Is the Candlelight dinner pkg worth it?

[SFailla]

We are going to Disney Dec. 18-23, 2014. Is the candlelight dinner pkg worth it during this time & which restaurant would you recommend?

 

[shannonstar]

We did it last time and based on the lines we saw for those that didn't have a package, I am sure glad we did. We did it at Via Napoli, but only because that's where my son wanted to eat.
If you are on the dining plan, it's 2 credits, so I would pick the most expensive location possible. We are going again this year and paying OOP, so the plan is Biergarten for lunch (cheapest). We like Biergarten though, so it was on our list anyway.

 

[Countryrunner262]

I wish we would have! By the time those with dining packages were sat, the pavilion was full. We stood in the back and could barely see. Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator, so we really wish we would have done the package.

And as far as were to eat, our kids like Coral Reef. I believe they offer the package.

 

[Kimosabe]

Definitely worth it -- in my view, this is the best thing I have ever seen Disney do in the parks. Without the meal package, you're taking a risk of not having a seat. As I recall, it's roughly an hour long, so that could be a long time to stand in the back.

 

[smbowtie]

Most definitely do it. We did a few years ago with Coral Reef. As PP said, trying to get in with out it is very difficult or impossible. I would go for it.

 

[Dislover1991]

Definitely worth it! The standby line is very long and most people have been waiting for a few hours and still don't get to see the show. Though the dinner package line was VERY long as well, we were all seated first and had great views!

 

[melissamacpherson78]

When does Disney release these packages? We're going near the end of November and I'm hoping it will be running at that time.

 

[TinkSassy]

Definitely do this! We have done it both ways (one of our favorite things at Christmas) - and the dining package made it headache free. We stood in line for hours on the year we didn't get it.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

depends. Do you want a guaranteed seat for the show?

It doesn't mean you won't have to stay in line (you need to be there about 45 minutes before the show) but you won't have to wait hours for a popular narrator and you will get seats.

If you don't really care about the guaranteed seat, then you don't want the package. Just go eat in the restaurant.

If you want the guaranteed seat, then it can be worthwhile. If you're paying via DDP choose one of the most expensive restaurants possible (because if you want the package, they will charge you 2 dining credits for a 1 credit restaurant. They will let you have an appetizer though if you're on the regular plan. Don't pick a buffet.)

If you're OOP then you might check and see what's worthwhile. The cheapest restaurant is Biergarten but they charge more than they would normally charge for the buffet - and it's still the same buffet. If that's not OK with you, pick a different restaurant. When I did it I picked Via Napoli. It cost more than Biergarten but it came with appetizer, entree (picked an individual pizza), dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage so you at least had a shot at getting back the money you spent based on how you ordered. We threw in some Italian craft beer and wine too, that cost extra. You can save by picking lunch instead of dinner (Via Napoli has the same menu at both), but be aware that if you pick lunch you will be going to the first CP show.

We're going near the end of November and I'm hoping it will be running at that time.

The CP starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year it'll be the 28th.

 

[shannonstar]

They usually release these packages in July.

 

[Dislover1991]

depends. Do you want a guaranteed seat for the show? It doesn't mean you won't have to stay in line (you need to be there about 45 minutes before the show) but you won't have to wait hours for a popular narrator and you will get seats. If you don't really care about the guaranteed seat, then you don't want the package. Just go eat in the restaurant. If you want the guaranteed seat, then it can be worthwhile. If you're paying via DDP choose one of the most expensive restaurants possible (because if you want the package, they will charge you 2 dining credits for a 1 credit restaurant. They will let you have an appetizer though if you're on the regular plan. Don't pick a buffet.) If you're OOP then you might check and see what's worthwhile. The cheapest restaurant is Biergarten but they charge more than they would normally charge for the buffet - and it's still the same buffet. If that's not OK with you, pick a different restaurant. When I did it I picked Via Napoli. It cost more than Biergarten but it came with appetizer, entree (picked an individual pizza), dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage so you at least had a shot at getting back the money you spent based on how you ordered. We threw in some Italian craft beer and wine too, that cost extra. You can save by picking lunch instead of dinner (Via Napoli has the same menu at both), but be aware that if you pick lunch you will be going to the first CP show. The CP starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year it'll be the 28th.

Like PP pointed out, the prices are higher (I believe Garden Grill without the package was $40 but $58 with). After eating at GG, we didn't think the meal was worth the cost but after seeing the standby line for CP and having an incredible view for Illuminations, we agreed it was worth the cost!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

If you pick a fixed price meal like Garden Grill or Biergarten then you are definitely paying extra to get the guaratneed seat, because they do charge more than the ordinary price for the fixed price meal.

Some folks think that's fine, and I do like Biergarten and I was interested in picking it, until I realized I could put together a lunch at Via Napoli that would have cost about what the package costs.

Ordinarily if I ate at Via Napoli I wouldn't order so much stuff, but it comes with the package, so if you're going to get the package anyway so you can see the show, it pays to maximize the value of your order if you can. (I took half the pizza with me, not everybody wants to do that either.) Not everybody is going to look at menus and costs and try to choose items that will cost about what the package costs, but it's a good way to do it if you have the inclination to minimize how much you are paying on top of the meal price to get the package.

That's just paying OOP. If you're on DDP it's 2 credits no matter where you eat, so to maximize value it would be best to pick one of the most expensive dinner packages.

 

[melissamacpherson78]

The CP starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year it'll be the 28th.

Looks like we're going to miss it. We fly home on the 28th

 

[JennyDrake]

AT the time you are going, it is definitely worth it. The latest I've been is Dec. 16th and even WITH the CP package we lined up 1 hr. 15 min before the show. We aw people in standby who waited close to 3 hours. As PPers have noted the package is the ONLY way to be guaranteed a seat (for which you pay dearly....)

 

[lynn46356]

We've had the package twice. Once eating at Biergarten for lunch and I can't remember the other restaurant. I'm getting old. As we are usually on the dining plan, we pay out of pocket since it requires 2 TS credits. If I remember right it was around $35 so definitely not worth 2 TS credits for lunch. Lines are long. I think the more popular the narrator is the crazier the line. Happy Planning!!!!

 

[SFailla]

Thanks everyone! Will definitely be booking the CP pkg we will probably go to Epcot on XMAs Eve & I don't want to miss it! Do you know if I have to call Disney to make reservations?

 

[TDC Nala]

Thanks everyone! Will definitely be booking the CP pkg we will probably go to Epcot on XMAs Eve & I don't want to miss it! Do you know if I have to call Disney to make reservations?

You can do it online once the packages are released, but you want Christmas Eve. That's going to be a big one, especially if they get a popular narrator.
(The phone lines do get a little jammed the day the packages are released but if you want Christmas Eve you should try to book ASAP)

 

[SFailla]

You can do it online once the packages are released, but you want Christmas Eve. That's going to be a big one, especially if they get a popular narrator. (The phone lines do get a little jammed the day the packages are released but if you want Christmas Eve you should try to book ASAP)

Thankyou

 

[ses1230]

It is definitely worth it. The times we have done the CP it has been the highlight of our trip.

I also think that the package is worth it since you are let into the theater first, and if the narrator is popular the lines can be crazy. Last year we were there for Neil Patrick Harris and the SB line started at 11am when WS opened.

Last year the packages went on sale on July 9th.

 

[Jobelly]

Could I just ask, we'll probably be in Epcot a couple of nights as staying at BC from 27/11-5/12. I really want to see some of this but know I won't be able to see it all (travelling with DC who are 10, 6 and 12 months) and I don't think it's a great idea from a queue point of view with such a young child. When we've been previously we watched some of the eat to the beat concert from the path above the pavilion, will we be able to do this for the CP or will it just be too busy?