Holidays at the 
Walt Disney World resort are packed with special experiences designed to make your season merry and bright, so much so that finding out about everything that’s going on can be difficult. If there’s a park that takes the holidays to heart more than any other, it’s Epcot. With its World Showcase Holidays Around the World and Candlelight Processional, the park is brimming with cheer – and crowds. We’ll show you how to get the most out of both offerings and fill you in on all the need-to-know details to make experiencing Epcot’s holiday festivities as easy and enjoyable as possible.
While we’ll be focusing on World Showcase for most of this article, it would be a shame to miss out on the holiday decorations in Future World at Epcot. Here’s a quick glance at some of the decorations you can find on your way to World Showcase.
The entrance topiary this year features Minnie, Mickey, and Pluto in a Christmas carpet of Poinsettias.
On the back side of the entrance garden, Stitch has taken a chunk out of a Holidays Around the World sign.
On the Fountain of Nations Stage, “Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season” runs several times throughout the day with performers singing lively gospel renditions of holiday tunes. This is a fantastic and short show that shouldn’t be missed if you love music. Check your Times guide daily for showtimes, as they change a bit throughout the season.
Just past the stage show, the median garden has some more holiday topiaries to enjoy.
And just under the monorail track at the entrance to World Showcase, you’ll find the Epcot Christmas Tree. It’s beautiful during the day and a real treat at night.
Candlelight Processional
A tradition started at Disneyland more than 50 years ago, the Candlelight Processional is a nightly show at America Gardens Theater (America Pavilion) that features a celebrity narrator, a small orchestral group, a guest choir, and the singers from the Walt Disney World cast member ranks. The show runs approximately 40 minutes three times a night (5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.) and the narrator changes every 2-3 days. Narrators tell the story of Jesus Christ’s birth in short pieces between carols sung by the choir.
Some narrators like Jodi Benson (The Little Mermaid) and Neil Patrick Harris are incredibly popular and command long lines. The narrator list comes out several months in advance and at that timeWalt Disney World opens Candlelight Processional dining packages which entitle you to a meal at your choice of one of many restaurants at Epcot that participate as well as a guaranteed seat for the show. Standby seating is also available if you’re willing to wait in line. The standby line forms to the right of the America Pavilion and the dining package line to the left. Even if you have guaranteed seating, a line forms for people who want better seating within the dining package group. Package guests are seated and then the rest of the theater is filled in from the standby line.
The show is beautiful and is really a Christmas must-do, even for the faint-of-heart when it comes to religious services. The narrators and other performers put a lot of effort into the productions and the end product is gorgeous.
Holidays Around the World
Each year the countries of Epcot’s World Showcase add decorations, food and beverage offerings, and special entertainment to celebrate the holidays. Beginning just after Thanksgiving, each country is decked out according to its holiday traditions. Here are the offerings around the Showcase.
*Promenade Refreshments: Turkey Waffle (Sweet Potato Waffle, Roast Turkey, Green Bean Casserole); Peppermint Sundae (Dutch Chocolate frozen yogurt, whip cream, peppermint candy); Dutch Chocolate Grasshopper (crafted with peppermint schnapps and candy cane crumble); Gourmet Hot Chocolate (hot chocolate crafted with toasted marshmallow syrup and marshmallows); Godiva Hot Chocolate (Hot chocolate crafted with Godiva Coffee Liquor)
*Canada Pavilion: The Canadian Holiday Voyageurs take you on a musical tour of Canadian holidays. Refreshments available include Pecan Maple Bark Popcorn.
*United Kingdom: Father Christmas rings in the holidays in the UK pavilion. Grab a Hot Applejack Cider (hot mulled cider with whiskey and a blend of seasonal spices) from the beer card outside the Rose and Crown.
* France: Pere Noel celebrates the joy of the season through a letter from a child. Refreshments include Chocolate Christmas Log from Les Halles Boulangerie and Patisserie and Gingerbread Ice Cream (also in a holiday macaron) from L’Artisan des Glaces.
*Morocco: Storytellers spread the word of Morocco’s holiday customs in this pavilion. Try Honey Walnut Baklava for a seasonal treat.
*Japan: Hear the story of the Daruma doll and find out how Japan celebrates the New Year.
*American Adventure: See Santa and Mrs. Claus for a special photo opportunity, attend the candlelight processional, discover the traditions of Hanukkah, and see the Voices of Liberty singers in their Christmas costumes. Try tons of holiday treats including gingerbread men and the Cocoa Candy Cane (hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps). Don’t miss the gingerbread Capitol Building inside the American Adventure lobby!
*Italy: Meet La Befana, the kind witch who grants gifts to children on the Eve of Epiphany and try seasonal Gelati in Penertone, Moscato, and Cioccolata calda flavors.
*Germany: Listen as a German storyteller spins the tale of the first Christmas tree and her first nutcracker. Try Gluhwein (hot spiced wine), Stollen (holiday fruitcake) and Werther’s Original treats and drinks.
*China: View the vibrant Chinese Lion Dance that brings good fortune to all as part of major holidays in China like the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival.
*Norway: Christmas fun is right around the corner with Sigrid and Julenissen the Christmas gnome.
*Mexico: Celebrate a Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas!) with Mariachis and Dancers daily.
There’s so much to be experienced at Holidays Around the World that you may not have time for it all, but you’ll certainly have a great time with whatever you make plans to do.
I WISH I WAS THERE NOW