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Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is a truly magical place to visit, well, anytime, but especially during the holiday season.
And one of the most popular things to do at Christmas time is enjoy the Candlelight Processional in EPCOT. My family really loves it.
Today, we’re going to go over what it is – and how you can guarantee your seat by taking advantage of a Candlelight Processional Dining Package!
What is the Candlelight Processional at Disney World?
The Candlelight Processional is a beloved tradition during the holidays at Walt Disney World – specifically, in Epcot.
During the holiday show, a celebrity narrator will share the story of Christmas, with the help of a large choir and 50-piece orchestra. This performance takes place at the America Gardens Theatre, which is an outdoor theater (partially covered) at the American pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase.
Epcot Candlelight Processional Narrators List
- Josh Gad – November 29 – November 30
- Nico Santos (New for 2024) – December 1 – December 2
- Chrissy Metz – December 3 – December 5
- Whoopi Goldberg – December 6 – December 7
- Tituss Burgess (New for 2024) – December 8 – December 10
- Brendan Fraser – December 11 – December 12
- Ralph Macchio (New for 2024) – December 13 – December 14
- Gary Sinise – December 15 – December 16
- Neil Patrick Harris – December 17 – December 18
- Pat Sajak – December 19 – December 21
- Gloria Estefan – December 22 – December 23
- Edward James Olmos – December 24 – December 26
- Sterling K Brown – December 27 – December 28
- Jodi Benson – December 29 – December 30
What time is the Epcot Candlelight Processional?
The performance times are:
- 5:00 PM
- 6:45 PM
- 8:15 PM
Can you get Candlelight Processional tickets?
You cannot purchase tickets to the Candlelight Processional.
However, you can make sure you’re guaranteed a seat. And that’s by taking advantage of the Candlelight Processional Dining Packages!
What happens is that you’ll eat at one of 15 Epcot restaurants the day of the performance. And then you will receive one guaranteed seat per person in your party!
Fourteen of these restaurants require advanced dining reservations, which you’ll definitely want to do. Reservations opened up online on October 29, 2024, and can be made up to 60 days prior to your Disney trip.
The last restaurant does not take reservations, so it’s a great option if you aren’t able to secure a dining reservation (or if you want to enjoy the cheapest option). However, it is subject to availability, so your safest option is to make a reservation at one of the other restaurants.
And just which restaurants are included in the dining package? Let’s go over that now!
Candlelight Processional Dining Package Restaurants
Here are the different dining package options.
Please note that Disney World considers a “child” to be between the ages of 3 and 9 years old. Anyone ages 10 years old and up is considered an “adult.”
Also, at each restaurant you will get an entrée and dessert or a full buffet, unless otherwise specified, plus a nonalcoholic beverage (or alcoholic if you are at least 21 years of age).
Spice Road Table
This Mediterranean restaurant is located in the Morocco pavilion.
You can see our review of Spice Road Table here.
This is one of the least expensive options, at $61.00 for adults and $24.00 for children. Each person gets 2 small plates and 1 nonalcoholic beverage. Your party will also get a tagine and dessert platter to share.
La Hacienda de San Angel
La Hacienda de San Angel is a casual restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion that has beautiful water views.
The price of the dining package here is $86.00 for adults and $37.00 for children.
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya
Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is a sushi bar and grill that opened last year.
Adults will pay $105.00 for the dining package, and the cost for a child is $60.00.
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Via Napoli serves pizzas cooked in wood-burning ovens along with other Italian favorites. You can learn more about this restaurant in our Via Napoli Review.
For the dining package, the price is $63.00 for adults and $27.00 for kids.
Garden Grill Restaurant
This is a character dining, family style restaurant in the Land pavilion.
The price includes a family style meal and beverage per person.
For breakfast, the price is $71.00 for adults and $43.00 for children. (It’s the only restaurant this year that has a breakfast option.) And for lunch and dinner, the cost is $84.00 for adults and $52.00 for children.
Biergarten Restaurant
Biergarten is a buffet restaurant featuring German food and live entertainment.
Each person will enjoy a buffet meal and a beverage.
The price for adults is $71.00, while for kids it is $38.00.
Find out what the restaurant is like in our Biergarten dining review.
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Nine Dragons Restaurant is a table-service Chinese restaurant in the China Pavilion. You’ll pay $65.00 for the adult dining package and $28.00 for the child dining package.
Rose & Crown Dining Room
This British pub is located on the water – you can even enjoy outdoor seating with water views. (Indoor dining is available as well.)
For the dining package, the cost is $66.00 for adults and $29.00 for children.
Tutto Italia Ristorante
Enjoy Italian favorites at Tutto Italia Ristorante over in the Italy Pavilion (you can learn more about in our Tutto Italia Ristorante Review).
The cost is $75.00 for adults and $28.00 for kids.
Teppan Edo
Teppan Edo is a traditional Japanese restaurant in the (wait for it) Japan Pavilion.
Along with the other Japanese restaurant participating in the dining package, Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya, this is the most expensive option, at $105.00 for adults and $60.00 for children.
Chefs de France
Chefs de France is a French restaurant my family really likes in (where else?) the France Pavillion.
You’ll pay $66.00 for an adult and $37.00 for a child.
Coral Reef Restaurant
At this seafood restaurant in The Living Seas, you can view over 2,000 sea creatures in a coral reef (including sea turtles, rays and even sharks).
The price is $78.00 for adults and $32.00 for children.
Le Cellier Steakhouse
This steakhouse is located in the Canada pavilion.
At $104.00 for adults and $42.00 for children, it is one of the most expensive options (just $1 cheaper for adults than the participating restaurants in the Japan pavilion).
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
This is the only quick service restaurant on the list, as well as the only one that doesn’t take reservations. You’ll find the smokehouse in the American Adventure pavilion (aka the America pavilion).
And you can learn more about the food and dining experience in this review of Regal Eagle Smokehouse.
The price is $41.00, making it the least expensive options for adults. And for children, the cost is $24.00.
Epcot Ticket Discount
While you can’t buy a ticket specifically for the Candlelight Processional, you will need park admission to Epcot.
If you need park tickets, we know of great ways to save money on your Epcot and Disney World tickets.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a restaurant for the dining package depends on a lot of factors, such as availability and personal preference.
Another aspect to consider is what you typically order (or think you would order) at each restaurant.
For example, suppose it’s likely you’d order the Filet Mignon (good choice, by the way!), Chocolate Cheesecake and a glass of Pinot Noir at Le Cellier Steakhouse. These are among the most expensive options on the menu. And at $65.00, $15.00 and $24.00, respectively, this comes to $104.00. Which is exactly what the dining package costs for adults at Le Cellier.
In this case, Le Cellier would be a great choice because you’re basically getting a guaranteed seat for the Candlelight Processional for free.
On the other hand, if you’d usually order just the Mushroom Tart and a water, which costs $36.00, then you’re having to pay $104.00 – $36.00 = $68.00 more for the dining package. In that case, I’d recommend choosing a different restaurant.
Personally, I love the Biergarten buffet for the dining package. Now, it costs $71.00 for the adult dining package and $49.00 normally, so you are paying $71.00 – $49.00 = $22.00 more. But I still love it for the following reasons:
- It’s a buffet, so I can fill up on food I like
- You get entertainment during your meal
- The restaurant adds special seasonal touches during the holidays (including the entertainment)
- I’d want to eat there at Christmas time regardless of the Candlelight Processional