The holiday tradition of massed choirs and celebrity narrators that is the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT delights guests every Christmas season. This year it runs from November 22 through December 30 with 14 different celebrity narrators. Yes, it kicks off on Thanksgiving itself for the first time every.
The list of narrators was released earlier with some gaps, now all but one of those have been filled with names of narrators new to the Candlelight tradition. Joining this year are Helen Hunt, Alfonso Ribeiro, Bart Millard, and Auli’i Cravalho.
Here’s the list as it stands today (subject to change, of course):
Chita Rivera, Nov. 22 – 23
Helen Hunt, Nov. 24-25 – NEW
Alfonso Ribeiro, Nov. 26-27 – NEW
TBD, Nov. 28-Dec. 2
Neil Patrick Harris, Dec. 3 – 6
Whoopi Goldberg, Dec. 7 – 9
Bart Millard, Dec. 10-12 – NEW
Blair Underwood, Dec. 13 – 14
Gary Sinise, Dec. 15 – 17
Pat Sajak, Dec. 18 – 20
Auli’I Cravalho, Dec. 21-23 – NEW
Edward James Olmos, Dec. 24 – 25
Jodi Benson, Dec. 26 – 27
Cal Ripken Jr., Dec. 28-30
What a terrific list of names this year. They’ll be backed by a 50-piece orchestra, a massed choir, and Disney’s own cast member honor choir that forms a giant Christmas Tree in the middle of the stage.
If you plan to head to the America Gardens Theatre and want to make sure you see your favorite narrator, we recommend taking advantage of the dining packages to get early entry during one of the early shows. Otherwise you may have to wait in standby line for a long time to get a good seat.
Is the Candlelight Processional part of your holiday tradition at EPCOT?
I am extremely disappointed that Disney has invited Whoopi Goldberg to be a part of the Candlelight Processional Tradition. She has exhibited a totally racist and political animosity toward any person who voted for Donald Trump. She has ridiculed him, his administration, and anyone who is associated with him. She kicked Judge Jeanine Pirro off the show for no other reason than she was supportive of Donald Trump, then followed her backstage to curse her out and demand she leave immediately! That is disgraceful and there are thousands of Disney fans who were shocked by Ms. Goldberg’s behavior. I never knew Walt Disney personally, but I have read many biographies and historical books about him, and have spoken with a person who actually knew him and from all this information, I feel he would never have agreed to having such an outspoken viewpoint against a sitting President be a part of this celebration. But, I am really not surprised, after the fiasco concerning President Trump’s figure being displayed in the “Hall of Presidents”. I think Bob Iger does not like President Trump either and was really trying to not have Trump speak or even be a part of the attraction.
70% of the country agrees with Whoopi Goldberg, so I don’t think Disney really cares that your little hurt feelings. Bob Iger, as a member of the LGBT community (and the head of a company that prides itself in diversity, not only with the LGBT community but also with international workers and members of different races), of course prefers that the country’s leadership is made up of people who do not make decisions that actively discriminate against the LGBT community.
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