How Important is the Narrator to You?

[Lothlórien]

When planning to make a reservation or even do standby for Candlelight Processional, how important is the narrator to you?

Will you elect not to see it if you do not particularly like the celebrity narrator or will you see it on the night that works best for you regardless?

 

[uccats97]

I've seen it 3 times with different narrators. I don't care who it is- the story, singing, and music are amazing! Of course, hearing a favorite celebrity narrator would be icing on the Christmas cookie.

 

[DebbieB]

I enjoy the show no matter what but the narrator can make a big difference. Someone with enthusiasm is better than someone who is not. My favorite all time was the lake James Avery. He had a strong voice and put a lot into it. Whoppi Goldberg was good last year. There was a man we saw years ago, I can't remember his name (he wasn't well known, at least to me) and he was bad. He just read it, didn't put anything into it.

I've found the major celebrities are usually there on the weekend, at least in early December. Lesser knowns are midweek and are easier to get in. Last year I was walking by about 15 minutes before the last show on a Thursday, Ana Gasenger (?) was the speaker and I was able to get in with a small line.

 

[glohoffman]

We have never seen it, and don't have a preference of narrator when we do see it this year, so long as they are good! We will be going on Saturday December 17th this year...so hopefully the line isn't too bad. Hoping for the candlelight package to help ease the pain of lines! How early do you all get in line WITHOUT the package?

 

[glassslippergirl]

Narrator makes a difference to us. The first time we saw it, we did not like the narrator, so we've been more choosy since. It's no guarantee, though. We thought we'd love Trace Adkins because he has a great speaking voice, but he put no real feeling into it the show we saw. You mentioned in your post really not liking someone; if that's the case, I'd choose another narrator. It's a great show, but the narrator really can't be ignored.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Have seen it many times. The person makes no difference to me. The actual reading, if marginally done, can make for a less than stellar performance (from the narration perspective, not the music and singing), but I have no reason to like one better than the other before the performance.

 

[ariane37]

I've only seen it twice and it was 3 days apart, with 2 different narrators. The first time was amazing simply because it was my first time, and as a pp said the story and singing make it worthwhile and are incredibly moving. I did like the actress so thought that would be a plus. I didn't realize what a difference the narrator could make until 3 nights later when we saw it again with Neil Patrick Harris. It didn't really matter that he was more popular at the time than the actress (who had been way more popular years before) it was about the way he read and the emotion that went into it. Not sure if or when we'll see it again but I would try planning it around the narrator, although I wouldn't NOT see if it I couldn't get a particular person.

 

[amcnj]

I agree that the narrator can make a difference, but if the other option is not seeing it at all, I would see it regardless of the narrator.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

We've walked by CP many times, different narrators didn't matter. It doesn't appeal to us.

To a large extent is the location that bothers me, not the narrator. CP located in a commercial theme park, makes us a bit uncomfortable for a number of reasons. I would love to see it moved to one of the hotel ballrooms/convention spaces.

I realize this is slightly outside what OP asked, but if it was at the hotel, then I could more fully support it.

 

[mkh531]

I think a narrator can make the experience different, but I don't think any narrator can make it a bad experience. I know Neil Patrick HArris is a very popular narrator, and we weren't able to see him, and apparently it was awesome. We saw Ashley Judd though, and she was great too, but she attracts a different crowd, probably, than NPH does and probably went much more for sincerity than humor. I think NPH attracts a more "New York" crowd and Ashleya more southern crowd. so during the show it was unusual for us (we are NYers) to hear so many people saying "amen!" out loud as Ashley was reading. I have a feeling there was less of that during NPHs show. It's not better or worse, just different.

But no matter what, CP is lovely.

 

[jaysmom4285]

We've seen many CPs with many different narrators, and I don't think any of the narrators we've seen were bad. I liked some more than others, but I enjoyed them all. We've never done the dinner package, since I won't pay the grossly inflated prices for an already expensive meal. And we've never had any trouble getting in without waiting for an hour or more in the standby line. The CP will always be packed for the super-popular narrators like Whoopi Goldberg or Neil Patrick Harris, so we avoid those. But we pick a weeknight with a narrator that I've hardly ever heard of and wait just outside the back of the theater at the space by the ropes at the top of the aisles, just before the show starts. After they've let the standby line in, there's almost always space left, and they open up the back for anyone to walk in. This has worked for us just about every time.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

When planning to make a reservation or even do standby for Candlelight Processional, how important is the narrator to you?

Will you elect not to see it if you do not particularly like the celebrity narrator or will you see it on the night that works best for you regardless?

Very! Had I any choice in the matter, I would have changed last year's reservations.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I've only seen it twice and it was 3 days apart, with 2 different narrators. The first time was amazing simply because it was my first time, and as a pp said the story and singing make it worthwhile and are incredibly moving. I did like the actress so thought that would be a plus. I didn't realize what a difference the narrator could make until 3 nights later when we saw it again with Neil Patrick Harris. It didn't really matter that he was more popular at the time than the actress (who had been way more popular years before) it was about the way he read and the emotion that went into it. Not sure if or when we'll see it again but I would try planning it around the narrator, although I wouldn't NOT see if it I couldn't get a particular person.

We were stuck with the 20-something actress last year. Like watching a high school play.

 

[GPC0321]

I'm interested in this too. We're not going until 2017, but I'm so excited for CP! The one I've watched on YouTube has Gary Sinise narrating, and I think he does a fine job. I'd love to see him, Neil Patrick Harris, or Whoopi Goldberg, but I guess I'll take what I can get! The music and singing is the main draw for us.

 

[Mom of a princess]

I have seen it a number of times.
Everyone was good, but Gary Sinise,brought tears to my eyes.
He is amazing.

 

[Lisa R]

I love Candlelight Processional - it's truly magical no matter who the narrator is. That said - having a really enthusiastic one with a clear speaking voice adds a LOT. We have gone three times - John O'hurley once - who was wonderful; another time with a younger actress - who I don't remember her name ( not much of an impression); but the best was John Tesh. He has a wonderful speaking voice and he really seemed to feel every word he was speaking. From reading about him - he is very religious - but not someone who I thought would be a dynamic speaker. I was wrong - I was really impressed by him - it was very moving.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I think it matters. The first time the actor put no real feeling into it (well known, not going to name him) and it was borrrring (though the lighting and singing is beautiful). The last 2 times we have seen Neil Patrick Harris and he is great! He is usually there the first few days of December, last of November, like Nov 30 - Dec 2 or 3, something like that. Last time I booked the 1st before they had listed the narrator, and it was him. That said, there are a few I would love to see.

 

[Deanie1]

The only time we went to CP was in 2012. We had two possible evenings. One was with a popular narrator and the other night was TBA. I didn't really care for the more popular one so we took our chances with the TBA. The TBA narrator ended up being Blair Underwood and he was wonderful.

 

[writerguyfl]

When planning to make a reservation or even do standby for Candlelight Processional, how important is the narrator to you?

I performed as part of the Cast Member choir for two seasons. I always worked nights, so I only could perform on my days off. As such, I didn't have the luxury of picking specific narrators like some other CMs. What I discovered is that some of the narrators you think will be fabulous sometimes were not so great. Conversely, some of those you think will be dull are exactly the opposite.

I agree with other folks here: Don't skip the Candlelight Processional just because you are not excited about a narrator. The narration is just part of the experience. Don't discount the thrill of seeing a live orchestra with Herald Trumpets, the Voices of Liberty, CMs who give up a lot of free time to perform, and the guest choirs.

I have seen it a number of times.
Everyone was good, but Gary Sinise, brought tears to my eyes. He is amazing.

My two best memories of performing in the Candlelight Processional involved Phylicia Rashad and Gary Sinise. Ms. Rashad's narration was so regal and elegant. She elevated the show to a new level.

Mr. Sinise was almost the opposite: He was grounded and delivered the words as you might expect to hear them from your grandfather. It was remarkably moving and just as emotional. Plus, after each show, Mr. Sinise stayed backstage and shook the hand of each and every Cast Member as we exited. Very classy guy, in my book.

 

[epcotty]

It's important to us, I think if we didn't like the narrator we'd probably skip it. That hasn't happened so far. Usually we aren't at Epcot around Christmas though (or if we are it's sometimes slightly after CP ends) so we've only seen 2 so far: Brad Garrett (he was ok but too many dumb jokes) and Whoopi (much better)