The holiday season is in full swing here at Walt Disney World, and we’ve been given a bunch of details and gathered lots of pictures and info in the past few weeks regarding the celebrations. If you’ll be visiting the Magic this season, or you’d just like to catch up on all of the holiday fun, settle in with a peppermint mocha while we take a peek at what’s what.
Let’s start off with what’s been announced this week.
Remaining Candlelight Processional Narrators Announced
If Candlelight Processional is a must-do during your November or December EPCOT day, it’s worth noting that Disney has now released the names of the remaining celebrity narrators for the performances. The full list of narrators is as follows:
- 11/26 – 11/28: Auli’i Cravalho
- 11/29 – 12/1: Chita Rivera
- 12/2 – 12/4: Jodi Benson
- 12/5 – 12/7: Alton Fitzgerald White
- 12/8 – 12/10: Bart Millard
- 12/11 – 12/13: Lisa Ling
- 12/14 – 12/16: Andy Garcia
- 12/17 – 12/19: Ana Gasteyer
- 12/20 – 12/22: Courtney B. Vance
- 12/23 – 12/25: Steven Curtis Chapman
- 12/26 – 12/28: Blair Underwood
- 12/29 – 12/30: Pat Sajak
As we reported in September, this year’s Candlelight choir will consist solely of cast members. During each performance, the Voices of Liberty will be positioned in the Christmas tree at center stage.
EPCOT’S Holiday Storytellers and Live Entertainment are Coming Back
Staying in EPCOT, if you’d like to dig into the holiday traditions of each World Showcase pavilion’s home country, in addition to enjoying some fantastic entertainment, I highly recommend a stop to listen to the Holiday Storytellers and the musicians that you’ll find throughout the Showcase. The entertainment begins with the start of the Festival of the Holidays on Friday, November 26th. The complete list of storytellers and performers has been released, and it’s time to make our list and check it twice. Here goes:
- JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season – Showcase Plaza Stage
- Las Posadas Celebration – Mexico pavilion
- A Mischievous Barn Santa – Norway pavilion
- Chinese Lion Dance – China pavilion
- La Befana – Italy pavilion
- Santa Claus – The American Adventure pavilion (Nov. 26 – Dec. 24)
- Daruma Storyteller – Japan pavilion
- Hanukkah Storyteller – between Morocco and France pavilions
- Père Noël – France pavilion
- Father Christmas – United Kingdom pavilion
- Canadian Holiday Voyageurs – Canada pavilion
My personal favorite? Père Noël in the France pavilion. Bless his sweet French Santa heart. I could sit and listen to him until the cows come home. And if you’re the mood to sing and dance and just savor the season, stop and give a listen to JOYFUL.
Olaf and Living with the Land Get into the Holiday Spirit
Living with the Land, found in The Land pavilion, is once again draped in its holiday finest. Even though it’s not officially being referred to as “Merry and Bright Nights” as it once was, guests will still find colorful strings of lights and various holiday-themed props throughout the attraction. If you’re a fan of Living with the Land, definitely add a stop to see the holiday version of the ride to your must-do list. It’s completely charming.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt will once again take place throughout the World Showcase. Guests who choose to participate can purchase a hunt map and stickers for $9.99 and find an Olaf figurine in each World Showcase pavilion. He’s on an adventure to discover global holiday traditions and guests of all ages get to join in on the fun. Don’t forget that you can show your map for a prize at the end. And, just in case you don’t find all of the Olafs, keep in mind that you can get your prize even if you haven’t completed the entire hunt. Whew.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll Returns November 26th!
I’ve made it clear over the last couple of years that EPCOT’s Holiday Cookie Stroll is near and dear to my heart. I LOVE the Stroll, even if the majority of one of the cookies always went in the trash (Peppermint Pinwheel, I’m looking at you). The full list of this year’s cookies has been released, and we’re receiving a new cookie (byeeee, Peppermint Pinwheel). I’m looking forward to yet again making my way around the World Showcase as I gobble up cookies. Please say hello if you see me during the Stroll. And please ignore the cookie crumbs covering my shirt.
Here’s the full list of cookies and their Holiday Kitchen locations:
- SNICKERS-Doodle Cookie made with SNICKERS bar pieces: Yukon Holiday Kitchen
- Black and White Cookie: L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen (plant-based cookie)
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookie made with DOVE Dark Chocolate: American Holiday Table
- Linzer Cookie: Bavaria Holiday Kitchen
- Gingerbread Cookie: Holiday Hearth Desserts
Hollywood Studios has the Best Holiday Decorations. Period.
In my mind, no park tops Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the holiday decor department. It’s just so good. Every decoration is beautifully in-theme and instantly transports guests to the glitz and glamour of the holidays a la Old Hollywood. I so want a holiday hard-ticketed event/party/soiree in Hollywood Studios. I’ve got a crinoline burning a hole in my closet.
Check out pictures of the decorations below:
Magic Kingdom’s Decorations are Back, but with a Golden Sparkle
The park’s iconic decorations are back for the season, but with a bit of a golden touch as a nod to Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. If you missed my article filled with pics and details, be sure to click here to check everything out.
The Holidays Return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
As Jackie previously reported, the Merry Menagerie puppets will return this season to Discovery Island. While you’re in the Discovery Island area, don’t miss the beautiful nature-inspired holiday decorations that line the rooftops of the island’s building. The luminarias are gorgeous, and if you’re in the park after dark, be sure to swing by the Tree of Life to see the winter awakening that it will do off and on throughout the evening.
The park’s decorations are as lovely as ever. The most beautiful decorations in the park in my mind? The colorful Diwali lanterns strung across the walkway just outside of UP! A Great Bird Adventure. They’re breathtaking.
Get a peek at the lanterns, as well as all of the park’s holiday decor, below:
Of course, the Walt Disney World resorts are getting in on the holiday fun in their own unique ways (including releasing a treasure trove of holiday snacks!), as is Disney Springs. Jackie has filled the site with all of the latest details, so be sure to click on the links in the last sentence to check everything out.
What’s a Walt Disney World holiday must-do that you’d recommend? Let me know in the comment section below!