Top five reasons to visit Disney World at the holidays #1: Candlelight Processional at Epcot

Epcot's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World. (c) 2009 James Chapman

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.

• View a slideshow of the Candlelight Processional.

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

For more Walt Disney World holiday photos, visit photographer James Chapman's official Web site.

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