7 Reasons Why Epcot is The Place to Be This Holiday Season

December 2, 2017

Sure when it comes to thinking about the holidays at Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom is usually this first park that comes to mind with its annual Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party celebrations. However, we here at Disney Addicts think the amazing flurry of activities happening over at Epcot are pretty special and make the theme park a definite must-do for families that want to enjoy the Christmas Season Disney-style. So, if you’re going to be paying a visit to the Mouse during the month of December be sure to pencil in a 1/2 day if not more to enjoy all of the festive treats. To give you just a taste, here’s are 7 Reasons Why Epcot is the Place to Be During the Holidays:

1. Holiday Storytellers – When visiting a Disney theme park it’s all too easy to make it just about the rides and headlining attractions. However, guests that really take their time and explore the world showcase are in for a special treat. During the Christmas Season, Epcot launches its International Festival of the Holidays where the 11 countries that make up the World Showcase pull out all the stops to give visitors a taste of their Holiday traditions. You’ll learn about Julenissen- the sneaky Christmas gnome in Norway, La Befana the friendly Christmas Witch From Italy and get to witness a breathtaking Chinese Lion Dance. The Holiday Storytellers are a fun an enriching experience not-to-be-missed.

2. Holiday Kitchens – During Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays Celebration, the World Showcase plays host to 15 amazing Holiday Kitchens offering seasonal comfort food from around the World. Be sure to save a bit of spending money in your Disney budget to try out treats that include a delcious assortment of sugar cookies (pictured above) from the Cookie Nook, or a more traditional seared Pork Tenderloin dinner at the American Pavilion. One of our favorite trends this year are boozy milkshakes and the Chocolate Apple Shake With Twinings Winter Spice Tea and Butterscotch Schnapps also at the American Pavilion is not to be missed! For a list of some of our other stand-out Epcot holiday treats check out this article.

3. Joyful! A Celebration of the Season – Who says all the Holiday fun takes place only in the World Showcase. Linger a bit in Future World to check out this amazing concert that will have you clapping, dancing and singing your way into the Christmas Season. Joyful! A Celebration of the season is an uplifting mix of gospel, jazz, R&B and more. Performances run daily at the Future World Fountain Stage at 1:25pm, 2:25pm, 3:25pm and 4:25pm.

4. Meeting Santa at the American Pavilion – No visit to Disney World at Christmas would be complete without a visit from the Big Guy in red. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand as part of Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays to meet guests daily from 1:30pm – 8:45pm. This is a very popular Meet and Greet during the holidays so be prepared to wait in line. For a list of other places to meet Santa at Disney World check out this article.

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5. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth – From now until December 30th, Epcot’s beloved nigttime fireworks extravaganza gets a special Holiday-themed finale. This moving send-off features holiday greetings in native languages from the countries that make up the World Showcase, along with classic songs like “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” It’s a perfect way to remember the real reason for the season.

6. Candlelight Processional – One of the highlights of a Christmas visit to Walt Disney World, this nightly retelling of the Christmas Story featuring amazing choirs, a 50 piece orchestra and celebrity narrators is nothing short of magical. Special guests this year include Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg, Matt Bomer, CCH Pounder and Pat Sajak just to name a few. The Processional is performed three times each evening at 5:00, 6:45 and 8.15 pm and is included in the cost of you your Epcot admission. Performances take place at the American Gardens Theatre with performances running from until December 30th. For more information on this year’s star-studded line-up as well as details on the Candlelight Processional Dining Package which includes VIP seating for the event, check out this article.

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7. Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree – For those with kids in tow, this fun-filled scavenger hunt is the perfect project to keep little ones busy while you make your way around the World Showcase. The premise is that you are helping Chip and Dale collect ornaments for their Christmas Tree which are scattered around the World Showcase. To get started guests can purchase a map and sticker set for $6.99 from selected merchandise locations. As you make your way around the Showcase ben on the lookout for holiday decorations at each pavilion, match the decoration with the sticker on your map and move on to the next one. Guests who find all the ornaments will receive a special surprise from Chip and Dale.

These are just merely a handful of the many reasons why we think Epcot is one of the best places to visit during your Disney destination Christmas. And for those that aren’t able to make it this month, why not start planning for next year? Vacation packages are currently available to book through until the end of 2018.

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