Why you should consider purchasing a Candlelight Processional Dining Package

The holiday season is a very exciting (and beautiful!) time to visit the Walt Disney World Resort.

In addition to all of the decorations at both the parks and resorts, there are also several special events occurring at Disney World during this time of the year.

One of the most popular of these events is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

So what exactly is the Candlelight Processional and do you need to book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package to see it?

What is the Candlelight Processional?

The Candlelight Processional is a presentation of the Christmas Story that is read by various celebrity narrators. Accompanying the narrators are a 50-piece orchestra and a huge choir which, as you can imagine, creates a truly lovely experience.

The show lasts 40 minutes and takes place 3 times a day (5:00, 6:45, and 8:15 p.m.) at Epcot in the outdoor America Gardens Theatre which is located in The American Adventure pavilion of the World Showcase.

So what makes getting a seat so difficult?

There is no cost to attend the Candlelight Processional.

That's right - it is free.

But, the popularity of the show and the small size of the theater means securing a seat can be a challenge since a large number (well over half) of seats available for the performances are reserved for guests that have booked the dining package.

So, while booking a Candlelight Processional Dining Package is not required, it is the best way to guarantee your seat.

What do you get with the package?

Each Candlelight Processional Dining Package includes:

• Meal with appetizer, entree, dessert, non-alcoholic beverage (or, if the meal is a buffet, you get 1 buffet meal)
• Reserved section to sit in during Candlelight Processional

2019 Candlelight Processional Dining Package restaurant options

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner:

• Ale and Compass (Yacht Club)
• The Garden Grill Restaurant (The Land pavilion)
• Trattoria Al Forno (Boardwalk)

Lunch and dinner:

• Biergarten Restaurant (Germany pavilion)
• Chefs de France (France pavilion)
• Coral Reef Restaurant (The Seas pavilion)
• Nine Dragons Restaurant (China pavilion)
• Restaurant Marrakesh and Spice Road Table (Morocco pavilion)
• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room (United Kingdom pavilion)
• San Angel Inn Restaurante (Mexico pavilion)
• Teppan Edo and Tokyo Dining (Japan pavilion)
• Tutto Italia Ristorante & Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria (Italy pavilion)

Dinner only:

• La Hacienda de San Angel (Mexico pavilion)

Prices will vary (depending on the restaurant) but in 2019 the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages prices start at:

• Breakfast: $40 adults / $23 kids (plus tax)
• Lunch: $52 adults ' $16.99 kids (plus tax)
• Dinner: $57 adults/ $24 kids (plus tax)

People using the Disney Dining Plan can use 2 Table Service credits to pay for the package.

For people paying out-of-pocket, in most cases breakfast and lunch will be your least expensive options.

Which performance your guaranteed seating will be for is determined by the time of day of your reservation and you aren't able to use your guaranteed seating privileged at any show other than the one assigned to you.

You'll know which performance you are assigned when you make the reservation which makes it easier for you to plan out the rest of your day.

Even though guests with the dining package have guaranteed seating, your exact seat isn't assigned.

Everybody (both those with the dining package and those doing standby) will need to line up in order to enter the theater.

The closer to the front of the line the better your chances are of securing the best seats, but since there is such a large chunk of the theater reserved for guests with Candlelight Processional Dining Packages you don't have to line up nearly as early as those doing standby.

Getting in line about 45 minutes early is generally good, although, for the most popular narrators (like Neil Patrick Harris) you might want to consider lining up even earlier if you are picky about your seats.

2019 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages went on sale Wednesday, July 3, 2019

The release date for the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages varies from year to year, although they are generally released in mid-summer (late June, early July). Typically, some of the narrators will be known at this time but it isn't uncommon for the narrators for some dates to not be released until later in the year.

Historical release dates for the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages

• 2019 - Wednesday, July 3, 2019
• 2018 - Wednesday, July 11, 2018
• 2017 - Saturday, June 30, 2017
• 2016 - Thursday, June 30, 2016
• 2015 - Tuesday, July 7, 2015 (although some people were able to book some dates earlier)

What should I do if I don't book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package?

If you don't have a dining package you'll need to use the standby line - so be prepared to wait.

Plan to arrive to the America Gardens Theatre early with the aim of being close to the front of the line. How early you will need to arrive will depend on the popularity of the narrator for that evening.

Candlelight Processional standby tips

One tip is to check-out how the standby line looks for the first show. If you see a long line forming 2 hours early, you'll know what you'll need to do at the later shows in order to get a seat.

Also, the Cast Members working that area often have a good feel for the popularity of the narrator and politely asking one of them how early they'd recommend lining up can help, too.

If seeing the Candlelight Processional would be "nice" but you wouldn't be sad if you didn't see it, you can also try showing up 15 or so minutes before the show starts to see if there is any seating available.

Or, if you're more interested in hearing the music or if you'd just like some festive background ambiance while you relax and eat a snack, since the sound of the theater carries there are several nearby places to sit where you can hear everything (even if you can't see it).

So, is a Candlelight Processional Dining Package necessary to see the show?

More and more, we have found that while the dining package is not REQUIRED to attend the Candlelight Processional, it is definitely ENCOURAGED in order to guarantee your spot at the performance.

If seeing the Candlelight Processional is a "must do", book a dining package.

When you factor in the cost of the time you'd spend in the standby line (instead of using your park ticket doing something fun) with no guarantee you'll get a seat, the value of the dining package is clear.

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Find more information on performance dates, the list of narrators, and Candlelight Processional Dining Package booking on the official Disney World website  or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

Interested in visiting Disney World during the holidays and want other information on what to do or see while there? Check out these posts:

All about the Festival of the Holidays at Epcot

All About the Holiday Season at Disney World

Guide to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

New Year's Eve at Disney World