Epcot's holiday festivities

[Nick6300]

Our stay will be from Thanksgiving - Dec 7th. It seems like the WS holiday storytelling only run from 11am until a certain time at night? If not visiting EPCOT on Black Fri or 1st Sat, do you think it's necessary to buy Candlelight Processional packages? If not buying them, which of the 3 time slots would you shoot for and how early would you be in standby? I'm not sure if there's still FP, we haven't been there in Dec. for a couple yrs.

 

[VAfamily1998]

Our stay will be from Thanksgiving - Dec 7th. It seems like the WS holiday storytelling only run from 11am until a certain time at night? If not visiting EPCOT on Black Fri or 1st Sat, do you think it's necessary to buy Candlelight Processional packages? If not buying them, which of the 3 time slots would you shoot for and how early would you be in standby? I'm not sure if there's still FP, we haven't been there in Dec. for a couple yrs.

Disclaimer: I've only seen Candlelight processional once, so I am no expert.

I think the necessity of doing the package might depend on who the narrator is. We went last year when John Stamos was the narrator. We had the last show, and got in line BEFORE the second show even started. We were not the first in line by any means, but when we entered the theater there was still a lot of choices for seats.
Based on that experience, I would definitely book the package again to guarantee I'd be able to choose my seat.

 

[Nick6300]

Disclaimer: I've only seen Candlelight processional once, so I am no expert.

I think the necessity of doing the package might depend on who the narrator is. We went last year when John Stamos was the narrator. We had the last show, and got in line BEFORE the second show even started. We were not the first in line by any means, but when we entered the theater there was still a lot of choices for seats.
Based on that experience, I would definitely book the package again to guarantee I'd be able to choose my seat.

Thank you. I agree the narrator would be a factor. Whoopi, and if Neil Patrick Harris comes to WDW again, would be popular. I'm not sure I've seen Stamos before. We've walked up to a show in the standing area, about 2 rows deep before and, at the time, thought that it was better than having waited for 1.5 hrs in line to get a seat towards the back, sometimes in front of a tree, after all of the CP/FP people had their seats. I'm guessing that the 1st show may actually be a tougher one to wait for SB because the 2nd and 3rd shows have less time before the show (kind of thinking of aiming for 3rd show). We've never done CP, and don't want to, but with GE in the mix, you have to think it will be more crowded. I think I'm maybe willing to wait 1.5 hrs SB if it means not spending $130 per couple.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

There’s no FP for the CP. it is either standby or the packages. The packages aren’t that bad because most of the time you will be eating lunch which is cheaper than dinner. If you were to do a dining package I would focus on the 2nd showing. You would still be easily able to eat lunch with that timing and save some money and get a guaranteed seat. Now mind you that with the dining package you would still need to line up 30-45 minutes before the showing.

 

[Nick6300]

There’s no FP for the CP. it is either standby or the packages. The packages aren’t that bad because most of the time you will be eating lunch which is cheaper than dinner. If you were to do a dining package I would focus on the 2nd showing. You would still be easily able to eat lunch with that timing and save some money and get a guaranteed seat. Now mind you that with the dining package you would still need to line up 30-45 minutes before the showing.

Thank you. Do you have to chose 1 of 3 shows the same day you dine for the package or do you have some flexibility. What do you think the SB wait would be like for a 2nd or 4rd show during 1st week of Dec. - 1.5 hrs?

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Thank you. Do you have to chose 1 of 3 shows the same day you dine for the package or do you have some flexibility. What do you think the SB wait would be like for a 2nd or 4rd show during 1st week of Dec. - 1.5 hrs?

When you do the dining package you have eat the same day. Also, it is completely random which showing you get. If you refresh you can get a different showing. Honestly, it all depends on who is presenting and how long the wait would be.

 

[Nick6300]

When you do the dining package you have eat the same day. Also, it is completely random which showing you get. If you refresh you can get a different showing. Honestly, it all depends on who is presenting and how long the wait would be.

Thanks, I know we are going to go to Whoopi Goldberg's show on Fri night Dec 6th and at least one more, currently unannounced hosts for earlier in the week. If Neil Patrick Harris is there, we would aim for one of his. We like Biergarten buffet, so maybe we would look into seeing if the fam will consider that.

 

[purple figment]

What do you think the SB wait would be like for a 2nd or 4rd show during 1st week of Dec. - 1.5 hrs?

It really depends on the narrator. It's possible 1.5 hours in advance may not be early enough for the 2nd or 3rd show if there is a very popular narrator. We saw people starting the SB line at 11 AM when WS opened for Neil Patrick Harris and not much later for Whoopi Goldberg. For some narrators 1.5 hours would be fine.

To guarantee a seat for CP the dining package is the best option, but even then you will probably want to get to the theater 30 - 45 minutes early depending on how close to the front you want to sit and who the narrator is.. Prices of the package vary depending on the meal (B, L, D) and the restaurant.

Some who don't want to wait in the SB line just walk up and stand in the back just outside the theater to watch or you can hear the program, but not see it from across the walkway.

 

[Nick6300]

It really depends on the narrator. It's possible 1.5 hours in advance may not be early enough for the 2nd or 3rd show if there is a very popular narrator. We saw people starting the SB line at 11 AM when WS opened for Neil Patrick Harris and not much later for Whoopi Goldberg. For some narrators 1.5 hours would be fine.

To guarantee a seat for CP the dining package is the best option, but even then you will probably want to get to the theater 30 - 45 minutes early depending on how close to the front you want to sit and who the narrator is.. Prices of the package vary depending on the meal (B, L, D) and the restaurant.

Some who don't want to wait in the SB line just walk up and stand in the back just outside the theater to watch or you can hear the program, but not see it from across the walkway.

I have seen the super early lines for that 1st show, usually 1 person from a family saving spots, which is why I was thinking it was better to be in the 2nd or 3rd. But some people don't want spoilers by waiting for the 2nd show while hearing the 1st. I have done the standing behind before too - especially if you can find some shorter peeps to stand behind.

 

[disneygolfer1985]

Thanks, I know we are going to go to Whoopi Goldberg's show on Fri night Dec 6th and at least one more, currently unannounced hosts for earlier in the week. If Neil Patrick Harris is there, we would aim for one of his. We like Biergarten buffet, so maybe we would look into seeing if the fam will consider that.

If you are planning on seeing either of those narratives I would highly recommend the dining package. You could waste the whole day waiting in line and may not get in the theater.

 

[Babsy]

We will be there the same week as you are. We plan on doing the package - with GE i don't want to wait in the potentially long lines or miss the show. We are hoping for NPH, but are fortunate as our second choice of Whoopi Goldberg is already slated as an option during our trip.

I typically like the second show as it is not too late, but isn't in partial daylight either. This year we will have small children,. so the first show is the one we want. Having the package will guarantee you a seat and will likely get you under the roof section which can be important if it is raining. I would still plan to line up at least 45 minutes before even with the package to ensure good seats.

 

[dachsie]

Last year I had Neil Patrick Harris and did a package at Biergarten for the holiday music. I went by the theater around 11am and there were already people in line. Highly recommend a package - they even have breakfast packages.