[Question] Does anyone know what nights the Candlelight Processionals will be this year?

[Starcade]

I chatted with a Disneyland Resort agent but they said they did not have a date announced yet and to check the DLR Park's Blog for updates. I found it odd as the one in WDW has not only been announced but also the speakers etc. have been announced as well as all the speakers for various other holiday speaking events at WDW?

I am looking for the dates as the speakers aren't of any concern as they always have good ones. I know traditionally they are first weekend in Dec, but as Dec 1st is a Sunday I am wondering would they do it on Nov. 30 & Dec. 1 or would they delay it to the 7th & 8th?

If any CM's or others that may have any advanced knowledge it would be very appreciated.

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

Mouseplanet is reporting that it will be held December 7th and 8th, with two performances each night. I can't share the link with you because Micechat censors "competitors."

[GreatAndoski]

Yep, MousePlanet's saying Dec 7th & 8th. That's not rumor or hearsay, it's based on permit filings for the erection and dismantling of the temporary stages used for the show.

WDW's CP is a whole different thing, as it's a featured element of Epcot's December entertainment and is used to sell a whole lot of dining packages. Anaheim's, on the other hand, is (to steal MousePlanet's usual phrasing) an unadvertised private event that happens to take place in full view of the public.

[Starcade]

Excellent, Thank You Both!

[Westsider]

Candlelight is always, always, always the first Saturday/Sunday of December. Thanksgiving is late this year so Candlelight is late on the 7th/8th.

Rebecca Campbell just got a handoff from Josh about getting an A List celeb for Candlelight. This will be Rebecca's first big test and everyone is watching.

A CM said a few days ago only half-joking that she'll probably try and get the Target CEO that her boss Chapek was going all fanboi over at D23 and she'll think the Target CEO is a legit A List celeb.

[Heathpack]

So what does it take to see one of these? Do you need to camp out all day to get a spot?

[GreatAndoski]

So what does it take to see one of these? Do you need to camp out all day to get a spot?

If you're not connected to the types of people who get tickets, then yes, you have to camp out to get a spot in one of the few "standby" areas. They will prevent any true camping out until after the second Christmas Fantasy parade showing clears Town Square, though, so it's not neessarily an "all day" thing. Basically, grab a Town Square parade spot as soon as the first parade finishes, and don't leave that spot until Candlelight is over.

You could also try to swoop into the standby areas for the second Candlelight showing right after the first one finishes, but the crowds are so nightmarishly gridlocked at that place and time that I can't actually recommend trying to do that.

Candlelight isn't really my bag, but if you want to see it, I would recommend just going to Epcot. MUCH less effort required, and you get to pick your celebrity narrator .

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

So what does it take to see one of these? Do you need to camp out all day to get a spot?

Basically. Micechatter Joe did a trip report of his experience last year if you would like some tips.

[Starcade]

So what does it take to see one of these? Do you need to camp out all day to get a spot?

We accidentally found ourselves watching it as a couple of years back when Chris Hemsworth was the narrator. We were staying on site and and returned to the park and when we entered the right side tunnel we noticed the crowd and then realized the choir was right there and not just through speakers, we didn't even realize what was happening they had a walkway set up and we walked right by the Movements with Lincoln and it looked like you could get a good spot by going into Moments with Lincoln and as you exited there was a small area they were letting people stand in front of one of the windows. Which we did for a lil while but my kids were getting antsy so we moved on down the back walkway behind Mainstreet to go to the back half of the park which was pretty empty.

[Heathpack]

Candlelight isn't really my bag, but if you want to see it, I would recommend just going to Epcot. MUCH less effort required, and you get to pick your celebrity narrator .

Im definitely not interested enough to buy a plane ticket and figure out at the WDW booking hoops. But we have a Flex Annual Pass this year (not something we’re likely to have again anytime soon) so it seems like it might be a good year to give it a whirl.

Not sure husband will go for hours of curb sitting though. That might be too big of an ask.

[WaltDisney'sAlec]

Im definitely not interested enough to buy a plane ticket and figure out at the WDW booking hoops. But we have a Flex Annual Pass this year (not something we’re likely to have again anytime soon) so it seems like it might be a good year to give it a whirl.

Not sure husband will go for hours of curb sitting though. That might be too big of an ask.

It's definitely a tall order, but something I would recommend seeing at least once. If you're not sure the next time you might be willing to wait for it, now might be your chance. I'm fortunate enough to have a connection or two to the choir, but I just haven't been able to go due to timing issues. Best of luck to you and your husband!

[GreatAndoski]

It's definitely a tall order, but something I would recommend seeing at least once.

If you're the kind of person that enjoys Christmas Eve church services, then yes, Candlelight is a fantastic production that's worth checking out.

If you're NOT the kind of person enjoys Christmas Eve church services, then don't bother. It's not worth all that time and effort just to have Chris Pratt or Pat Sajak or whoever tell you the story of Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus etc.

[Heathpack]

If you're not connected to the types of people who get tickets, then yes, you have to camp out to get a spot in one of the few "standby" areas. They will prevent any true camping out until after the second Christmas Fantasy parade showing clears Town Square, though, so it's not neessarily an "all day" thing. Basically, grab a Town Square parade spot as soon as the first parade finishes, and don't leave that spot until Candlelight is over.

So I talked to husband today and he's game to try to see this. I'm very surprised. I told him my aim with having this Flex Annual Pass is try to experience a great variety of Disneyland things this year, to try to really make the most of it. I might even start a thread about it.

Anyway, since he's game, what is the typical parade schedule around that time? I website isn't showing that info yet. I went to the thread that WaltDisney'sAlec suggested and that stated that folks were allowed to camp out starting at 1pm. Are you saying later would work (I'm guessing the second parade that you refer to must be something like 3 or 4pm)?

[GreatAndoski]

Anyway, since he's game, what is the typical parade schedule around that time? I website isn't showing that info yet. I went to the thread that WaltDisney'sAlec suggested and that stated that folks were allowed to camp out starting at 1pm. Are you saying later would work (I'm guessing the second parade that you refer to must be something like 3 or 4pm)?

Looking at the November calendar, the Christmas Fanstasy parade is running at 3:30 and 6pm on weekends, so that's our baseline. However, the parades will definitely shift to earlier in the day on Candlelight weekend.

The best guidance I can offer is to shamelessly copy/paste Mouseplanet's advice from last year (this is from their 11/26/18 Disneyland update). As they note, the second parade was at 3:15 to accomodate Candlelight.

After trying a few times to make this a larger public offering with dining packages and reserved viewing, Disney has returned to the practice of treating Candlelight as a private event that just happens to take place in the middle of an operating theme park. Invited guests include community and civic leaders, as well as media and Club 33 members.

It is very difficult for other visitors to get a perfect view of the show without devoting an entire day to saving a spot on Main Street, U.S.A. Still, this event has become an annual tradition for many of our readers, and we share tips from past years to hope you enjoy—or avoid—the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional as it takes over Main Street, U.S.A. for this most magical weekend.

Event schedule

There are two performances on each day. The following is our best estimate of the schedule for Saturday and Sunday, based on information provided by cast members and on prior years. This information is unofficial, and subject to change:

• 4:45 p.m. – Seating of invited guests begins for the first performance.
• 5:20 p.m. – The first processional begins.
• 5:30 p.m. – The first ceremony begins at Town Square.
• 7:15 p.m. – Seating of invited guests begins for the second performance.
• 7:35 p.m. – The second processional begins.
• 7:45 p.m. – The second ceremony begins at Town Square.

Standby viewing

You have some options if you want to view the ceremony. Standby viewing is very limited, and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Bench seating is available near the Christmas tree on the west side of Town Square; standing room-only locations are near City Hall, the Opera House, and any open spaces behind the seating area in Town Square. Viewing areas for the 5:30 p.m. performance opens at park opening, but viewing areas on the east side of Main Street are not available until after the 3:15 p.m. "A Christmas Fantasy" parade passes that location.

All guests must leave the viewing area after the first performance has concluded. The line for the 7:45 p.m. performance then forms at the south end of Main Street, as soon as the 5:20 p.m. Processional has passed.

Guests with disabilities may sit in any of these viewing areas. A special assistance viewing area will also be provided on the east side of the viewing area, outside of the Opera House.

Enjoy the processional

If you don't want to devote the day to saving the perfect spot on Main Street, you can still enjoy the Processional down Main Street, U.S.A. and hear the performers sing as they walk to the stage. Just grab an open spot along the curb on Main Street, between the Camera Shop and the Christmas tree. The first processional begins at 5:20 p.m., and the second at 7:35 p.m.

Operational effects

The performances on Saturday and Sunday affect numerous stores and attractions in the Town Square area. Based on past year's schedules, expect these attraction, food, and store closures to be in effect both days:

• Main Street Vehicles – 12:30 p.m. to midnight
• Main Street Opera House – 3:00 to 10:00 p.m.
• Tomorrowland Theater – 1:00 to 8:00 p.m.
• The Mad Hatter on Main Street – 4:00 to 9:00 p.m.
• The Disney Gallery – 4:45 to 9:00 p.m.
• Town Square popcorn and churro carts – all day
• Disneyland Railroad – during performances
• Jungle Cruise –during performances

Traffic flow

Disneyland will again use the backstage passageways behind Main Street, U.S.A. If you don't need to be on Main Street between 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., take advantage of lighter crowds throughout the rest of the park.

If you're going to attempt to go, I would set a calendar reminder to read Mouseplanet's weekly Disneyland update on Monday 12/2, which will almost certainly contain a copy/pasted but updated version of the above.