December 4th

[Abbey1]

I have a few questions about December the 4th. My family will be arriving that day and getting to the parks between 3-4 pm. We are really wanting to catch PTN (I seriously love this parade and *have* to see it one more time), but I am worried about the Candlelight Processional crowds.

Would it be best to spend the day in DCA and avoid Disneyland entirely until the processional is over? And if we head into Disneyland, would the crowds be thinner on Main Street around 9 pm? I'm hoping if we get into DL an hour and a half before the parade starts, we should have plenty of time to find a good spot to watch, but I've never experienced "heavy" crowds and am fully expecting this day to be pretty packed.

I also contemplated heading to DTD and riding the monorail into tomorrowland to avoid Main Street entirely. Would this be more of a hassle than it's worth?

 

[Darkbeer1]

OK, 9 PM is about the time Candlelight ends, but the Fireworks and Snow effect starts at 8:45 PM, when Candlelight ends (They do delay it to make sure there isn't an overlap).

The Monorail is a good idea, if it is running. Wind conditions can cause the Monorail to close during the Fireworks. Also, it can be closed due to a breakdown, no guarantees.

IMHO, try to enter Disneyland closer to 10 PM, and then head straight to the "it's a small world" area to catch Paint the Night.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

You can take the monorail in to DL when you arrive. Then spend your time in FL and TL until it's time to pick a parade spot. Good advice to view by IASW. You could eat dinner as well, maybe somewhere in TL. All of this will keep you clear of any congestion on MS and in TS, while still giving you enough time to find a good viewing spot for PTN.

 

[alvernon90]

I will also be there on that day. How bad will the Main Street congestion really be?

Also, given that CP is not a public event, does it really increase the number of people at the parks? Or does it merely create traffic problems in a specific area?

 

[cruisehopeful]

Or does it merely create traffic problems in a specific area?

This. Since the event is held by the train station on Main street, everyone who wants to watch it is in the front the main street. It makes it hard to get in and out of the park, but the other areas of the park will be normal or maybe even less crowded if most people are trying to see the show.

 

[Darkbeer1]

The issue is that for decades, Candlelight has been by invitation only (special guests, vendors, and friends and family of the performers get "tickets"), but they have always opened up leftover seating to the public. So it is a well known event, though unofficial, and brings in large crowds, mainly locals, but still some travel just for the event. One year, I got front and center, and was very grateful for the voucher. This year, I am off to SFMM for a special event.

As stated, Main Street gets crazy starting at opening as people camp out specifically for the event. Then they start adding seats on the "street" at Town Square for the invited guests, and it get crazier as the day goes on.

But it is fairly limited from the Central Hub north to the Main Entrance Turnstiles as the "impact" zone. Best suggestion, stay away from Main Street as much as possible from opening until after the Paint the Night Parade.

 

[ImDMous]

CP is a public event, anyone can watch it if you want to wait around long enough. They fill the seats with VIPs and then any that are left over are filled with whoever has been waiting around. You can also stand around the outside of the seats and see from there. It is very localized though, everyone is gathered around the train station and fills up the top half of main street, once you get past that it should be fairly normal. I would think they should have the bypass open to make getting through there easier.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Well, the two bypass areas are an issue, the western one between the Jungle Cruise and goes to City Hall is the easier of the two to operate.

But with the plan to do three parades Saturday and Sunday, the eastern bypass has an issue with Float Storage during parts of the day.

And just to clarify, Candlelight has become a semi-public event, it is designed for the invitees, but as stated, opens up the leftover areas to those who happen to be in the park.

Disney specifically doesn't list it on the official schedule, such as online and the "Times Guide", as they treat it as a private event, even though they host it.

It does confuse park guests who had no idea it was happening on the day they arrive..... Especially with the impact on Main Street.