As I mentioned recently, Dining Package Reservations are going quickly for the 2026 Candlelight Processional. So what do you do if you can’t get a Dining Reservation? Are you out of luck? No, you can still experience the Candlelight Processional if you didn’t get the reservation when they opened.
The first thing that you need to do is to keep checking. People cancel all the time. Some people who were able to get reservations grabbed more than one, with plans to cancel as they solidify their day. (If that’s you, please don’t take too long!) I’ve seen hard to get reservations open the day before or the morning of. People can cancel a dining reservation up to two hours before the time, so if you keep refreshing, you might get something.
You might be able to get a Dining Package at Regal Eagle the day of, but don’t count on it. I’ve been told that the Regal Eagle vouchers are the ones that weren’t used at the reservation restaurants. If all the reservations are gone, it’s unlikely that there will be any leftover vouchers. If you decide to try Regal Eagle, you’ll want to arrive as early as possible, because others will have had the same idea.
There is a standby line for the Candlelight Processional, you don’t need a Dining Package in order to experience it. My advice for standby is to be prepared to wait. I’ll often say to keep checking the line throughout the day and join it when it starts to grow. In the past, Disney has reserved more seats for the Dining Package than standby seats. I don’t know if that’s the case this year.
A final choice if you didn’t get a Dining Reservation is to stand in the back, outside of the theater. This area is usually crowded, but if you’re early, the view is good! If you don’t care about seeing the show but just want to listen, head towards The American Adventure building. You might even find a seat!
A quick reminder, the times for the Candlelight Processional have changed this year. You don’t want to plan around last year’s times. It will take place at 4:45, 6:30, and 8:00. Epcot will close at 9:00 during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. In the past, it stayed open until 9:30 during this festival.