Candlelight Pkgs: is loss of preferred Illum viewing a big deal?

[SSH]

Just curious...this is my 1st year considering the Candlelight Processional Dinner package - we normally listen from the American Pavillion but thought it would be nice to see it at least once. I understand the preferred viewing area for Illum is no longer included as part of package. For those of you who had the pkg in previous years and are considering getting it again, did this affect your decision at all? Or do you feel it was a minor add-on and not that valuable either way?

 

[Sparky359621]

Got the package last year, it is worth it, but it didn't come with preferred viewing for illuminations.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

As the guides for EPCOT say - you can view Illuminations from anywhere around the World Showcase Lagoon. To me, it doesn't matter where I stand / sit to view it

 

[SSH]

"Got the package last year, it is worth it, but it didn't come with preferred viewing for illuminations."
My mistake...I thought this was the first year they discontinued that feature. A few people in past years mentioned they really liked it, so was just curious if anyone missed that bonus feature.

"As the guides for EPCOT say - you can view Illuminations from anywhere around the World Showcase Lagoon. To me, it doesn't matter where I stand / sit to view it". Very true...I never saw the "reserved" area that package holders were entitled to...just thought it sounded like a nice add-on benefit to have a guaranteed good viewing spot reserved, considering there was no addtl charges to the dinner package for it. (I guess they took that feature away when they started selling those dessert party deals for Illum...didn't want any conflicts w/that.)

 

[dreamfinder]

If I recall, even when it was offered it was the complete opposite of the lagoon. To get a good seat in the preferred viewing area you need to get there pretty early. The later shows didn't allow enough time to get there in time, and personally the ambiance of Candlelight is better in the PM.

 

[SSH]

If I recall, even when it was offered it was the complete opposite of the lagoon. To get a good seat in the preferred viewing area you need to get there pretty early. The later shows didn't allow enough time to get there in time, and personally the ambiance of Candlelight is better in the PM.

Thanks Dreamfinder: since I'm booking for the last show, guess I'm not really missing out on anything after all.

 

[Ben_since_1971]

I was able to take advantage of the viewing area last year. I did like it, but not having it this year is not a deal breaker for me. It was a nice way to end the day, but the experience of having the preferred seating for the show is why I get the package.

 

[SSH]

I was able to take advantage of the viewing area last year. I did like it, but not having it this year is not a deal breaker for me. It was a nice way to end the day, but the experience of having the preferred seating for the show is why I get the package.

Thanks for adding to the discussion, Ben. Appreciate it. I guess this is actually one of those very rare times where WDW takes away a benefit and no one actually cares or gets upset. That's a good thing, I guess! Now if they would just let us choose a beer or glass of wine instead of non-alcoholic bevvys in the pkg (like some of the dinner shows do) or swap a beer instead of dessert...I'd be ecstatic. Be so great to have some flexibility vs paying another $20-25 on top of pkg price. Maybe someday.

 

[sxeensweet]

Just a different opinion and this totally depends on the day you go and when your trip is. We have NEVER gotten the package and always manage to get a seat to see CP every trip as recently as 2013 even with one of the popular narrators, and no long wait either!
We always go the first 3 weeks of December sometime for those trips. That is is fave time to go and we have been at that time 4 times out of the past 5 years.

 

[SSH]

Just a different opinion and this totally depends on the day you go and when your trip is. We have NEVER gotten the package and always manage to get a seat to see CP every trip as recently as 2013 even with one of the popular narrators, and no long wait either!
We always go the first 3 weeks of December sometime for those trips. That is is fave time to go and we have been at that time 4 times out of the past 5 years.

Glad to hear your experience has been so smooth! But also a bit surprised. We usually go the 1st or 2nd week of Dec too...we will be there on Tues 12/9 this year and each time, we always see people lining up hours ahead of time. Do you go to the early 5pm show?

 

[sxeensweet]

Glad to hear your experience has been so smooth! But also a bit surprised. We usually go the 1st or 2nd week of Dec too...we will be there on Tues 12/9 this year and each time, we always see people lining up hours ahead of time. Do you go to the early 5pm show?

Nope the last show usually. But we have gone once to the early show before. we usually go to the stand by line 10-15 before.

 

[SSH]

Nope the last show usually. But we have gone once to the early show before. we usually go to the stand by line 10-15 before.

Wow...15 min before and you get a seat at the last show - the most popular one of the night - with no package or long wait? Didn't think that was possible. Maybe there's hope

 

[sxeensweet]

Wow...15 min before and you get a seat at the last show - the most popular one of the night - with no package or long wait? Didn't think that was possible. Maybe there's hope

Yep no promises by any means but there is HOPE! Lol