From our friend Charles Stovall (Public Relations Manager) at the Disney Parks Blog.
I know. I know … talking about the holidays in July is a little early, but I love the holidays at Walt Disney World Resort.
And one of my favorite events of the entire year is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.
Today, guests can start booking their Candlelight Processional Dining Packages. This is great for you early planners since the event starts the night after Thanksgiving (November 28) and runs through December 30.
We also have a partial list of celebrity narrators including Candlelight veterans Whoopi Goldberg and Jodi Benson, and two fabulous new narrators – Academy-Award-winning actress Sharon Stone and Saturday Night Live alum Ana Gasteyer.
For those of you unfamiliar with the event, it’s a gorgeous re-telling of the Christmas story with a celebrity narrator each night and seasonal music from a massed choir and huge orchestra. The event started at Disneyland park in the 1958 with Walt Disney himself. At Walt Disney World Resort, it’s presented at the America Gardens Theater at Epcot, a beautiful venue, especially when all decked out for the holidays.
I’ve had the honor of being in the cast choir – you know the folks in the green Christmas tree robes – for six years. I thought it was a magical experience watching this program. Little did I know that being on stage, a part of it, would be even more. I’ve had a chance to sing along side actors like Neil Patrick Harris and Gary Sinise, and gospel legends like Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman, who is back again this year.
Here is a partial list of celebrity narrators:
- Jodi Benson – 11/28 – 11/29
- Neil Patrick Harris – 11/30 – 12/2
- Jonathan Groff (NEW!)– 12/3 – 12/4
- Whoopi Goldberg – 12/5 – 12/6
- Levar Burton – 12/7 – 12/9
- Edward James Olmos– 12/10 – 12/12
- Joe Morton (NEW!) – 12/13 – 12/14
- Chita Rivera– 12/15 – 12/17
- Ana Gasteyer (NEW!) – 12/18 – 12/20
- Marlee Matlin – 12/21 – 12/23
- Isabella Rossellini – 12/24 – 12/25
- Blair Underwood – 12/26 – 12/27
- Steven Curtis Chapman – 12/28 – 12/30
Narrators are subject to change without notice. – Show Times are at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. each night. *Show Times on December 7 are 6:45 p.m. & 8:15 p.m. only
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages, available on select days, start at $35 for lunch and $50 for dinner for adults, include a delicious meal at an Epcot restaurant and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Note: Availability is limited. Guests can call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) or book online at www.disneyworld.com/holidays.
**Updated to show full list of confirmed hosts**
Michele also contributes theme park news for Fox 35 Orlando 11pm news and on the radio on WDBO.
- Disney Adventure World: Disneyland Paris Reimagines 2nd Park - April 12, 2024
- Honest Review – 1900 Park Fare Reopens at the Grand Floridian - April 11, 2024
- Hungry? Give City Works at Disney Springs a try! - April 9, 2024