Candelight Processional dining packages?

[Thunder Fan]

Good Morning All, does anyone have a feel for when the candelight processional dining packages will be posted (or historically when they have been posted)?

Thanks!

 

[sxeensweet]

Usually in July. Last year they came out on 7/7. So it should be within the next few weeks.

 

[Thunder Fan]

Thanks! Do you know if they can be reserved online or is it something that needs to be on the phone?

 

[sxeensweet]

Thanks! Do you know if they can be reserved online or is it something that needs to be on the phone?

Yes they can be reserved online but usually the actual website works best. Also sometimes the website is glitchy with the special events so calling is best if you can't get it done online. I always try online at the same time I am calling and on hold. Lol

 

[Johnguelff]

I've never heard of this. Can someone explain? If its not too much to ask.

 

[Nemo14]

I've never heard of this. Can someone explain? If its not too much to ask.

The Candlelight Processional or the dining package?

 

[Johnguelff]

Both? I thought they were one and the same.

 

[ABQ]

Both? I thought they were one and the same.

Info on the Processional http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/candlelight-processional.htm

The dining package allots for those who book dining at certain restaurants a guaranteed seat for a specific showing the same evening.

Scroll down this page for some info on the dining package last year.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...w-available-and-first-narrators-confirmed.htm

 

[Nemo14]

Both? I thought they were one and the same.

The Candlelight Processional is narration of the Christmas story by a celebrity with appropriate music by a choir and orchestra. It often fills up the theater, but if you choose the dining package, you will be allowed in before the general public, so you're guaranteed a seat. There are a limited number of restaurants in EPCOT that offer the dining package, so it is wise to reserve it early.

 

[BigRedDad]

We did this our last Dec (2014) trip. We ate at Via Napoli. We had an earlier dinner reservation so we could go to the earlier show. We were seated and it took the waiter 15 minutes and a trip to a manger to get over. It took about 10 minutes for our drinks to be brought out. He left after dropping off the drinks without asking if we were ready to order or if we wanted an appetizer. 10 minutes pass by again another trip to the manager to replenish drinks and place an appetizer order. Our waiter comes back finally and refills our drinks. But, leaves again before taking our dinner order. When he does take our order, he says he has to put it in at different times so they come out together. As expected, this did not go right either. Daughter's meal came out in 15 minutes, DM's meal came out 10 minutes after that, and the pizza we ordered somehow was misplaced. Trip #3 to the manager to ask about the pizza and that we were missing our early CP show. The manager apologized again, gave us our tickets for the early show. The pizza finally arrives as the show starts. We call the manager and waiter to the table. We tell them we will leave our food here while we watch the show and come back to finish. Oh no, we can't do that. We have to pay and when we leave the table they will clear it for the next guest. I stay at the table as the rest go to the show. I had to ask other waiters for a new beer because our waiter never shows up. I did this 3x while they were at the show. Needless-to-say, we were not pleased. After they return and finish eating their cold food, the waiter comes over with the bill. I tell him I did not ask for it yet. I tell him I want the manager and the manager's manager to deliver it to me. The manager comes over with the bill. I politely, thankfully for him I had 4 beers in me then, ask to see his manager. He says he is not available. I then ask to find whatever supervisor that is available to come over. Eventually a supervisor did come. I asked that the manager and waiter be present. My family was outside by the time. I explain to the supervisor what happened. The manager agreed that we had to approach him 3x, that we missed our show, and that I had to wait to keep the food instead of being at the show. The supervisor was less than pleased with the two of them. He took the bill, apologized, and thanked me for dining there.

I do not know what happened afterwards. I did send a letter to Disney with the name of the server, manager, and the supervisor. The server and manager received a scathing review. The supervisor was given an exemplary review for how he handled it. I will NEVER do a dining package with Disney for a show again. Our bill was over $250 and we received service less than a rundown McDonald's.

 

[ArielLover]

We did this our last Dec (2014) trip. We ate at Via Napoli. We had an earlier dinner reservation so we could go to the earlier show. We were seated and it took the waiter 15 minutes and a trip to a manger to get over. It took about 10 minutes for our drinks to be brought out. He left after dropping off the drinks without asking if we were ready to order or if we wanted an appetizer. 10 minutes pass by again another trip to the manager to replenish drinks and place an appetizer order. Our waiter comes back finally and refills our drinks. But, leaves again before taking our dinner order. When he does take our order, he says he has to put it in at different times so they come out together. As expected, this did not go right either. Daughter's meal came out in 15 minutes, DM's meal came out 10 minutes after that, and the pizza we ordered somehow was misplaced. Trip #3 to the manager to ask about the pizza and that we were missing our early CP show. The manager apologized again, gave us our tickets for the early show. The pizza finally arrives as the show starts. We call the manager and waiter to the table. We tell them we will leave our food here while we watch the show and come back to finish. Oh no, we can't do that. We have to pay and when we leave the table they will clear it for the next guest. I stay at the table as the rest go to the show. I had to ask other waiters for a new beer because our waiter never shows up. I did this 3x while they were at the show. Needless-to-say, we were not pleased. After they return and finish eating their cold food, the waiter comes over with the bill. I tell him I did not ask for it yet. I tell him I want the manager and the manager's manager to deliver it to me. The manager comes over with the bill. I politely, thankfully for him I had 4 beers in me then, ask to see his manager. He says he is not available. I then ask to find whatever supervisor that is available to come over. Eventually a supervisor did come. I asked that the manager and waiter be present. My family was outside by the time. I explain to the supervisor what happened. The manager agreed that we had to approach him 3x, that we missed our show, and that I had to wait to keep the food instead of being at the show. The supervisor was less than pleased with the two of them. He took the bill, apologized, and thanked me for dining there.

I do not know what happened afterwards. I did send a letter to Disney with the name of the server, manager, and the supervisor. The server and manager received a scathing review. The supervisor was given an exemplary review for how he handled it. I will NEVER do a dining package with Disney for a show again. Our bill was over $250 and we received service less than a rundown McDonald's.

Not sure I would write off ever doing it again for a bad experience. I have many times had both poor and exceptional service at the same locations.