- Candlelight Processional, a Disney Christmas Event - Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Candlelight Processional is part of Epcot theme park’s annual Holidays Around the World. This Walt Disney World tradition offers theatrical presentations of the Christmas story, narrated by celebrities and accompanied by music performed by a choir and orchestra.
2011 Candlelight Processional takes place at American Gardens Theatre, an outdoor amphitheatre in the World Showcase. Performances are offered three times nightly during Disney’s Christmas holiday season, from late November through the end of December. The processional runs Nov. 25 – Dec. 30, 2011 at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.
Author's note: This article has been updated for 2011.
Epcot Candlelight Processional Celebrates the Christmas Story
Candlelight Processional, which originated in Disneyland, has been a Walt Disney World tradition since 1971. The performance offers a spectacular and heartfelt narration of the Christmas story accompanied by A 50-piece orchestra and an auditioned mass choir. The choir consists of members of The Voices of Liberty, other Disney Cast Members, and members of local singing groups.
Celebrity narrators vary throughout the Candlelight Processional, each reading for a few days. Disney has yet to finalize the schedule for 2011 Epcot Candlelight Processional narrators. Mira Sorvino will lead off the 2011 holiday performances on Nov. 25 and other celebrities scheduled to appear include Whoopi Goldberg and Neil Patrick Harrisl. (The schedule of narrators is subject to change.)
- Nov. 25 – 27: Mira Sorvino
- Nov. 28 – Dec. 1: Michael W. Smith
- Dec. 2 – 3: Whoopi Goldberg
- Dec. 4 – 6: Edward James Olmos
- Dec. 7 – 9: Jodi Benson
- Dec. 10 – 12: Neil Patrick Harris
- Dec. 13 – 15: Lorraine Bracco
- Dec. 16 – 18: TBD
- Dec. 19 – 21: Trace Adkins
- Dec. 22 – 24: Susan Lucci
- Dec. 25 – 27: Blair Underwood
- Dec. 28 – 30: Marlee Matlin
Processional music features traditional and modern holiday songs. Previous musical selections have included “Angels From the Realms of Glory,” “Away in a Manger,” “The Hallelujah Chorus,” “Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant,” “Joy to the World,” “Shout for Joy,” and “Silent Night.” CDs with processional music are available for purchase at retail carts near America Gardens Theatre.
2011 Epcot Candlelight Processional Viewing Tips
Candlelight Processional is included with Epcot theme-park admission. There are two seating options: stand-by lines and Candlelight Dinner Packages. At AllEars, a Disney fan website, past attendees recommend stand-by guests plan to wait in line approximately 60 minutes before the show, depending on the performance date; dates closer to Christmas will experience longer queues.
Guests who book an Epcot Candlelight Dinner are guaranteed seats at a performance. These guests are the first seated, and remaining seats are given to guests in the stand-by line. Disney caps the number of packages for each performance to ensure standby seats, although due to the amphitheatre’s space limitations there is not always enough to meet demand.
A Candlelight Dinner Package reserves a seat for a particular performance. Seats are not assigned, however, and there is a separate line to the American Gardens Theater for dinner-package guests. For the best choice, join that line approximately 45-60 minutes in advance, selecting seats in the covered area of the amphitheatre.
2011 Epcot Candlelight Dinner Packages at Walt Disney World
Candlelight Dinner Packages provide dining at select Epcot restaurants. Packages include not only guaranteed seats at the Epcot Candlelight Processional, but a special viewing location for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. During the holiday season, the nighttime show features an extended ending with a holiday finale.
2011 Candlelight Dinner Packages include lunch and dinner options. Packages include an appetizer, entrée, dessert and one non-alcoholic beverage or one full buffet meal. Guests pay for the meal at the restaurant, and Disney Dining Plan guests may book package for two Table-Service credits. Guests should check-in at least 15 minutes before their reservation time.
Biergarten Restaurant
Lunch $32.99 (adults, 10 years and older); $17.99 (children, ages 3 – 9)
Dinner $50.99; $25.99
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Lunch $53.99 (adults); $14.99 (children)
Les Chefs de France
Lunch $51.99 (adults); $ 13.99 (children)
Dinner $64.99; $17.99
Coral Reef
Lunch $51.99 (adults); $13.99 (children)
Dinner $64.99; $17.99
Garden Grill Restaurant
Dinner $52.99 (adults); $26.99 (children)
La Hacienda de San Angel
Dinner $64.99 (adults); $ 17.99 (children)
Nine Dragons
Lunch $38.99 (adults); $12.99 (children)
Dinner $49.99; $15.99
Restaurant Marrakesh
Lunch $38.99 (adults); $12.99 (children)
Dinner $49.99; $15.99
Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
Lunch $38.99 (adults); $12.99 (children)
Dinner $49.99; $15.99
San Angel Inn
Lunch $38.99 (adults); $12.99 (children)
Dinner $49.99; $15.99
Teppan Edo
Lunch $51.99 (adults); $13.99 (children)
Dinner $64.99; $17.99
Tokyo Dining
Lunch $51.99 (adults); $13.99 (children)
Dinner $64.99; $17.99
Tutto Italia
Lunch $51.99 (adults); $13.99 (children)
Dinner $64.99; $17.99 (children)
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Lunch $38.99 (adults); $12.99 (children)
Dinner $49.99; $15.99
Guests should be aware that Epcot Candlelight Dinner Packages do not include theme-park admission and prices do not include tax, gratuity, or alcoholic beverages.
To book a Candlelight Dinner package at one of the above Epcot restaurants for the Epcot Candlelight Processional, call Walt Disney World Dining Reservations at 407/WDW-DINE. 2010 Candlelight Dinner packages are now available.
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Debra Peterson - A freelance writer and scholar, Debra Peterson specializes in Disney Studies, with particular interests in Walt Disney World and ...
