Don’t Miss the Holidays at EPCOT

Walt Disney World is already in full holiday mode, they made a quick switch in most Parks right after Halloween.  If you are heading to Walt Disney World to experience the holidays, you don’t want to miss out on EPCOT.

The holiday festivities in EPCOT will be out in full from November 26th to December 30th.  Those are the dates for the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, mentioned below. Take time to enjoy all that the Park has to offer while visiting Walt Disney World.

Living with the Land

One ride in EPCOT that gets a holiday upgrade is in The Land Pavilion. The slow moving boat ride, Living with the Land,  receives a holiday facelift. It takes Guests through the greenhouses of EPCOT, and festive touches are added throughout the ride.

We love how Disney adds lights to the tunnel, making it a fantastic choice to ride during the evening as the holiday lights shine bright.

Throughout the greenhouses, additional holiday touches are added as well.  Look for sand snowmen and other holiday decorations that make this ride extra special.

Beacons of Magic

Although this experience is one that came with the 50th Anniversary Celebration, Beacons of Magic is something that you don’t want to miss out on when visiting EPCOT.

Starting at dusk and running every 15 minutes, Spaceship Earth lights up brightly with a fantastic show of lights.

We highly recommend taking time to head out to the front of the Park to watch this magical experience.

Festival of the Holidays

Coming to World Showcase on November 26th will be the Festival of the Holidays.  This festival brings holiday cheer in many ways.

First of all, you will want to enjoy all of the Holiday Kitchens found throughout World Showcase.  The kitchens bring traditional holiday cuisine from various cultures to Guests in the Park.

Before heading to enjoy the festival, check out the menus for all the different Holiday Kitchens so you can make a plan as to what to enjoy.

Guests can also enjoy the decorations from around the world that help bring these kitchens to life and help celebrate the different cultures from around the world.

Holiday Cookie Stroll

A fun part of the holidays at EPCOT is the Holiday Cookie Stroll where you can enjoy different cookies- who doesn’t love that!

Guests can purchase five select cookies from different Holiday Kitchens and collect unique stamps in their festival passport booklet.

This year the different cookies are the Linzer Cookie from the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen, a Gingerbread Cookie from Holiday Hearth Desserts, at L’Chaim Guests will find the Black and White Cookie, a Chocolate Crinkle Cookie with Dove Dark Chocolate is at the American Holiday Kitchen, and finally, a new SNICKERS-Doodle Cookie will be at the Yukon Holiday Kitchen.

Once you have purchased all five cookies, you can then stop by Holiday Sweet and Treats to receive a specialty completer cookie for no extra cost.

This is a fun activity for the whole family that includes some delicious treats to share.

Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition

Another fun family activity that Guests can participate in during the holidays in EPCOT is Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition.

This is a fun scavenger hunt around World Showcase where Guests can find Olaf as well as holiday traditions he has gathered (and lost) along his way.

If Guests want to participate, they can purchase a scavenger hunt map and stickers at Creations Shop, Port of Entry as well as World Traveler at the International Gateway.

The scavenger hunt costs $9.99 to participate and you will receive the “game board” and stickers.

If you find Olaf throughout the World Showcase, you can stop back at any of the three shops to get your special gift.

This is a great option for families with little ones who might need entertaining while the adults enjoy the holiday kitchens. Adults without kids love to look for Olaf as well.

Candlelight Processional

To say we are thrilled that the Candlelight Processional is back this holiday season would be an understatement.

This traditional telling of the Christmas story is one of the most moving and magical experiences during the holiday season.

Guests are treated to a 50-piece orchestra, choir, and a celebrity narrator. Together, they magically bring the Christmas story to life.

There are typically multiple performances each evening, but they all fill up quickly.

If this is a holiday experience that you must see while in EPCOT, consider booking one of the lunch or dinner Candlelight Processional Dining Packages to guarantee a spot.

Festival Entertainment

EPCOT comes to life during the holiday season with a variety of special entertainment that shouldn’t be missed.

Throughout the countries, Guests can enjoy special storytellers that share holiday traditions in the different countries.  This is a special way to learn about holiday traditions from around the world.

These storytellers are extremely talented and they truly bring the magic of the holidays to EPCOT.

Voices of Liberty, the outstanding a cappella group, sing holiday music at the America Gardens Theatre.  They are fun to see in their Dickens inspired outfits.

JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season can be seen in World Showplace as they celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa with Gospel, R&B, and holiday songs.

Other entertainment will also be available such as Las Posadas with Mariachi Corbre and the JAMMitors.

Make sure to slow down to enjoy these experiences throughout World Showcase.

Other Holiday Fun

Finally, don’t forget to stop by and see Santa Claus outside in the American Adventure Pavilion.  Also located in the American Adventure Pavilion is the Gingerbread Capital City.  This year you can find versions of the Lincoln Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the United States Capitol Building.

EPCOT is a fantastic Park to visit during the holiday season as Disney brings so much festivity to the Park.  You can enjoy food, drinks, music, and entertainment for the holiday season. It will be sure to put you in the holiday spirit.