Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

REVIEW: France Alsace Holiday Kitchen, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

We continue our series of reviews of the booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays this year by visiting the Alsace Holiday Kitchen today. This marketplace can be found in the France pavilion in World Showcase.

Here’s the menu:

Napoléon de Saumon Fumé, Brioche á l’aneth: Smoked Salmon Napoleon in a Dill Brioche – $5.75
Le Réveillon de Noël: Turkey Breast Stuffed with Mushrooms and Chestnuts with Sweet Potato Purée – $6.75
Bûche de Noël au Chocolat: Slice of Chocolate Christmas Yule Log – $4.75
Spiced Rum Punch Slush: Spiced Rum, Rhum Clement V.S.O.P., Orange and Pineapple Juice with Cinnamon – $10.75
Merlot & Cabernet Blend, Château de Bechuad, Saint Emilion – $6.75
Holiday Kir: Sparkling Wine and Monin® Cranberry Syrup – $7.00
Champagne Brut, Nicolas Feuillatte – $15.00

Napoléon de Saumon Fumé, Brioche á l’aneth: Smoked Salmon Napoleon in a Dill Brioche – $5.75

This is a nice departure from other festival items since it is served cold, and it delivers in the flavor department. The brioche is really nice and the salmon quite flavorful with the cream having a taste akin to a cream cheese.

Le Réveillon de Noël: Turkey Breast Stuffed with Mushrooms and Chestnuts with Sweet Potato Purée – $6.75

It looks like cat food, which is a little off putting, but it tasted good. In fairness, it’s hard to go wrong with turkey, mushrooms, and sweet potato.

Bûche de Noël au Chocolat: Slice of Chocolate Christmas Yule Log – $4.75

This was a huge disappointment. It has a chocolate cake flavor and that’s really all you can say about it. If you want a chocolate dessert, I again refer you to Les Halles (the France bakery) which has a pretty amazing Yule Log for sale right now.

Spiced Rum Punch Slush: Spiced Rum, Rhum Clement V.S.O.P., Orange and Pineapple Juice with Cinnamon – $10.75

The wine slush that is so popular at other festivals is back here with a twist. Sadly, that twist makes it less memorable than the similar offerings at other Epcot events. If you want “rum juice” then you should get this, but otherwise I would skip it.

On a side note, they gave us a cup that was pretty much not completely assembled and then refused to make us a new drink in a new cup (and yes, we were going to give this one back). I can’t begin to tell you the anxiety had during this photo shoot that the slush was just going to fall off of the base.

Holiday Kir: Sparkling Wine and Monin® Cranberry Syrup – $7.00

You can do much better elsewhere at Epcot if you like sparkling wine, this one just tastes very syrupy.

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REVIEW: Morocco Tarabaki Holiday Kitchen, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 11, 2017

We continue our series of reviews of the booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays this year by visiting the Tarabaki Holiday Kitchen today. This marketplace can be found next door to the Morocco Pavilion, as you might imagine.

Here’s the menu

Grilled Lamb Kefta and Grapes with Julienne of Euro Cucumber, Red Pepper, Pickled Pearl Onions, Harissa and Cilantro Dressing – $7.00
Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts and Pinot Noir Syrup – $7.00
Triangle Honey Briwat with Almond Paste, Rose Water and Toasted Sesame Seeds – $4.00
The Andalusian “Poinsettia” Cocktail: Sparkling Wine, Orange Liqueur and Cranberry Juice topped with Orange Blossom Water – $8.00
Walnut Spiced Coffee with Walnut Liqueur, topped with Cinnamon and Whipped Cream – $7.00
Casa Beer – $4.00

Grilled Lamb Kefta and Grapes with Julienne of Euro Cucumber, Red Pepper, Pickled Pearl Onions, Harissa and Cilantro Dressing – $7.00

And the award for the smallest dish ever served at an Epcot Festival goes to… this.

It was good, but look at the size of it. I can’t in good conscience tell you to pay $7.00 for this, no matter how it tastes. End of story.

Confit of Chermoula Chicken Drum with Cinnamon Granny Smith Apple, Toasted Almonds, Brussels Sprouts and Pinot Noir Syrup – $7.00

Again, $7 is a lot for a chicken drum, but this was quite good. I can’t recommend it, but I don’t think you would be unhappy with it if you were to have it. The Brussels Sprouts were quite good, but not Polite Pig good.

Triangle Honey Briwat with Almond Paste, Rose Water and Toasted Sesame Seeds – $4.00

These were just about the driest food item I have ever eaten. They were so dry that I can’t even discern what flavor there was supposed to be.

The Andalusian “Poinsettia” Cocktail: Sparkling Wine, Orange Liqueur and Cranberry Juice topped with Orange Blossom Water – $8.00

This is light and easy to drink, so it’s highly recommended for sparkling wine lovers out there.

Walnut Spiced Coffee with Walnut Liqueur, topped with Cinnamon and Whipped Cream – $7.00

I love alcoholic coffee drinks and this was one of my favorites that I’ve had at Walt Disney World. It’s a sizable pour and the flavors are mixed perfectly, offering a bitter coffee offset nicely with walnut and cinnamon flavors, as well as the sweet whipped cream. Probably my favorite drink at the entire event. You may want to pick a nice, cool day to enjoy this though…

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REVIEW: Cookie Nook Inside The Festive Center, Odyssey at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We begin our series of reviews of the marketplaces at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays with the Cookie Nook, located inside what is being called The Festive Center, which is the Odyssey building perched between Future World and World Showcase.

Here’s the menu:

Warm Apple Fritter – with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce – $4.75
Snowflake Sugar Cookie – $4.00
Snickerdoodle Cookie – Sugar Cookie rolled in Cinnamon Sugar – $3.50
Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie – $3.50
Gingersnap Cookie – with Cream Cheese Icing and Cranberry Jam – $4.50
Sachertorte – Chocolate Cake with Apricot Jam and Dark Chocolate Glaze – $4.75
Decorated Gingerbread Cookie – $4.00
Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie – $4.00
Chocolate Chunk Cookie – $3.00
Brew Hub Pumpkin Spice Dunkelweiss, Lakeland, Florida – $4.25
Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde, Titusville, Florida – $4.25
Central 28 Beer Company Joy From the World Holiday Dubble, DeBary, Florida – $4.25
Cranberry Sprite Punch with Pear Vodka – $9.00
Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00
Specialty Red Wine – $6.00
Specialty White Wine – $6.00
Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Cranberry Wine – $6.00
Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa with Crème de Menthe – $8.00
Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic) – $3.00

The Cookie Nook is a rather pleasant place to enjoy a snack while watching classic cartoons, including Mickey’s Christmas Carol in its entirety.

OK, let’s go item by item…

Warm Apple Fritter – with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce – $4.75

This was fantastic. The warm apple fritter went perfectly with the cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce. I’ll look to have this again before the festival is over.

Snowflake Sugar Cookie – $4.00

These are nothing special, but I love sugar cookies, so personally I would order this again. No one else in the party was impressed with this, and I get it, but I still think it is enjoyable.

Snickerdoodle Cookie – Sugar Cookie rolled in Cinnamon Sugar – $3.50

The snickerdoodle was fairly flavorless and is not worth a buy. I don’t even know what else to say about it, that’s how bland it was.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie – $3.50

If you like peppermint, then get this. If you don’t, then do not. It was pretty good, offering a rich chocolate flavor offset nicely by the peppermint twist.

Gingersnap Cookie – with Cream Cheese Icing and Cranberry Jam – $4.50

A nice departure from the other cookies, this has a nice-sized dollop of sweet cream cheese icing which really elevated the ginger flavor of the cookie. This is worth a try if you are interested.

Sachertorte – Chocolate Cake with Apricot Jam and Dark Chocolate Glaze – $4.75

If you really love chocolate cake, then this dessert is all you. It’s really fantastic for what it is, but it is probably no different from something you can make at home or even buy at the store.

Decorated Gingerbread Cookie – $4.00

I appreciate that this is decorated after you order it and it is very good for a gingerbread cookie. If you are really craving a gingerbread man, this will do the trick.

Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie – $4.00

Again, no one but me seemed excited about this, but I love these kind of cookie at this time of year. I enjoyed this one so much that I took the remaining half home and enjoyed it there. It’s nothing special, but sometimes you just want a sugar cookie, right?

Chocolate Chunk Cookie – $3.00

Speaking of unremarkable, this is the usual Disney counter service chocolate chip cookie, so unless your kids are screaming that they want one, I would stay away from this.

Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00, Brew Hub Pumpkin Spice Dunkelweiss – $4.25, Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde, – $4.25, Central 28 Beer Company Joy From the World Holiday Dubble – $4.25

An enjoyable beer flight with three unique enough flavors that it is worth a try if you enjoy such things. We really liked two out of the three, which is usually the case with these Festival beer flights.

Cranberry Sprite Punch with Pear Vodka – $9.00

There’s noting particularly special about this, but Cranberry Sprite mixes really well with alcohol. This is probably something you could make at home, but it hits the spot and feels pretty festive. It looks like it would be super sweet, but it really wasn’t, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Cranberry Wine – $6.00

If you want to pair a wine with your cookies, this is probably what you want. According to Josh of EasyWDW.com, it is light, sweet, and tart with every sip, and I would agree.

REVIEW: American Holiday Table at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Our next review of the marketplaces at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays is the American Holiday table, located just outside of The American Adventure pavilion in World Showcase.

Here’s the menu:

Slow-Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Seared Pork Tenderloin with Holiday Accompaniments: Green Bean Casserole, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges and a Champagne Demi-Glace – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Chocolate Pecan Tart with Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Orange Blossom Brewing Cranberry Kringle Pilsner, Orlando, FL – $4.25
Shipyard® Eggnog White Porter, Clearwater, FL – $4.25
JDub’s Season’s Greetings Peppermint Milk Stout, Sarasota, FL – $4.25
Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00
Kurt Russell’s GoGi Wines Chardonnay “Goldie,” California – $10.00
Kurt Russell’s GoGi Wines Pinot Noir, California – $15.00
Chocolate Apple Shake featuring Twinings® Winter Spice Tea and Butterscotch Schnapps – $8.50
Cocoa Candy Cane: Nestlé® Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps – $8.00
Firenog: TG Lee® Eggnog with Fireball® Cinnamon Whisky – $9.50
Chocolate Apple Shake featuring Twinings Winter Spice Tea (non-alcoholic) – $4.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic) – $3.00, DDP Snack Eligible
TG Lee® Eggnog (non-alcoholic) – $3.00, DDP Snack Eligible

OK let’s try some of these items…

Slow-Roasted Turkey with Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Cranberry Sauce – $5.25

This was really, really good. The turkey was cooked very nicely, the stuffing tasted good, and the mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce blended perfectly with it. The unadvertised strignbeans were a nice touch too, marking the only time I think I have ever enjoyed this side.

Seared Pork Tenderloin with Holiday Accompaniments: Green Bean Casserole, Roasted Sweet Potato Wedges and a Champagne Demi-Glace – $5.50

I really enjoyed the pork as it was quite well cooked and really tender. I’m not sure that the sides qualify as a casserole, but they are good nonetheless. Highly recommend this if you want something familiar and good.

Chocolate Pecan Tart with Whipped Cream and Caramel Sauce – $4.50

I also enjoyed the pecan tart quite a bit, but you’re really going to need to love nutty desserts to have this one. The crust was nice and crispy and everything was well accented by the heavy dose of caramel sauce and whipped cream.

Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00, Orange Blossom Brewing Cranberry Kringle Pilsner – $4.25, Shipyard® Eggnog White Porter – $4.25, JDub’s Season’s Greetings Peppermint Milk Stout – $4.25

I was in the minority on this one, but I enjoyed Eggnog White Porter and the Peppermint Milk Stout, but they are both likely “acquired tastes”. As usual with a beer flight, you are using this as an opportunity to try and these are not beers you can get all year long, so it’s at least worth a shot in my opinion.

Chocolate Apple Shake featuring Twinings® Winter Spice Tea and Butterscotch Schnapps – $8.50

This was kind of a disappointment, a definite downgrade from the version that was sold last year. I would describe the flavor in depth, but it was honestly very forgettable and I can’t remember a single thing about it.

Cocoa Candy Cane: Nestlé® Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Schnapps – $8.00

It is what is says it is, but I like it. Yes, it is more expensive than if you made it yourself at home, but you’re not at home are you? If you’re in the mood for such a thing, this will do the trick, but it is just hot cocoa and Peppermint Schnapps…

Firenog: TG Lee® Eggnog with Fireball® Cinnamon Whisky – $9.50

A holdover from last year, the firenog was good (the small drink on the left), albeit a little small for $9.50. We would have liked a little more fireball whiskey in here, but maybe it just depends who pours you the drink.

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REVIEW: Feast of the Three Kings, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We continue our series of reviews of the booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays this year by visiting the Feast of the Three Kings today. This marketplace can be found next door to the Refreshment Port, just behind the Imagination pavilion on the way to World Showcase.

Here’s the menu:

Shredded Beef Tamale with Avocado Crema and Cilantro Rice – $5.75, DDP Snack Eligible
Roasted Pork with Mashed Yucca and Pickled Green Bananas (Gluten-Free) – $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Three Kings Bread – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Coquito with a Bacardi Rum Floater – $9.00
Coquito – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Presidente Pilsner – $4.00

Shredded Beef Tamale with Avocado Crema and Cilantro Rice – $5.75

The shredded beef tamale is good, but the ratio of breading to beef was poor. The Avacado Crema sauce had a really nice flavor paired with both the rice and the tamale. If there was more beef in this, I would highly recommend it, but it’s hard to compete with the pork dish.

Roasted Pork with Mashed Yucca and Pickled Green Bananas (Gluten-Free) – $5.25

This roasted pork dish is one not to be missed. The pork was cooked perfectly and the yucca as well with a nice, buttery flavor. I have eaten a lot of yucca in the last year or so, this was the best portion of the side dish I have ever had. I could do without the pickled green bananas, but they were fine on their own.

Three Kings Bread – $4.00, DDP Snack Eligible

Traditional dessert with a rich, white, sugary icing on top over a flaky, soft bread. This was really wonderful in its simplicity and was similar to many Italian baked good I have enjoyed over the holiday seasons in New York, so I may be a little biased in my nostalgic feelings for this dish. I still think you will enjoy it though.

Coquito with a Bacardi Rum Floater – $9.00

I enjoy a sweet alcoholic beverage so this was right up my alley. Coconut and cinnamon flavoring mixed with rum is pretty delicious, but the portion size is pretty small as you would expect. It’s really delicious, but just not enough of it is in this serving for $9. A non-alcoholic version is also offered.

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REVIEW: Yukon Holiday Kitchen, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We continue our series of reviews of the booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays this year by visiting the Yukon Holiday Kitchen today. This marketplace can be found next door to the Refreshment Port, just steps away from the Canada pavilion.

Here’s the menu:

Seared Salmon with Crown Royal® Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere with Canadian Ketchup – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Chateau de Charmes Riesling Icewine – $6.00
Neige Apple Ice Wine – $5.50
Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine – $8.75
Icewine Flight – $6.50
Fielding Estate Pinot Grigio – $4.75
Fielding Estate Red Conception – $7.00
Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky – $10.00
Unibroue Éphémère Elderberry – $4.25

Seared Salmon with Crown Royal® Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant – $5.50

One of the items I would deem a “must buy” at this event, the salmon was cooked to perfection and had this flavorful maple glaze that really pushed it over the edge. I could have done without the apple chutney, but the Hazelnut Croquant went very well with the fish.

Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere with Canadian Ketchup – $5.00

Another one of my absolute favorites from the entire Festival, this is brilliant in its simplicity. It’s pretty sizable, the crust is flaky and delicious, and the pork is wonderfully prepared, but what makes the dish is the ketchup. This isn’t Heinz from a bottle, and it may very well be from a bottle, but it tastes more like it was made from scratch. I need to find this ketchup to use at home. I’m joking, I don’t cook at home, I have to eat at Epcot festivals most days of the year.

Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble – $4.50

This was rather enjoyable, but I find myself wanting a dessert like this to be chocolate. That being said, maple mousse and gingerbread cake is a nice diversion, paired well with the cranberry sauce and the pecans. If you want a more traditional yule log, I suggest a walk over to Les Halles (the France bakery).

Icewine Flight – $6.50; Chateau de Charmes Riesling Icewine – $6.00, Neige Apple Ice Wine – $5.50, Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine – $8.75

I’m not a big ice wine fan as they are just too sweet for me, but I was assured by several others in our party that this was a good flight. The Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine was my favorite of the three as I’m partial to strawberry, but not something I would personally order again. If you like ice wine, this is a good opportunity to try three though, so don’t listen to me.

Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky – $10.00

I really loved this, but I do have a soft spot for coffee and alcohol when they’re mixed together. There was plenty of alcohol in this and a nice maple flavor to it. I highly recommend it.

Unibroue Éphémère Elderberry – $4.25

This beer is light, fruity, low in carbonation, easy to drink, and much less medicinal in flavor than one might expect. It’s worth a try if you are so inclined.

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Hidden Holiday Treasures at the Walt Disney World Resort

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

By Barbara Cash, Small World Big Fun Disney Authorized Travel Agent

So you are going to Disney World during the holiday season but, for whatever reason, you didn’t purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom. No worries! There is so much to see and do at Disney World to get into the holiday spirit.

Below are some “insider” tips and advice for things to do that are not always included in the standard maps and guides. If you have any questions you can contact me anytime!

Check out the resorts. Every Disney resort will be decked out in their themed holiday splendor. The Grand Floridian has a huge gingerbread house and a five-story Christmas tree. Many nights, the deluxe resorts also have characters in the lobby taking pictures with guests and signing autographs. Last year, after finishing dinner at ‘Ohana at The Polynesian, my family was greeted by Mickey and Minnie in the lobby decked out in their Hawaiian holiday attire. Most of these activities aren’t listed in map guides or schedule sheets. These are just special moments guests happen upon while visiting Disney World.
Visit Disney Springs. Grab a hot chocolate from Ghirardelli’s and take a stroll through the Disney-themed Christmas trees along the Trail of Trees. If you need to wrap up your holiday shopping, the options are almost limitless! There is no cost to visit Disney Springs. Take a stroll, have a snack, and take in all the decorations.
Explore the holiday decorations in the parks. At Epcot, Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree is a fun scavenger hunt around World Showcase. Be sure to visit the Santas Around the World and learn a little about his history and traditions in other countries. In Hollywood Studios, there are special fireworks and throwback decorations from earlier eras.
Last but not least… the food! The special treats at Disney World are always great but they are completely over the top during the holiday season. Everything from Christmas-themed caramel apples to the Holiday Waffle featured at the Holiday Marketplace in Epcot – It’s a sweet potato waffle base stuffed with roast turkey and topped with green bean casserole!

The holiday season is a special time at Disney World. You can visit resorts, take in the decorations at the theme parks, happen upon special groups sharing their cheer, and have some fantastic treats that are beyond the usual at Disney World. Don’t let the lack of a party ticket keep you from getting into holiday cheer.

Barbara Cash is an Agent with WDWNT’s Exclusive Disney Travel Partner – Small World Big Fun. You can learn more about Barbara here.

Disney Announces Full Celebrity Narrator Lineup for Candlelight Processional 2017 at Epcot

WDWNT on October 13, 2017

Disney has announced the remainder of the celebrity narrator lineup for the 2017 Candlelight Processional, now part of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays.

Emmy and Tony award-winning Actor Neil Patrick Harris narrates Candlelight Processional Dec. 1, 2015 at Epcot. The event is one of the most beloved holiday traditions at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. Epcot is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Mariah Wild, photographer)

Disney Legend Kurt Russell, who has starred in Disney films from the 1960s to 2017’s “Guardians of the Galaxy 2” will read the Christmas story this year – as well as gold- and silver-medal-winning gymnast Laurie Hernandez. Two veterans of the event – actress/comedienne Ana Gasteyer and Jodi Benson, voice of Ariel in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” – complete this year’s list.

As previously announced, new narrators for this year’s lineup include Matt Bomer (“White Collar,” “The Last Tycoon,”); Star Wars fan favorite Warwick Davis, who played Wicket the Ewok in “Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi;” Daytime Television Legend Pat Sajak and TV star CCH Pounder, who was recently at Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the grand opening of Pandora – The World of Avatar. And returning this year are everyone’s favorite hard-driving Dr. Bailey from “Grey’s Anatomy,” Chandra Wilson – and newly-named Disney Legend Whoopi Goldberg, co-host of ABC’s “The View.”

Here is the full list of narrators (everything subject to change, of course):

Nov. 24- 26 – Laurie Hernandez – NEW!
Nov. 27-28 – Matt Bomer – NEW!
Nov. 29 – 30 – Ana Gasteyer
Dec. 1-3 – Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 4-5 – Pat Sajak – NEW!
Dec. 6-8 – Jodi Benson
Dec. 9-11 – Kurt Russell – NEW!
Dec. 12-14 – Warwick Davis – NEW!
Dec. 15-17 – Trace Adkins
Dec. 18-21 – Neil Patrick Harris
Dec. 22-24 – CCH Pounder – NEW!
Dec. 25-27 – Jaci Velasquez
Dec. 28-30 – Chandra Wilson

The Candlelight Processional presents the traditional story of Christmas in truly spectacular fashion – with a celebrity narrator, a 50-piece orchestra and a massed choir. The processional is performed three times per night (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during the holiday season at the America Gardens Theatre. These packages, available on select nights, include a delicious meal and a guaranteed seat for one of the Candlelight Processional performances. Availability is limited.

In addition to lunch and dinner packages, breakfast options are available at restaurants in and near Epcot like Akershus Royal Banquet Hall and The Garden Grill. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options are also available this year at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with breakfast and dinner options being offered at Trattoria Al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk. Candlelight Dining Packages for breakfast start at $35 plus tax per person for adults and $21 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9. Candlelight Dining Packages for lunch and dinner start at $44 plus tax per person for adults and $15.50 plus tax per person for children, ages 3-9.

Holidays Around the World to Become Epcot International Festival of the Holidays in 2017

WDWNT on September 17, 2017

Holidays Around the World is transforming into Epcot International Festival of the Holidays from November 19 to December 30, 2017.

Discover a festival like no other, featuring the joyous holiday traditions of our 11 World Showcase nations. Epcot® International Festival of the Holidays surrounds you in the wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season as celebrated by cultures near and far.

Delight in stirring live musical productions; savor seasonal food & beverage specialties at the expanded Holiday Kitchens; and take a festive global tour as costumed performers bring time-honored traditions to life throughout World Showcase!

New for 2017 is Chip and Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree. Chip and Dale are collecting ornaments for their Christmas tree, and they need your help! To get started, simply purchase a map and sticker from select merchandise locations, including Pin Central, Disney Traders and World Traveler at International Gateway. As you travel around World Showcase, be on the lookout for Chip and Dale as they gather ornaments from holiday decorations in each World Showcase pavilion. Once you spot them, add the corresponding ornament sticker to your map. Then, take your completed map to Disney Traders and exchange it for a festive surprise, courtesy of Chip and Dale! Maps are $6.99 plus tax, and are available throughout Holidays Around the World at Epcot while supplies last.

The Holiday Kitchens will return this year as well, including:

American Holiday Table
From the tender roast turkey to the tasty pork tenderloin, memories of grandma’s kitchen will come flooding back when you visit this salute to the great flavors of America.
Feast of the Three Kings
Dine like royalty as you enjoy scrumptious foods and delicious drinks from the Caribbean at this holiday kiosk inspired by the story of the Magi. While you nibble, learn about the celebration of Three Kings’ Day, El Día De Los Reyes Magos!
Holiday Sweets and Treats
From decadent desserts to savory snacks and merry libations, you’ll be in full swing of the season at this festively-appointed holiday kiosk. Enjoy the view here at Showcase Plaza, meet up with friends or just take a moment to unwind.
Mexico
Watch mariachi dancers celebrating a Feliz Navidad, while imbibing on the zippy spices of Mexican cuisine. The carnitas tacos and horchata margaritas will have you singing, “olé!”

The Candlelight Processional (along with dining packages for it), the IllumiNations holiday finale, and “Joyful! A Gospel Celebration” will all return as well despite the name change.