[Tinkerbelle67]

I am very interested in the Candlelight Processional, can anyone tell me if it is really necessary to book a dining package to get good seats? Are the earlier show times less crowded than the later ones?

[missy H]

It seems that if you want to queue up and wait you could get good seats.

I think that the diner package seats are to front and centre behind the vip section.

Go here http://allearsnet.com/tp/h_cpfaq.htm for more info.

[mickaholic4077]

If you want good video and pictures,yes,you should book a package. Keep in mind,though,that even though a package guarantees you a seat,you shouldn't expect to stroll into the theater 15 minutes before the show starts and expect to sit in the first row. The theater opens 30 minutes before the show starts,with dinner package guests going first. I have gotten on the line as much as 2 hrs & 45 minutes before the show to ensure that I got a certain seat to get good video(Jim Caviezel 12/5 6:45 performance).

[Tinkerbelle67]

Thanks Missy H. Looks like it's going to be worth my while to book the dining plan. I really want to do this and with two kids it's easier to not have to wait that long for seats.

[CandiB]

It also depends on when you are going to be there. My friend and I were there the first week of December last year. Over the weekend, we heard people saying how they waited hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for CP. However, that Monday, my friend and I were just walking around World Showcase and we came upon the theater around 450pm. I looked up ahead and didn't see any line for CP!! So we just walked right in for the 5pm show and had great seats! So you just never know.

When we got out of the early show, the line for the next show was very, very long.

[mickaholic4077]

Yes,during the week is better for getting seats close to the show times,but during the weekend,it is better if you get dinner package tickets.

[mickey]

I would agree. I have never waited for seats. We usually just show up 10 minutes before hand, and if there are seats, great, if not, we try back again later. Usually about 10 minutes before, the ushers are going through row by row moving people towards the center, and that opens up seats that weren't there before.

If you are going late in December, or you are only going to be there over a weekend, it might be worth it. Just remember, as others have said, even though you have the dining plan, you still have to get in line and wait. Oh, and if you are on the dining plan, you can not use that to pay for this package.

[Tinkerbelle67]

We will be at WDW the week after Christmas and I would try for an early show. I just don't want to wait an hour before the show starts to get seat. I know the dining plan doesn't mean I can walk right in, but if it cuts the wait from say 1 hour to 15 minutes, I will really consider it. Also, I just checked and they recommend dining after the early show, is this correct?

[phayes93]

We did the dinner package (Rose & Crown) and then had great seats for the Candlelight Processional. But you do need to make sure to allow enough time to get in the que, as others have stated.

[mickaholic4077]

Originally Posted by Tinkerbelle67

We will be at WDW the week after Christmas and I would try for an early show. I just don't want to wait an hour before the show starts to get seat. I know the dining plan doesn't mean I can walk right in, but if it cuts the wait from say 1 hour to 15 minutes, I will really consider it. Also, I just checked and they recommend dining after the early show, is this correct?

Actually,it is the dinner package you have to purchase to get the reserved seats,not be on the Disney Dining plan.

[Tinkerbelle67]

Yeah I knew that, wrong choice of words, I know I won't need the dining plan. I guess the package needs to be reserved with a credit card, or else people would go to the early show and not show up to dinner after.

[mickaholic4077]

Actually,you pay in full when you make the reservation. If the performance is cancelled you are out of luck,priority seat wise,but of course you still go to dinner.

[Tinkerbelle67]

Ok, so it's like the "Fantasmic" dinner package. Makes sense now, I think maybe I'll take my chances. I just don't like having dinner reservations that far ahead, I like to have quite a bit of flexibility.

[Janice419]

The CP sounds great but is there any chance kids will sit thru it? In December we will be there with our 2 and 4 year old boys and meeting my brother and my 3 year old nephew. Do you even have to sit? Can you just stand nearby somewhere and listen?

[mickaholic4077]

You can stand at the back of the auditorium and listen if you want.