation for us?

Thanks!!!!!!!!

Joey

 

[Mickeygolf]

My questions is can you even get a seat without doing the Dinner Package? I have 3 little kids, so I'd want to be somewhere in the back anyway, but sometimes it sounds as if the only way to get into the show is to have the dinner package.

I think John O'Hurley would be awesome. I can just hear his voice for this special event.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Muushka]

Others may not agree with me, but I really can't see taking small children to this performance. There is no Santa, no Frosty and no Grinch. Thank goodness! It is a very serious (but at the same time very moving and joyous) presentation of the Christmas story. I have seen many children squirm at this event. But some do just fine.
If you don't have the CP package you will have to wait in line for a very long time. We always have the package and we end up waiting about 45 minutes or more to be assured a good seat. I have seen many times when the stand by line is not let in or just some of them let in. I don't mean to be discouraging because we love it (this will be our 15th time for this), just trying to be realistic. In a few years your kids will be old enough to appreciate it.

 

[Cass]

I think your 4 year old might not be too happy with the show and sitting still and quiet for an hour. With a 4 and 2 year old I would give it a miss, honestly.

 

[Straitlover]

If you're going to camp out for a spot for Illuminations and don't want to wait in the standby line, just do it near the American Gardens Theater. You will be able to hear the program, but the kids won't be tied to a seat.

 

[Bride In The Attic]

Ok, now that you've mentioned your situation and your kids' ages I would skip it....I think 4 and 2 are too young to enjoy or appreciate the show...if you return in a few years try and catch it then - you really will enjoy it!

 

[lizanne]

It is certainly worth the time, but in your situation you'll have a long day with two young children (who probably won't enjoy this) and no break and I'd wait to do it on another trip when they're older and your time schedule is more open.

 

[NancyIL]

My questions is can you even get a seat without doing the Dinner Package? I have 3 little kids, so I'd want to be somewhere in the back anyway, but sometimes it sounds as if the only way to get into the show is to have the dinner package.

I think John O'Hurley would be awesome. I can just hear his voice for this special event.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

John O'Hurley is who I want to see/hear, too! (For the OP - J. Peterman from Seinfeld.) Since he is narrating on weeknights, you should be able to get a seat without getting the CP dinner package. That's what I did last year on a Tuesday night when Phil Donahue was the narrator. The program had already started and I was still able to walk right in and sit down towards the back of the seating area.

 

[byoung]

A must see in DEC.