2024 Candlelight Processional at EPCOT: Dates, Data & Pointers

Candlelight Processional at EPCOT will happen from overdue November to December 2024 at Walt Disney Global. This covers the standard narrator lineup, famous person look dates, whether or not the eating bundle is well worth the cash, and our assessment of this Christmas-time display. (Up to date September 30, 2024.)

For the ones unfamiliar with it, Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney Global is the telling of the Christmas tale by way of a celeb narrator with tune sung by way of a mass choir and carried out by way of a 50-piece are living orchestra. It’s one part of the EPCOT Global Competition of the Vacations, which additionally contains the Global Exhibit Storytellers and Vacation Kitchen meals cubicles.

Walt Disney Global has now not but formally introduced 2024 Candlelight Processional dates or main points. If you wish to be notified when professional dates, famous person narrators, or eating programs for 2024 are launched, subscribe to our FREE e-mail publication. The excellent news is that we will be able to make some predictions with a top stage of simple task…

Candlelight Processional follows a well-recognized development yearly–it’s a extremely most likely that Candlelight Processional will go back November 29, 2024 via December 30, 2024 as a part of the EPCOT Global Competition of the Vacations. It virtually all the time runs Black Friday during the day prior to New Yr’s Eve. With that stated, Thanksgiving is nearly a complete week “overdue” in 2024, so in all probability Candlelight Processional will get started previous. We extremely doubt that–it’s by no means took place previously–but it surely’s imaginable.

That’s now not the one factor it’s imaginable to are expecting about this yr’s match, both! The opposite factor we will be able to quite secure forecast is that the lineup of famous person narrators and eating bundle main points will likely be probably the most very remaining issues launched for Christmas 2024. For every of the previous couple of years, Walt Disney Global has printed virtually the entirety for the vacation season in June and July. At the moment, they’ve additionally showed Candlelight Processional would go back.

It hasn’t been till September or October that they’ve after all launched Candlelight Processional eating bundle main points and the fame narrator agenda. It hasn’t all the time been this manner. It was the case that Walt Disney Global would unencumber a partial record of narrators in overdue summer time in conjunction with eating bundle main points, after which give every other replace round early fall. That hasn’t been the case for the previous couple of years, regardless that.

We point out this as it turns into a quite common query by way of overdue summer time, with enthusiasts being worried that Walt Disney Global has “forgotten” about Candlelight Processional or one thing of that kind. Whilst it’s imaginable issues may just return to customary for the 2024 Candlelight Processional, we wouldn’t financial institution on it.

Simply letting that now so that you don’t get started being worried when early October 2024 rolls round and Walt Disney Global nonetheless hasn’t equipped any concrete main points. That’s customary. Or no less than, it’s now not peculiar.

This prediction–first made overdue remaining yr–has now been vindicated because it’s now overdue September and we’re getting questions on Candlelight Processional in spite of the above reassurances. For reference, Walt Disney Global printed the overall lineup of narrators remaining yr on October 5. On that very same date, they introduced that Candlelight Processional Eating Applications would open on October 17.

The cause of Walt Disney Global moving the Candlelight Processional bulletins later and later are most likely three-fold. First, it lets them disclose the overall record of narrators . Previously, they trickled out the lineup, continuously beginning in June or July. It takes longer to verify all the narrators, therefore the later disclose.

2nd and in a similar way, it reduces the possibility of remaining minute cancellations by way of the narrator will have to a greater be offering or legal responsibility come alongside. It’s most certainly no secret that, up to some celebrities revel in narrating Candlelight, it’s now not their #1 precedence. With the summer-time bulletins previously, the cancellation charges for narrators had been upper.

Disney all the time caveats the agenda as being “matter to modify,” however that doesn’t prevent enthusiasts from (understandably) being disillusioned. In my view, I favor the behind schedule unencumber manner for those two causes–and assume it’s higher for visitors so they are able to make an educated resolution about which date to wait and who to look.

After all, there’s the sensible truth of call for. Candlelight Processional is a time-honored custom and wealthy a part of Walt Disney Global historical past, positive. However it additionally exists, in all probability essentially exists, as a car for promoting the eating programs. That’s massive trade for Walt Disney Global. Those have offered like hotcakes within the remaining a number of years, that means that Walt Disney Global doesn’t want as lengthy of a runway to promote out the eating programs. Walt Disney Global may just announce the narrator agenda and drop the eating programs in mid-November, and nonetheless promote out.

Fortunately, that a lot of a prolong most certainly received’t occur. However with Thanksgiving virtually a complete week later than remaining yr, it’s totally imaginable that Walt Disney Global received’t unencumber Candlelight Processional information till after Columbus Day. That’s now not essentially our prediction–we actually don’t know as the discharge is most likely contingent upon Disney squaring away the fame narrator lineup. Because of this the scoop may just drop anytime–once inside mins of this replace, or as overdue as Halloween. We’ll stay you posted!

For now, right here’s the entirety else you wish to have to grasp concerning the 2024 Candlelight Processional, based totally totally on previous precedent…

Candlelight Processional performances are held within the The us Gardens Theatre throughout from the American Journey in Global Exhibit. There’s a reason why one of the crucial standard occasions of the Christmas season at Walt Disney Global is the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT: it’s a good looking display that many visitors to find to be a transferring and religious enjoy.

Calling Candlelight Processional one of the crucial standard occasions isn’t any exaggeration–lengthy traces plus dear dinner programs have type of contributed to us being “over” Candlelight Processional. We’ve in point of fact loved it previously, but it surely’s one thing that may be a large trouble if you happen to don’t have a eating bundle or don’t thoughts staring at from out of doors the theater.

Candlelight Processional Superstar Narrator Agenda

Once more, the 2024 Candlelight Processional narrator agenda has now not but been launched for any dates from overdue November during the finish of December. Even as soon as it’s, it’ll be matter to modify because of scheduling conflicts (that occurs now and again with the celebs, however is beautiful uncommon).

Alternatively, since many narrators are an analogous from yr to yr (and round roughly an analogous dates), right here’s remaining yr’s Candlelight Processional at EPCOT narrator agenda for reference:

• Chrissy Metz (NEW) – November 24 and 25
• Luis Fonsi (NEW) – November 26 and 27
• Ann-Margret (NEW) – November 28
• Ashley Eckstein (NEW) – November 29
• Simu Liu – November 30 and December 1-2
• Bart Millard – November 30 and December 1-2
• John Stamos – December 3 via December 5
• Neil Patrick Harris – December 6 via December 8
• Marlee Matlin – December 9 via December 11
• Brendan Fraser (NEW) – December 12 via December 14
• Eva Longoria (NEW) – December 15 and December 16
• Joey McIntyre (NEW) – December 17 and December 18
• Sterling Ok. Brown (NEW) – December 19 and December 20
• Jordan Fisher (NEW) – December 21 via December 23
• Steven Curtis Chapman – December 24 via December 26
• Audra McDonald (NEW) – December 27 and December 28
• Lisa Ling – December 29 and December 30

Superstar narrators, dates and different leisure are matter to modify or cancellation with out understand.

For what it’s value, remaining yr used to be the most efficient narrator lineup we’ve observed since we’ve been attending Candlelight Processional EPCOT, kind of 15 years in the past. There used to be one thing for everybody right here, with big-name beginners like Eva Longoria, Sterling Ok. Brown, Brendan Fraser, having large fan-followings. Expectantly anyone will get Mr. Fraser his cup of espresso prior to his efficiency, or be careful! (Sorry, connection with the fallacious theme park.)

This Candlelight Processional narrator lineup is stacked from most sensible to backside. A minimum of part of this record in point of fact appeals to us, or even the ones with whom we’re unfamiliar have fan followings. Additionally, and I’m now not going to call names, but it surely’s great to look a couple of narrators who (I feel) overstayed their welcome and were phoning it in now not within the lineup this yr. Recent blood could be a excellent factor.

For the Disney Adults available in the market, John Stamos (our favourite narrator) and Neil Patrick Harris are the largest names. For extra mainstream millennials, there’s Joey McIntyre and Jordan Fisher. In fact…are the ones other generations? All I do know is that Sarah loves the New Youngsters at the Block and Fortuitously Ever After, so she’s greater than just a bit disillusioned to be lacking Candlelight Processional this yr!

Candlelight Processional Eating Applications

Candlelight Processional Eating Applications are actually to be had. Advance Eating Reservations are extremely beneficial and will also be made 60 days upfront. Needless to say that is nonetheless matter to the 60+10 rule for on-site visitors, that means that every one dates are actually to be had. Maximum are offered out.

With that stated, there’s a reported factor impacting Candlelight Processional ADR availability. For no matter reason why, chances are you’ll now not see any instances to be had by the use of the net device…even if there are alternatives. 9 instances out of 10, that is simply because the entirety is booked up. However now we have had a number of readers document scoring ADRs when calling in spite of not anything appearing up by the use of the My Disney Enjoy app or web site. Don’t rely on having equivalent success, however it’s one thing to bear in mind as a final hotel.

Past that, look ahead to extra availability to be launched or in a different way open up. See our Information to Advance Eating Reservations at Walt Disney Global for pointers & tips to building up your possibilities of luck in scoring a Candlelight Processional Eating Package deal, even within the days and weeks once they’re at first launched!

Make a choice from 8 distinctive eateries at EPCOT providing Candlelight Processional Eating Applications. A meal at taking part eating places contains:

• At Spice Highway Desk: 2 small plates and one nonalcoholic beverage in keeping with individual, plus a tagine and dessert platter on your birthday celebration to percentage
• All different taking part eating places: an appetizer, entrée and dessert, or one complete buffet/family-style meal, in addition to a nonalcoholic beverage
• One assured seat in keeping with individual to the Candlelight Processional held at the similar day

Discover taking part eating places and eating bundle costs, which exclude tax and gratuity:

Should you’re now not ready to attain elusive ADRs for Candlelight Processional sit-down eating programs, concern now not. You might be able to acquire a same-day eating bundle, which lets you:

• Dine with out reservations at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Fish fry that day
• Experience assured seats to a Candlelight Processional efficiency later that day

To test availability for same-day eating programs, discuss with Regal Eagle’s Distinctly Patriotic Smokehouse: A Salute to All Meals, However Most commonly Barbecued Meats ~ A Sam Eagle Craft Drafts & BBQ Joint. Similar-day Candlelight Processional Eating Applications are matter to availability and might not be to be had on height dates.

Ultimate yr, each Regal Eagle and Spice Highway Desk steadily had same-day availability. For many dates, it used to be somewhat simple to attain Candlelight Processional viewing by the use of those walk-up eating places than by way of reserving Advance Eating Reservations on the eligible desk carrier eating places.

The variation is that there have been handiest 5 desk carrier eating places remaining yr, and this yr there are 8. That’s nonetheless some distance fewer than 2019 or prior years, when there have been 16 (!!!) taking part desk carrier eating places in EPCOT and the Crescent Lake Motels. No longer handiest that, however 3 of the ones 16 eating places presented breakfast eating programs along with lunch and dinner.

Don’t pressure out if you happen to’re close out of ADRs and are “compelled” to do the same-day Candlelight Processional eating programs. Whilst the uncertainty could be unsightly, the choices are excellent. We’re enthusiasts of Regal Eagle, but it surely’s now not our preferrred method to consume round Global Exhibit throughout the vacations.

Spice Highway Desk is unquestionably the best way to move if you happen to’re to do a same-day Candlelight Processional Eating Package deal. Sure, it’s $12 dearer, but it surely gives no less than that a lot more bang-for-buck, with a menu that’s extra approachable than chances are you’ll assume.

We lately did lunch at Spice Highway Desk and had an improbable meal. In truth, we expect Spice Highway Desk could be EPCOT’s perfect Candlelight Processional Eating Package deal spot. It’s definitely one of the crucial cost-effective!

At the desk carrier entrance, we extremely counsel Biergarten Eating place. That is all the time our most sensible select due to its jovial Christmas setting, tune, and worth for cash. Learn Our Christmas Ceremonial dinner at Biergarten Eating place for what the vacation time enjoy is like there.

Should you’re questioning whether or not it could be value doing plus some concepts for taking advantage of the Candlelight Processional Enjoy, now we have some pointers & methods and a assessment on this publish…

Candlelight Processional Viewing Pointers

Whilst the The us Gardens Theater the place Candlelight Processional is held can seat over 1,000 visitors in keeping with efficiency, between 50% and 75% of those seats are reserved for visitors who acquire dinner programs. All of those dinner bundle visitors are assured seats in probably the most 3 nightly Candlelight Processional performances.

(Be aware: the share reserved for eating programs used to be some distance decrease remaining yr because of some distance fewer taking part eating places. Our wager is that an analogous will NOT be true for the 2024 Candlelight Processional. Staffing shortages are not as a lot of a topic, and extra eating places usually are added to the lineup.)

The upper the share allotted to eating programs, the extra “aggressive” the standby line for Candlelight Processional performances. Ridiculously lengthy.

See you later that if you happen to’re a vacationer or visiting on holiday, you will have to get a lunch or dinner bundle for the Candlelight Processional, particularly when a well-liked narrator is presenting. When Neil Patrick Harris remaining introduced, we noticed other folks lining up for the 5 p.m. efficiency of Candlelight Processional round midday!

The dinner programs come with a meal consisting of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage (or complete buffet “enjoy,” the place acceptable) and reserved seating at one efficiency of Candlelight Processional. For what you get, the eating bundle isn’t that dear (or no less than the associated fee isn’t badly inflated).

Your time on holiday is unquestionably value the associated fee. I do know the 3 hours or so of ready in line that we’ve stored by way of buying the eating bundle has been smartly value it–to us no less than!

Should you elect to not do the dinner bundle and don’t wish to wait hours in line, you might have a few choices. First, display as much as the standby line ~quarter-hour prior to the remaining display of the evening begins. Relying upon the recognition of the narrator and the way busy EPCOT is that night time, occasionally this remaining appearing will nonetheless have seating. If now not, no less than you didn’t waste a ton of time status in line.

In lots of situations, that technique will paintings simply high quality. You would possibly not have the most efficient seats, however you’ll nonetheless have the ability to see the display and feature a seat. If the theatre is already complete, we advise looking to watch from the walkway in the back of the The us Gardens Theatre.

Forged Contributors will set up crowd glide again right here within the walkway, however you’ll merely stand in the back of the theater (now not within the walkway) and watch the display. That is in truth a in point of fact excellent view for Candlelight Processional. Call to mind it as sitting (smartly, status) within the balcony of the The us Lawn Theatre.

Whilst we strongly counsel the eating bundle for the ones short of excellent, assured seats, if you happen to’re on a decent finances or Candlelight Processional isn’t as a lot of a “must-do,” we expect the ones methods are excellent choices to avoid wasting a little bit of cash, which will also be spent on different vacation leisure at Walt Disney Global.

Candlelight Processional Overview

A large number of other folks completely love the Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney Global. We love it fairly a little bit, however we aren’t completely gung-ho, name Disney Eating the first actual day the programs move on sale, loopy about it like some other folks. It’s very stunning, however unquestionably now not the spotlight of our go back and forth.

Our favourite narrator for Candlelight Processional is Neil Patrick Harris. We’ve observed him a few instances, and as NPH enthusiasts, we loved this. I will not say he in point of fact invigorated the display–it’s beautiful solemn regardless of host–but it surely used to be cool to look him.

A couple of years in the past, we booked the bundle, but it surely used to be most commonly to look John O’Hurley, or J. Petermann, as fellow Seinfeld enthusiasts might know him. Extra lately, we went to look Whoopi Goldberg, as a result of seating used to be incorporated with our D23 Magic & Merriment match bundle. Whoopi Goldberg used to be k, however at the “cool scale” she simply doesn’t stack as much as NPH or J. Petermann for us.

General, Candlelight Processional, on the naked minimal, has “do it at least one time” standing. Some other folks adore it to the purpose that it’s their favourite Christmas providing at Walt Disney Global. Others to find it too dry and sluggish, and don’t seem to be moved by way of the tale. I don’t assume it’s fairly truthful to match Candlelight Processional to a Christmas Eve church carrier, and I feel there’s an excellent chance that even those that don’t seem to be spiritual will revel in it.

You in point of fact don’t know till you take a look at it–and so as to take a look at it, you in point of fact will have to ebook probably the most dinner programs. With that stated, in case your finances doesn’t permit for each Candlelight Processional and the Christmas Birthday celebration, I’d counsel the latter over the Candlelight Processional Dinner Applications with out hesitation.

For complete pointers for making plans your Christmas-time go back and forth to Walt Disney Global, take a look at our Final Information to Christmas at Walt Disney Global. Moreover, you’ll obtain our loose eBook, Holiday Kingdom at Christmas, which gives pointers for visiting Walt Disney Global throughout the vacation season. This eBook is 75+ pages, with 100+ footage, and lots of serious suggestions & knowledge! For extra main points on how one can get this totally-free book, click on right here.

Making plans a Walt Disney Global go back and forth? Know about lodges on our Walt Disney Global Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Evaluations. To save cash on tickets or resolve which sort to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel have a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to begin is our Walt Disney Global Commute Making plans Information for the entirety you wish to have to grasp!

Your Ideas

Are you keen on Candlelight Processional? Which narrator have you ever observed for Candlelight Processional? Do you in most cases ebook the eating bundle or wait in line? Do you might have any technique for seeing Candlelight Processional with out ready in line? Do you compromise or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we will be able to assist you to resolution? Listening to your comments–even whilst you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!