Disney has so much to offer all year round and Christmas is no exception. In fact, all the extras around the holidays actually makes this time of the year more special for many families. Some are inclined only to come during the holidays to take advantage of the many different “extras”. Yes, I know it feels like the holidays JUST ended but it is time to start thinking about taking a Disney trip and deciding between Spring Break, Summer, Food and Wine (or Fall as it sometimes is called) and the Holidays.

If you are thinking about visiting Walt Disney World during the 2015 holiday season you will want to think about the Candlelight Processional and if you are considering the Candlelight Processional I highly recommend the dining package. Typically the Candlelight Processional (“CP”) runs from the end of November through the end of December. It runs only on certain nights and the schedule will start coming out around the beginning of July. Last year, the lunch and dinner packages went on sale July 9th. Now, the schedule of dates may be out then but the celebrity narrators at each date’s performance are not confirmed until closer to the actual dates. The CP is open to everyone (with park admission) and takes place in
Epcot at the American Gardens Theatre. There are three shows a day: the “lunch” show was at 5pm and the “dinner” shows were at 6:45pm and 8:15pm. What I mean by this is if you purchase the lunch CP dining package then you will get reserved seating at the 5pm show and if you purchase the dinner CP dining package then you receive reserved seating at either the 6:45pm or 8:15pm show, depending on your reservation time.

We had visited Walt Disney World many times during the holidays and had considered going to the Candlelight Processional but every time we passed by the extremely long line for general seating it was always such a turn off we never made time for it. We kept getting recommendations to go but to purchase the dining package – and so in 2013 (a little over a year ago) we decided to bite the bullet and try it out. Basically, you purchase a reservation at one of the participating Epcot restaurants and with that package it is a ‘pre-set’ price in which  you receive an appetizer, entree, dessert and a non alcoholic drink (or one full buffet depending on the restaurant type). Now, first I will admit it is a lot of food. It is more than the dining plan and it is more than most would order if on their own. But, remember this dining package could save you hours of time waiting in line. I am serious about hours, especially as you get closer to Christmas and more locals come out. I have seen and heard where people line up and wait up to two hours! I personally, would pay a few dollars just to not wait so to get a little extra food and try some different options for my money seemed like a good idea (and it was)! We decided to make our dining package reservation at San Angel Inn which is located inside of the Mexico Pavilion (it had been a few years since we had visited this restaurant so it was good that we got to try it out again). We made our reservations so we could see the 8:15 pm show (which meant our dinner was around 4:30pm, so early for us, but we had a light lunch and hey it is vacation we can always cap off our night later with some ice cream if needed). So, we purchased the package (for those wondering it was about $68 per person/adult and $18 per child) or if you are a smart cookie (or work with a great travel agent like one of us Dole Whipped agents then you may have a Disney Dining plan and for 2 Table Service credits you are all set and paid up – minus the tip!)

For those of you that have never been to San Angel Inn – go! Run! It was wonderful and you can not beat the ambiance (unless you are at Blue Bayou in Disneyland and it runs head to head). What could be better than eating in a restaurant that is right next to a boat ride and eating while watching the beautiful boat and happy families floating around with the Three Caballeros.

My meal started with a beautiful Ensalada Cesar (also know as a Caesar Salad). Other appetizers served at our table in the group include: Sopa Aztexa (Tortilla Soup) served with fried tortilla strips, avocado, cheese and pasilla pepper and the favorite Tlacoyos de Chilorio which are corn cakes topped with black refried beans, pork chilorio, queso fresco, sour cream and green tomatillo sauce.

For the main attraction I could not resist the carne asada which was so well done I believe it may have been my all time favorite carne asada and just thinking about it makes my mouth water! My carne asada came with a cheese enchilada,mexican rice, black refried beans, guacomole, onions and red bell peppers. We also had at our table Mole Poblano (because who does not need a little Mole sauce in your day?) and came out to be roasted chicken served with poblano rice and a wonderful mole sauce. Last I will mention the table favorite (as well as a chefs favorite) the Lomo de Puerco en Pipian which translates to pork tenderloin served over roasted vegetables and “pipian” ( a mix of pumpkin, chiles and almond sauce). Does it all not sound amazing? Well, if you think it sounds amazing then you will love it.

And yes, we should have all ordered and shared different desserts but we all wanted the Helado De Dulce De Leche (caramel ice cream). We had it before and were fighting over who got to order when we realized we could all order it and get it…no one needed to share. So, that is what we did and no one regretted it!

So basically – if you have not been to San Angel Inn then I hope you go and if you are planning on going around the holidays it is a great time to save some waiting time for CP and get a lot of great food.

Because this event review is for both the Candlelight Processional and the dinner package and San Angel Inn it is a two-part series. I know your anticipation to hear about CP might not be as heightened as it could be because now you are crazy hungry but I promise you there is a lot more to come – including funny stories, beautiful people and a potentially wonderful experience and future memory for you and your family. So keep reading Dolewhipped.com to find our exactly why you should (or should not) make CP a priority for your next holiday trip.