Is Candlelight Processional Package Still Worth $$?

[TwirlerGirl]

With all of the incentives gone, is it still worth booking the CP package?

 

[julfre]

GOing to the early show in the off season, you can get a good seat with a short wait so no need for the package unless you want the meal anyway.

 

[Eeyore2U]

I never got the discount or the lanyard as this will be my first CP. It must be woirth it to me.

 

[mickeysaver]

I booked 2 dinners under the CP package. I did the math on the meals that we would most likely eat at the respective restaurants and it came up as a big savings at R&C and just a minor money saver at Le Cellier. I was really hoping for the 15% off on merchandise. Since we are getting into pin trading the lanyard and pin would have been really cool too. You would think with no Osborne Lights, they could afford to be a little nicer. Mickey

 

[inky dinky doo]

Our large group was planning to do the dinner package, but we've decided that with the changes (taxes not included and 15% shopping discount gone) it's not worth it to us. We weren't expecting the lanyard or pin as they didn't do that last year, either.

Oh, we'll catch the show; we'll just eat dinner and shop, elsewhere. And, our trip will be just as magical.

Pat

101 days and counting . . . again!

 

[CarolMN]

Since we usually eat one nice dinner at EPCOT anyway, we're booking the package. It's a nice perk not to have to wait in line very long and also to get a good seat for this beautiful show.

Still hoping the 15% discount will be part of the package, though. IIRC, last year during the first crush of bookings, it was reported that there wasn't going to be a shopping discount. As those of you who attended last year know, it turned out that we did get the discount. To repeat, I'm still hoping!

 

[christianweecare]

CarolMN--DH & I agree. We always plan for a nice dinner each night, as well. Of course, if we still had kids at home it might be a different story. We are really excited and looking forward to this!

 

[DisneyKidds]

We know we are going to eat in Le Cellier anyway, and we know what we want to eat..............so the package is a no brainer for us. For what we paid for 2 adults and 1 child ($95) we will probably get about $115 worth of food, so we will save about $20. If we didn't have the package we might skip one appetizer and maybe a dessert, but we'd still spend $95 for that, so for the same money we get more food. Works for me!

Add to that the fact that we are assured of decent seats for the show we want.............I can live without the 15% discount. There was no lanyard last year anyway, although that was nice the year they had it.

 

[DebbieB]

I also added it up and the cost of the dinner is about the ticket price. If we weren't staying at BWV, I might think twice because we will probably not eat all of it. But staying at the Villas we can have the leftovers and dessert boxed up and take it back. We usually split a steak at LeCellier if we don't get the package.

I hope the 15% does come back, I did some major damage in Mouse Gears last year!

 

[NancyIL]

I used the shopping discount 2 years ago, but didn't buy a thing last year! It's worth it to me to know I'll have a nice meal and a pretty good seat for the program.

 

[ajmckee]

We have always done the package, but this year we are traveling with a large group and some of the participants don't want to pay the money. Although those you do want to participate in the package are arguing over what rest. to choose.

 

[sue1013]

After last year I would always book the package. About 15 min into the show the skies opened up and just kept up. Was I glad we were in the front under cover. Those poor people sitting farther back were just drenched.

 

[erikthewise]

I am the only one who noticed the adult prices are $2 higher than last year? I thought that was what the OP meant until I opened the thread. I still think it's a good deal, but not quite as good a deal as last year!

 

[DeeP]

What!!!! There is no shopping discount this year??? When did they announce that? If this is true I will be bummed because I always buy my perfume in Norway "Lila" wonderful perfume btw, but I buy 2 bottles at $75.00 that lasts me for a year and the 15% off is a nice savings! As someone else mentioned I remember there being a doubt about the discount last yr but in the end we got it, maybe we should all just email Disney--Jeez, I really think a 15% discount at only MouseGears and WS shops is not really asking too much!
But back to the OP, I think how you really get your money's worth with the CP package is by going with the top tier restaurants. First of all the restaurants are much better and also if you add up the cost of an appetizer, entree, dessert and tip it is well above the cost of the CP package and you get a wonderful dinner in a great restaurant, guaranteed seating for a fabulous show and save money vs buying the same dinner w/o the package!

 

[inky dinky doo]

That's what I meant, erikthewise . . . the increased price + the tax (which was included last year and isn't this year), + the loss of the 15% discount. Combined, it doesn't strike me as being as good a deal this year as last.

Pat

100 days and counting . . . again!

 

[DeeP]

Just a FYI, the tax was not included in prior years. As for the $2.00 increase, I would not be surprised if the average meal at a WS restaurant has not also risen $2.00 since last year.
Losing the shopping discount is a biggie, if it is true but as others have said there were rumors to this effect last year and it turned out to be untrue. I will say, I remember when the discount used to be 20% but was decreased; this I can live with allowing for inflation and tough times for the tourist industry but to eliminate the discount all together is poor form, IMHO!
The pin lanyards were only given the one year when WDW was first launching the whole pin trading frenzy.

 

[NancyIL]

Originally posted by erikthewise
I am the only one who noticed the adult prices are $2 higher than last year? I thought that was what the OP meant until I opened the thread. I still think it's a good deal, but not quite as good a deal as last year!

A beverage is included this year - which was not the case the past two years.

The 6.5% tax is added to the list price - which does include the gratuity,

 

[inky dinky doo]

Oops! My bad! Thanks for setting me straight, DeeP. I could have sworn tax was included, before, but you're right. It wasn't. I guess I need to get my eyes checked.

I'm still hoping they reinstate the 15% discount. If they do, we'll probably buy a package. Without it, we won't.

Pat

99 days and counting . . . again!

 

[llebrekniT]

We have had CP dinner packages twice. I felt it was worth the money both times, because the price for the packages was reasonable for what you get and waiting in the line for a seat with two kids is not fun. The show is beautiful and we will definetly do it again. The lanyards are OK, but just more stuff to store and we never used the discount anyway.

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by NancyIL
A beverage is included this year - which was not the case the past two years.

I was wondering about that.
Beverages have always been included at the Garden Grill, where we've eaten the last couple years, simply because it's part of the meal. And AFAIK the price hasn't gone up there. But for the other restaurants your point is a good one. We're hoping to try someplace different this year anyway.