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Don’t Miss The Most Underrated Holiday Decorations in Walt Disney World

Christmas is a highly anticipated celebration in the Disney Parks and Resorts. Not only does it bring incredible Christmas trees and decorations to admire around the Walt Disney World Resort, but it also brings gingerbread houses, speciality and limited edition food and beverage options, new merchandise and a whole lot of fun for Guests to experience. 

While the Christmas transformation began at the stroke of midnight of Halloween, parts of Walt Disney World are still being decorated. Over the last few days, more of the Disney Resort hotels have been decorated for the Holidays, including Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn Resort. The huge tree that occupies the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has also taken its place, to provide the perfect compliment to the gingerbread house. 

wilderness-lodge-christmas-tree

Credit: Travel + Leisure

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins in just a couple of days, and the Disney Park is finally being decorated for the celebrations. The Christmas celebrations officially begin on November 25, and run through to December 30.

EPCOT is usually one of the last parts of the Walt Disney World Resort to be decked out in Holiday decorations due to the International Food & Wine Festival running through to mid November each year. This year’s Festival ended on November 19, having started on July 14.

International Festival of the Holidays

This EPCOT Festival celebrates the different Christmas traditions that are known by cultures from around the globe. Guests can experience these global traditions by visiting the different Pavilions around World Showcase. The Holiday Kitchens around World Showcase also help to share the Christmas spirit by bringing seasonal recipes that a loved in different countries to Disney Guests. The Holiday Cookie Stroll encourages Guests to experience all that the EPCOT Festival has to offer.

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is well known for the Candlelight Processional. Each evening of the Festival, with the exception of Christmas Day and Boxing Day, a celebrity narrator tells the story of Christmas, with the help of a 50-piece orchestra and a full choir. Guests have the opportunity to enjoy the Holiday delight in the America Gardens Theatre, three times per evening: at 5:15 p.m.; 7 p.m.; and 8:30 p.m.

Candlelight Processional

Credit: Disney

As part of the Christmas Festival, Spaceship Earth will host a new light show, known as Points of Light. The light display will be inspired by the winter season, featuring snowflakes, candles and the Northern Lights. You won’t want to miss this beautiful display on Spaceship Earth.

This year, Guardian’s of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will also feature a Holiday overlay. Known as the Holiday Remix, Guests will experience the well-loved EPCOT attraction to a mash-up of seasonal tracks. You won’t want to miss this unique experience if you’re visiting Walt Disney World during this Christmas season.

GOTG Holiday Remix cosmic rewind

Credit: Disney

Guardian’s of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind isn’t the only ride in EPCOT theme park to receive a Holiday overlay. We’d argue that the other attraction to do so, has the most underrated Christmas decorations across the whole of the Walt Disney World Resort. You don’t want to miss this…

Living with the Land

Living with the Land is a slow moving water ride, that begins underneath the Garden Grill restaurant. Guests pass through scenes that show the varied landscapes that can be found around the World. The ride continues into the working greenhouses, where crops are grown that service the many restaurants around the Walt Disney World Resort. It’s here where the Christmas magic can be found.

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Credit: Disney Tips

Just like the Jungle Cruise, or should we say Jingle Cruise now that the Holiday season is in full swing, Living with the Land receives an overhaul during this time of the year, offering Guests a different, and possibly new, experience.

This year’s Living with the Land Christmas overlay is named the Glimmering Greenhouses. Whilst it is the first that that it has been given this title, the Living with the Land overlay has previously been known as Merry and Bright Nights. Known as the Sustainable Agriculture Production & Research Center, the EPCOT greenhouses provide Guests with an insight of the future of agriculture. Guests who frequently visit Walt Disney World will be aware that Living with the Land is an attraction that receives updates throughout the year, to reflect Festivals that are taking place or the seasons throughout the year. 

Glimmering Greenhouses is a suitable name for the Living with the Land Christmas overlay this year. Donned in Christmas lights, there is a sense of magic and wonder to the beautiful attraction located in The Land Pavilion in World Nature. Whilst the decorations are to be enjoyed at any time of day, we recommend taking a ride on Living with the Land during the evening; it’s a really pretty sight to see the greenhouses lit up.

epcot-glimmering-greenhouses

Credit: Disney Tips

Admire the rainbow of glowing pebble lights in the sand, and the multi-coloured lights that adorn the trees and crops. Look out for the plant presents, and the Hidden Mickey’s that help to light up the fish farm. A famous Christmas reindeer even features in the Glimmering Greenhouses, where a large Mickey topiary has antlers and a big red nose. It may just be our favorite version of this Hidden Mickey yet! Take a look in the windows of the lab to see stockings hung and extra large snowflakes decorating the windows. And don’t forget to admire the scientific Christmas tree that you’ll pass before completing your ride through. 

Living With the Land Christmas Decorations

Credit: Emille Crawford / ITM

Do you have plans to enjoy all that there is to offer at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays? Make sure to stop by Living with the Land and enjoy a gentle cruise through the Glimmering Greenhouses. It’s a wonderful part of Christmas time in the Disney Park.

About Victoria Mills

Victoria is a Disney-loving, tea-drinking, Math teacher from Liverpool, England. Her motto is 'work hard, Disney harder'! Having taken part in the Disney College Program back in 2010, Victoria's love and appreciation for Walt Disney World only grew, and it's the place where she feels most herself - it's home!