This picture was taken by my good friend in 2011 when we saw went to one of the nights that Neil Patrick Harris was narrating the Candlelight Processional. The Candlelight Processional is a tradition that takes place every year in the World Showcase in EPCOT at Walt Disney World. Inside Disneyland Park the Candlelight Processional takes place in front of the train station on Main Street U.S.A. At Walt Disney World it takes place every night between November 27th and December 30th with quite a few different narrators. To my knowledge the only time that Disneyland has ever had more than two days of the Candlelight Processional was in 2012 when it was hosted for twenty nights. The Candlelight Processional typically takes place the first weekend in December at The Disneyland Resort.
The very first Candlelight Processional was held at Disneyland Park in 1958 and continues to be loved by the many Guests who visit both The Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World. A celebrity narrates the show telling the Christmas story and is joined by local choirs and Disney cast members. Previous narrators include Cary Grant, Kurt Russell, James Earl Jones, Dick Van Dyke and so many other incredible people. It was always a dream of mine to be in the choir when I worked at Disney but my schedule never worked out right for me to be free for the rehearsals. The show is incredibly beautiful and a really fun experience to share with your family and friends during the holiday season.
I had to work the day that Neil Patrick Harris narrated the show but I was able to get off thirty minutes before it started. Luckily my amazing friends saved a spot for me and I was able to experience it for myself. As a Christian I enjoy all aspects of the show and I can tell you that even non Christians really like the it as well. If you love to hear Christmas songs and would like to see a celebrity this is a great experience to have. I was working on Main Street at Disneyland Park in 2012 when John Stamos hosted two of the twenty nights of Candlelight. As a huge Uncle Jesse fans I was so excited about seeing John and listening to him read the Christmas story.
The best way to attend the Candlelight Processional at The Disneyland Resort is to get a spot in Town Square early! The seats are typically saved for invited guests and Club 33 members. However, standing room is available on a first come first serve basis. There are typically two shows each night so my recommendation would be to try and go to the second show because you won’t have to wait as long. You want to be around Main Street for the first show and once that is over slip into the standing room only area as people are exiting. As of now no announcement has been made for who the narrator will be but it will be taking place December 4th and 5th.
At Walt Disney World the Candlelight Processional takes place in an amphitheatre in front of the American Adventure in EPCOT. If you would like guaranteed seating you can purchase a Candlelight Dinner Package which includes a non alcoholic drink, appetizer, main course, and dessert. There are several restaurant options to choose from. Depending on your budget this could be a great option. The other alternative is to wait in a line for the first come first serve section and hope you get in. As I mentioned for Disneyland I would wait for a later show because you typically wait for less time than you would for the first show. Please note that there will be three showings everyday.
The list of Celebrity narrators for the Walt Disney World 2015 Candlelight Processional:
11/27-11/29 Gary Sinise who I best remember as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump
11/30-12/3 Neil Patrick Harris who is best known for his role as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother
12/4-12/5 Whoopi Goldberg who I best remember from Ghost
12/6-12/8 Joe Morton who I know as Papa Pope on Scandal
12/9-12/11 Ana Gasteyer who is best known from her time on Saturday Night Live
12/12-12/14 Meredith Vieira who is and has been a part of several talk shows
12/15-12/17 America Ferrera who is best known for her role as Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty
12/18-12/20 Chandra Wilson who is best known for her role as Miranda Bailey in Grey’s Anatomy
12/21-12/23 Daniel Dae Kim who is best known for his role as Jin-Soo Kwon in Lost
12/24-12/26 Edward James Olmos who is best known as Detective Gaff in Blade Runner
12/27-12/28 Blair Underwood who is best known as Jonathan Rollins on L.A. Law
12/29-12/30 Amy Grant who is best known as a singer
Park admission is required in order to experience the Candlelight Processional but if you will already be at the parks this is a wonderful addition to a magical day. Going to see Neil Patrick Harris in 2011 is a memory that I will treasure for a very long time. For me the holiday season, which is also includes my birthday, is such a special time of year. I love finding unique and cool experiences to enhance the time of year that I look forward to. Have you ever seen Disney’s Candlelight Processional? If so who was the narrator? Let me know in the comments below.
If you would like to read another one of my Disney blog posts click here: http://mybelleelle.com/category/adventures/disney/
We went a few years ago ans it’s SO worth seeing. We loved it.
This sounds like a nice little line up….again I learn something new because I did not know anything about this event..Bloggers ROCK!
This sounds adorable what a great idea I would love to do this
No one plans a celebration like Disney. No ONE. They do a grea t job.
This sounds like a great thing to see while at Disney. I miss Disney park fun.
This looks like a must see. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never been to something like this before. I imagine it would be a beautiful sight.
I have never heard of this before and that is such a shame that there is not more widespread information about it. Thanks for getting the word out!
I’ve never heard of the Candlelight Processional before. It sounds amazing! I would love to see it live!
That would certainly be a memorable experience. I would just adore this!
I never knew about this but it looks cool. I would love to do this.
This is beautiful! I am missing Disney right now ;)
It’s so nice to see this, Disney was really amazing.
I grew up near Disney and don’t have as much of an appreciation for it as others who didn’t grow up here. But, their productions are top-notch and they care about the guest experience.
OMG, how fun and so what you need to get into the holiday season. Sounds like a wonderful time :D
It sounds awesome. This will be fun to watch while at Disney.
Amazing post dear! You have a wonderful blog:)
What about following each other on Instagram, Bloglovin, Twitter?.. :)
http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/3880191
Sounds like a great event. I would love to bring my kids to this event
as of now i don’t use bloglovin but i would love to connect on twitter what is your twitter handle?
something every disney lover would love to watch, my children would love this too
Wow this would be so amazing to see! I want to go back to disney now, even though I was just there in April :)
Haven’t heard of this but this is interesting! Many people will appreciate this :)
What a wonderful event I can only imagine beautiful as well thanks for sharing