Opinions please: Young kids, will they enjoy the Candlelight Processional

[Meldev]

I currently have a CP dinner package booked, but am debating due to it being 2 TS credits and we have our first CRT booked as well.
Anyway, our children are DS 3, DD 7, DD 9 and DD 11 - those of you who've attended the CP are There many young kids? Does it/will the show likely hold their interest? Worth it to keep reservation?

Thank you

 

[jacknsally19]

If I were you, I suggest checking it out on YouTube and make your own call. My dd is almost 4 and I know that she will love it... Whenever we goto WDW, she loves all the shows. But I know there is no way my niece who is the same age would ever sit through it. but she can't sit still for 1/2 hr cartoon.

 

[leebee]

I've taken DD and my nieces to the CP when they were all those ages and they were always mesmerized- except possible the more "curious" of the girls when she was 3. However, are your kids patient? Can they self-entertain (WITHOUT electronics) if they get bored? Can you take them to church for an hour (not a religious question, just asking if they can deal with an hour-long situation that requires quiet, not wiggling around, no whispering/giggling, etc).

If you are concerned, either skip the package and do standby for those who want to, or just listen/watch from the sidewalk behind the theater seating. That's what we did when one niece was very young- maybe 20 months. She played quietly while the rest of us enjoyed the beauty and majesty of the Candlelight Processional.

 

[Meldev]

My girls all sit well through church, my 3 year old son not so much - he makes it through of course some days better than others...
Ugh decisions, decisions...
I think I will YouTube it

 

[leebee]

You know your kids best. If you decide to go and someone isn't having their "best night," as long as one parent is prepared to take the child out of the venue so others aren't disturbed, I think that you'd be OK taking them. It IS possible for the exiting parent to stand outside the venue and still see the show, albeit from a distance, and hear everything perfectly.

 

[mchelle77]

We went to the earlier performance just so it wasn't too late, and my then-8 year old was bored and fell asleep. So did my husband. It was one of those things that I just insisted on (because it was our first time there at Christmastime) and Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator. We paid OOP for Biergarten because we, too, also had CRT booked for 2 credits. For us it was much more economical doing it that way.

 

[Meldev]

We went to the earlier performance just so it wasn't too late, and my then-8 year old was bored and fell asleep. So did my husband. It was one of those things that I just insisted on (because it was our first time there at Christmastime) and Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator. We paid OOP for Biergarten because we, too, also had CRT booked for 2 credits. For us it was much more economical doing it that way.

That's who our narrator is as well! Maybe we'll give it a go and be ready to take off with little guy if need be...

 

[disnut1149]

I think your younger children might be bored sitting through the whole thing.

 

[warrior64]

What times is the Candlelight Proc. done??

 

[wdw4rfam]

My kids all slept through it, DH almost did. We are skipping it this time because I mentioned it and they all mentioned something about they would meet me back at the resort. I can just say google it and watch a video.

 

[goofy4tink]

What times is the Candlelight Proc. done??

It's about 40 mins long.

It's hard to say what kids are going to do. Unless your kids would sit still, quietly, through a concert or church service, then they probably won't sit for this either. The choir processes in, with candles. Then the narrator starts the Christmas story...each passage is followed by a piece of music. There's not much to hold a child's interest if they aren't 'into' music! And to be honest? It's really hard to enjoy the performance if there is a toddler sitting near you who is unhappy.
Only a parent knows their particular kids...and whether or not they'll enjoy something...it's hard for us to tell.

 

[bare necessities]

Last time we were there in December we had to break up our group because there was no way my 6 yr old daughter would sit through the entire thing. We stood outside for a little and listened and then went to the front to ride rides. But every kid is different and just because one won't sit doesn't mean others won't. It looked like a very stimulating show but it just depends on the child.

 

[Bev J]

I don't really think many kids would sit through this. Personally I just love it, but I am happy to hang out by the fountain in front of the America showcase area to listen, this may be a better choice for you. That way your not spending alot of $ on the dinner tickets and be disappointed because your kids wanted to leave.
It's shown 3 times each evening so maybe you can just decide spur of the moment if your all up for it or not.
Bev

 

[Micca]

I didn't think it was "all that", I guess part of it stems from your beliefs (which we don't discuss here.) I thought it was a lot of effort for the entertainment value.
Would totally depend on the kids, good luck!

 

[ktlm]

Watch a little of it on you tube and see what you think. You will find a ton of videos of it. I think your older kids might enjoy it, but the 3 year old probably not. My DD has loved live shows and has been able to sit through them since she was 2 (total theatre kid), but had no interest in CP when she was little. She is 9 now, and I think if Neil Patrick Harris was the narrator she would love it because she would be thrilled to see him. Aside from that, I think it is too church like to hold her interest at WDW. We live in the bible belt and there are a number of large churches around here that put on a very similar living Christmas tree show, so for us aside from the celebrity, it is very similar to something we can find at home.

We actually have done what the PP did and hung out across from it for a bit, or very slowly walked by, and that has always been about enough of it for DD.

 

[Georgi Zhukov]

The first and only time I did the CP with the family was in 2010 - my boys were 10 and 6. They did sit through the entire show but were pretty bored. However, I agree it depends on the kid(s). BTW, my wife and I loved the show.

The boys did get a kick out of the Biergarten, which we booked as part of the Candlelight Dining Package.

 

[asbyrneva]

DS 8 loved it. Loved the high school choir kids , loved the show. As other posters have said it depends on the kids. Some are fine sitting for 50 minutes and listening to narration and carols and some are not. We did the early show which I think helps. Last year at the 5:00 there were a lot of young kids ( Doogie Houser packed them in)

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

It really depends on your child. My aunt took my little cousin at 2 years old and she was mesmerized by it.

I know I'd still probably be bored by it and fidgety until at least age ten, so again, it's really dependent on your child and what they're capable of tolerating.

 

[Nancyg56]

I think it all depends on your kids. My DGD sat through it twice, as did the rest of my family. They liked it but the only reason they agreed to the second time was because after booking the package we fgoud out that NPH was the narrator. I believe that my DGD was bored to tears both times but in our family, we try to accomodate all of us, at least once.

I think you should check it out on Youtube ad then decide what to do. IT is a time commitment to be honest, because even with the package especially if you have a popular narrator, you will be standing in line, and then waiting in the pavilion, so keep that in mind when you plan.

 

[staceyrhood]

My kids are 8 and 2 1/2...they have both sat thru CP every year since they were tiny babies and love it. but, i have seen many people walk out with squirming children also.