Florida Guide > Disney Parks
Epcot Candlelight Procession
The Candlelight Procession at Epcot simply has to be seen. A Disney tradition that occurs every year (now in its 36th year!) starting just before Thanksgiving until the end of the December (2006 dates are 24th November to 30th December). The best way to describe it is a moving presentation of the Christmas story in readings by a celebrity narrator and music by a Mass choir and 50-piece orchestra – it is fantastic!
It takes place in America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase in Epcot. This is an outdoor setting and is uncovered but even if weather not great, it is not usually cancelled so I recommend you wrap up if it is cold but you know Florida in December, can be gorgeous too.
The show lasts approximately three quarters of an hour Shows are approximately 40 minutes with three shows each evening
The narrators are different every year and usually very well known in the US but there are some that I recognise each year. They usually narrate for around 3 nights each – best to check out the Disney website if you want to see someone in particular. Cuba Gooding Jr is narrating this year and I think he will be lovely to listen to, but there is also a basketball player, actors, actresses musicians scheduled – always a real array of stars!
There is no charge for the Candlelight Procession as it is included in your Epcot admission, however, a dinner package available for purchase that includes a ticket to Reserved Seating for the Candlelight Processional. I recommend this as seating without the dinner package is on a first come, first serve basis for each show. People start queuing 45 minutes before the show starts and around Christmas time the queues can start over an hour before – they open the theatre up 15 minutes before the show starts. You will hear the show and music if you are in the American Gardens area, so you can always stop and have a burger or hot dog with a bud in the restaurant there and listen to the music.
If you decide to do the dinner which has to be eaten prior to the Candlelight show, it is available at select Epcot restaurants but you do get reserved general seating at the America Gardens. (Restaurant Akershus in Norway does not hold the dinner). You really have to pre-book this and pay at time of booking on credit card and you then are given your tickets for seating when you arrive at the restaurant. They class the 5pm show as lunch prices so it is slightly cheaper (non-alcoholic beverages are included in price) but all prices vary depending on which restaurant you choose to eat at. You can book on (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463).
If you want to get into the Christmas spirit I highly recommend seeing this show and why not have the dinner package? Prices start from around $28 but well worth not having to queue up for an hour beforehand and all Epcot restaurants offer great meals so make an evening of it.
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