2xcited2sleep
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2008
The Candlelight Processional is one of our favorite holiday traditions. Some basic/introductory info is in the first 3 posts of this thread.
Booking will open this year (2019) on Wednesday, July 3rd. Early booking for DVC and AP holders opens on July 2nd.
Event description from the official Disney site:
The 2019 event will run from Friday, Nov 29 (day after Thanksgiving here in the US) through Monday, December 30.
Dining packages are a way to get a guaranteed seat (generically a seat as in you’ll be admitted to the theater- not a specific seat like row D seats 2-5).
Here’s how Disney words it:
Three (3) shows a night (~40 min each) at the American Gardens Theater (in the American pavilion):
When you book your reservation, you’re assigned a show time.
Other details & FAQ:
* Nighttime fireworks: Illuminations (will be a new show this year) has traditionally been deferred from its usual 9pm start to 9:30pm during this period to allow those at the 8:15 show to find spots.
Even with the package/guaranteed seating, it is still recommended to get in line ~30-45 minutes before show time if selecting your seat is important to you (line forms toward Japan pavilion). Once admitted, package holders are free to select their seats (it’s not like you enter single file and fill rows sequentially - or at least it hasn’t been - you enter and can break off and go where you’d like). They will ask all to move toward the center in effort to accommodate standby. There are some obstructed views. I didn’t get in line until ~20 min to start (line was back to Morocco pavilion) and easily found seats off to the side - not the best view but it’s largely an audio event, in my view... just something we want a seat for, for 40 min.
Narrators:
2019 - completed (10/17)
2018 Narrators for reference
Booking will open this year (2019) on Wednesday, July 3rd. Early booking for DVC and AP holders opens on July 2nd.
Event description from the official Disney site:
Relish a delectable breakfast, lunch or dinner… then take in an awe-inspiring show to cap off your night—booking available July 3, 2019.
The popular Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator, 50-piece orchestra and glorious massed choir—but this enchanting seasonal spectacular tends to fill up quickly! By reserving a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, you’ll be able to indulge in a leisurely holiday meal with loved ones, plus have peace of mind knowing that seating is guaranteed at this highly sought-after Christmastime event.
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages are available for breakfast, lunch and dinner—each meal includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert or one full buffet (where applicable), along with a non-alcoholic beverage. Simply select a restaurant, savor the sumptuous cuisine, then take your seat—the sights and sounds of this joy-filled family tradition are sure to lift spirits!
The 2019 event will run from Friday, Nov 29 (day after Thanksgiving here in the US) through Monday, December 30.
Dining packages are a way to get a guaranteed seat (generically a seat as in you’ll be admitted to the theater- not a specific seat like row D seats 2-5).
Here’s how Disney words it:
- Guests will receive Candlelight Seating badges at the restaurant after their meal. The badge will specify the date and show time they have reserved.
- Guests with the Dining Package will enter the theatre in a separate queue and will be seated on a first-come, first served basis. Seating guaranteed.
- Guests who have not reserved a Candlelight Processional Dining Package will be seated at the Candlelight Processional on a first-come, first-served basis. Based on availability due to limited capacity.
Three (3) shows a night (~40 min each) at the American Gardens Theater (in the American pavilion):
5:00pm
6:45pm
8:15pm
When you book your reservation, you’re assigned a show time.
Other details & FAQ:
- 2 TS credits on the dining plan
- 48 hour cancellation policy
- Pre-payment is now required - NEW in 2019. If on the dining plan, they will ask for your resort reservation # to confirm the plan. You will still need to provide a credit card # as guarantee (to be charged in case of no-show). UPDATE: some are reporting that you cannot "prepay" using the dining plan guarantee if booking online … only if booking by phone. Those who have booked online have had their credit cards charged.
- No discounts (e.g. AP, DVC, TiW) apply
- Prices shown in the next post and online do NOT include tax or gratuity. The price you are charged when you book WILL include tax but NOT gratuity.
- You CANNOT convert an existing dining reservation into a package. You’d have to book package separately (subject to availability) and then cancel your regular reservation.
- In the past you couldn't book a meal time for after your show. It appears that has changed this year. Some reports indicate the “dine after” option is only available at a few restaurants: Coral Reef, Garden Grill, Biergarten
- Some menu exclusions apply.
- Lobster entrees are excluded at all establishments (confirmed for 2019). At Via Napoli, if ordering pizza it’s individual only - can’t combine “tickets” to get a large or mezzo. Some exclusions reported at Tokyo Dining in 2018 as well.
* Nighttime fireworks: Illuminations (will be a new show this year) has traditionally been deferred from its usual 9pm start to 9:30pm during this period to allow those at the 8:15 show to find spots.
Even with the package/guaranteed seating, it is still recommended to get in line ~30-45 minutes before show time if selecting your seat is important to you (line forms toward Japan pavilion). Once admitted, package holders are free to select their seats (it’s not like you enter single file and fill rows sequentially - or at least it hasn’t been - you enter and can break off and go where you’d like). They will ask all to move toward the center in effort to accommodate standby. There are some obstructed views. I didn’t get in line until ~20 min to start (line was back to Morocco pavilion) and easily found seats off to the side - not the best view but it’s largely an audio event, in my view... just something we want a seat for, for 40 min.
Narrators:
2019 - completed (10/17)
- Nov 29 - Dec 1: Ming-Na Wen
- Dec 2 - 5: Neil Patrick Harris
- Dec 6 & 7: Whoopi Goldberg
- Dec 8 - 10: Isabella Rossellini
- Dec 11 & 12: Chita Rivera
- Dec 13 - 15: Gary Sinise
- Dec 16 - 18: Pat Sajak
- Dec 19 - 21: Warwick Davis
- Dec 22 - 24: Steven Curtis Chapman
- Dec 25 & 26: Edward James Olmos
- Dec 27 & 28: Marlee Matlin
- Dec 29 & 30: Lisa Ling
2018 Narrators for reference
- Chita Rivera, Nov. 22 – 23
- Helen Hunt, Nov. 24-25
- Alfonso Ribeiro, Nov. 26-27
- Robby Benson, Nov. 28-30
- John Stamos, Dec. 1 – 2
- Neil Patrick Harris, Dec. 3 – 6
- Whoopi Goldberg, Dec. 7 – 9
- Bart Millard, Dec. 10-12
- Blair Underwood, Dec. 13 – 14
- Gary Sinise, Dec. 15 – 17
- Pat Sajak, Dec. 18 – 20
- Auli’I Cravalho, Dec. 21-23
- Joey Fatone *last minute change*, Dec. 24 – 25
- Jodi Benson, Dec. 26 – 27
- Cal Ripken Jr., Dec. 28-30
Last edited: