? for those who have been to Candlelight Processional. . .

[kev97rach]

If anyone has recently been without doing the package, how was the standby line? We are planning on going on the 17th when Kirk Cameron is there and are a little worried since we didn't do the package. Planning on getting to the standby line at least 1 hour before showtime, probably the 8:15 show is what we are planning on. Any suggestions, hints???? Thanks!

 

[civileng68]

If anyone has recently been without doing the package, how was the standby line? We are planning on going on the 17th when Kirk Cameron is there and are a little worried since we didn't do the package. Planning on getting to the standby line at least 1 hour before showtime, probably the 8:15 show is what we are planning on. Any suggestions, hints???? Thanks!

It all depends on which show you go to. If you go to an earlier show (any other than the 8:15) you'll likely be able to walk in right before the show starts.

However, if you are planning on going to the 8:15 show, even showing up 1 hour before showtime will get you way far back in the line. When we went last week the 8:15 show had a long line nearly 2 hours before the show started.

Of course this is also likely dependent upon the speaker and how close to Christmas you get.

 

[angipoo]

We were there Dec 1st (Rita Moreno) and the standby lines were ENORMOUS! I mean, you could camp out in line for a couple of hours before hand, but I still don't know if you'd get in. We had the dinner package and the line for THAT went all the way back almost to Morroco. I didn't think we were going to get in, but we did.

I am not trying to be a spoil sport - just reporting what I saw.

 

[petrymom]

We were there Dec 1st (Rita Moreno) and the standby lines were ENORMOUS! I mean, you could camp out in line for a couple of hours before hand, but I still don't know if you'd get in. We had the dinner package and the line for THAT went all the way back almost to Morroco. I didn't think we were going to get in, but we did.

I am not trying to be a spoil sport - just reporting what I saw.

Do you mean that even if you have the package, you might not get in???? That would really stink as we are going on Christmas eve.

 

[dmslush]

Do you mean that even if you have the package, you might not get in???? That would really stink as we are going on Christmas eve.

I would think they would have to let us (the ones with the package) in before the stand by people, wouldn't they?????

 

[civileng68]

Do you mean that even if you have the package, you might not get in???? That would really stink as we are going on Christmas eve.

No, if you use the package, you are given priority seating.

 

[DVCconvert]

It all depends on which show you go to. If you go to an earlier show (any other than the 8:15) you'll likely be able to walk in right before the show starts.

That's not been my experience.

In general, I'd say you need the DP to easily get in regardless as to the speaker or show time. This is VERY popular amoung locals as well as tourists.

 

[petrymom]

No, if you use the package, you are given priority seating.

Oh!!! Thank you for the response. I was scared for a minute!!!!

 

[Golf4food]

We were there on Wed 12-06. We had the dinner package and were eating at Germany at 5:05 for the 8:15pm show. When we took the boat into Germany, the stand-by line stretched all the way back almost to the Germany boat dock for the early show. When we left after eating dinner around 6:15pm, the stand-by line for the second show was almost as long as it was earlier. When we got into the dinner package line at around 7:45 pm, that line stretched all the way to China (OK, so that is only one country over from America - still it sounds more impressive to tell people we were in a line that stretched all the way to China and not be exagerating, haha).

This was during an "uncrowded" week based on everything else we saw, and the speaker was Brian Denehey. I can only assume that the crowd closer to Christmas will be worse, especially for someone more popular, such as Kirk Cameron. If you don't have a dinner package, I'd say you'll need to be back for the stand-by line no later than two hours ahead of time, and even then you might be stuck waiting for the second show.

As for package seating, we were told that all package customers are guaranteed a seat before any stand-by people are seated at all.

 

[tink1953]

we went Nov. 30th to the 6:45 show.....we ate at Garden Grill at 4:00 and then caught the tree lighting at 6:00 and high tailed it to the Candlelight and just walked in and got a really good seat. As a matter of fact there were still some empty seats and we didn't even have to "move to the center of the row" We sat where we began.

But when we left the last show had a HUGE line waiting (this was pirioty line) looked like maybe and hour wait?

By the way Rita Moreno is absolutely wonderful!! She sang along with the choir and was very animated when she spoke.

It was our first experience and we loved it!!

Barb

 

[minijeanie]

Is there any reason why you wouldn't do the pkg??? is it because they are all filled.

If not, book a package. why waste 2 hrs of your precious time waiting for a show that you may not get into.

I went once many many years ago and it is breathtaking.
Absolutely beautiful, brings tears to your eyes.

As you are looking to go the 17th...I would still see if a pkg is available.

good luck!!

 

[kev97rach]

Thanks for the replies. Now, I am really worried wen won't get to see the show and Kirk Cameron!! But, I just emailed my TA to see if she can get me a package. We already had an ADR for 5:30 at Garden Grill, but just didn't know about the packages and if we needed one. Hopefully our current ADR can be switched to a package. Keeping fingers crossed!

 

[canwegosoon]

Thanks for the replies. Now, I am really worried wen won't get to see the show and Kirk Cameron!! But, I just emailed my TA to see if she can get me a package. We already had an ADR for 5:30 at Garden Grill, but just didn't know about the packages and if we needed one. Hopefully our current ADR can be switched to a package. Keeping fingers crossed!

I am hoping it can be switched...even if it can't be switched today...keep checking You want the gaurenteed seating

 

[PatsMom]

We did the show on 12/7 using the package. We were also at Epcot a couple of other evenings. Like another poster said, the standby lines were enormous. Without the package, I'd plan on lining up very early. And in the line for those with the package, CM's were checking tickets closely. They are peel and stick and you have to stick your ticket to yourself. It is not allowed just to show it the the CM checking. A great show and worth the time. But I'm glad we had the package!

 

[okeydokey]

We saw the 6:45 show on Dec 1, Rita Moreno and got in the standby line at 6:30. We got the last seats, but we did get in. It was wonderful.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Granted it's usually midweek, and the week after Thanksgiving, but we've always found that a half hour was sufficient time on the standby line to get in. Once we didn't, but that was because we had sleeping kids in the stroller and they had no more room for strollers in the back.

Yes, I have seen the standby line form, and look scary, more than an hour before even the early shows, but that didn't mean that most people who jumped on the line much later didn't get seats.

It's a gamble. If you just have one shot to see the show, get a package or get on the stanby line an hour before hand........sooner if it's a weekend night during a busy week. Since we usually have a few nights in Epcot we usually gamble by jumping on the standby line late, and we usually get in.

 

[Subrbnmommy]

I was at Epcot last week and everyday the line for the show would start around 3:00 p.m. and the lines got really long. So on Thursday Dec 7th (Brian Dennehy) we got there at 8:25 and figured that we'd watch the show from behind the rope but, to my surprise (we were a party of four) a cast member asked us if we'd like to be seated. We were seated in the fourth row!

 

[ps17]

We are planning on doing the standby line on Xmas Eve, Dec 24. I guess I'm willing to show up around 3:00PM to wait in line for the first show (we have 7:20 regular dinner reservations at Japan).

Any insight on if this is a "safe" time to show up to have a reasonable shot to get in? Is it going to have to be earlier?

 

[canwegosoon]

We are planning on doing the standby line on Xmas Eve, Dec 24. I guess I'm willing to show up around 3:00PM to wait in line for the first show (we have 7:20 regular dinner reservations at Japan).

Any insight on if this is a "safe" time to show up to have a reasonable shot to get in? Is it going to have to be earlier?

How are you going to eat dinner? Are you planning on making the 1st show? IMO you also should be trying to get Tickets...save yourself all the hassel.

 

[makinorlando]

On 11/26 (granted the end of T-giving weekend) we were in EPCOT and walked past the line about 2:30 and there were people in line for the 5:15 show. I have ADRs for 12/23 at Garden Grill for a late lunch and then going to the 5:15 show. This will be our first time and I know there is no way DD would stand in line for it!!!