Monday, December 10, 2012

Disneyland Candlelight Processional


Disneyland Candlelight Processional



On Saturday, December 8th my husband, two good friends and I were blessed to see the 7:30 pm showing of Candlelight from the 3rd row! This was our first time ever seeing this show and we will make sure to see it every year from now on. Edward James Olmos was the narrator for the show we were at.




For those that do know what Candlelight is let me give you a quick and very short history. Walt Disney wanted to do something special for his supporters, backers, business partners, friends and family for Christmas. In 1958 he started doing a special show for them the first weekend in December. It was 2 nights only. Non invited guests (regular park guests) could stand around outside the seating area. This event has hundreds of singers and included the reading of the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus Christ. At the end of the show the choir has a processional down Main Street singing Christmas Carols.



Even after Walt’s death in 1966 the tradition continued at Disneyland with only VIP’s being allowed to have seats for the event. Regular guests could camp out all day in front of City Hall or the Main Street Opera House to catch a glimpse of the show and then watch the processional. This year Disneyland decided to expand the show for a total of 20 nights! The first weekend was still for invited guests/VIPs but the other 19 nights the seating was given to Club 33 Members and Annual Passholders (tickets given by lottery to the Passholders).



While Disneyland kept to the one weekend, 2 days from 1958 until this year Walt Disney World is different. WDW started with the same one weekend schedule for many of the 29 years it has been done there as DL but then moved it to a 30 plus day schedule with 3 shows per day years ago. WDW has a choir of over 100 and a orchestra of 50. I've never seen WDW’s Candlelight but hope to someday.



This show is one of the most moving events I've ever seen. It is meaningful and magical at the same time. It is joyful and reminds all who attend or catch even a small glimpse why we celebrate the season.

Here is video of Candlelight at Disneyland. Edward James Olmos was the narrator the night we saw the show.


4 comments:

  1. What was the secret to getting 3rd row seeats? We have an inventation for Wednesday and really are looking forward to it.

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  2. My suggestion is et there early. If you have the 2nd show head to the entrance area to line up just after the first show starts. If you have the first show I'd say ask when the earliest is you can line up and be in the area 45 minutes before that so you can be first in the line or near the front.

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  3. Thanks for the suggestion. We were there and in line at 6:00 and had choice of seats when we were let in. Thanks again.
    Couldn't believe how crowded the park was during the afternoon. Don't these people have jobs? Crazy summer type crowds. But enjoyed the Candlelight Procession greatly.

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  4. I'm so glad you got good seats and my suggestions helped.

    LOL The parks are crowded because it is the holiday season and many kids are out of school for winter break.

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