04 September 2009 by Walt Disney World Recreation Examiner - Peggy Macdonald
The number one reason to visit Walt Disney World at the holidays is Epcot's Candlelight Processional, which follows a tradition first established at Disneyland in 1958.
The Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator who tells the story of the birth of Jesus through the Gospels. The narrator pauses at various points during the Christmas story for musical interludes performed by a live orchestra and a choir that takes the shape of a living Christmas tree. The event begins with a solemn candlelight processional, pictured above. Amateur singers and Disney cast members proceed to the America Gardens Theatre, each with a candle in hand. The effect is magical.
The best way to experience the Candlelight Processional is in conjunction with a dinner package. Candlelight Dinner Packages include a meal at an Epcot restaurant with reserved seating for the Candlelight Processional. For more information, call 1-407-WDW-DINE. The dinner package does not include admission to Epcot.
There is no charge for the Candlelight Processional, but guests who do not purchase a dinner package need to arrive early. Daily showtimes are at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:15 p.m. A schedule of celebrity narrators for the 2009 Candlelight Processional follows (performers and dates subject to change):
Nov. 27-29: Isabella Rossellini
Nov. 30-Dec. 2: John O'Hurley
Dec. 3-5: Steven Curtis Chapman
Dec. 6-8: Anika Noni Rose
Dec. 9-11: Andy Garcia
Dec. 12-14: Vanessa Williams
Dec. 15-17: Abigail Breslin
Dec. 18-20: Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 21-23: Brian Dennehy
Dec. 24-26: Edward James Olmos
Dec. 27-30: Angela Bassett/Courtney B. Vance
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