Candlelight Processional Eating Packages can be found throughout the 2024 EPCOT Competition of the Holidays, providing a meal and peace of thoughts through assured seating at this extremely well-liked Christmas occasion at Walt Disney World. Right here’s a full listing of collaborating eating places, pricing, our commentary on whether or not these dinner plans are value it, in addition to solutions to widespread questions.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World is the telling of the Christmas story by a star narrator with music sung by a mass choir and carried out by a 50-piece stay orchestra. It’s one part of the EPCOT Worldwide Competition of the Holidays, which additionally consists of the World Showcase Storytellers and Vacation Kitchen meals cubicles.
Candlelight Processional performances are held within the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase thrice per evening from November 29 by December 30, 2024. There’s a cause it’s probably the most high-demand occasions of the Christmas season: Candlelight Processional is an exquisite present that many company discover to be a transferring and religious expertise. Calling this probably the most well-liked occasions at Walt Disney World isn’t any exaggeration, both–some movie star narrators draw multi-hour standby traces, which is exactly why the Candlelight Processional Eating Packages are so well-liked…
Walt Disney World has now printed an inventory of collaborating eating places for the 2024 Candlelight Processional Eating Packages:
- Biergarten Restaurant – Germany Pavilion
- Cooks de France – France Pavilion
- La Crêperie de Paris – France Pavilion
- Coral Reef Restaurant – The Dwelling Seas
- Backyard Grill Restaurant – The Land Pavilion
- La Hacienda de San Angel – Mexico Pavilion
- Le Cellier Steakhouse – Canada Pavilion
- 9 Dragons Restaurant – China Pavilion
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (same-day solely) – American Journey
- Rose & Crown Eating Room – United Kingdom Pavilion
- Spice Highway Desk – Morocco Pavilion
- Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya – Japan Pavilion
- Teppan Edo – Japan Pavilion
- Tutto Italia Ristorante – Italy Pavilion
- By way of Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – Italy Pavilion
Select from quite a lot of EPCOT eateries that supply Candlelight Processional Eating Packages. Right here’s what’s included together with your meal:
- At Spice Highway Desk: 2 small plates, a shared tagine, a shared dessert platter and a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Visitors 21 and older)
- At Different Collaborating Eating places: An entrée and dessert, or a full buffet (the place relevant)—in addition to a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic beverage for Visitors 21 and older)
Plus, you’ll get one (1) assured seat per individual to 1 Candlelight Processional efficiency on the identical day.
What are costs for Candlelight Processional Eating Packages?
Walt Disney World has left off costs when releasing 2024 Candlelight Processional Eating Bundle particulars. This isn’t regular–we suspect the omission of pricing was purposeful. In that case, it’s by no means an excellent signal when firms don’t publish costs up entrance. I’m guessing that it’s not as a result of Walt Disney World is anxious that they’re so low you’ll hoard ADRs.
With that in thoughts, beneath are costs and different assorted particulars from final 12 months. Count on these to be absolutely the minimums–Disney pricing seldom goes down, and infrequently goes up. Given how rapidly ADRs crammed up final 12 months, you may anticipate will increase of 15-25% throughout the board:
Grownup (ages 10 and up) |
Baby (ages 3 to 9) |
|
---|---|---|
Akershus Royal Banquet Corridor Norway Pavilion |
$71.00 – Breakfast $83.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
$45.00 – Breakfast $53.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
Biergarten Restaurant Germany Pavilion |
$65.00 | $37.00 |
Coral Reef Restaurant The Dwelling Seas |
$78.00 | $32.00 |
Backyard Grill Restaurant The Land Pavilion |
$63.00 – Breakfast $78.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
$40.00 – Breakfast $50.00 – Lunch/Dinner |
Le Cellier Steakhouse Canada Pavilion |
$104.00 | $42.00 |
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue (same-day eating packages solely) American Journey Pavilion |
$41.00 | |
Rose & Crown Eating Room United Kingdom Pavilion |
$66.00 | $29.00 |
Spice Highway Desk Morocco Pavilion |
$55.00 | $24.00 |
Are there modifications to the 2024 Candlelight Processional Eating Packages?
Sure. Final 12 months, customary desk service eating places included an appetizer, entrée and dessert, in addition to a nonalcoholic beverage. (Emphasis added.)
The 2024 Candlelight Processional Eating Packages embrace an entrée and dessert, in addition to a nonalcoholic beverage or alcoholic beverage for company ages 21 and older. So in essence, they’ve changed the appetizer with an alcoholic beverage.
Some adults could be completely high-quality with this, because the packages supplied “an excessive amount of meals” up to now they usually’d favor to take pleasure in an alcoholic drink. Nevertheless, we’ve seen this “trick” up to now with the Disney Eating Plan, and it’s a intelligent transfer on Walt Disney World’s half as a result of alcohol is decrease value and company between the ages of 10 and 20 pay the grownup value however can not order booze. To not point out all of those that merely select to abstain from alcohol.
Is the Disney Eating Plan accepted?
Traditionally, sure. The Disney Eating Plan could possibly be used for Candlelight Processional Eating Packages, because it was handled as a “Eating Occasion” or expertise. Two Desk-Service meal credit might be redeemed from the Disney Eating Plan (DDP) for every individual eating at a dinner present expertise.
This isn’t talked about within the data for the 2024 Candlelight Processional or the Disney Eating Plan, however we consider that to be an oversight and anticipate the Disney Eating Plan to be accepted. One factor to bear in mind, although, is that every one 2-credit experiences are a poor use of DDP credit and it’s best to pay out of pocket for them as an alternative. If you wish to disregard our recommendation, go for the costliest eating places–Le Cellier and Akershus are your greatest bets.
What’s the cancellation coverage?
Walt Disney World’s official coverage: Eating places providing Advance Eating Reservations don’t permit modifications inside 2 hours of the reservation time, and most cost a $10 per-person payment to cancel inside 2 hours of the reservation time, or when you don’t present up to your reservation. Every restaurant’s insurance policies are offered once you make your reservation. When you’ve already booked, the insurance policies might be present in your affirmation e mail.
We’d emphasize that final line–verify your e mail to substantiate it’s the 2-hour rule. It was final 12 months, however another eating packages require cancellation not less than a day prematurely (which actually means midnight the day earlier than, not a full 24 hours).
Is there a standby line for Candlelight Processional?
Sure. Visitors who haven’t reserved a Candlelight Processional Eating Bundle might be seated on the Candlelight Processional on a first-come, first-served foundation. Seating relies on availability resulting from restricted capability. Visitors within the standby line should not assured seats.
Are Candlelight Processional Eating Packages value it?
We hate to say it, however sure. And we often don’t suggest the eating packages for the EPCOT concert events, so we’re not precisely making an attempt to present you FOMO or something. Candlelight Processional is the lone exception, which we expect is value doing the eating package deal.
America Gardens Theater the place Candlelight Processional is held can seat over 1,000 company per efficiency, however over half of those seats are reserved for company who buy dinner packages. All of those dinner package deal company are assured seats in one of many three nightly Candlelight Processional performances.
The upper the proportion allotted to eating packages, the extra “aggressive” the standby line for Candlelight Processional performances–and this 12 months there are practically double the variety of eating places as final 12 months. We’ve seen the standby line get ridiculously lengthy. Again in 2019–when there have been 16 eating places doing eating packages–we heard reviews of individuals within the standby line being shut out utterly, even those that had waited an hour.
When you’re a vacationer or visiting on trip, it’s best to get a lunch or dinner package deal for the Candlelight Processional, particularly when a preferred narrator is presenting. One time when Neil Patrick Harris narrated, we noticed individuals lining up for the 5 p.m. efficiency of Candlelight Processional round midday!
Your time on trip is certainly well worth the value. The 90 minutes to three hours of ready in line that we’ve saved by buying the eating package deal has been effectively value it–to us not less than. Consider it this manner: the surcharge on the Candlelight Processional Eating Bundle works out to be about the identical value as a Lightning Lane Single Go. This can prevent extra time ready in line and provide better certainty.
Which movie star narrators are hottest?
The next narrators are more likely to be probably the most in-demand for the 2024 Candlelight Processional: Josh Gad, Brendan Fraser, Gary Sinise, Neil Patrick Harris, Pat Sajak, Gloria Estefan, Edward James Olmos, Sterling Okay Brown, and Jodi Benson.
Moreover and on the danger of stating the plain, demand is greater when crowds are greater. It doesn’t monitor completely, but it surely’s typically true. A number of weeks in November and December make each lists on our rankings of the 10 Finest and 10 Worst Weeks to Go to Walt Disney World in 2024 to 2026. Count on these to be the simplest and most tough (because the case could also be) Candlelight Processionals to see because of this.
How lengthy does the standby line get?
Superstar tradition is loopy, so followers for explicit narrators usually queue up hours prematurely. Seeing these traces, common vacationers additionally leap into line. It turns into one thing of a self-fulfilling prophecy–the standby line for performances can get longer as a result of it’s lengthy.
Consequently, there’s no easy reply to this. You’ll see a line in mid-afternoon, hours prematurely of the primary efficiency. Nevertheless, entering into line then–or perhaps a full hour forward of time–isn’t all the time mandatory. In contrast to sights, which you’re basically assured to experience (exceptions for breakdowns) when you get in line and wait nonetheless lengthy the road is, there’s no such assure with Candlelight Processional.
This uncertainty and potential for wasted time (each by entering into line “too early” or too late) is one more reason we merely suggest the Candlelight Processional Eating Packages. They take away the stress and unpredictability from the equation.
Are there another choices for seeing Candlelight Processional with out breaking the financial institution or ready hours in line?
When you elect to not do the dinner package deal and don’t wish to wait hours in line, you will have a few choices. First, present as much as the standby line ~quarter-hour earlier than the final present of the evening begins. Relying upon the recognition of the narrator and the way busy EPCOT is that night, typically this final displaying will nonetheless have seating.
We’ve discovered that this technique will often work simply high-quality throughout slower weeks (see the above listing). It’s possible you’ll not have the most effective seats, however you’ll nonetheless be capable of see the present and have a seat. If it doesn’t, not less than you didn’t waste a ton of time standing in line!
Alternatively, you may watch from the walkway behind the America Gardens Theatre. That is an possibility if seating is already full otherwise you strive the above technique and get rejected. Solid Members handle crowd movement again right here within the walkway, however you may merely stand behind the theater (not within the walkway) and watch the present. That is truly an excellent view for Candlelight Processional, as long as you’re within the entrance row of the standing part.
Whereas we extremely suggest the eating package deal for these wanting good, assured seats, when you’re on a good finances or Candlelight Processional isn’t as a lot of a “must-do,” these methods are good alternate options to save lots of a bit of cash. We usually watch Candlelight Processional a number of occasions every Christmas, however solely purchase the eating package deal as soon as. One 12 months, we noticed it over a dozen occasions, all through these methods. (We don’t mess with the standby line far prematurely–not well worth the stress and sunk time. To every their very own on that, although.)
What date do Advance Eating Reservations open for Candlelight Processional Eating Packages?
Candlelight Processional Eating Packages might be booked on-line starting October 29, 2024. Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs) are extremely advisable and might be made as much as 60 days previous to your go to.
Though Walt Disney World has acknowledged as a lot, this needs to be topic to the 60+10 rule for on-site company, which signifies that on-site company will be capable of e-book for the previous few dates of Candlelight Processional and off-site company gained’t. Everybody will be capable of e-book 60 days prematurely, although. (It’s additionally attainable that Walt Disney World will open the floodgates and everybody will be capable of e-book by the top of the occasion from the leap.)
What time do ADRs open for Candlelight Processional Eating Packages?
Right here’s the official ‘get together line’ from Walt Disney World on ADR timing as of Late 2024: “At roughly 6:00 AM each day, new reservation reserving home windows turn out to be out there for choose Walt Disney World eating places.”
Beforehand, it was a bit extra sophisticated: reservations recurrently went stay at 5:45 a.m. (or, extra precisely, between then and 6 a.m.). Moreover, there was this: “All newly launched eating occasions—reminiscent of particular eating experiences and dessert events—can usually be booked starting at 7:00 AM on the day their affords turn out to be out there.” This line has been faraway from the Walt Disney World web site.
Why am I sharing this now (supposedly) outdated data? As a result of I give all of those occasions side-eye. At the least, in terms of newly-introduced occasions, just like the 2024 Candlelight Processional Eating Packages. The actual rule for these needs to be: “they occur once they occur.”
Whereas it’s attainable that they may go stay at 7:00:00 a.m. on the dot, you would possibly miss out when you wait till then. If scoring an ADR is of paramount significance to you–particularly you probably have a bigger get together, need a well-liked restaurant or movie star narrator–you’ll wish to be on-line by 5:45 a.m. for brand spanking new releases–and typically even that’s too late.
Different occasions, it’s far too early and ADRs aren’t loaded till 8:14 a.m. or some random time. Level being: ADR launch days are very hit and miss! I do know this can be a irritating non-answer, however don’t shoot the messenger. I’ve been doing this for years, and have skilled many of those frustrations firsthand. The one per Disney IT is inconsistency.
Will extra eating places imply much less aggressive ADRs?
The opposite change this 12 months, as you would possibly’ve noticed in evaluating the listing of eating places for the 2024 Candlelight Processional Eating Packages to final 12 months is that there are extra eating places: 15 vs. 8. That’s nearly double the quantity, which ought to assist take up extra of the demand.
With that mentioned, don’t let this lull you right into a false sense of safety or complacency. The final couple of years, Candlelight Processional Eating Packages have offered out quick. To the purpose that some company questioned whether or not there was a glitch, or if all the packages had truly gone on sale throughout ADR launch day.
We’d hazard a guess that Walt Disney World might’ve offered double the variety of Candlelight Processional Eating Packages final 12 months–perhaps even triple. There was that a lot unsatiated demand. Which signifies that ADRs nonetheless would’ve been aggressive–and presumably might be in 2024–even when there have been 15 eating places.
It’s additionally value stating that 15 eating places is not a traditionally excessive quantity. That’s nonetheless fewer than 2019 or prior years, when there have been 16 collaborating desk service eating places in EPCOT and the Crescent Lake Resorts. Even then, ADRs booked up–ultimately (not on day one).
Can we simply e-book a standard ADR now for eating places and convert these to Candlelight Processional Eating Packages?
No. If you would like a Candlelight Processional Eating Packages, it’s worthwhile to e-book that particularly. You can’t merely e-book an Advance Eating Reservation (ADR) proper now for one of many collaborating eating places and add the eating package deal upon arrival. (That would possibly find yourself being attainable, but it surely’s not usually how this works.)
You have to wait and e-book the devoted eating package deal. You’ll know you will have the best factor as a result of it’ll be listed as “Candlelight Processional Eating Packages” within the My Disney Expertise app, on disneyworld.com, and in your confirmed ADR.
Are there any ideas & tips for scoring ADRs?
For starters, when you can’t discover something to your desired dates, strive refreshing or adjusting your parameters within the My Disney Expertise app. There are alternatives, they only don’t all the time seem at first. When you’re not having success, strive some strategies from our High 10 Suggestions for Arduous to E book Advance Eating Reservations at Walt Disney World (numbers 7-10, particularly).
Whereas not related to reserving at this level, tip #2 can also be value mentioning. We’ve seen same-day availability for Candlelight Processional Eating Packages pop-up on occasion. This is because of ADR cancellations and added capability, so be looking out for reservations beginning the day prematurely of your EPCOT go to.
What are the greatest eating places for Candlelight Processional Eating Packages?
We extremely suggest Biergarten Restaurant. That is all the time our high decide because of its jovial Christmas ambiance, music, and worth for cash. Learn Our Christmas Feast at Biergarten Restaurant for what the vacation time expertise is like there.
Biergarten is much and away our favourite possibility, to the purpose that I don’t also have a good runner-up decide. Our most up-to-date experiences at Le Cellier have been optimistic, but it surely’s robust to get previous that triple-digit value–particularly with the appetizer gone this 12 months. We all the time take pleasure in By way of Napoli, and Cooks de France has an excellent vibe at Christmas.
What are the least expensive choices for Candlelight Processional Eating Packages?
Frankly, if we will’t rating a Biergarten ADR, we’ll go for the cheaper eating places–doubtlessly the same-day package deal. Whereas the uncertainty could be disagreeable, the choices are good. We’re followers of Regal Eagle, but it surely’s not our supreme method to eat round World Showcase throughout the holidays.
Spice Highway Desk is our sleeper decide. It affords extra bang-for-buck, with a menu that’s extra approachable than you would possibly assume. Actually, we expect Spice Highway Desk could be EPCOT’s greatest Candlelight Processional Eating Bundle spot. It’s definitely probably the most cost-effective!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study inns on our Walt Disney World Motels Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at intelligent objects to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it’s worthwhile to know!
Your Ideas
Will you be reserving a Candlelight Processional Eating Packages? Is it well worth the surcharge to ensure a seat to listen to the awe-inspiring retelling of the Christmas story, that includes a star narrator, 50-piece orchestra and choir? Have you ever completed any of those eating packages up to now? Was it well worth the cash? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!