Your Guide To The 2018 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
‘Tis the season for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays to return to Walt Disney World. It’s here that guests experience holiday traditions from around the world come to life.
This year is even more magical with new offerings like the new Holiday Cookie Stroll and new food and beverage at Holiday Kitchens. From Nov. 18 through Dec. 30, Epcot brims with holiday magic, as guests will be able to sample international seasonal delicacies, delight in live entertainment, and enjoy festive decor.
Here are some of the festivities at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays guests will enjoy:
NEW! Holiday Cookie Stroll
Guests can enjoy World Showcase and purchase delicious cookies from cookie stroll locations. As they indulge in these sweet treats, they may also collect stamps for each cookie. Guests who get five stamps will be rewarded with a complimentary “completer” cookie and a cold glass of milk! Furthermore, the Holiday Cookie Stroll can be completed at guests’ leisure, with the ability to bring the passport back until Dec. 30.
NEW! Tastes at Holiday Kitchens
Guests will savor some of the most delectable holiday dishes from across the globe at 12 specialty kitchens set around World Showcase. New items this year also include black forest roulade with cherry whipped cream at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen in the Germany pavilion and sofrito-marinated beef with sweet plantains and olives at the Feast of the Three Kings Holiday Kitchen. A brand-new kitchen this year, L’Chaim!, will feature traditional Hebrew dishes such as pastrami on rye, chicken and matzo ball soup, egg cream and more.
Candlelight Processional
The story of Christmas is powerfully told by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a full choir and a 50-piece orchestra in a performance that inspires joy and holiday spirit. New narrators this year include Helen Hunt, Alfonso Ribeiro, Bart Millard and voice of Moana, Auli’i Cravalho. Returning favorites include Neil Patrick Harris, Whoopi Goldberg and voice of Ariel, Jodi Benson. This elegant showcase is performed three times nightly during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, and for the first time will be presented on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 22.
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages
Guests can also add more magic to their holiday celebrations with a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner followed by reserved seating at a performance of the Candlelight Processional. Dining options include some of the tastiest restaurants in Epcot and the adjacent Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. To reserve Candlelight Dining Packages, guests can call (407) WDW-DINE.
Storytellers and Holiday Entertainment during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays
Costumed performers will bring the traditions of their home countries to Epcot with holiday stories and music told around World Showcase, along with a variety of other international festive entertainment.
Chip ’n Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree
Guests will join these playful chipmunks on their quest to collect ornaments for their Christmas tree. Guests may purchase a map and stickers from select merchandise locations and then travel World Showcase hunting for ornaments. A surprise is also in store for those who complete the hunt during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays!
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
This nighttime spectacular of fireworks, special effects, flame torches and more includes a special holiday finale from Nov. 18 to Dec. 30. This is also the final holiday season for IllumiNations. We say goodbye to this beloved show when it concludes at the end of summer 2019. But don’t worry! New thrills on World Showcase Lagoon are debuting immediately afterward.
Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus
Guests can pose for a photo and share their holiday wishes while visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The American Adventure during the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.
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