Highlights of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

• Epcot’s grandest holiday tradition – the Candlelight Processional – features the retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator backed by a 50-piece orchestra and massed choir. Performances will run three times nightly during the festival. Narrators already announced for this year include Whoopi Goldberg, Pat Sajak, Steven Curtis Chapman and Edward James Olmos. More narrators will be announced in the coming months. Dining packages include guaranteed seating for the holiday event and can be booked by you travel agent or by calling (407) WDW-DINE.
• Special Holiday Kitchens sprinkled throughout World Showcase will serve up tasty treats inspired by treasured holiday recipes from across the globe.
• World Showcase pavilions will come alive with the sights and sounds of special entertainment celebrating each country’s holiday heritage.
• Chip & Dale are gathering ornaments for their Christmas tree and guests can join in the fun! To be part of Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree Scavenger Hunt, guests will purchase a map and stickers from select merchandise outlets and scout World Showcase locations looking for the famous chipmunks and their ornaments. Completed maps are returned for a special festive surprise, courtesy of the chipmunk duo.
• With its premiere scheduled for Oct. 1, 2019, holiday guests will be among the first to view “Epcot Forever,” a new nighttime spectacular bursting above World Showcase Lagoon.
• Epcot guests can quite literally do their holiday shopping around the world. The World Showcase pavilions are filled with favorite fragrances, jewelry, toys, stocking stuffers and more.
• Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet guests at The American Adventure pavilion.

2019 Candlelight Processional

I say it every year, I can’t really get into the Christmas spirit until I have experienced the Candlelight Processional at least once. This year planning is proving to be a little tricky. We will be at Disney World December 5-8th. Look at the narrator list below, and then I’ll share why its tricky for us.

• Ming-Na Wen – 11/29-12/1
• Neil Patrick Harris – 12/2-12/5
• Whoopi Goldberg – 12/6-12/7
• To be announced 12/8-12/12
• Gary Sinise – 12/13-12/15
• Pat Sajak – 12/16-12/18
• Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/22-12/24
• Edward James Olmos – 12/25-12/26
• NEW: Lisa Ling – 12/29-12/30

Here is my personal predicament-We’ve seen Neil Patrick Harris before, he does a great job but we try to see different narrators whenever possible. We have no desire to see Whoopi Goldberg so the 6-7 is out. The narrator for the 8th is still to be determined! I was hoping to book candlelight dining but I don’t know if it should be our first night or last night! What would you do?

If you haven’t booked your holiday trip to Walt Disney World yet, Email me and we will start planning!

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The Candlelight Processional at Epcot is an amazing, Biblical account of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator, mass choir, and a 50 piece orchestra. While nothing beats experiencing this show live, the CD is one of my favorites to listen to at home. The Candlelight Processional is included with the cost of Epcot admission, but I suggest getting in the stand-by line 45-60 minutes before the show you want to attend. If you want, there are Candlelight Processional dining packages available. These packages vary in price but they get you a seat for the show as well. Check with your Disney Travel Agent for more information on these packages.

2017 Candlelight Processional Narrators

• Laurie Hernandez – November 24 to 26, 2017 NEW!
• Matt Bomer – November 27 to 28, 2017 NEW!
• Ana Gasteyer – November 29 to 30, 2017
• Whoopi Goldberg – December 1 to 3, 2017
• Pat Sajak – December 4 to 5, 2017 NEW!
• Jodi Benson – December 6 to 8, 2017
• Kurt Russell – December 9 to 11, 2017 NEW!
• Warwick Davis – December 12 to 14, 2017 NEW!
• Trace Adkins – December 15 to 17, 2017
• Neil Patrick Harris – December 18 to 21, 2017
• CCH Pounder – December 22 to 24, 2017 NEW!
• Jaci Velasquez – December 25 to 27, 2017
• Chandra Wilson – December 28 to 30, 2017

Please note: celebrity narrators, dates and other entertainment are subject to change without notice. Epcot admission is required.

Performances are nightly from November 24-December 30  in the American Gardens Theater in Epcot at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM.

We currently plan to attend on December 5th to see Pat Sajak and December 6th to see Jodi Benson. Which narrator(s) would you most like to see?

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Our favorite Disney Christmas activity is going to see the Candlelight Processional each year. This year 7th grade Cindy will be swooning as she sees Robby Benson aka Beast read the Christmas story! For us, the narrator is so important to making this show great. Over the past 20+ years we have seen some great and some not-so-great narrators. So far my top 5 Narrators have been: 1. James Earl Jones 2. Michael W. Smith 3. Trace Adkins 4. Sandy Patti 5. Phylicia Rashad. Unfortunately, none of them are narrating this year. From this year’s list of narrators I would recommend Steven Curtis Chapman, Neil Patrick Harris, Robby Benson, and Jodi Benson.

2016 Candlelight Processional Schedule

The Candlelight Processional shows take place 3 times a day: 5:00pm, 6:45pm, and 8:15pm in the American Gardens Theater in Epcot from November 25-December 30.

2016 Candlelight Processional Narrators: (narrators are subject to change)

• Steven Curtis Chapman November 25 to 27, 2016
• Neil Patrick Harris November 28 to December 1, 2016
• Whoopi Goldberg December 2 to 3, 2016
• Edward James Olmos December 4 to 6, 2016
• Anthony Mackie December 7 to 9, 2016
• Robby Benson December 10 to 12, 2016
• Meredith Vieira December 13 to 15, 2016
• Jim Caviezel December 16 to 18, 2016
• Joe Morton December 19 to 21, 2016
• Ming-Na Wen December 22 to 24, 2016
• Jodi Benson December 25 to 27, 2016
• Cal Ripken, Jr. December 28 to 30, 2016

Epcot admission is required to see the show. Seating is first come, first served so get in line at least 45 minutes before the show. If you would like a reserved seat you can purchase a Candlelight Dinner Package in advance through your travel agent or directly with Disney. Dining packages range from $39.00 to $76.50 per adult depending on the restaurant and time of day.

Have you attended the Candlelight Processional before? Who is your favorite narrator?

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What is the Candlelight Processional?

The Candlelight Processional is a presentation of the story of the birth of Christ through readings by celebrity narrators, music from a full orchestra and vocals by The Voices of Liberty, and a mass choir made up of Disney cast members and high school choirs. It is a magical, beautiful retelling of the Christmas story that is not to be missed.

2015 Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators

• 11/27 – 11/29 — Gary Sinise
• 11/30 – 12/3 — Neil Patrick Harris
• 12/4 – 12/5 — Whoopi Goldberg
• 12/6 – 12/8 — Joe Morton
• 12/9 – 12/11 — Ana Gasteyer
• 12/12 – 12/14 — Meredith Vieira – NEW
• 12/15 – 12/17— America Ferrera – NEW
• 12/18 – 12/20 — Chandra Wilson – NEW
• 12/21 – 12/23 — Daniel Dae Kim – NEW
• 12/24 – 12/26 — Edward James Olmos
• 12/27 – 12/28 – Blair Underwood
• 12/29 – 12/30 — Amy Grant

Personally I’d love to see Blair Underwood or Amy Grant as narrators but I’m thinking we will catch Joe Morton on the 6th before we head home from our family vacation and maybe we’ll catch America Ferrera when I’m at Epcot for a business event. Which narrator would you like to see most?

photo courtesy of Disney

Admission to the Candlelight Procession is included in your park admission. I do highly recommend getting in line at least an hour before the show you want to see, or contacting your travel professional, me to book your Candlelight Processional dining package. Starting $35 for lunch and $50 for dinner for adults (plus tax and gratuity), Candlelight Dining Packages include an appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage per person (or one full buffet where applicable). Availability is limited. Please note Park admission is required and is not included in the price of the dining package. Dining packages are not available on Dec. 6, 2015.

There is still time to book your holiday trip to Walt Disney World so please just fill out my travel quote form and we will get started!

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When LeVar was announced and his biggest accomplishments were read-Kunta Kinte in Roots, Geordi in Star Trek:The Next Generation and host of Reading Rainbow, it was Reading Rainbow that got the most applause and cheers! That made my heart soar because he has done so much to promote literacy in our country that I was happy the audience acknowledged that work.

My favorite of all the songs in the Candlelight Processional is “Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy!”

Unfortunately, for the last 2 years the poem “One Solitary Life” by Dr James Allen Francis has been missing from the performance. This is sad because it sums up the life and power of Jesus so simply and it fit seamlessly into the production. Supposedly it was cut due to time but the show is about the same length as it always has been. I have included it here, so that you won’t miss it.

One Solitary Life

He was born in an obscure village
The child of a peasant woman
He grew up in another obscure village
Where he worked in a carpenter shop
Until he was thirty when public opinion turned against him

He never wrote a book
He never held an office
He never went to college
He never visited a big city
He never travelled more than two hundred miles
From the place where he was born
He did none of the things
Usually associated with greatness
He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away
One of them denied him
He was turned over to his enemies
And went through the mockery of a trial
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves
While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing
The only property he had on earth

When he was dead
He was laid in a borrowed grave
Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone
And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race
And the leader of mankind’s progress
All the armies that have ever marched
All the navies that have ever sailed
All the parliaments that have ever sat
All the kings that ever reigned put together
Have not affected the life of mankind on earth
As powerfully as that one solitary life

If you ever get to with Walt Disney World during the holiday season, I hope you have the opportunity to attend the Candlelight Processional. It is truly amazing and singing in this production is a bucket list item for me. I’m not sure how it could happen at this stage in my life but I still dream about it.

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Planning our annual December Disney vacation always revolves around who is narrating the Candlelight Processional which nights. We will be at Disney December 4-7, 2014 so this year our choices are 12/4 
Jonathan Groff (The voice of Kristoff from Frozen), 12/5 – 12/6 Whoopi Goldberg and
12/7 LeVar Burton. So, this tells me we are either starting or ending our vacation at Epcot.

In case you don’t know what Candlelight Processional is-Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved holiday traditions Walt Disney World Resort, with the joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and glorious mass choir. Candlelight performances are at 5, 6:45 and 8:15. It is always a delight to hear the Word of God proclaimed at the American Gardens Theater at Epcot!

2014 Candlelight Processional Narrators

11/28 – 11/29: Jodi Benson

11/30 – 12/2: 
Neil Patrick Harris

12/3 – 12/4: 
Jonathan Groff

12/5 – 12/6: Whoopi Goldberg

12/7* – 12/9: LeVar Burton (no 5pm show)

12/10 – 12/11: Edward James Olmos

12/12 – 12/14: Joe Morton

12/15 – 12/17: Chita Rivera

12/18 – 12/20: Ana Gasteyer

12/21 – 12/23: Marlee Matlin

12/24 – 12/25: Isabella Rossellini

12/26 – 12/27: Blair Underwood

12/28 – 12/30: Steven Curtis Chapman

Please note that narrators are subject to change without notice.

Guests may purchase Candlelight Dining Packages to reserve a seat at the Candlelight Processional. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal, a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances and a pre-arranged location for fireworks viewing. Guests may call 407.WDW DINE for reservations or at www.disneyworld.com. Availability is limited.

Which narrator would you most like to see this year?

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Soon after the first performances of this year’s rendition of the Candlelight Processional began I started to read complaints on Facebook that there were changes in the script and a song had been cut. These changes made me sad and later angry. I read that the poem One Solitary Life and the song “Do You Hear What I Hear” were cut from the show, according to news reports due to “time restraints”. When we watched the show on Saturday evening, and then later discussed it as a family we all admitted to be saddened by the changes. These two items were not the only changes in the production, there were other changes in the script. What we as a family have loved about this production for the last 17 years is how it wasn’t watered down, the majority of the script was Scripture. This was a place where we could hear the Word of God, the true story of Christmas being proclaimed at Walt Disney World. The crowds waiting in line for hours for seats in the American Gardens Theater for each of the three performances a night tell me that a) people want to hear the Biblical Christmas story and b) the show length was just fine the way it was. We felt that instead of getting the whole Christmas story we got bullet points, a brief history of “Silent Night” and some PC fluff.

It wasn’t all negative the music was as beautiful as ever. Thankfully my favorite song in the show didn’t get cut, take a listen to “Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy!”

I hope and pray that the powers that be at Walt Disney World listen to their guests, and read all of the negative online posts and correct the changes that were made as they plan for next year.

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From a sparkling ice castle and symphony of dazzling lights … to legendary international customs and wondrous displays … to magical entertainment and musical delights, Walt Disney World Resort unwraps an enchanting celebration of the holiday season in 2010.

Electrifying fireworks, charming parades and all the sounds of the season help transform the 40-square-mile resort into a winter wonderland where holiday fun begins as early as Nov. 8.  Guests who believe “there’s no place like home for the holidays” can enjoy the merriment at Disney and still curl up in a cozy place at home for Christmas … while other guests can spend the holidays at Mickey’s place, since many seasonal happenings continue through Jan. 3, 2011.

Disney’s stocking full of cheer includes:

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We arrived bright and early, picked up our park tickets and gold badges for the Candlelight Processional and hit the park. As always, we got fastpasses for Soarin’ and then headed to the single rider line for Test Track. We love riding single rider because we often get to ride with people who have never ridden Test Track and it is fun to experience the ride through a newbies eyes. We spent time in Innoventions-Ron and the boys were all chosen to participate in the game show “What’s Your Problem”
We visited The Seas with Nemo and Friends and Journey Into Imagination with Figment before it was time for our Soarin’ Fastpasses! Crowds were very light for a Saturday.
After Soarin’ we were heading to World Showcase when we saw a crowd gathering at the Fountain of Nations stage. It was almost time for “Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season featuring D’Vine Voices”. Being a family of musicians, we had to stick around for this show-and we were glad we did. It was a wonderful, upbeat gospel celebration!

Next we headed towards World Showcase and Aaron noticed the Lights of Winter archway was missing. I told him Disney had retired the archway saying the technology was obsolete. We all disagreed with Disney as we would often sit under the archway and relax to the lights and music, we are very sad that it is gone. As we traveled throughout World Showcase we all felt that there were fewer decorations than in years past and that left a melancholy feeling around the rest of our day. We were excited that we would be seeing Vanessa Williams as the Candlelight Processional narrator later in the evening; that is until we arrived at the America Gardens Theatre to find out that Chita Rivera would be narrating instead. Granted, Chita Rivera is a stage and screen icon it just wasn’t who we had planned on seeing. I understand that changes happen-I also noticed that Whoopi Goldberg was replacing Kirk Cameron the following weekend and immediately sent a message to a friend of mine who had been going on and on about seeing Kirk Cameron-it is just a bummer when they happen to you.

We had a few hours before it was time for the 6:45 Candlelight Processional so we listened to the Voices of Liberty sing Christmas carols in the rotunda before viewing the American Adventure. Then we traveled though the other countries in World Showcase checking out their holiday traditions. At about 6pm we made our way back to the American Gardens Theatre to get in line with all of the other people with reserved seating. This is when our magic began. A cast member came up and said,”You have a gold badge, you don’t have to stand in this long line. Go to the rope at the center rear of the theatre.” So we got out of the line and went to where we were told where we were met by another cast member who said,”Oh, you have gold badges I’ll be seating you in about 20 minutes so you can come back then, you don’t need to wait here.” Well, we chose to wait anyway and as soon as the theatre was emptied from the previous performance we were escorted to our seats-the best in the house we were told-row 5 just right of center.

They were wonderful seats! We have seen the Candlelight Processional many times and we have sat all over the American Gardens Theatre but we have never had such a wonderful view of the narrator. The great seats were an added bonus because my digital camera decided it didn’t want to take any photos with the flash so I had to rely on the camera on my Blackberry to get this shot of Chita Rivera.

For me it just isn’t Christmas until I see the Candlelight Processional (one of my Disney dreams is to sing in the Processional). Even though I own the CD and listen to it regularly from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, nothing can compare to the thrill of being there in person.

Thanks to Walt Disney World Event Services-Charles Stovall, Laura Spencer and Leanne Jakabowski for inviting our family to celebrate the Christmas season at Epcot. Merry Christmas!

Disclosure-We received four 1 day 1 park passes and four gold badges for Candlelight Processional from Walt Disney World Event Services. All opinions in this post are 100% mine. If you have any questions please refer to my disclosure statement at the bottom of this page.

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