To book a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package or not?

[PrincessAndie]

Alright, my family and I are planning on doing the Candlelight processional on Monday, December 1 for the FIRST TIME EVER!!! We are huge Disney people and always go down for MVMCP, but this is the first time we will be going to the CP. We are contemplating doing the dinner package, however if we can avoid the upcharge on food we would like to. In the past, what is the likelyhood of getting into the early showing that time of year without advanced seating? And how long in advance do we need to get in line? If this makes any difference, Neil Patrick Harris will be the narrator that day. Any tips and tricks you want to let me know about, I would be forever grateful for. Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

Standby lines will be long. I would be surprised if there are package reservations left for his shows.

 

[Itinkso]

You may be able to find spots at the perimeter of the CP area. It's at least 45 minutes of standing, but, that may be your only hope of watching/listening especially for one of Neil Patrick Harris' CPs.

 

[PrincessAndie]

About how early should we begin lining up for the processional for the early show? And where?

 

[wilkeliza]

About how early should we begin lining up for the processional for the early show? And where?

The standby line starts in America on the side closest to Italy. It is across from the Agent P cart. First showing of NPH of the day some people will start lining up at 11 am when World Showcase opens.

 

[lovethattink]

Standby for NPH is practically impossible. I think the lines for him are longer than to see A&E.

We saw him last year and he was fabulous! If you can get the dining package, it's your best bet.

 

[Lpriest]

My family will be there on 12/1 also was very excited to see NPH announced as the narrator we have the CP package at San Angel inn booked to see the last show.

 

[kerplop]

We got a lunch package for the first showing for a few reasons. One, we really wanted to see it and hate waiting in the hour-long standby line during busier times. Two, even though he (oddly) lacks the huge first name recognition we really wanted to see Jon Groff perform - especially my gf who has been a huge fan for years. Three, the upcharge for lunch doesn't seem as huge to me compared to dinner and we already wanted to eat at Biergarten anyway, so why not.

 

[nuzmom]

Normally, in early December, you would "definitely" get a seat with getting in standby line about an hour early, but with NPH, all bets are off. We've gotten in with only waiting 30 minutes. It varies greatly by the narrator, day, and show time.

We also have found that even when the standby lines are LONG, many many people get into the theater. There will be a CM with a click counter keeping track of how many people are allowed to enter. We've found them to be pretty good at telling us if they THOUGHT we'd get in or not.

We have seen the CP about 12 times and this is the first year that we got a package. We did so this year because we are not going in early December and, being closer to Christmas, felt the package is worth the peace of mind.

If you are really set on that day and seeing CP without a package, I would start "hanging out" over by America, Italy, & Japan about 2 1/2 hours before the first show time. Then as soon as you see a line forming, get in line. There ARE standby seats for all shows, just a matter of how badly you want them.

To clarify - I have not personally done standby for NPH (only other narrators). We've never had to do this, but if you line up for the first show and don't get in, you can stay in line for the second show, or third. Eek.

 

[PrincessAndie]

Yeah, I would have loved to see Jonathan Groff, but we have a very tight schedule and Dec. 1 is the only day we can Disney park hop. The other 2 days we have in Orlando are completely booked. We have never done the CP because I normally can not get off work this close to Christmas. I am really hoping to get in for the 1st show so that we can hop over to the Osborne lights!

 

[kerplop]

Yeah, I would have loved to see Jonathan Groff, but we have a very tight schedule and Dec. 1 is the only day we can Disney park hop. The other 2 days we have in Orlando are completely booked. We have never done the CP because I normally can not get off work this close to Christmas. I am really hoping to get in for the 1st show so that we can hop over to the Osborne lights!

I would say in this case go for the lunch with a first showing at 5pm. Then you can get over to DHS before it closes for the night hopefully. I think it's closed at 8, so it might be kind of close unless you hustle. Either way, best of luck

 

[purple figment]

Yeah, I would have loved to see Jonathan Groff, but we have a very tight schedule and Dec. 1 is the only day we can Disney park hop. The other 2 days we have in Orlando are completely booked. We have never done the CP because I normally can not get off work this close to Christmas. I am really hoping to get in for the 1st show so that we can hop over to the Osborne lights!

Even though it's the beginning of December, the popularity of the narrator determines how difficult it is to get into the amphitheater as a standby and unfortunately Neil Patrick Harris is so popular it will be extremely difficult.

We were there one year when he was the narrator and the standby line began at 11 when WS opened and quickly lengthened. If you don't want or can't get a dining package, but want to get in for the first show you will have to be willing to sacrifice most of the afternoon waiting in the stand by line.

The American Gardens theater is an open air theater so you can stand in back by the walkway if you cannot get into the theater or don't want to wait in the standby line. You will be able to hear the performance, but there will be so many others standing back there you probably won't be able to see anything.

If you can get a lunch package for the first show, it would reduce the amount of wait time and the uncertainty of which performance you'll be able to see. Even with the package you'll see people lining up early, but at least it won't be all afternoon.

Although you said Dec 1 is the only day that will work for your current schedule, if you would prefer to see Jonathan Groff, it will be easier to get into the theater as a standby for his shows.

As far as the Osborne Lights, as long as you are inside the gates of DHS before it closes, the lights usually stay on for about an hour after the park's scheduled closing time.

 

[wilkeliza]

Even though it's the beginning of December, the popularity of the narrator determines how difficult it is to get into the amphitheater as a standby and unfortunately Neil Patrick Harris is so popular it will be extremely difficult. We were there one year when he was the narrator and the standby line began at 11 when WS opened and quickly lengthened. If you don't want or can't get a dining package, but want to get in for the first show you will have to be willing to sacrifice most of the afternoon waiting in the stand by line. The American Gardens theater is an open air theater so you can stand in back by the walkway if you cannot get into the theater or don't want to wait in the standby line. You will be able to hear the performance, but there will be so many others standing back there you probably won't be able to see anything. If you can get a lunch package for the first show, it would reduce the amount of wait time and the uncertainty of which performance you'll be able to see. Even with the package you'll see people lining up early, but at least it won't be all afternoon. Although you said Dec 1 is the only day that will work for your current schedule, if you would prefer to see Jonathan Groff, it will be easier to get into the theater as a standby for his shows. As far as the Osborne Lights, as long as you are inside the gates of DHS before it closes, the lights usually stay on for about an hour after the park's scheduled closing time.

I wouldn't count on Jon Groff being any easier than Neil Patrick Harris. He has a very big following and now that he is Kristoph I can't imagine his shows will be easy.

 

[Priory]

I'm excited to see Groff. I like him from several things. However, I just read that WDW's candelight doesn't have the song 'Candlelight Carol' (aka the most beautiful song ever). I had never heard it until I saw candlelight at disneyland and it blew me away. I've seen DL's Candlelight 3 more times since and it has remained my favorite moment. Oh well. Still really excited to see it at WDW this year.

 

[pmaurer74]

unless you are willing to wait hours in line for a chance to see the CP, I think the dinner package is worth it. I saw maybe 20 people in stand by get into our show last year.

 

[shh]

Anyone have an idea how popular Edward James Olmos usually is? What are the odds for getting a seat in standby line for his performance Tues, Dec 9th?

 

[dzneelvr]

We'd NEVER do the CP without the package. The standby lines are insane for any narrator and we are never willing to take time to wait and then risk the possibility of being turned away. For Dec. 1, I'd be surprised if any packages are left....maybe Morocco...better hurry. The packages are a great benefit IMO. We do Fantasmic the same way in DHS.

 

[pointybubble]

I really wanted to see CP this year and specifically chose my dates so that we could see NPH. We booked the package months ago so that we would be sure to get in. As others have said the lines will likely be insane for standby. You are brave if you decide to go that route but at least you will know what you are getting into. FYI I ran the search and there are still options for that day if you wanted to book a package.

I don't think the "up-charge" is too bad at lunch. We are booked at Via Napoli for lunch for $43.66 pp. A quick look at the menu tells me that if I get the $14 calamari, one of several $30 pastas and the $10 zeppole for dessert, plus a $3 coke I am actually ahead. That said we actually have TIW and also rarely eat that much, so there is still a premium, but it isn't too bad IMHO.

We will be there the same day so if you decide to try standby good luck!

 

[courtneybeth]

Anyone have an idea how popular Edward James Olmos usually is? What are the odds for getting a seat in standby line for his performance Tues, Dec 9th?

Edward James Olmos has been doing the show for about 15 years and is wonderful. We had the opportunity to see him last year mid-December and the standby lines were pretty long.

I would book a package if you still have the opportunity as it's pretty much a break-even on cost and you're guaranteed a seat. Never had an issue getting in line and being right in the front when we do it. This will be our third year with Isabella Rosalini on Christmas night. Squeee.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We are also going on the 1st and all the lunch times are gone, but I did see a couple pop up, just not for the restaurant we wanted. My SIL called and got a dinner ressie for the earlier show. (I think it's 6:45) He will be there 2 or 3 days. We have seen him before and he's wonderful! Keep trying for the lunch package; it's less expensive.

edit to add: I just checked and the Biergarten, Marrakesh and Tokyo dining have all got lunch openings for parties of 2.