Have they ever had a fastpass for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot?

[hedywill]

Planning a December trip to Disney and was wondering if they have ever offered a fastpass for the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Or is the CP dining package the only way to have a guaranteed seat?

 

[Mooghan]

They only offer the dining package as the only guaraneteed way to get a seat there. Disney is a business and that's how they can make extra money. I did the dining package at Via Napoli this past December the food was really good and it was one of the cheaper options, but they give you a LOT of food. I somehow ate a Disney-sized appetizer, main course, and a dessert, which hardly ever happens. You could take your chances and line up early to get a standby seat, but I didn't want to risk that.

 

[DebbieB]

They did experiment with same day fastpasses a couple of years ago but didn't do it last year.

 

[terri33inne]

We did the dining package last year, and IMO it was totally worth it. We left the Via Napoli about an 70-80 minutes prior to our line up time, and the line for the dining package was already back into Morocco. I don't think anyone in the stand by line got a seat. This was Dec 3rd last year.

 

[shh]

It really depends upon day. We were there last year, got into standby line about 15 min before the show started. We'd been so many times, it would have been no big deal if we didn't get in. Not only did we get in, but there were plenty of people behind us - at least 2-3 long rows worth who also made it in with no problem. Can't remember what night we were there, but I want to say it was 1st or 2nd week of Dec - with a less popular narrator. I think Dec 3 was Neil Patrick Harris, right? Some of the narrators are super popular.

We always choose a less popular night...never did dinner package and have always gotten in every year - even though we don't get in standby until about 1/2 hour before. (Also..the standby line always looks scary long to me and I'm always thinking "no way are we getting in", but you'd be surprised how many people fit that theater.

(I'm not knocking the dinner packages - I've considered doing it myself in years past, but just couldn't get the restaurant I wanted. I'm only mentioning the above in case someone other than OP is reading this and really can't afford cost of the dinner pkg: you still can see the show if you choose the right night.)

 

[bobbiwoz]

I have gotten into the first show using standby. I like to see the show more than once every year, and sometimes I do not do two dinner packages.

 

[Nancyg56]

I know that last year there was no FP for the show. I think that one year Disney tried to get that long SB line under control and gave a pass to the early birds, but I cannot really remember how that worked. I am going in December but not when the traditional heavy hitter narrators are there, so I may just go SB or watch from outside the pavilion. The rest of my family is not really interested enough to use 2 cedits, or pay OOP for this show, I love it though!

If you really want to have a seat, I would check out the menus and prices and book the package. It is a lovely show and it is nice to be able to sit and enjoy it.

 

[Disneylover99]

I know that last year there was no FP for the show. I think that one year Disney tried to get that long SB line under control and gave a pass to the early birds, but I cannot really remember how that worked. I am going in December but not when the traditional heavy hitter narrators are there, so I may just go SB or watch from outside the pavilion. The rest of my family is not really interested enough to use 2 cedits, or pay OOP for this show, I love it though!

If you really want to have a seat, I would check out the menus and prices and book the package. It is a lovely show and it is nice to be able to sit and enjoy it.

I don't think they ever had fp for the Processional, but two years ago they gave out wristbands beginning at 1pm for people who were beginning to line up for standbye. They gave out a limited amount for each show.

We showed up fifteen minutes before showtime with our wristbands on and bypassed the dining package lines. It was awesome!

 

[Nancyg56]

I don't think they ever had fp for the Processional, but two years ago they gave out wristbands beginning at 1pm for people who were beginning to line up for standbye. They gave out a limited amount for each show.

We showed up fifteen minutes before showtime with our wristbands on and bypassed the dining package lines. It was awesome!

That's right! I knew a process was in place but could not remember what it was. I can imagine the outrage for folks who paid a premium for Dining packages and ended up behind wristbands! I wonder if that is why it was not in place last year.

 

[Disneylover99]

That's right! I knew a process was in place but could not remember what it was. I can imagine the outrage for folks who paid a premium for Dining packages and ended up behind wristbands! I wonder if that is why it was not in place last year.

I'm not sure if the Dining package people even noticed. There was no line for us. We just showed our bands to a cm and they let us in. We were seated in the last couple of rows but near the centre. The dining plan people had closer seats. But for me, any seat is great when you have no wait.