Our family are going to Florida over Xmas and really would like to see the candleight procession at EPCOT. Is it worth getting the dinner package (looks quite pricey) or is there any chance of seeing it without? We will have 2 teenagers and a mother-in-law with us so waiting in long queues will not be an option!
It looks really christmassy, but I imagine that means packed out too,
Jocelyn
The candelight processional is very similar to the 'Candles and Carols' type church services we have in the UK. There is a choir who all walk in holding candles. There is a celebrity speaker who reads the 'lessons' and the choir sing the carols in between. The atmosphere is very church like.
We went on Christmas eve three years ago. It was a magical experience although my two boys (then 9 and 6) didn't enjoy it much. The youngest fell asleep.
We booked the package - you only pay for your meal in whichever restaurant you choose - there isn't actually a charge for the processional it is a bit like the Fantasmic package at MGM - and you get guaranteed admission to the processional through a separate entrance.
We had to go to guest services some time in the week before to pick up passes. We picked ours up the day before. On the day we also got 15% of anything we bought at Epcot if we were wearing our pass.
The whole time we were there it was packed. People were queuing at the standby entrance for hours (and some of them had to be turned away as there was no chance of them getting in). Contrast that to just turning up 20 minutes before and walking straight in.
We ate at Le Cellier after the processional but you can eat before aswell. We had a priority seating reservation and waited about 10 minutes to be seated. We had a very nice meal.
I think I'd recommend taking the package.
Angela
The Candlight Processional is really beautiful. When we first saw it on Christmas Day two years ago we didn't get in to the first show of the day, but got quite near the entrance in the queue (we had only joined the queue 10 minutes before the show started), I asked a CM when the queue would start for the next show and she said "You're in it!". We waited, I think it was about 2 hours in total, but well worth it and got to enjoy the first show from the queue while we waited. Last year we booked a dining package. We picked up our pass on the morning entering the park and went to the show at about 5pm and then to the Japanese restaurant for dinner. This was great for the kids to watch the food being cooked in front of them on the hotplate. The timing was also perfect for then going out on to the balcony of the Japanese pavilion to have a superb view of the firework display.
Another bit of advice would be to choose a show time that is in late afternoon or evening as the lighting effects are more effective when it is slightly darker.
Sounds like it's the dinner package for us then. Whilst I am sure all the wonderful Disney things are fun it would also be lovely to have a bit of traditional Christmas carol singing and snow (even if it is pretend). The thought of having to queue for 2 hours is not appealing at all. Thanks for the replies,
Jocelyn
Hi Solana,
They don't have snow at the Processional, for that you will need to go to the Osbourne Family Lights at MGM, a Mickey's Christmas Party or Celebration. The arrangements of the Carols are fantastic and we bought the CD which is regularly played throughout the year. I agree that it is nice to have something meaningful provided. The local churches are also very welcoming and a church near downtown Orlando also has a Christmas Carol Service (I can't remember which denomination (perhaps Episcopal??) or when exactly it was, we haven't been to it - just noticed when we were driving back from the science museum).
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