Crowds For Candlelight Processional in early Dec.

[JJJLoves WDW]

Hi, everyone! I am planning a trip to the World for DW and I from 12/9-12/12/13.

The only day we can make it to the Candlelight Processional is on 12/10 at the 5:00 show. I booked the Dinner Package to make sure we can get in, but if I don't have to spend the $120+ for the 2 of us to have lunch, I'd rather not.

Can anyone tell me if the standby line is typically very crowded this early in Dec. for the 1st show? Would we be able to get in? Would we have to wait more than an hour to make sure we get a good seat?

I appreciate any input any of you can offer. TIA.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

To get a "good seat", you will have to be in line pretty early - figure 2 hours - for the first show. This would be even longer for later shows (which are more popular).

 

[ConnieB]

To get a "good seat", you will have to be in line pretty early - figure 2 hours - for the first show. This would be even longer for later shows (which are more popular).

I agree...plus realize that if they sell enough of the dinner packages then the stand by line won't even be used....so you will have stood in line for 2 hours and still not get in....of course, you can then continue to stand in line (where you can hear but really not see the show) and wait to see if the 2nd show has seats available after the dinner package guests are seated....and again wait for the 3rd show and hope to get a seat. I've seen that line when it was literally hundreds of people long and always marveled at the hope some people have that being the 200th person they'll get a "as available" seat, lol. if you want to have the best chance of getting a seat, you want to get there early enough that you're in the first 50 to 100 seats at the very most....anything more than that and you're an extreme optimist.

I know many of the dinner packages are ridiculously priced but several of them are really only a few dollars more than if you were to choose the most expensive appy/entrée/dessert off the regular menu. We book those because I just am not willing to overpay just to have a seat!

 

[ChitownFamily]

Hi, everyone! I am planning a trip to the World for DW and I from 12/9-12/12/13.

The only day we can make it to the Candlelight Processional is on 12/10 at the 5:00 show. I booked the Dinner Package to make sure we can get in, but if I don't have to spend the $120+ for the 2 of us to have lunch, I'd rather not.

Can anyone tell me if the standby line is typically very crowded this early in Dec. for the 1st show? Would we be able to get in? Would we have to wait more than an hour to make sure we get a good seat?

I appreciate any input any of you can offer. TIA.

The other posters offer some great insights especially about waiting in line -with the possibility of not getting in.

Don't forget part of the package is preferred seating for Illuminations. Illuminations is my favorite show- so the package is worth that to me!

 

[DebbieB]

Hi, everyone! I am planning a trip to the World for DW and I from 12/9-12/12/13.

The only day we can make it to the Candlelight Processional is on 12/10 at the 5:00 show. I booked the Dinner Package to make sure we can get in, but if I don't have to spend the $120+ for the 2 of us to have lunch, I'd rather not.

Can anyone tell me if the standby line is typically very crowded this early in Dec. for the 1st show? Would we be able to get in? Would we have to wait more than an hour to make sure we get a good seat?

I appreciate any input any of you can offer. TIA.

I've gone in early December and usually got in by standby 1 hour before on a weeknight. The night you want is a Tuesday, Sigorney Weaver is the narrator. I don't think she will be a big draw, you would probably be fine in standby.

 

[VMKYouAreMissed]

CP is always crowded. If you want to sit closer to the front you need to buy the package. Standby sits in the back.

 

[DebbieB]

I always thought of CP as a listening experience rather than visual. Any seat is good. One time we got the package and sat in the front section. Hated it, it was too loud and you really couldn't take it all in. Just don't get behind a tree.

 

[Otter49]

I always thought of CP as a listening experience rather than visual. Any seat is good. One time we got the package and sat in the front section. Hated it, it was too loud and you really couldn't take it all in. Just don't get behind a tree.

Totally agree. If you're unlucky, the worst seats in the house are going to be some of the reserved seating - far right, far left, up close to the stage. A totally inferior experience to seating in the middle 12 or so rows back.

 

[Boomerville]

All great replys. As a CM who has worked this show for 7 years this is my humble opinion. First two weeks of December, Sunday through Thursday, usually all standby get in. Even though the lines look enormously long, Disney knows its lines and knows how many packages were sold. Ask the CM at the end of the standby line what your chances of getting in are and he/she will give you a very honest answer.

A lot depends on the narrator. If Woopie Goldberg is narrating that night, all bets are off. I've seen guests in line at noon to get a chance to enter the theater. If you have a family member in the performing choir and need to be upfront for pictures, you are better off purchasing a dinner package to assure you of close seats. Also be in the dinner package line early for first choise seats.

True, for listening and visual pleasure, best seats are in the middle/back of the theater. I have seen dinner package guests refuse reserved seats because they wanted to sit in the back.

Please come prepared if rain threatens. Bring ponchos as umbrellas are not allowed in the theater. If it is already raining, you will have your choise of seats. The show must go on!!

Whether or not you purchase a dinner package, be prepared for crowds and a wait in line until the theater opens. You will not regret the wait. This is a wonderful show and you are in for a great treat.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We've been to WDW several times in early December and always go to the CP. I have not found it to be true that it is always crowded. Shows on weekday evenings with narrators who are less popular often have seats available at showtime. I usually go to the CP more than once during our stay, and I can say that I have never stood in line. Again, I'm talking about weeknights with narrators who aren't the biggest names. Someone like Whoopi Goldberg or Neil Patrick Harris will attract huge crowds no matter the day or time. If you don't mind seeing a show with someone you've barely heard of and you can go on a weeknight, I think you'll have no problem getting in without waiting in line. And the other posters are correct about this being much more of an audio experience than a visual one. If for any reason you can't get a seat in the theater, just grab a seat at a table outside the American Adventure counter service restaurant. You'll be able to hear it perfectly while you relax with your snacks.

 

[ttintagel]

I was there in early December last year and it was a crowd and a long line, but then again the host was the popular Neil Patrick Harris. I think the host makes a difference.

 

[AmyB2006]

I was there in early December last year and it was a crowd and a long line, but then again the host was the popular Neil Patrick Harris. I think the host makes a difference.

LOL, yeah the narrator makes a big difference I think. We're scheduled to see James Denton on the 15th. I had to look him up as I didn't even know who he was. LOL

We get the package every year. We are always in line, even with the package, about an hour before the show. I like to be able to pick my seat.

And it's true, the seats way up in front are not the best seats. I like sitting in the middle of the theater. Best sound, IMO. I sit about 7 to 8 rows back (I think) and close to the aisle. But in order for me to get that seat every time, I have to be in the front of the line.

 

[tjevans]

LOL, yeah the narrator makes a big difference I think. We're scheduled to see James Denton on the 15th. I had to look him up as I didn't even know who he was. LOL.

Saw him last year. I think he said that was his first time. he was good, but it was also the only CP I've been to.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[AmyB2006]

Saw him last year. I think he said that was his first time. he was good, but it was also the only CP I've been to.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

I just have to say, I LOVE your signature. LOL

 

[mom2travel]

LOL, yeah the narrator makes a big difference I think. We're scheduled to see James Denton on the 15th. I had to look him up as I didn't even know who he was. LOL

We get the package every year. We are always in line, even with the package, about an hour before the show. I like to be able to pick my seat.

And it's true, the seats way up in front are not the best seats. I like sitting in the middle of the theater. Best sound, IMO. I sit about 7 to 8 rows back (I think) and close to the aisle. But in order for me to get that seat every time, I have to be in the front of the line.

We saw James Denton last year. I had to look him up beforehand too. He did a good job (though I have nothing else to compare it to). We purchased the package and saw the 6:45 show. Because we had guaranteed seats and didn't care where we sat, we didn't rush to get in the line - there were tons of people in front of us; the line went almost all the way to France pavilion. Almost no standby guests got in. The show was on a Saturday night - so midweek you might be ok, but people need to keep in mind that even less popular narrators are hugely crowded on weekends

 

[AmyB2006]

We saw James Denton last year. I had to look him up beforehand too. He did a good job (though I have nothing else to compare it to). We purchased the package and saw the 6:45 show. Because we had guaranteed seats and didn't care where we sat, we didn't rush to get in the line - there were tons of people in front of us; the line went almost all the way to France pavilion. Almost no standby guests got in. The show was on a Saturday night - so midweek you might be ok, but people need to keep in mind that even less popular narrators are hugely crowded on weekends

I agree. Weekends are their own "entity". LOL They are always more crowded.

Good to hear he did a good job. I was a little disappointed when I saw it was him and I don't even know who he is. But I love the show, and every year we go and enjoy it, regardless of the narrator. So I'm sure it will be great.

One thing I've noticed is that these narrators are really into it and they want so badly to do a good job.

 

[2girlsR2good]

Question for those of you who've been to the early processional--I just bought the lunch/5pm show package. Is there a downside to the 5pm? Is it twilight enough that the candlelight seems special? Sundown is 5:40ish that time of year.

 

[tjevans]

Question for those of you who've been to the early processional--I just bought the lunch/5pm show package. Is there a downside to the 5pm? Is it twilight enough that the candlelight seems special? Sundown is 5:40ish that time of year.

I remember it being daylight when it started, and when it finished, it was dark. I was so captivated by the show that I totally missed the sundown. The amphitheater is lit, so I don't remember the the candles, which are battery powered, being that impressive.