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There's a lot to do around Walt Disney World during the Christmas holiday season. There's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, which we recently covered here, there's the new holiday light show using drones at Disney Springs, Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration, and much more. But one thing that's often overlooked is Holidays Around the World at Epcot, which is the focus of this month's Photo Tour.
At Epcot, there are several special kiosks set up to provide food and beverages for the holidays, but the real prize if you're visiting Epcot during the holidays is the holiday message from all over the world. Not only can you get a sense of how various cultures celebrate Christmas, but you can learn just a little about how other cultures celebrate this time of year.
Candlelight Processional
An event that shouldn't be missed if you're in the area around the holidays is the Candlelight Processional, which is a reading of the Christmas Story by a current celebrity accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and multi-school choir as well as the Voices of Liberty and the Walt Disney World Cast Choir; it's quite an event to see and one of our favorites for the season.
This year the Candlelight Processional is showing from November 25 through December 30. There are usually three performances each night at 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Every few days a new celebrity takes over, with a total of twelve celebrities appearing this year. Our year-to-year favorite has been Whoopi Goldberg.
There are two ways to see the Candlelight Processional. First is the standby line; it's a free performance to anyone who can get in. Folks line up at the entrance and at show time, they file in until the theater is full. The second way (and best for us), is to purchase a package that includes a meal at one of the great restaurants at Epcot followed by preferred seating for one of the performances. By using a dining package, you get a great meal and you're guaranteed a seat in the theater. This year there are dining packages that include lunch or dinner, but there are also some breakfast packages available. You can learn more about the Candlelight Dining Package here.
Imagine having a great three course meal at Chefs de France, Le Cellier Steakhouse, or maybe San Angel Inn Restaurant at the Mexico Pavilion. After enjoying a meal consisting of an appetizer, entree, and dessert, you stroll around World Showcase and arrive at the American Pavilion where you enter the American Gardens Theater and see a classic performance telling the Christmas story, told by a celebrity.
The Storytelling
One facet of Holidays Around the World that we paid little attention to in the past was the storytelling in each country. Each of the eleven countries has at least one presentation showing a bit about how their culture celebrates the holidays. For France, it's Père Noël. For Italy, it's La Befana, the good witch of Christmas. For the United Kingdom, it's a story from Father Christmas, and so on.
Each country tells a story, either with a narrator or a presentation using an example of their particular kind of celebration. We made a point to visit all of them this year and it was a good time. While it's unlikely you'll be able to see all the presentations unless you deliberately make the effort, you should stop and watch when you pass by one that's underway. You won't be disappointed.
You can see an example of the Christmas show from the Voices of Liberty in this short YouTube video. Video by Donald Fink.
Santa Claus, along with Mrs. Claus greet children at the American Pavilion. Photo by Bonnie Fink.
Some of the story from Sigrid and Julenissen can be seen here in this YouTube video. Video by Donald Fink.
Most Lion dances occur during the Lunar New Year, but can also be seen during weddings and other social occasions, or even corporate gatherings. The Lion Dance in China is usually performed around the Chinese New Year, and at other prominent times throughout the year. Thought to have originated as far back as 202 BC, the Lion Dance is performed to bring good luck and prosperity to a community. The Lion Dance performance at Epcot looks like the southern lion, based on the appearance of the costume and style of dance. Mainly, the dancers use natural movements to mimic the lion. In China, there is also a northern lion performance that is danced using kung fu movements.
More Music
Another performance that occurs on the stage near the fountain is a holiday version of American Music Machine. They're a five-person a capella group that usually performs popular music, but during the holiday season they put on a special show more in focus with the Christmas spirit. They're normally located in the American Gardens Theater, but move to the fountain when the American Gardens Theater stage is set for the Candlelight Processional.
The stage in Canada has been somewhat unfocused since the departure of Off Kilter, but during the holidays you can see a group called Canadian Holiday Voyageurs. They bring music from all around Canada for the holidays. We wouldn't mind if they stayed around throughout the year. They could probably put together a pretty good show with various Canadian cultural songs.
Holidays all around Walt Disney World is, in a word, fun. But the offerings at Epcot, with the music, the storytellers, and of course, the food is well worth the visit. It can bring on the Christmas spirit for nearly anyone.
 
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