Have you gone to the Candelight Processional and/or MVMCP?

[fam4jc]

Hi. I was kicking around the idea of doing the CP and MVMCP for 2005. What have been your experiences with these? Was it worth it to get the dinner package for reserved seating? Would you do these again? Does the narrator make a big difference in the CP? How was the CM singing? Would children enjoy the CP? What day(s) of the week would you recommend for least crowds at MVMCP?

I know tons of questions, but tell me the truth, you love answering questions!!

 

[DebbieB]

I've gone to both the past 7 years. If you go early in the month, a package isn't really necessary. You can get decent seats by waiting in the standby line. The narrator makes a big difference. If you get someone with alot of enthusiam, it makes the show better. The lead singers are the Voices of Liberty, 4 men and 4 women, they are great. Then the choir is made up of cm's and high schoolers.

The best nights for MVMCP are Sunday or Tuesday.

 

[beattyfamily]

We love both and are doing both again this December. I'll do the package just to be safe.

I have two DDs and they enjoyed it. They were 2 and 5 but they are used to going to Church every Sunday which I think helps.

 

[BCV23]

We've never done the party and probably never will.

But we love the CP. It is just excellent. The narrator can make it better but the music is just so stirring. The CM choir is excellent and the school choirs we've heard have been too. If your children are old enough to sit for about 45 minutes and listen to music, it should be a memorable event for all.

We've only gone with the dinner package but have been there close to/on Christmas.

 

[SPAM]

i went xmas 03. i mean it was fun, but i dont think its something thats kids would love. i was, what 16 at the time and was kind of bored. the only thing i liked about it was that gary senise was narrating. we did do the dinner package tho and liked it cause we got good seats but i didnt really like bier garten. my dad got sick later, and i almost did. i guess i have a weak stomach.

 

[helenk]

I really enjoy both the MVMCP and the Candlelight Processional. I've been very lucky with the CP the first time I went the narrator was Robbie Benson and he was great, this past year we went and Jim Caviezel was the narrator and it was fantastic! The music is absolutely beautiful. We did the package and ate at the Coral Reef, very enjoyable.
This last year the MCMCP was a bit crowded, more so than the other 2 times I had been, but it was doable. We went on a Thursday night, 12/2, I was surprised at the amount of people in the park. But we were able to do all the rides and see the shows we wanted to see and saw the second parade.

 

[kyirish25]

Haven't been to CP as I don't think my 3 yr old will sit through it. But we may try it out this next year. Just too early to tell.

We love MVMCP! We have Tuesday nights to be the least crowded. But really none are too bad besides Friday nights. Well worth the extra $ and to see the Christmas parade.

 

[lllovell]

We did both the CP and the MVMCP this year and had a BLAST at both.

Ate at the Biergarten first. Hubby and his mother loved it (having lived in Germany for a while) and for my sons and I it was good. It was nice NOT to have to stand in line with a 2 and 4 year old. We did go and stand for about 10 minutes before they started letting everyone into the seating area which took a while. It rained like heck the night we went, but the nice thing was that we did the later dinner and 8:15 (I think) show so we walked out and right to a wonderful spot for illuminations. My sons were not bad, but were not interested in the show. Too little and with the rain, etc. For me, it was incredibly moving and got me in the Christmas spirit.

The MVMCP was so much fun as well. We had done the halloween party earlier in the year, so we made sure that we picked the things we wanted to do BEFORE we got there. We were more interested in the shows and parades than in riding rides, but took turns taking the boys to ride things so they wouldn't have to wait for the parade for an hour like my mother-in-law and I did. It was a great way to see things. We rode several things afterwards walk-on and waited until the end to get our pictures made. It is a fun night, but get to the parks by 5 or so if you can (they unofficially start letting people in earlier than the 7 pm party time, so if you dont want to burn a "day" on your passes, you can still get in a lot of rides!!!). You can ride some rides outside of Tomorrowland and then about 6 they will hustle everyone over to Tomorrowland to clear the park of non-party goers. It was a blast. We stayed until midnight and watched the show in front of the castle again before leaving. I would recommend both this party and the Halloween party as well.

 

[zurgswife]

We have done both and love both...I have used the dinner package both times...and glad I did....my dd was 6 when she saw the CP for the first time and really enjoyed it...MVMVCP was enjoyed by my entire family this past christmas...

 

[nrsldy]

We loved the CP. I would suggest that you do a package because alot of the restaurants were booked because of the CP.
MVMCP is a must also. We were able to do everything we wanted to. Went to the 2nd parade.
Everything was so festive. Just love it.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We have done MVMCP and CP package the last 4 years and just love them both. We will be doing them again this year. We always do MVMCP on a Sunday night because it is not as crowded.

 

[eeyore0062]

Been to both and they were great! Candlelight is VERY moving. MVMCP is just plain fun!

 

[Dana49]

We've done both. If you haven't done MVMCP, you should do it at least once. We highly recommend the CP dinner package. The Candlelight Processional is one of the best shows that Disney puts on all year. Enjoy!

 

[andrabell]

Love love love MVMCP! We attended opening night 2003 and CAN'T WAIT for this year!!!

 

[vsimeone]

We have never done the MVMCP but did the CP dinner package on 12/24/04. When I called for the dinner package, the only thing available was Restaurant Marrekash. I would have probably never have picked there to eat on my own but I really wanted to make sure we had seats for the CP. It was the perfect opportunity to experience a wonderful restaurant that we may not have ordinarily done and the CP was positively breathtaking. I can't answer your question about the narrator as this was the only time we have done it and we had Gary Sinese who was wonderful. I purchased the CD with Phylisha Rashad (sp?) as narrator but I have not listened to it yet. My kids really enjoyed the CP but they are 13 and 16 so they are old enough to sit for a long period of time. You will have a fantastic time!

 

[fam4jc]

Sounds wonderful My girls will be 6 & 8 and we do plenty of plays, concerts, etc at home so the CP will be a real treat, not hard for them to sit through. I will definately book the package. When do these things go on sale? As an AP holder I think I'll get 25% off gate prices for MVMCP, but should I wait to purchase them?

 

[yasuern]

What have been your experiences with these?
Only have done CP once last year and I and DH LOVED IT DD9 was a little bored as for MVMCP went 2x's last year and usually every year - LOVE IT WELL WORTH EVERY CENT SPENT - WOULD NEVER MISS IT!!!!!!

Was it worth it to get the dinner package for reserved seating?
YES!!!

Would you do these again?
Maybe when DD is a little older

Does the narrator make a big difference in the CP?
Only went once - it was the lady who was NALA in the LION KING broadway show - and she was SPECTACULAR!

How was the CM singing?
The choirs are very good

Would children enjoy the CP?
Guess it depends on the child and the age - DD9 was a little bored

What day(s) of the week would you recommend for least crowds at MVMCP?
We have been on many different days and all were VERY MANAGABLE - hardly any wait times

Hope this helps

Sue

 

[TheRustyScupper]

In our own opinion, only . . .

MVMCP:
1) Did this twice.
2) The rides were empty, but it's a big price to pay just to ride rides.
3) Crowds on Main Street and Tomorrowland EXTREMELY heavy.
4) Allegedly 22,000 tickets can be sold.
5) The holiday activities were very good.
. . . snow on Main Street
. . . two showings of the Christmas parade
. . . holiday stage shows
. . . lots of characters in holiday outfits
. . . hot chocolate and cookies
. . . picture with Santa
6) Evaluation
. . . it was fun, and many people do it every year
. . . we believe once was enough, however
. . . too crowded in the activities areas

Processional:
1) Very inspirational
2) The Christmas story, and not just a collection of Christmas carols
3) More of an adult thing than a 2-6 year old affair
4) We usually do the meal package to guarantee a good seat
5) Iffy is you get a good seat without meal package
6) Evaluation
. . . it gets us into the Christmas Spirit nicely
. . . the speaker does make big difference between good and GRRRREAT
. . . we do it frequently and do not tire of it

 

[blessedby3]

What exactly is the candelight processional? I have seen threads about it, but no one says exactly what it is or what you do. Is it a parade? Thanks for the info.

 

[beattyfamily]

What exactly is the candelight processional? I have seen threads about it, but no one says exactly what it is or what you do. Is it a parade? Thanks for the info.

Candlelight Processional

What is the Candlelight Processional?
A Disney tradition now in its 34th year (2004), the Candlelight Processional is a moving presentation of the Christmas story in readings by a celebrity narrator and music by a Mass choir and 50-piece orchestra.


Where and when does it take place?

This event takes place in the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase in Epcot. It is an outdoor (uncovered, not climate controlled) setting and is not cancelled due to inclement weather. It is recommended you dress accordingly.

It begins November 26 and runs every evening until December 30. Shows are approximately 40 minutes. Each evening there are three shows -- 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m.

Who are the narrators?

The Tentative List of 2004 Narrators:

Rita Moreno (Nov 26-28)
Heather Headley (Nov 29 - Dec 1)
Kirk Franklin (Dec 2-4)
Jim Caviezel (Dec 5-7)
Marlee Matlin/Jack Jason (Dec 8-10)
Joshua Morrow (Dec 11-13)
Eartha Kitt (Dec 14-16)
Steven Curtis Chapman (Dec 17-19)
Edward James Olmos (Dec 20-22)
Gary Sinise (Dec 23-28)
LeVar Burton (Dec 29-30)

The 2003 Narrators were: Andy Garcia, Ben Vereen, Rita Moreno, Ericka Dunlap, David Ogden Stiers, Steven Curtis Chapman, Edward James Olmos, Sandi Patty, Robby Benson, Gary Sinise

The 2002 Narrators included: Edward James Olmos, John Tesh, Marlee Matlin, James Avery, Yolanda Adams, David Hartman, Collin Raye, Blair Underwood, Gary Sinise, Jodi Benson

The 2001 Narrators included: James Avery, Marlee Matlin (with interpreter), Robby Benson, Wayne Brady, Phylicia Rashad, Story Musgrave, Alfre Woodard, Blair Underwood, Gary Sinise, and LeVar Burton.

The 2000 Narrators included: Jodi Benson, Angela Bassett, John Secada, James Avery, Joe Mantegna, Ben Vereen, Phylicia Rashad, Robby Benson, Leeza Gibbons, Gary Sinise, and LeVar Burton

The 1999 Narrators included: Alfre Woodard, Charles Kimbrough, Angela Bassett, Brian Dennehy, Maria Conchita Alonso, James Avery, Edward James Olmos, James McDaniel, Andy Garcia, Sandi Patty, David Ogden Stiers, and LeVar Burton.

Is there a charge to see the Candlelight Processional?

No, it is included in your admission to Epcot. There is, however, a dinner package available for purchase that includes a ticket to Reserved Seating for the Candlelight Processional.

Seating without the dinner package is on a first come, first serve basis for each show. Folks line up 45 minutes (longer as you are closer to Christmas) before show time. 15 minutes prior to the show, seating is then opened up to those on line. Also, keep in mind if you wait in line for the 2nd or 3rd show of the night, that you will be hearing the show before yours as it is performed.

You can always stroll by the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase to listen to the music and wonders of Christmas.

If you wish to purchase the dinner package (explained below) with reserved seating, there is a charge.

What does the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package include?

The package includes dinner at select Epcot restaurants and reserved general seating at the America Gardens Theatre. Package NOT available December 5 at 5:00 p.m.

For 2004 there are three different levels of pricing for the Candlelight Processional Package:

Tier 1
Adults - $28.99 / Child (3-11) - $11.99
The Garden Grill Restaurant - The Land
Biergarten - Germany
Restaurant Akershus - Norway

Tier 2
Adults - $37.99 / Child (3-11) - $11.99
San Angel Inn - Mexico
Restaurant Marrakesh - Morocco
Nine Dragons - China
Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room - United Kingdom

Tier 3
Adults - $44.99 / Child (3-11) - $11.99
Chefs de France - France
Coral Reef - Living Seas
L’Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - Italy
Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room - Japan

Notes:
Gratuity is included.
Prices do not include 6.5% tax.
Dinner packages do not include park admission.

How do I book the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package?

Tickets for the 2004 Candlelight Processional dinners can be purchased as of September 2, 2004, by calling 407-WDW-DINE. There is a 48-hour cancellation policy. Tickets can be picked up at your Disney Resort Guest Services Desk or in Epcot.



Do I still need a Priority Seating?


YES! When you call to order your dinner package tickets, you will be asked to select a restaurant and priority seating time.

According to WDW Dine: For the 5:00 p.m. show, you should make your dinner pririty seatings for 7:00 p.m. or later; For the 6:45 p.m. show, you should make dinner priority seatings for 4:45 p.m. or 8:45 p.m.; For the 8:15 p.m. show, you should make dinner priority seatings no later than 6:15 p.m.

Be sure to allow sufficient time to dine and get to the back of World Showcase. I recall having a 5:30 p.m. priority seating at Le Cellier for the 8:15 p.m. show. For whatever reason, we weren't seated at Le Cellier until 6:00 p.m. and at 8:05 p.m. had to run (just about) to the American Gardens Theatre to catch the show. The "reserved" seating area had already been opened up to non-package guests.

Do I have a reserved seat?

Not exactly. There is a reserved section for those with the dinner package. The reserved section is front and center, behind any VIP seating. Within the reserved section, seating is on a first come, first serve basis, so if you want your choice of seats, you should arrive 30-45 minutes early. 15 minutes prior to the show beginning, available seating is opened up to folks without dinner package tickets.