Young children & the Candlelight Processional

[HayGan]

As I sit here frantically planning my ADR plan for my early morning phone call to Disney Dining, I am once again debating whether or not we should do a Candlelight Processional dinner package. We have the dining plan so luckily cost is not an issue but our children's attention is. Our boys are 6 and 4 and I'm not sure if this will be something that they will be willing to sit for. If we do it, we are thinking that we will do the 5pm show with dinner at LeCellier after at 6:30pm.

Anyone else have experience with young children & the Candlelight Processional? Did it hold your childrens attention for the entire time or were they squirming in their seats after 5 minutes?

 

[disnut8]

We took our 6-1/2 year old granddaughter two years ago. While she didn't squirm after five minutes, she wasn't real thrilled with the Processional. I think it's a good idea to do the earliest show like you mentioned and then dinner. At worst, you might have to take one or both of them out of the theatre. That's very easy to do and you can still hear the presentation from outside. And you'd still get your dinner at Le Cellier.

 

[Kurgan4]

My daughter was 4 when we went and she didn't like it much either. This year we are planning just to walk by and see parts of it. I wouldn't ask her to sit through the whole thing again. It was beautiful, but I'm not sure it was worth all the hassle. To help, she didn't hate it or anything if you really have your heart set on it

 

[HayGan]

Thanks for the info!

I'm sure that DH and I would love it but the boys would probably only be entertained for a few minutes. I think we will skip it this year and plan on doing it in a few years (hopefully on adults only trip - if I can convince my DH!)

 

[danny1649]

Many times and little ones that I have seen for the most part get bored and restless after a few minutes.I will add though I have seen a few who seemed to love it.I think parents are the best judges of what their children will enjoy.Have a great time

 

[BroadwayGirl]

If you regularly attend chuch services that include music, you can use the way your kids behave there as a guide to how they'll react to the Candlelight Processional. If they can sit quietly through a typical Sunday service they should be okay. Just like at church, a book or small (and quiet) toy may help all of you to enjoy the performance more. It might not be their favorite part of your trip but you'll survive.

However, if your kids spend most of their time in church running back and forth in the pew needing a back full of snacks, books and toys to keep them entertained Candlelight might not work for you.

 

[DoomBuggyBabe]

Plus, you've still got a bit of time to mull the issue. You may be about to open your 180-day ADR window, but CP packages won't go on sale 'til the beginning of August.
So maybe that gives you time to work with your kids in church, as a previous poster suggested. As they said, if your kids can make it through services, they'll be fine. CP is, if anything, shorter.
If you get the chance, do it. CP is a wonderful thing.
Happy planning,
Q

 

[beattyfamily]

My girls do just fine and actually enjoy it. They've seen it at age 2 & 5 and then 6 & 9.

They do attend Church every Sunday and I do believe that helps but they also enjoy Christmas and beautiful music.

The show is about 40 minutes long.

 

[polly p]

Anyone else have experience with young children & the Candlelight Processional? Did it hold your childrens attention for the entire time or were they squirming in their seats after 5 minutes?

We have gone twice. Once when dd was 3 1/2, she fell asleep 2 minutes into it and once when she was 5 1/2 and she did like the music.

We did not do the dining plan and we did not arrive early. We slid into the back just before it started so she didn't have to wait too long for it to start. i think if we sat there any length of time before hand, she wouldn't have dealt with sitting as long.

 

[Hannathy]

Plus remember if you have sit down dinner plans right after that is a long time to sit quietly and behave. Imo They may do fine with 1 or the other but 2 in a row is alot.

 

[Lady SnowElla]

My DD8 was intrigued by watching the orchestra & the conductor. The conductor was so into the music that you couldn't help but watch his enthusiasm. She was a little antsy till it started & then she loved it.

 

[erikthewise]

Obviously it depends on the child. When we took our then 6yo to CP for the first time, he was NOT happy about being forced to endure it. It was not a ride or a meal, and it was not his idea! (His 9yo brother was fine.)

 

[CamColt]

When we did this, DSs were just turned 7 and almost 4. They weren't overly thrilled with it, but they did ok for most of it. Better than they do in church, LOL! By the end they were ready to leave and it definitely wasnt a highlight of their trip, but they survived.

We will be doing it again this year and they will now be just turned 10 and almost 7. I dont think the youngest remembers it but my oldest has asked "Do we have to do that thing again?" Yes! Although it is painful that I have to pay the adult price 46.00 (?) for him, for a matter of a few days, when all he will eat is a plate of plain pasta.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

Our kids were 1, 4 and 6 when did this a few years ago. They were pretty good at first but then started to squirm about half way through. They wern't disruptive or crying or anything just wanting to stand up, sit on our laps, etc. They watched a lot of it and though and the trumpets really got their attention. They also seem fascinated by the sign language interpreter. I brought snacks in my diaper bag and this is what helped us get through to the end. If your kids won't normally sit through a movie or a church service you might be in trouble. If they can and do, then you will all right.