Standby for Candlelight Processional changed!

[chrisxtwo]

Saw Neil Patrick Harris tonight for the Candlelight Processional. The standby line was long but not too bad. What I didn't realize is that they now hand out wristbands starting at 1:30. A certain amount for each show. Then, once they are out, the standby line starts. That standby line is limited to sitting in the last 3 rows of the theater. The rest of the seats were roped off for dining package and wristband guests. I got in line for the 5:00 but was at least 100 people back when they cut it off. Also, they didn't even start letting us in until 4:50. So, I waited for the 6:45 show. (Thankfully about 40 people left the line once they didn't make it in). When they let us in, the line stretched well into Germany. After the show, at 8:00, the dining package line stretched well into France.

All this to say, and I realize NPH is very popular, if you are not using the dining package, you should probably try and get there by 1:30 to get a wristband. If not, be prepared to possible wait through one show in line and to sit in the back.

 

[SmithSmith]

Very helpful! Thanks for the update.

 

[mickyzzzzz05]

We have the package for 5 pm tomorrow. Is the dining candlelight processional line to the right or the left as you face the stage?

 

[Auntie D]

We did the dining package tonight. The line was to the left when facing the stage...toward Japan.

 

[DOOM1001]

Let me get this straight,you have 3 options,1. To get the dining package,2.to be there at 1:30 pm to get a wristband for guaranteed seats to one of the three showings or 3. To get in the standby line with less chances to get a seat.

 

[chrisxtwo]

Yes, those are your options. The standby line is your most limited chance to get a seat. And if you do, it will be in the last three rows. There was a lot of confusion in line because many wondered why so few were let in. I asked two different cast members and a manager at guest services on the way out to make sure I understood the process.

My guess is that there were people in the back of the standby line for the 6:45 show (which was well into Germany) who didn't make it into the 8:15 show. This might not be the case for lesser known narrators but 3 rows is not a lot of seats.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

OP--where did the wristband folks line up? We were there on Sunday--we saw the standby line begin 2 hours before the 5pm show. Folks were even in one early on the dining package side.

Glad we didn't have plans to see the show because I had no idea about the wristbands.

 

[CanadianPaco]

We did the dining package tonight. The line was to the left when facing the stage...toward Japan.

Excellent! Thx!

 

[Bete]

Next question is where do you get the wristbands? Then, where do you stand for the show? If you stand in the same line as standby this doesn't make sense; because, how do they differentiate between those with bands and those without? If they stand in the dining package line that doesn't seem fair to those who pay for the package.

I appreciate the heads up, but this doesn't make sense to me.

 

[Disneylover99]

if you are not using the dining package, you should probably try and get there by 1:30 to get a wristband.

Thanks for the heads up!

If the stand by people sit in the last three rows, where do the wristband people sit? And can you get a wristband at 1:30 for any of the shows that day?

 

[Bete]

I found out a little more from another post. This doesn't clarify seating options for the CP show.

There is no preferred viewing area for Illuminations anymore included with the CP package. That is gone. This has become a 1st tier FP+ option instead. For those who plan on attending please share your info with rest of us as you do the show. Thanks.

 

[yulilin3]

I did this Sunday for NPH.
Was at France entrance by 10:45am, they dropped the rope in France at 11 and fast walked to the standby line and were first in line. I was expecting to wait 5 hours, no biggie since we've done that for years now.
At 1:30pm CM came to the standby line to offer wristbands for anyone that wanted to get out of the line and told us to come back no later than 4:50pm to the wristband line (left of the little brick bldg of the back of the theater)
They wristbanded us, we got out of line and had lunch and just stayed in America, watched 2 sets of Voices of Liberty.
Some people I noticed decided to stay in the standby line
Around 3:30 we found the wristband line (after asking 3 separate CM who had no clue) and again we were first.
They let us inside at 4:30ish, actually even before the dinning pkg people, but for wristband you can only sit in the last 4 rows in the back you can't go down.
Got an awesome seat, center stage. Then they let Gold VIPs in (they get the very front right area of the theater) was told that these people are friends of the host, some upper mngt CM, etc.
Then they let the dinning pkg in around 4:45pm. I felt bad for those with the package because the last 50 people or so were scrambling to find seats. We saw many families having to split up because there wasn't enough space. You see the have these trees in the theater and no one wanted to sit behind them because they would block the view. So some of the last families from the pkg got separated and had to sit behind these trees.

 

[yulilin3]

Next question is where do you get the wristbands? Then, where do you stand for the show? If you stand in the same line as standby this doesn't make sense; because, how do they differentiate between those with bands and those without? If they stand in the dining package line that doesn't seem fair to those who pay for the package.

I appreciate the heads up, but this doesn't make sense to me.

see my post above
There are now 4 lines
Standby last to go in if there are any seats available to the far right
Gold VIP guaranteed seats close to the stage on the right. Line is right of the little brick bldg
Wristband guaranteed seats top 4 rows line is to the left of the little brick bldg
Dinner pkg guaranteed large area all around the theater seating. Line is far left

 

[Dan Murphy]

I did this Sunday for NPH.
Was at France entrance by 10:45am, they dropped the rope in France at 11 and fast walked to the standby line and were first in line. I was expecting to wait 5 hours, no biggie since we've done that for years now.
At 1:30pm CM came to the standby line to offer wristbands for anyone that wanted to get out of the line.......They let us inside at 4:30ish, actually even before the dinning pkg people, but for wristband you can only sit in the last 4 rows in the back you can't go down.
Got an awesome seat, center stage. Then they let Gold VIPs in (they get the very front right area of the theater) was told that these people are friends of the host, some upper mngt CM, etc.......

Interesting.

Would you say that if you got in the standby line at 1:25 that you would be able to get a wristband, a 5 minute standing wait?

I would say your center seats in the back rows were better than those close to stage ones. I have sat close like that before and with the size of the venue and stage, seeing the entire show from that close is quite difficult. Similar to siting close at La Nouba.

 

[yulilin3]

here's a pic of the little brick bldg

 

[dddisrunner]

I found out a little more from another post.

First, there is something new which involves getting a tier one FASTPASS plus for the CP show. It sounds like they get the best seats. Where you go or stand I'm still unclear on. You don't need the dinner package for this option.

Also, there is no preferred viewing area for Illuminations anymore included with the CP package. That is gone. This has become a FP+ option instead.

For those who plan on attending please share your info with rest of us as you do the show. Thanks.

So now CP is a fastpass + option. I just looked on MDE and saw no option for it! If I want to see the 8pm CP show do I need to stand in the standby line at 1:30? Or do I not have a choice as to the time I want to see it if I get in the standby line at 1:30? I'm so confused?

 

[yulilin3]

Interesting.

Would you say that if you got in the standby line at 1:25 that you would be able to get a wristband, a 5 minute standing wait?

I would say your center seats in the back rows were better than those close to stage ones. I have sat close like that before and with the size of the venue and stage, seeing the entire show from that close is quite difficult. Similar to siting close at La Nouba.

Not sure, at 1:30 the line was down to Italy but in a straight line cause they hadn't set up the ropes yet. If I really wanted the 5pm show I would be there by 1pm just to be sure. They gave out wristbands for the second show as well. Not sure if they did for the third one

 

[tinkerhon]

So now CP is a fastpass + option. I just looked on MDE and saw no option for it! If I want to see the 8pm CP show do I need to stand in the standby line at 1:30? Or do I not have a choice as to the time I want to see it if I get in the standby line at 1:30? I'm so confused?

It's not a FP option---- they are wristbands that are handed out by CMs that allow you to secure a seat for the "CP" ---- for example -- for the 5pm show--- you would wait on the standby line--- at around 1:30 pm, the wristbands are handed out--- the other day we were told there are 100 for each show

Once you have your wristband, you can walk around the park, as long as you return by 4:50 to the standby line--- ( that line is on the same side as the "Cp" dinner pkg line-). at around 4:20-4:30, they start seating

 

[tinkerhon]

Not sure, at 1:30 the line was down to Italy but in a straight line cause they hadn't set up the ropes yet. If I really wanted the 5pm show I would be there by 1pm just to be sure. They gave out wristbands for the second show as well. Not sure if they did for the third one

Agree--- I wouldn't plan on getting on line for the wristband later than 1pm

We did that on Sunday when we saw NPH, and we almost missed the cutoff ---

 

[Dan Murphy]

Not sure, at 1:30 the line was down to Italy but in a straight line cause they hadn't set up the ropes yet. If I really wanted the 5pm show I would be there by 1pm just to be sure. They gave out wristbands for the second show as well. Not sure if they did for the third one

Thanks.