Disneyland extends Candlelight to 20 nights in 2012

[Drince88]

Does this mean no Christmas-time parade? Or can they reroute it enough that it's not a problem?

[AVP]

Does this mean no Christmas-time parade? Or can they reroute it enough that it's not a problem?

They have an alternate route for Candlelight weekend, it just cuts the Town Square loop. But this also means a smaller viewing area for the parade.

AVP

[tea4two]

...Does Disneyland use community choirs at all, or is it all just cast members? If not, I wonder if going to 20 days will allow/require that to happen.

There are community (church and school) choirs that participate each year, and the CM choir makes up the Christmas tree in the center of the risers.

[JunJunM3]

Disney Parks Blog states that while they don't have full details yet, what they can confirm is that CP will take place in Town Square. Looks like Town Square will be really busy and hectic those 20 nights.

[Teddi]

I don't mean to be a downer, but I think 20 nights is excessive.

I do too actually... I'd think 10 would be ample.

[DznyKyd]

I don't know if doing it on weekends only would solve the footprint problem, Escape2Disney -- That would be a lot of labor to dismantle and reconstruct everything each week.

Does Disneyland use community choirs at all, or is it all just cast members? If not, I wonder if going to 20 days will allow/require that to happen.

They use a combination. My community choir auditioned and got in. One of my..best!..moments!..ever! was processing down mainstreet with a candle in my hand <sigh> Which leads me to question how they're going to do this logistcially. It takes most of a full day for each of the two casts (one for each day) to rehearse and form up lines. Doing it for 20 days - yikes! I'd do it again in a minute, though

[abkb76]

I've seen the Candlelight Processional several times, without having purchased any sort of package. I've never planned the times that I've seen it, but every time has been simply amazing! I think it is a fantastic idea to offer it on multiple evenings so that more people are able to experience a truly wonderful event.

[Autopia Guy]

They have an alternate route for Candlelight weekend, it just cuts the Town Square loop. But this also means a smaller viewing area for the parade.

AVP

Is this a new change? Every time I've ever seen the Christmas Parade around Candelight weekend, you just have no viewing area in front of the train station due to the stage being there. They still run the full loop around town square otherwise.

[AVP]

Is this a new change? Every time I've ever seen the Christmas Parade around Candelight weekend, you just have no viewing area in front of the train station due to the stage being there. They still run the full loop around town square otherwise.

Hmmm. I have photos from Candlelight 2007? 2008? where they used the alternate loop. I guess I thought they always did that. Now I need to double check.

AVP

[THpoohbear]

Last time I staked out a spot for Candlelight was in 2009. We watched the afternoon parade, then they closed off the area and put up the chairs. I don't think there was an evening parade that night. And I don't remember clearly about an alternate loop or not, but I do remember we were in Town Square near the Opera House, and the parade went right by us.

I love Candlelight. And of course they would offer multiple performances the one year I don't have an AP! Ack! Guess I'll read about it. Should be interesting.

[Mermaid]

Is this easy enough to see without tickets (visually I mean, I understand we would have to camp out a bit)? If it is APs and (guests who buy packages) I might be interested in going as I have always wanted to, but might not want to commit my $$$ considering I will be traveling with a 9 month old and a 2 year old! About how long is the show?

[tea4two]

Is this easy enough to see without tickets (visually I mean, I understand we would have to camp out a bit)? If it is APs and (guests who buy packages) I might be interested in going as I have always wanted to, but might not want to commit my $$$ considering I will be traveling with a 9 month old and a 2 year old! About how long is the show?

I think it will be the same as in past years where anyone can stand in the allowed areas to watch. My impression was that APs and those who purchase dining packages will be seated in the center area. I think the whole show takes about an hour.

[Malcon10t]

Is this easy enough to see without tickets (visually I mean, I understand we would have to camp out a bit)? If it is APs and (guests who buy packages) I might be interested in going as I have always wanted to, but might not want to commit my $$$ considering I will be traveling with a 9 month old and a 2 year old! About how long is the show?

Last year, it started at 530 with the choirs coming down Main St, and it was over by about 620p on the night we saw it.

[MommyTo3Boys1Girl]

Being that 12/1 is not open to the public, does that mean that the park will close early that night? That is our only weekend night of our holiday trip, going 11/26-12/1, but I want to be sure we won't be wasting that night by the park closing early.
TIA!

[Malcon10t]

Being that 12/1 is not open to the public, does that mean that the park will close early that night? That is our only weekend night of our holiday trip, going 11/26-12/1, but I want to be sure we won't be wasting that night by the park closing early.
TIA!

It is my understanding, 12/1 and 12/2, the seating will be for execs and VIPs only. But standing room is for everyone... It won't close early and will be visible to all.

[hefferdude]

We have enjoyed 3 CP/Dinner nights in the past, the most outstanding narrated by Dick Van Dyke. Wondering what the term "guest" infers as we are going Dec 15-18 and
we will be a group of 3 APs and two family members from Nor Cal who are not. My DW and I would happily give our tickets to our non-AP family as we have enjoyed it already
if it is OK. As 20 days is 40 performances - I am predicting ( hoping ) certain nights may not be too bad.

[Drince88]

The way it was worded, I think both the APs and the 'day guests' have to buy packages to get the seating. It may be like the Halloween parties, though, where they open it up to APs first.

[danyoung]

I'd have to say that the wording was kinda awkward. Here's the quote -

...performances from December 3-20 will be open to Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders and guests booking special, to-be-announced dining packages for the 2012 holiday season.

So if guests, meaning anyone, could purchase the dining packages, then why single out APs? Perhaps it means that the APs don't have to purchase the dining packages???

[houseofmouse]

I asked that same question on the last page. The wording is just bad!

[Drince88]

Well, it'll be free for APs.
The Disney Park Blog just posted an update

UPDATE 8/21/12: There will be no cost for registered Annual Passholders to attend the Candlelight Ceremony and Processional. Registration details will be available soon.

A limited number of dining packages will also be available and will include reserved seating for selected performances – details and costs for these packages will be announced at a later date

So it's an AP event in the middle of the park. I guess Disney was listening when the APs were saying they wanted more than just admission for X number of days per year, with all these special AP things going on.

[houseofmouse]

Okay, now I am really confused. It's free but you can purchase dinner package with seating? Huh? I thought in order to even get a seat, you had to purchase a dining package?? So are they saying AP's can get a free seat? I mean it's free for anyone who wants to steak out a spot on the sidewalk during the day, so how is this a deal?

[olegc]

Okay, now I am really confused. It's free but you can purchase dinner package with seating? Huh? I thought in order to even get a seat, you had to purchase a dining package?? So are they saying AP's can get a free seat? I mean it's free for anyone who wants to steak out a spot on the sidewalk during the day, so how is this a deal?

it probably will be like any of the other mixed events over the last 2 years. Pay for a dining package? get the best seats in the house. AP holder and want the free seats? there is a limited supply and either they will do a lottery or they will do an announced first come first served.

Frankly - I still say that Entertainment has not sorted all of this out and as they sit down with Ops and finally discuss the details it's either going to have to be moved to FLand theater OR changes in how the tickets are distributed.

then again, we could just have another server crash and the resort say "oh, sorry for the inconvenience, and oh, the event is sold out". Oops!

[ThatCrazyRedhead]

I am getting really impatient for more info on this lol. My husband and I will be there from the 10th through the 15th and we really want to see this! I don't mind paying for the dining package, but I need to budget for it ahead of time, and of course sign up before it's sold out. Bah, I hate waiting.

[fairestoneofall]

I'm excited and really hoping that we can make this work for our family. We have a small window of opportunity to view it at DL since we'll be heading to WDW the last two weeks of December.

[3Princesses1Prince]

I really want to see it. Not sure if my 2 little ones are up for it though.