Disneyland Blog post - Candlelight Ceremony "Sweepstakes"

[ociana]

The Disneyland Blog has just added a post with the following info:

The start of Holidays at the Disneyland Resort is just one week away! And I’m excited to share information about how Annual Passholders may get a chance to view the 2012 Candlelight Ceremony and Processional at Disneyland park.
Beginning November 12, Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders can learn the full details about the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional sweepstakes, and be able to enter online for an opportunity to view a performance. Until then, please visit this page for details about the event, and this page for a list of 2012 Disneyland Candlelight Ceremony narrators.
Dining packages will not be offered this year. Keep in mind that you can still call the Disney Dine Line (714-781-DINE) or email dine@disneyland.com to request reservations for Disneyland Resort restaurants throughout the holiday season.

The Annual Passholder Event Opportunity Page says:

Event Description
As it has since 1958, the Disneyland Resort Candlelight Ceremony and Processional will illuminate Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park, with the beauty and wonder of Christmas.
During each night of the Ceremony, a celebrity narrator — accompanied by a choir of more than 600 singers and the Disneyland Orchestra — recounts the story of the first Christmas.
Celebrity Narrators and Dates
December 3, 4, 5: Kurt Russell
December 6, 7, 8: Edward James Olmos
December 9, 10, 11: Lou Diamond Phillips
December 12, 13: Dick Van Dyke
December 14: Marcia Gay Harden
December 15, 16: Patricia Heaton
December 17, 18, 19: Molly Ringwald
December 20: Dennis Haysbert
There will be 2 performances nightly during these dates. Information —including list of narrators — and event are subject to restrictions, change and cancellation without notice. Seats to all performances are limited and are subject to availability.
Opportunity for Annual Passholders
As a special thank you to our valued Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders, seats during the December 3 through December 20, 2012 performances have been reserved for Passholders.
Details Coming Soon

Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders may enter a random drawing for a chance to attend a Candlelight Ceremony and Processional performance.
Please check back November 12, 2012 for complete details.

 

[ttig34]

Does this means only AP holders will be able to get seating to the CP's? Or are they going to sell tickets to the public,also? Anybody know?

 

[BryANDJessMom]

I just got my APs in September..I have never done a AP lottery..how does it usually work? Do you out in your AP number and are you allowed like three other guests? My kids and DH has APs too so I imagine they can enter as well? What happens then if for instance, my DH and I get a slot, can we give up one so someone else may use it?

Thanks!
Nancy

 

[Kathymford]

It sounds like it's a lottery and that's it. It's a shame about the dining packages not being available when they told us they would be.

Usually with the AP sweepstakes you enter online; it will tell you how many people you can bring. They all usually have to be passholders. In the past, it's usually up to 3 additional people (so 4 total). Then some time before the event you will get an email announcing if you won or not. You will want to make sure you have your AP added to your disneyland.com account.

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Yay for people with APs... boo for us... we don't have them, and I was looking forward to a chance to see this with a dining package

 

[Avery's mom]

I just reserved my hotel today when DH found out the days he could take off from work for our holiday visit. Even though I am an AP holder, I am disappointed not to have a dining package that could be purchased by all - on the dates that have already been reserved by people visiting the Resort. Waiting for a lottery - not the option many of us were hoping for

 

[Leanne Bowen]

Well, that's too bad. We live in Canada so there's no point in getting AP's. My husband and I will be in DL from December 4-8 so I was really looking forward to experiencing this event. Since its on Main Street how do they prevent "the general public" from seeing it?

 

[MileHigh]

I called Disney shortly after that blog post and was told that the ultimate holiday tour is offering limited number bookings for the 1st and 2nd. The tour cost is $150 pp and includes a seat at the CP for that night. According to the cm I spoke with those are the only two nights they are offering it. It's a steep price but having President Palmer narrate is something I couldn't turn down

 

[ttig34]

Well, that's too bad. We live in Canada so there's no point in getting AP's. My husband and I will be in DL from December 4-8 so I was really looking forward to experiencing this event. Since its on Main Street how do they prevent "the general public" from seeing it?

Don't know for a fact, but my guess would be that they won't prevent the "general public" from seeing it. You will probably just have to camp out for a SRO spot.

 

[minniecarousel]

I have an AP, my sisters do not. Won't do me any good if I can't get seats for them too. We won't be able to see this if we can't sit. I received the E-mail today telling me to check in on 11/12 for more info. Guess I'll wait 'til next week.

 

[focusondisney]

Another upset "guest". I don't begrudge AP holders, but I was told by Vacation Planning weeks ago that they would be offering the Ultimate Tour on our dates Dec 2- 7th & they would be able to book it for us. Find out today that's now available only Dec 1 & 2.

Disney has been trying for years to make DL a "destination" that people will visit for longer periods. Now the place is packed, on site hotels full, people traveling from all over to visit & management seems to be functioning like ametuers. They reduced the amount of days we can buy per ticket, created segregated lines for certain passes, withhold information about major parts of the holiday events til the very last minute & disappoint many for whom it's too late to change their plans.


It will be a very long time til we bother coming back.

 

[Malcon10t]

Well, that's too bad. We live in Canada so there's no point in getting AP's. My husband and I will be in DL from December 4-8 so I was really looking forward to experiencing this event. Since its on Main Street how do they prevent "the general public" from seeing it?

You are perfectly welcome to view it. They don't prevent anyone from viewing. The issue is if you will have a seat. There are about 400 seats per show. There is also standing room for a couple thousand. The only area they may prevent you from is the seating area.

 

[lurpee]

I'm not happy about this at all. I spent a lot time on the phone with CM's finding out what was what. In all fairness to them the last CM I spoke today's nothing had been released and everyone had just been speculating on it. One CM did say that I would want to do the Holiday Ultimate Tour and they knew I wanted the 20th. I really wanted seating as the Christmas Story is a BIG deal to me at Christmas especially (the telling of it) and I will have an almost five year old and a 11month old with me.

I should really say I spent a lot of time holding for CM's.

 

[lurpee]

I'm not happy about this at all. I spent a lot time on the phone with CM's finding out what was happening. In all fairness to them the last CM I spoke to said nothing had been released and everyone had just been speculating on it. One CM did say that I would want to do the Holiday Ultimate Tour and they knew I wanted the 20th. I really wanted seating as the Christmas Story is a BIG deal to me at Christmas especially (the telling of it) and I will have an almost five year old and a 11month old with me.

I should really say I spent a lot of time holding for CM's.

Autocorrect got me again! Corrected the above!

 

[Nonsuch]

You are perfectly welcome to view it. They don't prevent anyone from viewing. The issue is if you will have a seat. There are about 400 seats per show. There is also standing room for a couple thousand. The only area they may prevent you from is the seating area.

There were many more seats in previous years. Only 400 seats would leave much more standing room.

 

[yupikgal]

WellI I guess the wait is over then..I'm out! I can't justify $150 and not even getting a dinner for that price, nor the narrator I wanted, Kurt Russell!

I, like one of the other posters mentioned, spent days on the phone checking faithfully to see if it was available..I can't imagine why the powers that be decided to mention a dining pkg that would have been available to everyone to begin with, I knew it was too good to be true! My sister & I have knee issues, I try to avoid standing still for long periods.

Oh well, you AP holders who do get in, enjoy! The other thing I wish they would have done is held it elsewhere other than Town Square to avoid clogging up the entrance for hours upon end for us other poor schmucks who can't go!

 

[Malcon10t]

I just got my APs in September..I have never done a AP lottery..how does it usually work? Do you out in your AP number and are you allowed like three other guests? My kids and DH has APs too so I imagine they can enter as well? What happens then if for instance, my DH and I get a slot, can we give up one so someone else may use it?

Thanks!
Nancy

Usually how it works is all ADULTS can enter the lottery. You need to make sure you have an account set up with Disneyland. go to disneyland.com/ap and sign up. On the 12th, they will have sign ups for the lottery. How it has worked in the past has been they give you a selection of dates and times. You select the dates/times that will work for you. (The more you choose, the greater your chances of getting in.) It will usually allow the winners to bring up to either 4 or 6 depending on the situation. You will have to determine that when you enter. Then a couple weeks later, they will send emails to the winners telling you the date and time you won. You will need to take the email and all your winning group to the ticket booth on the day you won. In the past, all members of the winning group had to have APs. Children are allowed in with the winning group, they just can't enter the contest itself.

 

[BryANDJessMom]

Thanks for the details!!! I will keep my fingers crossed.

 

[roobug]

Usually how it works is all ADULTS can enter the lottery. You need to make sure you have an account set up with Disneyland. go to disneyland.com/ap and sign up. On the 12th, they will have sign ups for the lottery. How it has worked in the past has been they give you a selection of dates and times. You select the dates/times that will work for you. (The more you choose, the greater your chances of getting in.) It will usually allow the winners to bring up to either 4 or 6 depending on the situation. You will have to determine that when you enter. Then a couple weeks later, they will send emails to the winners telling you the date and time you won. You will need to take the email and all your winning group to the ticket booth on the day you won. In the past, all members of the winning group had to have APs. Children are allowed in with the winning group, they just can't enter the contest itself.

I am curious why children with APs can't enter. They have to pay the same amount as adults so they should be allowed the same perks from the pass.

 

[Malcon10t]

I am curious why children with APs can't enter. They have to pay the same amount as adults so they should be allowed the same perks from the pass.

I believe it has to do with laws regarding sweepstakes. You have to be over 18 to enter most sweepstakes. They explained it several events ago. This is what we got in June:

**************************************


No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Open to persons age 18 or over who are valid Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders as of May 1, 2012.
Winners and/or Guests with Passports that have expired after May 1, 2012, may still attend the preview. Please present the email ticket that confirms you are a winner, along with a valid form of identification at the parking toll booths and at the Box Office to receive event entitlements.
Drawing ends at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on May 24, 2012.
Winners will be notified by email on or around June 4, 2012.
Winners may attend with up to 5 Guests, all of whom must also have valid Disneyland Resort Annual Passports.
All members of your party must be present and show their valid Disneyland Resort Annual Passport. Admission is non-transferable.
If you are selected to attend the sneak preview on a blockout date for your Annual Passport type, you will receive a 1-day Disney California Adventure Park blockout day ticket for the date of the preview.
June 11, 2012 is a blockout date for Southern California Select Annual Passports. If you or your Guests' Annual Passports are blocked on June 11, 2012, present the email ticket that confirms you are a winner and your — and/or your Guests' — Annual Passport(s) at any Main Entrance Ticket Booth to receive a 1-Day Ticket to Disney California Adventure Park at no charge. Any of your Guests requiring a complimentary ticket must be present with you at the Ticket Booth to receive their ticket.
Guests are encouraged to select multiple time periods to increase their chances of winning, but they are only eligible to win a single time period.
Annual Passholders may only enter the opportunity drawing once.
Entries cannot be modified once submitted.
The preview event may include long wait periods, is subject to temporary closures and may be canceled at any time without notice. Winning the opportunity drawing does not guarantee a preview of Disney California Adventure Park, including admission to all attractions, shops, and/or restaurants.