Magical Blogorail Yellow: Epcot’s Candlelight Processional

Welcome to those of you joining me from DELIGHTFULLY DISNEY and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail.

It’s sad, I know, but I have not yet been to Walt Disney World Resort during Christmas time. But here are two things I am really looking forward to.

A beautiful holiday tradition will take place nightly from November 29 through December 30, 2013, at the Epcot’s America Gardens Theater, the Candlelight Processional. This renowned event retells the story of Christmas–of the baby Jesus in a manger–and is accompanied by warm and inspiring holiday music with the help of celebrity narrators, a mass choir, and a 50-piece live orchestra. Actor Gary Sinise will open the celebration this year, with a star-studded lineup scheduled throughout the month of December. Such favorite personalities as Neil Patrick Harris, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Amy Grant are returning to host the event, and newcomers Ashley Judd, Sigourney Weaver, and several others will fill the bill. (See below for tentative schedule.)

The Show takes place 3 times each scheduled day at 5:00 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM, except on December 8, 2013, when show times will be 6:45 PM and 8:15 PM only. Each evening is capped with a special message of good will as the spectacular “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” fireworks, laser, and water show lights up the sky. The thrilling display draws each evening to a close with a special musical finale set to the song “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

Good news is that these performances are included with Epcot admission; however, Guests are advised to arrive early to ensure a seat. You can also reserve dining packages for lunch or dinner at select Epcot restaurants, which include a special spot for fireworks viewing and guaranteed seating for the performance.

Epcot Candlelight Processional November 29-December 30, 2013

• Gary Sinise
  November 29 to December 1, 2013
• Neil Patrick Harris
  December 2 to December 3, 2013
• Ashley Judd – NEW!
  December 4 to December 5
• Whoopi Goldberg
  December 6 to December 7, 2013
• Sigourney Weaver – NEW!
  December 8 to December 10, 2013
• Dennis Haysbert – NEW!
  December 11 to December 13, 2013
• James Denton
  December 14 to December 16, 2013
• Edward James Olmos
  December 17 to December 19, 2013
• Trace Adkins
  December 20 to December 22, 2013
• Steven Curtis Chapman
  December 23 to December 25, 2013
• Blair Underwood
  December 26 to December 28, 2013
• Amy Grant
  December 29 to December 30, 2013

Today’s Takeaway:
The Candlelight Processional is, of course, lit in part by candles. Today, make your own candles from old crayon pieces.

You will need:
Crayons
Small sauce pan
Wooden spoon
Olive oil
Candle forms
Cotton wick string
Tape
Stove
Scented oils, optional

What to do:
*ADULT SUPERVISION REQUIRED!*
Gather all those old, broken pieces of crayon in your children’s craft cabinet. Strip the paper coverings off, and break them into about 1-inch lengths, sorting like colors into small bowls. (If you’d like to combine colors, go ahead, but try not to mix them all together unless you want brown candles.)

Next, empty a bowl of same-colored crayons into your saucepan and turn the stove to medium-low heat. Add a dash of olive oil to help the colors blend, and stir the mixture constantly until it is a smooth, creamy consistency. Stir in a few drops of scented oil if you desire. Remove from heat.

Prepare your candle form (can be a muffin tin, a cookie cutter sealed on the bottom with Glad Press-N-Seal, a small glass jar, etc.). Adhere your wick to the bottom of the container with a small piece of tape, then slowly pour the wax mixture into the container while holding the string up taut. You may need an assistant to hold the string or to use a spatula to scrape out all the wax from the pan.

Clean the pan and repeat the process for other colors. Allow the candle to set firm before lighting.

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Arts & Crafts
SKILL LEVEL: All

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is RETURN TO DISNEY.

Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Loop should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ DISTherapy
2nd Stop ~ Delightfully Disney
3rd Stop ~ Magical Mouse Schoolhouse (You are HERE!)
Final Stop ~ Return to Disney

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