Seats at the Candlelight Processional

[J-Dog]

Sorry, this may be a stupid question, but how early should we be expected to arrive to get decent seats for the Processional? We are going on Dec 7, and as I understand it, Anthony Mackie is the celebrity narrator - I know the narrator makes a difference in the attendance, but I don't know whether he is a big draw or a no-so-big draw.

Or, conversely, is there a way to pay to reserve seats without having to pay for a dining package? With all the food and drink kiosks that seem to be available for Holidays Around the World, it seems like a waste to pay a bunch of money for one restaurant, just to reserve seat at the Processional, and then miss-out on all the other stuff. But at the same time, I really want good seats for the Processional...

Any advice will be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Bete]

In reality the only way to secure good seats is to get a dining package . If you want to cut costs on it then consider lunch at the Biergarten and go to the 5:45 pm show. Get that package. It's the cheapest one.

You will still have to line up about 75 minutes early to get front and center.

The narrator is not the most popular, but pretty popular.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I buy the dining package, but I like to see the show twice, so sometimes I wait in line. It is usually easier to get seats for the first show. You may be able to tell how popular by going past as the line forms for the first show.

 

[hamilkm]

We were able to get a breakfast reservation for our processional package. We will be eating breakfast at the Italian place on the boardwalk and going to the 6:45 show. This was the cheapest package I could get. We then will snack around the world the whole day!

 

[Jennasis]

We got dining pkg seats for Joe Morton last year and had mediocre seats at best with a 45 minute wait. Later in the trip we walked up 5 minutes before show time and had better seat with no waiting for Ana Gasteyer.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I really want good seats

Remember that the real close upfront seats are like the upfront seats at a movie theater, not necessarily the best. When sitting up close, you have to look left, then look right and then back again, if you are interested in seeing all the singers and musicians. Most anyplace in the theater is good, other than those seats behind the trees or roof supports. Similar to Fantasmic. Almost all the seats there are good, other than the ones real close up where you can get wet/soaked.

 

[DebbieB]

We got dining pkg seats for Joe Morton last year and had mediocre seats at best with a 45 minute wait. Later in the trip we walked up 5 minutes before show time and had better seat with no waiting for Ana Gasteyer.

I walked into Ana Gasteyer's show last year on a Thursday night with no wait. I've gone the first full week of December many times and for some reason that Thursday night is easy to get into (never seems to be a major star).

I agree with Dan that the front isn't the best. My favorite seat is the front of the second section in the center.

 

[jaysmom4285]

Weeknights with a lesser known narrator are the best times to go. We've never done a dinner package because I won't pay the inflated prices they charge for the meals, and we haven't had any trouble getting into a show without even waiting in line. Once the standby line is let in, there's almost always still room, and it's opened up for anyone.

 

[Disney_Alli]

If I had to guess I'd say Anthony Mackie will be a pretty big draw!

 

[yulilin3]

We are beyond excited that Anthony "cut the check" Mackie is coming (if you've seen the bonus features on Winter Soldier you'll get the reference) So much so that I'm allowing my DD16 to skip school on Wednesday so we can go see him

 

[LilyWDW]

Yea, he will be a big draw considering who he is and what he is in. As such you will have to be there quite early and still don't expect the best seats.

 

[seshat0120]

In reality the only way to secure good seats is to get a dining package . If you want to cut costs on it then consider lunch at the Biergarten and go to the 5:45 pm show. Get that package. It's the cheapest one.

A lunch at Biergarten doesn't necessarily mean it's the 5:45 pm show. I have lunch reservation at noon on December 8 and it's for the 8:15 pm show. I also just checked December 7 and a 12:05 pm lunch reservation was also for the 8:15 pm show.

 

[tinkerhon]

Latest "RUMOR" from a CM that has worked the party for yrs--- next year "CP" might be a ticketed event only --- basically dining packages only --- no longer standby option --- again, this is just a rumor, but I have heard this mentioned previous years, and this year other people that I was on line with ( waiting for NPH) heard the same -

 

[KateP85]

We were able to get a breakfast reservation for our processional package. We will be eating breakfast at the Italian place on the boardwalk and going to the 6:45 show. This was the cheapest package I could get. We then will snack around the world the whole day!

Wait, what? Trattoria al Forno? That's part of the Candlelight Processional package this year?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Wait, what? Trattoria al Forno? That's part of the Candlelight Processional package this year?

Yes! Breakfast and Dinner packages available.

 

[disdreamer7]

How about Cal Ripken, Jr.? A big draw?

 

[KateP85]

Yes! Breakfast and Dinner packages available.

Wow, good to know!

 

[yulilin3]

Latest "RUMOR" from a CM that has worked the party for yrs--- next year "CP" might be a ticketed event only --- basically dining packages only --- no longer standby option --- again, this is just a rumor, but I have heard this mentioned previous years, and this year other people that I was on line with ( waiting for NPH) heard the same -

every year. I seriously doubt they will take standby out all together

 

[KateP85]

every year. I seriously doubt they will take standby out all together

I would hope not. We always do the dinner package because it's a tradition, but I must admit, each year I wonder if the price is worth it. For two adults and one child, it was $200 before the tip, and we still had to get in line at 7.30pm for the 8.15pm show. Then our little one fell asleep and poor DH had to sit in the back with him in the stroller. I'd like to think that a free option would always be available.

 

[Bete]

A lunch at Biergarten doesn't necessarily mean it's the 5:45 pm show. I have lunch reservation at noon on December 8 and it's for the 8:15 pm show. I also just checked December 7 and a 12:05 pm lunch reservation was also for the 8:15 pm show.

Sorry, this must have changed as of late. Then, you will have to call and see what's available and try to get a lunch with the early show.