For our upcoming trip in December, we have one day in Epcot, and would like to see the Candlelight Processional, if possible, although not sure we want to wait in line for hours or anything. I figure the best bet would be to book one of the dining packages.
But…what are the chances we would even score a dining package? Even though we will have 9 days of Disney, because of how we are splitting up the trip, the day we are hitting Epcot will end up being a 60+1 day (the second day of our second stint). I hear how the dining package go fast…but is there any place that documents HOW fast? We will be there on Monday, December 8.
It sort of depends on who is narrating and what restaurant you want. It isn’t super difficult to get something as long as you are on right at 6am. But sometimes they load the reservations in groups so it will look like a place is sold out when really it hasn’t been loaded yet.
Yeah. I won’t know that yet…but IF (big if) it is the same as last year, it would be Tituss Burgess, so not a big name. The person just before Tituss last year was Whoopi Goldberg, but if she were the narrator this year, we’d likely just skip it. She’s historically been earlier in December, so probably wouldn’t be an issue. I guess we’ll hope no one especially famous intends to be there on our chosen date!!
ETA: Come to think of it, given Tituss’ connection to Disney, he would a cool narrator to see.
I saw Tituss Burgess last year, and he was awesome! Really pleasantly surprised at how great he was.
Another thing to keep in mind: IIRC last year they didn’t necessarily have all the CP packages announced far enough in advance for people to capitalize on the 60+x if their trip was at the beginning of December. They also added more restaurants last year, and I thought it seemed easier than prior years to get a CP reservation–if not necessarily the exact one I wanted. But then again, maybe I’m thinking of the glittering greenhouses. . .
I think generally you can get something. But you may need to be flexible with where you will eat - and what time - and you may need to do a bit of stalking.
We got the dining package last year with Neil Patrick and I don’t remember it being particularly difficult to procure. I’m sure I was on right at 6am, but don’t remember it being stressful. Worth the money is a different story for us though. We dined at La Hacienda and the cost of the meal was not worth the seats in the theater. I’m glad we did it, but it was a one and done for us. It’s definitely worth comparing the cost per restaurant to what you would order to determine what the ‘up charge’ is for the seating at the show. I don’t remember if there’s a cost difference between restaurants.
Thanks, all, for the input. So…it sounds like if they don’t even open booking until less than 60+1 days out, and I’m there at 6 am, I have a decent shot at getting something.
We’ll prioritize which restaurants we prefer in which order. This will be our final night, so we don’t mind paying a little more to (1) have a decent table service restaurant, and (2) be able to avoid the chaos in attempting to see the CP.
