How do I avoid Candlelight Processional?

[pharmama]

So although the CP sounds really cool, I only have one day in the parks with my daughter next Saturday and it just doesn't fit in our schedule.

I gather that it takes place in the town square end of Main Street? What time is it and for how long before and after should we stay clear of the area?

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I would stay clear of Town Square all afternoon until at least 9pm if you truly wanted to avoid congestion.

The parade is at 1:30 and 3:30 and Candlelight is at 5:30 and 7:30.

 

[pharmama]

Thanks Tom-
We are going to do one of the parades in the afternoon but I didn't realize there were 2 CP shows, thanks!

Do people tend to just hang around from CP for the fireworks too? Other end of main street though I guess...

PS- love the podcast!!

 

[sara123]

My fam and I wish to leave the park each day to rest and have lunch (about mid day). Our hotel is on Harbor Blvd, would it be easier to just take the monorail to DTD then walk to our hotel? Thanks in advance!

 

[pharmama]

My fam and I wish to leave the park each day to rest and have lunch (about mid day). Our hotel is on Harbor Blvd, would it be easier to just take the monorail to DTD then walk to our hotel? Thanks in advance!

No. DTD is on the opposite side of the DLR from Harbor. When you head the opposite direction from DTD to get to Harbor/your hotel. The monorail goes the wrong direction to help. Sorry!

 

[sara123]

No. DTD is on the opposite side of the DLR from Harbor. When you head the opposite direction from DTD to get to Harbor/your hotel. The monorail goes the wrong direction to help. Sorry!

I know it would take longer but I think we could still walk from where it drops off @ DTD right? Was just wondering if it would be worth walking thru DTD to our Hotel to avoid the CL crowd.

 

[pharmama]

I don't think you'll save time doing that. It's just too far out of the way.

You could take the DLRR to the main street station and only have to wade through a little bit of the crowds tho.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Railroad closes at 4pm. Can't have train blowing its whistle during Silent Night. Jungle Cruise has to silence it's guns too.

 

[junmatno]

I don't think you'll save time doing that. It's just too far out of the way.

You could take the DLRR to the main street station and only have to wade through a little bit of the crowds tho.

They'll have traffic control just like during parades, Fantasmic, and even fireworks, it might be congested but leave out of Main entrance this will still take FAR less time than takin monorail all the way to other end if DTD and fighting those crowds to come ALL the way back. You'd have to go Thru security again too!!

 

[pharmama]

Since they were talking about leaving midday I assumed they were trying to escape the parade crowds rather than CP (even tho my original question was about CP, parades were included in one of the responses).

But overall I still agree that taking the monorail is too far out of the way to be worth it.

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

Also during the 2nd parade they directed guest through the backstage area behind Main Street (from the Fire Station to Refreshment Corner). Watch for that to be open during busier times.

 

[jetskigrl]

They'll have traffic control just like during parades, Fantasmic, and even fireworks, it might be congested but leave out of Main entrance this will still take FAR less time than takin monorail all the way to other end if DTD and fighting those crowds to come ALL the way back. You'd have to go Thru security again too!!

This!! We actually found Main Street before and during the performance to be even less crowded than after fireworks or fantasmic, etc.

Also during the 2nd parade they directed guest through the backstage area behind Main Street (from the Fire Station to Refreshment Corner). Watch for that to be open during busier times.

I can share our experience from last night. I thought they handled crowd control very well. They keep everyone to the right. Most of Main Street is closed off so you are forced on the sidewalks. So if you are leaving the park down Main Street, just stay to your right. If you try to go down the left, they will direct you across the street. So just follow the CMs directions and they will get you right out. As you come in to the park, I would also suggest staying right (use the right tunnel). It was a lot less congested on the right side than the left when coming into the park.

We did come in using the left tunnel when we arrived at the park about 3:00 but the parade was going on, further congesting Main Street so they had the CM passageway opened and directed the people coming into the park down that way (we had been back there once before when we were visiting Walt's apartment but it was still cool to walk that full backstage area). But they do have CMs along the whole way and they instruct you that you are not allowed to take pictures.

 

[sara123]

I don't think you'll save time doing that. It's just too far out of the way.

You could take the DLRR to the main street station and only have to wade through a little bit of the crowds tho.

Ok, will do that! Thanks for the help!