How to see Candlelight Processional without a long wait?

[Mambo Junkie]

My family will be me, DW, ds8, dd5, dd2 on our next trip in December. I want to see the CP on Thursday 12/17 or Saturday 12/19.

I hate the thought of using 2 dining credits for all of us to do the CP Dining package. But I also can't justify making my whole family wait in line for an hour plus. What have you done to see the CP without doing the Dining package or waiting a long time.

Is one of the shows easier to walk up to than others (the early, middle, or late show)? Maybe there are times when getting there 30 minutes early is enough?

Can you almost always find a spot standing behind the theatre to walk up and watch?

If waiting in line is required, can I get in line and wait as proxy for my whole family while my wife entertains the kids and then comes back to join me? Or is that frowned upon?

Thanks!

In my experience the 5:00 show has more availability than the 8:00 show. Not to mention it is a lunch package and more affordable. I would also suggest trying the wristband. Last year we saw Neil Patrick Harris and we got a seat with a small tree in front of us. It was perfect because that left a considerable space between our bench and the one in front. A perfect spot for a 2 and 4 year old to play in and not bother anyone.
ETA: there are those who would frown upon 1 person waiting in line while the spouse was nearby entertaining the children but it does not bother me personally. I don't spend a lot of time worrying about what other people do. I would suggest that if you ploy that strategy to have them join you in line when it starts to move because it moves rather quickly and the seats are filled ASAP. Last trip I saw several people join their party when it was close to entry time and it does not bother me at all.
I'm sure that topic will spark a 5 page debate about the perception of line cutting and "if I make my 2 year old suffer in a long boring line then you should too" or "if your party tries to join you in front of me I will block them". Touché. Pixie dust.

 

[maxiesmom]

If it is a popular narrator, the whole walkway will be crowded. Enough that if you are claustrophobic like I am, it is not a good place to be.

I'm not sure how the whole waiting in line works with them wrist-banding people goes, as far as kids leaving and coming back. I tend to be someone who thinks if you want to see something, then you wait for it. But I'm not sure if the CMs will hassle anyone who tries to rejoin near the front of the line. And even with wrist-bands you wait in line.

 

[Otter49]

Not sure why there's so much misunderstanding about this event every year, but there is.

As far as standby goes, the 3rd show has the greatest availability. This is true for all four of the concert series that take place in AGT. I think that by the time 8pm rolls around that people are more concerned about getting a good spot for illuminations. I've been to several 3rd show seatings where the theater never quite filled. But that won't ever be the case as you get close to Christmas week.

If you buy the package you're absolutely guaranteed a seat. However, if you show up a little too late, you might be out of luck. About ten minutes into the program, they fill any remaining package seats with people from standby.

Thus far, Disney has not sold out the theater for packages. Hundreds of people from standby get in for each and every show. But of course, this could change at any time.

A couple of anecdotes - your mileage will vary.

We've gotten in line between Italy and Germany and gotten very good seats. A couple of years ago, we showed up with the intention of queuing for the 3rd show. Got there as they were loading for the second and once the SB line emptied there were still seats and we walked right in.

Finally, it's possible to get great standby seats and lousy package seats, both acoustically and visually. I really don't think the reverse is true. IMO, there really aren't any bad standby seats.