Gift of courtesy welcome during Epcot’s Candlelight Processional
Candlelight Processional is back at Epcot. The long-standing Disney tradition was started by Walt Disney himself at Disneyland. The current version here features a live orchestra, mass choir and the telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator. It is held three times nightly through Dec. 30.
Here are a handful of gifts you can bestow upon your fellow attendees, and they won’t cost you a cent — well, beyond the usual price of theme-park admission. OK, some may be considered just common courtesy, so take these suggestions as friendly reminders. But I did witness violators of all of the below in one recent sitting.
Turn off your devices. Let’s keep electronic silence in “Silent Night.” I’m surprised Disney doesn’t gently suggest this during its “slide to the center of the theater, please” announcement. It’s probably crazy to dream that folks would *not* take pictures during the event, but more self-control would be welcome. I saw a woman FaceTime folks at home. A man in front of me did videos for each speech by narrator Laurie Hernandez, then, curiously, the middle segments of each song that followed … while his companion took multiple side-to-side pictures of the choir (seriously, like 20 snaps, including some that included her video-taking mate in action).
Know your kids. Gosh, I want kids to go to Candlelight Processional. But, gosh, it’s kind of an endurance test for little ones. The program runs about 45 minutes, not counting the build-up of waiting in line. I get a little fidgety myself. I might not lie on the bench or crawl through the hole in the back and land in the next row, but I get the impulse. So, parents, maybe this is a divide-and-conquer opportunity with the less patient ones waiting until they’re older. On the other hand, Candlelight is great exposure to musicians and instruments (who doesn’t love timpani?), rare holiday songs such as “Il Est Ne” and the experience of sitting still. We can do it!
Talk among yourselves. (No, wait. Don’t.) Your neighbors didn’t come to hear what you’ve done so far and what you’re doing next during the performances. I’m on the fence when it comes to singing along, but the choir usually drowns out the hummers amongst us. Of course, belt it it out when the director encourages crowd participation during “Silent Night.” It’s a moment.
Stand up for “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” It’s what’s done. Although it’s a tradition that dates to the 1770s, I don’t shoot side-eye if you choose to remain seated. I might, though, if you use this glorious song as a cue to leave early. This is not the fourth quarter of a 30-point loss by the Orlando Magic. Chill.
Candlelight Processional is filled with temptations. On my recent visit, I had plotted to record that “Exceeding Great Joy” song to have as a yearround pleasure. I’d also like to grab a tambourine and dance around during that number. But both acts are kind of obnoxious, so I did neither. Heavenly peace, y’all. dbevil@ orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5477