Crowds during the Candle Light Processional?

[PineapplePrincessCA]

What exactly *is* The Candle Light Processional? I guess I thought it was something that went on after hours. This is something that will be happening during the regular park hours? Does it effect the crowds greatly?


I'm still trying to decide if we should book our visit from Dec 4 -6 or Nov 27-29. I'd prefer the December dates (just works better with other things we have going on), but if it makes a big difference in the crowds, we'll go in November.


Thoughts?

 

[Carolwoodpr]

The CP is a showing of the Christmas Story. It is about 45 minutes long and it is to be held on Main Street in Town Square.

This will draw in crowds, but they will be in that location for hours. You will be most greatly impacted if you are trying to go in or out of Disneyland. If you go further into the park you won't be impacted until the show is over.

The CP has always drawn huge crowds but that was when Disneyland just did it for 2 nights in December. Now they are doing it for 20, so I am thinking the crowds will not be as heavy this year in early December.

If you prefer December, and those dates work out better for you, I would stick with them. Disneyland really doesn't have a 'slow' time in early December light it used to either.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

So basically just the same as a parade (??)

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

So basically just the same as a parade (??)

Not really, there is a stage and carolers, and it as all down in Town Square... really just a "gift" to the APers... but there is standing room only spots for everyone else... it will be fairly crowded by the entrance in the evenings.

 

[PineapplePrincessCA]

What time does it start?

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

What time does it start?

It'll be 2 times a night the 1st thru the 20th of December. I think they will announce the times to the APers tomorrow or there abouts.

 

[Malcon10t]

What time does it start?

The Processionals start at 530p for early performance and 730p for the late performance.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

It's more of a performance than a parade. From the times I've seen it (which was a long time ago)

Choir members dressed in robes process down Main Street carrying candles and singing. When they get to the train station they will go up risers. Because of the colors of their robes, they will look like a Christmas tree against a background of white or blue (I forget). There will also be bell chime players and trumpets, as well as someone signing.

A narrator will tell the story of Christmas, and at key moments in the story the choir will sing or the bell chimes will play. I remember songs like "O Holy Night" "Away in a Manger," etc. It was really beautiful.

The performance will have the Main Street train station in the back, and the chairs/audience, will be sitting in Town Square (where the flag pole is) facing the Main Street train station. Other people will be standing around the perimeter watching the performance.

Cast members will make sure that walkways are clear, so other than that particular area, the rest of the park will remain unaffected.

This is the first year that Disneyland is trying out an extended season of Candlelight Processional performances. I hope that it proves successful so that more people can experience it here on the West Coast.

 

[Malcon10t]

If you go to Youtube and enter Disneyland Candlelight 2008 you can find John Stamos doing it a couple years back.

Try https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC0clxVd2YQ&feature=related

Here are a few shots from last year.

This one is of the kids with one of the orchestra guys. We were trying to take pics as the orchestra was getting prepped, and he jokingly hopped in, I told him to stay!

Belle's seat

While the orchestra was setting up.

The choir entering.

I love this shot...