Really bad meal times for Candlelight Processional

[BYC]

I just saw this posted. Is it really true?? Who can eat at these times??

"If you book for the early show, your dining time will be 1:45-2:45, if you book the 6:45 show your dining time will be 3:30 to 4:30 and if you book the 8:15 show your dining time will be 5:00 to 6:00.
I did not think to ask if the price will be different for the 1:45-2:45 dining since this is lunch time not dinner."

I wanted to book the 5:00 show, with a 7:00 dinner. Looks like that's not going to happen. Do they do this every year?...or is this something new? There is no way we could eat dinner at 1:45, or even 4:30. I am really bummed about this, as I was really looking forward to it.

 

[denecarter]

In July, we ate at Rose & Crown, Chefs de France, and Alfredo's all at 2 pm. We chose the time because the lunch rush was over by then. You'd just have to plan your other meals/snacks around this time.

 

[Liz]

I wonder if this is the only way they can accomodate all the CP packages since many people probably already have reservations for dinner?? Just a thought.

 

[mickeysaver]

Multiple layers of fun for you December guests.......

First off, I too found this posted on another board earlier today.....

The CM I spoke to said the the tickets will go on sale on Tuesday August 15th, they are having alot of people coming in to handle the calls...but there are some major changes in the dining.
If you book for the early show, your dining time will be 1:45-2:45, if you book the 6:45 show your dining time will be 3:30 to 4:30 and if you book the 8:15 show your dining time will be 5:00 to 6:00.

Now, I have found something that appears to be official and it makes the above seem very likely. I hope the new packages don't throw too many monkey wrenches into your plans!

The following is taken from the Cast Portal and is the official information on the Candlelight Packages.

Note this year payment is to be made at the restaurant! All dining is to be prior to the show! The badge will be issued at the restaurant.

Credit Card Guarantee is required. If DDP is used, all meals are only one TS.

Packages are offered in three different price tiers

Prices include non-alcoholic beverage

Prices do not include Tax, Gratuity, or Lobster Entrées

Tier 1
Lunch Pricing (5:00 pm Show) - Adults - $27.99 / Child (3-9) - $11.99

Dinner Pricing (6:45 pm & 8:15 pm Shows)- Adults - $29.99 / Child (3-9) - $12.99
Tier 1 Locations:
Biergarten - Germany Pavilion
The Garden Grill Restaurant - The Land


Tier 2

Lunch Pricing (5:00 pm Show)- Adults - $34.99 / Child (3-9) - $11.99

Dinner Pricing (6:45 pm & 8:15 pm Shows) - Adults - $39.99 / Child (3-9) - $12.99
Tier 2 Locations:

Nine Dragons - China Pavilion
Rose & Crown - United Kingdom Pavilion
Restaurant Marrakesh - Morocco Pavilion
San Angel Inn - Mexico Pavilion

Tier 3
Lunch Pricing (5:00 pm Show) - Adults - $39.99 / Child (3-9) - $11.99

Dinner Pricing (6:45 pm & 8:15 pm Shows)- Adults - $45.99 / Child (3-9) - $12.99
Tier 3 Locations:

Chefs de France - France Pavilion
Coral Reef - The Living Seas
L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - Italy Pavilion
Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada Pavilion
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room - Japan Pavilion



Important Notes:

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your seating time to check–in at the restaurant to insure you are seating on-time.
· Non-alcoholic beverages are included
· Dining Packages DO NOT include park admissions
· Restaurant Akershus in Norway is not included in packages

If I hear more news, I will gladly share it with you all. Maggie

 

[BYC]

None of these will work for me. We just cannot eat our big meal of the day that early. Can someone tell me what it is like to go to the 5:00 show WITHOUT the dining package? Are the seats that bad? How early would we need to get there to get a decent seat? Thanks!

 

[sarahsmom73]

Last year we went to the early CP and our mealtime at Alfredos was 4:30...

 

[BYC]

Last year we went to the early CP and our mealtime at Alfredos was 4:30...

How is that possible? 4:30 meal for a 5:00 CP?

 

[DebbieB]

None of these will work for me. We just cannot eat our big meal of the day that early. Can someone tell me what it is like to go to the 5:00 show WITHOUT the dining package? Are the seats that bad? How early would we need to get there to get a decent seat? Thanks!

When are you going? If it's at the beginning of the month, during the week you should not have a problem. I don't think there are really any bad seats, it's more of a listening experience than visual (unless you need the sign language interpreter). With these times, I don't think the package is going to be as popular, especially with local people who are just coming in for the night.

 

[BYC]

When are you going? If it's at the beginning of the month, during the week you should not have a problem. I don't think there are really any bad seats, it's more of a listening experience than visual (unless you need the sign language interpreter). With these times, I don't think the package is going to be as popular, especially with local people who are just coming in for the night.

We will probably want to do the CP on Dec. 12th or 13th.

 

[paladin]

I have to say I think this is a really bad idea. We also don't like eating that early; in fact on our last two trips, we went to the 6:45 CP and then ate afterwards at 8. My husband is not going to be happy with this at all!

 

[Mary Anne]

Guess I'm in the minority as I like it. We enjoy our main meal mid day. On 12/24 I'm thinking of doing the lunch at about 2:30 / 3 PM the 5 o'clock showing of CP and then going back to our BWV 1 bedroom for our family Christmas Eve and if we're hungry I'll make our "tradition" Christmas Eve foods (I'll have full kitchen with a 1 bedroom). Call it an early night and the hit the MK at opening Christmas Day.

 

[notnothin]

I think this is likely due to the fact that everyone booked reservations as a 'backup', and now there isn't enough availability because of it. I had heard from a CM that doing that wasn't advised, as it would make less availability for the CP package. Either this and/or they didn't reserve enough tables in lieu of those making reservations.

 

[RSoxFan]

I think this stinks. I also think it's because the reservations have changed to 180 days. I leave for the trip in 115 days, so people who don't want CP have already booked dinner at these restaurants. That leaves little to no room for CP people. Yet another reason I don't like DDP!

 

[StevePSU1]

I think the only strategy in play here is that Disney is pushing their popular dining events into "non-peak" dining times. They will always fill the peak dining times with regular restaurant customers. Seems like a smart way to maximize their business.

 

[Maridw]

Last year we went to the 5 pm show and then had a 7pm dinner at Le Cellier. It worked great for us. Dinner wasn't too late or we weren't rushed through dinner to make a later show.

I wonder why they changed it. I think you should be able to choose if you want to do a lunch or a dinner for the 5pm show.

 

[notnothin]

Last year we went to the 5 pm show and then had a 7pm dinner at Le Cellier. It worked great for us. Dinner wasn't too late or we weren't rushed through dinner to make a later show.

I wonder why they changed it. I think you should be able to choose if you want to do a lunch or a dinner for the 5pm show.

Yes, it's likely that a good number of us feel this way, but that simply won't be an option this year. It really stinks.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Sorry. We went to the 6:45 show...

 

[Punkin's Mom]

It sounds like part of the equation is that they've changed the location where you pick up your passes to the restaurant instead of at the resorts or at the front of Epcot. If you can only get them at the restaurant, you'd have to eat before the show.

I was wondering, which do you think will be the busiest show time now?

 

[BarbaraK]

Maggie:

Thanks for the information for the Candlelight Processional package. Please keep us posted on any updates you hear about.

Thanks,

BarbaraK

 

[Dan Murphy]

Some big changes there.