Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Red Loop. Today we are sharing Christmas must dos at Disney.
Candlelight Processional
Each evening from late November through the end of December the American Gardens Theatre hosts a nightly celebrity narrator to bring the Biblical Christmas Story to Epcot. The story is punctuated with traditional Christmas songs perfectly sung by Epcot’s Voices of Liberty, joined by a live orchestra and choirc. Celebrity narrators begin showing up on the schedule in the late summer and are filled in throughout the fall. It is one of the most beautiful traditions that we enjoy during our trips to Walt Disney World over the holidays. Dining packages are available at select Epcot restaurants and include priority guaranteed seating to one of the nightly shows. If you don’t want to spring for the dining package, or are unsure your little one will sit through the show, you can line up outside the theatre early (very early) to take your chance at getting a seat. But, if you can’t get in to the theatre you can generally hear well from the areas surrounding the theatre.
Christmas Traditions from Around the World
During Epcot’s Holidays Around the World celebration holiday traditions from around the world are brought to life in the World Showcase pavilions. My son loves to hear the different countries “Santa Claus” type characters teach about how their country celebrates the holidays! Each pavilion is also beautifully decorated, and many feature additional musical acts beyond their normal offerings. Be sure to check out the decorations in the Germany Pavilions model train village! Shopping offerings are also expanded to include several holiday marketplaces where you can find specialty items featuring both the festival and individual countries. Our favorite is the glassblower in Germany who is out creating holiday ornaments that can be personalized.
Tastes of the Season
In addition to storytelling, shopping and decor the World Showcase is also a holiday culinary delight. In a similar style to Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival and International Food & Wine Festival there are holiday food booths set up throughout the World Showcase bring traditional holiday dishes from around the world to life.
This year’s offerings have been expanded to include larger, Food & Wine style, booths and include:
- American Holiday Table
- Alpine Haus (Cheese Fondue – enough said)
- Holiday Eats & Treats
- Seasonal Southern Delights
- Feast of the Three Kings
- Prost! (Gluhwein!)
- Mexico
Other Epcot restaurants and dining kiosks are also taking part in the festivities on a smaller scale, so be sure to check out the menus for any special treats for the holiday season! Many of the smaller snack items are available as snacks under the Disney Dining Plan; just be sure to look for the little Dining Plan logo!
So, are you ready to eat, drink and be merry? We are counting down to our trip and I can’t WAIT to venture through Holidays Around the World!
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Red | Christmas Must Dos at Disney Loop:
- 1st Stop – Adventureland Pam | Tips for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
- 2nd Stop – What’s the Point? | Amazing Gingerbread Structures at Walt Disney World
- 3rd Stop – Disney Mamas | Christmas at Disney ~ Epcot’s Candlelight Processional and Holidays Around the World
- 4th Stop – Mousekatools Mom | Holiday Tour of Disneyland Resort Hotels
- 5th Stop – Saving Up for Disney | Special Holiday Photos to Take at Disneyland Resort
I could not love the CP any more. I was so skeptical of it until I actually sat down and listened, and it moved me in a way I cannot explain. It’s a special event for sure, and it is a must-see in my book.
Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate the holidays to me, eating, music, traditions, eating, learning about celebrations around the world, more eating… LOL!
Doing the Candlelight Processional has been on my Disney bucket list for a while. I cannot wait to do it someday and also have the benefit of going during Food & Wine!
EPCOT during the holidays seems like one season that I’d really love there! But really, question: is there a season when EPCOT doesn’t have Food & Wine style booths? Not that I’m complaining! hahaha Thanks for the post!
Sorry for the delay! I swear I live under a rock during December and January. I feel ya! And with the new Arts Festival they are staying out even longer! Seems to me that summer is the sole time they aren’t in use and I expect that won’t last long!
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