This annual tradition has been around in one form or another since Disneyland opened back in 1955. In the early 60s the show adopted its current format with the live choir and narrator. When Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom opened in 1971 a second version of the show started there then was moved to EPCOT in the 80s.

The show is similar at both parks, but each has its own unique elements. The ceremony consists of a large choir, an orchestra, and a guest narrator. The guest narrator reads the story of Christmas and it is intertwined with song. Past guest narrators have included James Earl Jones, Robert Urich, Marie Osmand, Roy Disney, and the list goes on.

Disneyland: At Disneyland this annual tradition occurs usually the first weekend in December and there are four shows. Two on Saturday and two on Sunday. The main part of the ceremony takes place on Main Street USA in Town Square. Large bleachers are brought in and the choir assembles in front of the Train Station. There are folding chairs for the audience throughout Town square then the rest of the guests stand around the square and down Main Street. (For a few years in the late 90s the ceremony was held at the Fantasyland theater, but it has returned to Main Street in 2004). The choirs process in along the entire parade route from Small World all the way to Main Street where they assemble for the reading of the Christmas story by the guest narrator.

Walt Disney World: At Walt Disney World the show takes place on the American Gardens stage on a much smaller scale than Disneyland but much more often. They run several shows a night (usually three) from Thanksgiving through Christmas. Guest narrators usually do 2-4 nights in a row. The choirs process in from the backstage gate near the American Adventure and assemble on risers around the stage. In the center of the stage the Voices of Liberty stand and they lead the show musically.

Some Information
Disneyland Seating: Traditionally seating at Disneyland has been reserved for invited guests and Club 33 members. Usually the invited guests are people affiliated with the choirs, etc... In 2005 they started offering a dinner package to get reserved seating too. Seating is extremely limited and with the show taking place only a couple times a year its a hard ticket to get. But luckily due to the venue you are almost always able to hear the show (and depending on your luck you can see most of it too).

Walt Disney World Seating: Since the show occurs many more times than the Disneyland version seating is easier to come by. The early shows each night do flll up quickly though. The most popular way to reserve seating is the Dinner package where you eat at an EPCOT restaurant and get a reserved seat at the show. This package is so popular it makes it challenging to get dining reservations on many nights.

Geeks thoughts: Overall I give the edge to Disneyland on this one. The scale just makes it incredible. Encompassing all of Town Square is much more impressive than the American Gardens stage. Also I think the song selection at Disneyland is a bit better. I think at Walt Disney World the Voices of Liberty steal the show/spot light and I like the choir better. Unfortunately at Disneyland they have added a couple solo/duet pieces in recent years and I am not a fan of them.