Candlelight Processional Review & Tips
One of the most popular events of the Christmas season at Walt Disney World is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Here is the Epcot Candlelight Processional 2012 schedule (subject to change without notice):
- November 23 – 25: Geena Davis (Academy Award-winning actress and TV star)
- November 26 – 29: Neil Patrick Harris (Emmy winner; Broadway star and TV host)
- November. 30 – Dec. 1: Whoopi Goldberg (television host; actress and comedian)
- December 02 – 4: Andy Garcia (actor and TV star)
- December 05 – 7: Blair Underwood (actor and director)
- December 08 – 10: James Denton (TV star)
- December 11 – 13: Jodi Benson (singer and actress)
- December 14 – 16: Lea Salonga (voice of Mulan)
- December 17 – 19: Alfre Woodard (actress and TV star)
- December 20 – 22: Trace Adkins (country music artist)
- December 23 – 25: Gary Sinise (actor and musician)
- December 26 – 28: Amy Grant (pop & gospel music artist)
- December 29 – 30: Marlee Matlin (Academy Award-winning actress and TV star)
Tips
The parenthetical that the schedule is “subject to change without notice” is no joke. Celebrities will cancel if “something better” comes up, and it’s not uncommon for multiple iterations of the schedule to be released as the date draws nearer. Make sure you monitor the schedule to make sure your chosen performer is still set for the date you’re attending as your trip draws closer.
The standby line for most performances gets super long. Ridiculously long. So long that if you’re a tourist or visiting on vacation, you should not even consider not getting a lunch or dinner package for the Candlelight Processional. These packages include a meal consisting of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage (or full buffet “experience,” where applicable), reserved seating at the show and access to an exclusive fireworks viewing area. For what you get, the dining package is not that expensive, and your time on vacation is definitely worth the price. I know the three hours or so of waiting in line that we’ve saved by purchasing the dining package has been well worth it–to us at least!
The following are the locations participating in the dining package for the Candlelight Processional in 2012. Check out our dining reviews for reviews of the top restaurants on this list!
- Biergarten – Germany (Our Pick for Value/Christmas Ambiance)
- Chefs de France – France
- Coral Reef- The Seas
- Garden Grill – The Land
- La Hacienda de San Angel - Mexico
- Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada
- Nine Dragons Restaurant – China
- Restaurant Marrakesh – Morocco
- Rose and Crown – UK
- San Angel Inn – Mexico
- Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining - Japan
- Tutto Italia – Italy
- Via Napoli – Italy (Our Pick for Value/Quality)
For prices and to book the 2012 Candlelight Processional Dining package you can call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).
Review
A lot of people absolutely love the Candlelight Processional. We like it quite a bit, but we aren’t absolutely gung-ho, call Disney Dining the very first day the packages go on sale, crazy like some people. It’s neat, but definitely not the highlight of our trip. It’s beautifully done, but at some points it seems overly stuffy. I suppose I would much rather hear the recital of some Christmas Carols by the choir with the celebrity enthusiastically telling some other Christmas story. As it is, it’s very solemn and proper. It just doesn’t seem animated or lively enough for me, but that’s just my personal preference, I suppose.
We likely will not go in 2012, as we saw Neil Patrick Harris in 2011, who we think is about the coolest person ever, and the hosts this year when we’ll be in town don’t stack up to him. In 2008, we booked the package the package, but it was mostly to see John O’Hurley, or J. Petermann, as fellow Seinfeld fans may know him. In 2010, we went to see Whoopi Goldberg, because seating was included with our D23 Magic & Merriment event package. Whoopi Goldberg was okay, but on the “cool scale” she just doesn’t stack up to NPH or J. Petermann!
For comprehensive tips for planning your Christmas-time trip to Walt Disney World, check out our “Ultimate Guide to Christmas at Walt Disney World.“
12 Responses to “Candlelight Processional Review & Tips”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party Review & Tips - Disney Tourist Blog - [...] Candlelight Processional [...]
Leave a Reply
Follow Us!
We Recommend:
We’re going to the Candlelight Processional for the first time this year. We’ll be there when Trace Adkins is scheduled as the narrator. I’ve been to WDW more than 20 times, but never for the Christmas activites. So excited! We’ve booked the lunch dining package for Nine Dragons – we’ve never eaten there before. I’m glad to know that you think the dining package is well worth the money. I was concerned that it might be a waste of money. I’ll let you know how it is!
Thanks for your wonderful blog – I look forward to reading it everyday and looooooove your pictures.
You will love it! I perform in it again this year! I already performed in one this year! <3 favorite thing on earth. Then again, singing in it is more fun than watching it I'm sure
Very good info! I saw John O’Hurley, Jodi Benson, and Brad Garrett last year. It is quite amazing how different it can make the show feel. John by far had the best voice for it, but Brad got a lot of hilarious one liners in there. Neil Patrick Harris would definitely be the one I would highlight for this year as well. I’m sure he’ll be quite creative with working comedy in. I will add on that note though, that the various narrators do tend to influence crowd levels. Combined with the time of day, week, and month, seating reservations may not be needed. It seems like the early and late shows are least busy, and dates in the beginning and middle parts of the month don’t fill up as much either. The Jodi Benson show we went to was an 8:15, mid-week, beginning of the month and we walked right up at 8:10 and got pretty good seats. I guess it just depends if you want to roll the dice or not!
My two favorite narrators that I have seen so far (I sing in the processional) are John o’hurley and Steven Curtis chapman (he gave me a hug!)
I saw NPH in 2008 and he was good. That was my first experience with the Candlelight Processional and I’ve decided it’s something I need to do every year. It’s my favorite thing at WDW. I’ve seen Steven Curtis Chapman twice and although different from NPH, still very good. This year it’s Susan Lucci. I don’t think anyone can do a bad job narrating though, it’s a beautiful show.
Yes! I think Tom underrates Candlelight Processional. I really love it, no matter who the narrator!
I was there for Whoopie in Dec 2010 (maybe we were there the same day??). I had never been to the Processional before and I loved it. I did the dinner package at Nine Dragons (which was pretty good).
You seem to think it’s a bit too stuffy, but that’s what I like about it. Everything in WDW is so based on “magic” and “fantasy” etc, it’s nice to have something grounded in reality. And given the subject matter, I think the Processional deserves to be a solemn event. When I go back to WDW for xmas (prob 2012), I will def get another dinner package.
“Brick-Pick” – I love it!!!!!!!
I went last year for the first time. Corbin Bernsen was the narrator and it seemed a little flat. However, humor was added by the young (tone-death) boy next to me singing along. Also I told my friend that it was the Christmas Story with music. About two songs in she asked me where was Ralphie and his Red Ryder BB gun. I broke out in one of those uncontrollable laughs and was like “no…it’s the other Christmas Story.” At that point any deep and moving experience was lost! I am going to try it again this year just to see what NPH will do with it!
Celebrity changes are no joke- Whoopie has been replaced with Geena Davis for Dec 2-3 already this year.
We have enjoyed the reserved seating and dinning in the past, however we will be traveling with our 2 year old who does not sit for long periods of time. So this year we are just going to be listening from the outside. I agree it’s not that exciting to watch, but it’s all in what you hear with the music and the reciting of the story. That is one of things I love about this, you don’t have to have seats and actually view it to enjoy it.
The Candlelight Processional is one of my favorite events at Disney. I have only seen it 2 years back to back (2000 & 2001), but I happened to see it both times with Gary Sinse. I thought he was good. I think I was more excited to finally get my hands on the CD the 2nd year so I could listen to it any time I wanted! It is definitely on my list of things to do on our next visit. I will for sure take your advice on the dining option because I don’t remember the lines being that bad 10 years ago. I don’t remember having a problem getting in but I’m sure that has changed!
The Candlelight Processional is one of my very favorite things at Disney!! I have seen Blair Underwood and Trace Adkins. Trace blew me away, his voice is so awesome telling the story. Some of the kids from one of the choirs rode our bus back to the hotel that night and sang to us on the dark ride. It made a magical night last a little longer!!!