Help with candlelight processional planning

[MsPoppinsTX]

So I know that the CP packages are not out yet and they might not come out until August, I get that. In the mean time, I'm trying to figure out how we get everyone in our party to get to see the CP and I need some info on how the timing of the dining and the actual show works. There are 8 adults and 3 small children in our group. We know the 3 kids won't sit through the show, so my thought is to split up the group (4 and 4), one group going to see the 5pm show and the other going to see a later show, handing off the kids in between. I assume that the show is about an hour long, is that a fair assumption? Does anyone think this strategy will work:

2pm - Group A has lunch on CP package and Group B takes kids back to hotel for a nap (we are staying at the BWV, so its just a short walk)
4:30 or 5ish - Group B has dinner (with the kids) on CP package
5pm - Group A watches the CP
6:15ish- Group B hands kids off to Group A and Group B goes and sees the CP. Since the theater has to be cleared out before the next group can come in, I figure it might not be that difficult to meet up and pass off kids. My concern is timing for 2nd dinner and show... how long will dinner take (we'd probably try and book Biergarten or Rose & Crown)?

I'd rather not do the 8:15 show, but if it is the safer bet we will. We will also want to try and stay and see Illuminations (hoping the kids get a good nap and will stay up for it).

Any thoughts?

 

[rapunzels]

I think it's a good plan, but will need to be perfectly "oiled well" to work well. I'm sure others have done it before, so you should be able to, too! It's never worked for us to do to the CP. That being said, when I did attempt to do the CP one year, I was amazed at how early they made you eat compared to when the show was. Someone will be along to give you a better idea, but I remember eating being really early compared to showtime. So you may have to tweak your plans on timing.

 

[vicki_c]

When you book your package, they will only allow you to book a dinner time that will work for the show time you have chosen (you pick by show time), so that shouldn't be a problem. You have to line up quite a while ahead of the showtimes (and I can't really remember how long the show lasts), so chances are you will have to find your group & the kids already in the line for the show. We had to line up 45 minutes+ ahead of our show time when we did it not long before Christmas.

 

[sharonabe]

If the children are over 3, you will have to pay the CP pkg rate for their meal or use their DDP credits if using those to book your pkg.

As the PP said, if you do the 5:00 and the second show, you will have to be in line with the kids for your show before the others are finished, so bring something to amuse the kids or book the first and last show.

 

[purple figment]

Last year dining times were based on the show you were attending:

5PM show - reservations 1:45 - 2:45PM

6:45 show - 3:30 - 4:30PM

8:15 show - 5 - 6 PM

IllumiNations was at 9:30 to give people attending the last show time to get around the lagoon to the viewing area between the 2 stores at the entrance to WS

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you. This info was helpful to me as well.

Now, does anyone know if once they start booking the CP packages, will they be booking for all of the nights through the end of the year, or do they only book the ones that are within 90 days?

 

[vicki_c]

Thank you. This info was helpful to me as well.

Now, does anyone know if once they start booking the CP packages, will they be booking for all of the nights through the end of the year, or do they only book the ones that are within 90 days?

They release all the dates at once, per past practice.

 

[dzneelvr]

My WDW friend from Celebration advised me to have a back up plan because the CP packages go fast! I'm going to book an EPCOT meal in a time frame to give us time to stand in line for a show. I REALLY want to surprise my family with this, as it's our first time at Christmas, so I'm open to anythingI called WDW Dining last week and they suggested I call daily for openings, because CP doesn't run on the any 180-90 schedule. Since I can get regular ADRs at 180 days, at least I have some chance