Wow, that is crazy news about CLP. I saw CLP in 2005 with Dick Van Dyke and it was amazing. At the time we got our seats in conjunction with dinner at the Grand Californian, I remember calling at the magical hour and hoping we could get seats as they sold out so fast! I don't remember how long the show lasted, and we were sitting in the second row, but I remember glancing backand marveling at how far back people were standing. I don't understand how DL will be able to handle the crowds for 20 consecutive nights, especially where it is positioned. It seems it would create such a bottle neck, that is clearly where WDW has an advantage as they have a theater type situation for it. I haven't been back to DL since 2005, how have they been doing CLP in the meantime? Any chance it will be moved to the Fantasyland Theater?
I really hope the crowds during the week aren't crazy packed now because of this!
That's what keeps sticking in my mind - 20 nights! That's a lot of nights for Disneyland! They went from 2 nights to 20 nights! This will affect the foot traffic on Main Street, at the entrance to DL and beyond. This will affect the parade times (since the CP is happening 2 times per night), and because the parade times will be affected then the holiday tour schedule might change a little bit.
I suppose there will be some nights that are more crowded than others. If DLR charges the AP holders to see the CP, that will make a difference in attendance and it may not be as bad as we would think. If they allow the AP holders to do a sort of sweepstakes/lottery thing again and see the CP for free, the crowds could be heavier.
Even though (from photos I've seen) the CP looks like it has a really lovely home in Town Square, I agree that a theater-type set up would be more beneficial at this point.
I have to admit I was bummed when I saw the blog post about CP. Now I'm worried it will be more crowded, plus it will be harder to get pics on main street at night. I'm also worried that it will be harder to get ADRs (which I know normally aren't a problem at disneyland) with the dining packages. I know at wdw it's harder getting ADRs at the Epcot restaurants during the time CP is going on, since so many tables are reserved for the dining packages. I also know how INSANE the lines get for CP there each night. *sigh* more things to worry about I guess! I wish they had started a Christmas party instead.
Someone asked this on twitter & Disneyland responded "All performances of the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional will take place in Town Square this holiday season."
I am positive that a holiday party is coming to DLR sooner or later. I didn't think they would try it this year, so soon after the DCA makeover was complete (they still have to figure out how to work it so that things we have been used to seeing for years and years - snow on Main Street, holiday fireworks, holiday parade - are suddenly paid party exclusives, which will not go over well with the holiday-loving regulars), but I also didn't think we would get 20 nights of the CP this year! That came out of the blue!
So what do I know, really?
Even the Halloween parties only take place on 10 or 11 nights (usually 10 nights; there will be 11 nights this year)!
My guess is that, in the next year or two, the CP will either move over to DCA and a Christmas party will happen in DL, or the party will debut in DCA (with a holiday World of Color as the main attraction) and the CP will remain in DL.
Actually, the more and more I think about it, I am certain that the Cast Member parties would have to take place in DCA this year. Well, there are a few options - the CM parties could either happen in Disneyland before December 1 (seems unlikely), or after December 20 (seems unlikely), or on the weekend of 12/1 & 12/2, with the CP being the focal point of their party and DL closing at 6 p.m. However, I just cannot see Disneyland closing at 6 p.m. or whatever on a weekend night in December. Weekdays? Yes. Weekends? I don't see it. Weekends are when they gets tons of business.
So the only other options are that the Cast Member parties are not happening at all this year...OR they are happening in the "newly re-imagined" California Adventure, with a fully decorated Cars Land and Buena Vista Street as the highlights. So the question is, will the CM parties - if they happen in DCA - still be on the same nights they would have been anyway (most likely 12/10 and 12/11), or other nights?
*Nervous dancing* Not sure what to do. I was wanting to book our hotel for our trip this week and I have been dithering whether we should stay Tues departing Sat (12/1) or depart Sun (12/2). I really really want to see the CP. I love the show at WDW and was even in it during my College Program. Never seen it at Disneyland. But seriously, that would be the only reason we would stay that extra day. DH says we can, but I really don't know if I want to spend all that money (hotel, kennel, DH's paid time off hours) for a maybe. Not even a definite maybe at this point. I would be good if there was a decent chance of a somewhat respectable view (definitely willing to put in hours of wait time if necessary), but it being the first night of the new schedule and my having no experience, I wouldn't know what kind of strategy to use.
What to do...? Myabe book two separate reservations (tues-Sat and Sat night) and then cancel if necessary? Then I could at least lock in a decent rate...
I'm lost on the strategy too! Part of me is in the "Yay! This will give me more chances to see the CP since I've never seen it" camp. On the other hand I am thinking, "What's the catch? How much will they charge AP holders? Would the AP holders have to stand, while the dinner package people sit down, or do we all get to sit? And how will Disneyland prevent anyone from standing and watching the CP on 12/1 and 12/2 - the invitation-only nights?"
And then I am thinking, "They'd better tell us who the narrators are going to be before they run the AP sweepstakes! I don't want to enter to get a slot for the CP, only to find out that the narrator is someone I don't like!"
I would hate to work to get into the CP for a night, only to find out the narrator is someone I am not a fan of, and then find out that on another night someone I love is speaking!
Oh, and I noticed that the PPH was extra busy last year on the last day of the CP. I would imagine that business at all 3 hotels will pick up this year too.
Do you think there is any chance they might move the CP to the outdoor theater where they've had the princess fantasy fair?
Not this year. It sounds like it was clarified by Disney that Town Square will be the spot this year. I think the CP may move in future years, though. I suspect it may even move over to DCA down the road. The outdoor theater would be a good spot for it, though.
How exciting! I haven't done an actual Thanksgiving weekend at DLR for many years.
! 
Our 2012 Theme Week Countdown is 12 days away!
