Christmas Around the World at Epcot

If you visit Epcot this holiday season, you will have an opportunity to learn about holiday traditions around the world. Each country has a special guest telling the tale. 

We had a blast in Norway

Storytellers include:

American Adventure:

• Santa Claus - 1:30-3:00, 3:30-5:00, 5:30-7:00, 7:30-9:00pm
• Hanukkah - 12:00, 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 2:55, 3:45, 4:30, 5:45pm
• Kwanzaa - 12:!5, 1:00, 1:45, 2:30, 3:25, 4:00, 4:45, 6:00pm

Canada: The tale of Lumberjack Nowell journeying to find Santa - 11:30am, 12:05, 12:40, 1:15, 2:10, 3:10, 4:10, 5:15pm

China: The Monkey King will tell of celebrating Chinese New Year - 11:45am, 12:20, 12:55, 1:30, 2:30, 3:20, 4:20, 5:20pm

France: Pere Noel - 11:25, 12:00, 12:35, 1:15, 2:10, 2:55, 3:35, 4:25pm

Germany: Helga reveals the story of the first Christmas tree and her first nutcracker -1:!5, 2:15, 3:15, 4:05, 5:30, 6:05, 6:40, 7:15pm

Italy: La Befana, Italy's good Christmas witch, celebrated her first Christmas 2,000 years ago - 11:55am, 12:50, 1:25, 2:00, 2:55, 3:50, 4:45, 6:05pm.

Japan: Daruma doll and the Japanese New Year - 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 3:30, 4:05, 4:50, 5:35, 6:25pm

Mexico: The journey of the Los Tres Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) to the Posada -1:30, 2:15, 3:15, 4:00, 4:45, 5:30, 6:30, 7:15pm

Morocco: Drummer Taarji tells the customs of Ramadan and Ashura - 1:30, 2:15, 3:00, 4:30, 5:30, 6:15, 7:30pm

Norway: Sigrid will tell the story of Julenissen, the trouble-making Christmas Gnome -2:45, 3:30, 4:15, 5:15, 6:15, 7:00, 7:45, 8:30pm

United Kingdom: Father Christmas - 2:45; 3:20, 4:30, 5:25, 6:05, 6:45, 7:30, 8:30pm

(copied from http://www.wdwinfo.com/holidays/christmas_world.htm#epcot)

Guests can also see the Candlelight Processional. If you want to guarantee a seat at the show, you can book a dinner package. 

More Details About Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Disney has released the map for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a special ticketed event on certain evenings at The Magic Kingdom.

You can view the map here and start planning all the fun to come at the Christmas Party.

Special events for the party include Mickey's One Upon a Christmastime Parade at 8:15 pm and 10:30 pm; Holiday Wishes fireworks at 9:30 pm; A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show and Celebrate the Season Show throughout the evening; Character Dance Parties; complimentary cookies and hot chocolate throughout the park; appearances by Disney characters, and snow on Main Street!

Most of the regular Magic Kingdom attractions are open. I recommend Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Mickey's PhilharMagic, Mad Tea Party, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor to guests of all ages. =)

If you want to attend the party and haven't bought tickets yet, you can get them here. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/

There's also a great video about the event at that site.

If you want to attend, I highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance, as there are a limited number and they can sell out.

4 months to go!

If you haven't already, this is a good time to:

• Book your hotel reservation in our room block by calling 407-827-6799 between 8 am and 5 pm

• Make your advanced dining reservations

• Sign up to take the free Disney’s Magical Express from the airport by calling (407) WDW-MAGIC

• Buy tickets to Disney Christmas events you want to attend, such as Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot

• Buy your park tickets online at the discounted rate (email me for the best rates).

• Book your flight if you are flying. Southwest is still having a sale and we have a discount code for American Airlines. 

Christmas by Candlelight

Looking for more Christmas magic at Disney? The Candlelight Dining Package for the Candlelight Processional and VIP viewing of the fireworks at Epcot just went on sale today.

The Candlelight processional is a retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator, accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and choir. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/candlelight-processional/

Some of the narrators during our visit include Olivia Newton John – December 14-16 and Trace Adkins December 20-22. They have not announced the narrator for Dec 17-19 yet.

Anyone can view the show, but if you want to make sure you get seats (the regular line up starts more than 2 hours in advance for limited seating), you can book a candlelight dinner package. This is a really popular event. If you think you want to book it, you will want to book it soon. 

The name is misleading, as it can also be for lunch. The restaurant options include:

• Biergarten Restaurant
• Coral Reef Restaurant
• The Garden Grill Restaurant (dinner only)
• La Hacienda de San Angel (dinner only)
• Les Chefs de France
• Le Cellier Steakhouse (lunch only)
• Nine Dragons Restaurant
• Restaurant Marrakesh
• Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room
• San Angel Inn
• Teppan Edo
• Tokyo Dining
• Tutto Italia Ristorante
• Via Napoli

Your meal includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage (or one buffet where available). Lunch packages range from $33-56 for adults and $12.50-18 for children. Dinner packages range from $50-67 for adults and $14.50-27 for children. Park tickets are required to enter Epcot.

To book, call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463, or you can book online.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

A special holiday event at Walt Disney World is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Disney recently announced the dates for this year, which coincide nicely with the wedding.

During the event, guests can experience special holiday parades and fireworks. Most of the attractions are open and there are opportunities to meet Disney Characters throughout the park. There are also complimentary cookies and hot chocolate as well as snow on Main Street, USA.

The party is held from 7 pm to midnight on these nights. I have heard that guests have gotten in as early as 4 pm, but I can't confirm that. This year will actually be the first time I attend! =)

December 13, 16, and 18, tickets are $62.79 for adults and $57.46 for children 3-9 years old if you purchase them in advance. These prices include tax. Tickets are $6 more the day of the event and sometimes they do sell out.

December 14 and 20, the tickets are $69.18 and $63.85 in advance.

Click here to buy tickets.

This is a great option if you want to go to The Magic Kingdom after our wedding, as the reception will end at 4 pm, leaving time to change and then go enjoy the festivities. These tickets are also cheaper than a one-day ticket to the park (which runs $90.53 for adults and $84.14 for kids ages 3-9). 

Mousesavers.com recommends having dinner at Tony's Town Square or Liberty Tree Tavern right before the party. Make sure to make dining reservations when they open. (I'll explain dining reservations in a later post closer to when you can make them.)

What a great way to get into the Christmas spirit at Disney!

For more details and some interactive video, check out Disney’s site for the party. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/magic-kingdom/special-events/mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/