Sunday Reflection: Disney Decorations of Christmas Past

Holidays Around WDW part 2 – Epcot Celebrations Around the World

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Posted on January 18, 2012

EPCOT’s World Showcase is magical at any time of the year, but during the holidays it is completely mind-blowing. (Part 1 – Resorts, is here.)

First, there are the storytellers.

In Italy, La Befana flies through the air on her broomstick and visits children on the eve of the Epiphany and leaves children gifts, just in case they are in fact the Gesu Bambino. The storyteller we saw was riveting.

La Befana, Italy Pavilion, EPCOT

In Japan, a traditional New Year’s gift is the Daruma doll. From what I could gather, it’s basically a way to stick to your New Years resolution. The dolls have no eyes when you first receive them. When you make your resolution, or set a goal, you paint one eye on the doll. When you achieve your goal, you can paint on the other eye. It’s keeping its eye on you! Creepy…

Daruma doll vendor, Japan Pavilion, EPCOT

Not an official Storyteller, but if she’s there, make sure to see Miyuki, the “Candy Lady”! She is one of only 15 artists in the world who still practice the art of Amezaiku, and the only woman. She makes incredibly detailed animal lollypops out of corn syrup. She is absolutely mesmerizing. And the lollypops get donated to kids at a local hospital.

Miyuki, Japan Pavilion, EPCOT

In Norway, your hosts are Sigrid and the trixter gnome Julenissen. Julenissen watches over the family’s animals, so the kids leave him porridge in the barn. It’s a charming story, and pretty funny.

Sigrid, Norway Pavilion, EPCOT

Julenissen, Norway Pavilion, EPCOT

Yet another jolly rotund fellow with a white beard is Father Christmas in the United Kingdom. Truth be told, he was a little long-winded. Plus, he wouldn’t stand still so that I could get a non-blurry picture. It is entirely possible that even surrounded by magic and wonderment, I started to get a little tired and grumpy toward the end of the night.

Father Christmas, United Kingdom Pavilion, EPCOT

After you visit the Storytellers, (Yes there are more, but man, it really takes a lot of time to get to each of them. So we didn’t.) you must, must, must see the Candlelight Processional. And you must, must, must have advanced reservations so that you don’t have to stand in line for two to three hours. It’s not difficult to get the reservations, it just takes a little planning. The Candlelight Processional package includes a three-course dinner at a restaurant in EPCOT. When you pay for dinner, you are given a badge. At your appointed time, you stick your badge to your shirt and stand in the special “shorter” line. Don’t worry if it looks ridiculously long. Once the gate opens it moves very quickly.

And why is it worth the effort and wait? It’s a spectacular show featuring a large orchestra and chorus, with a celebrity narrator who tells the story of Christmas. And we had the BEST narrator ever. What up, NPH?!

Neil Patrick Harris, Candlelight Processional, EPCOT

OK, honestly, my kid was whiny and bored. It was cold, and she was tired, and listening to an hour of the Christmas story and choral music was a little too much like being forced to go to church while at EPCOT. But I LOVED it.

More NPH

Seriously, this was a great time. I was singing French carols for a week.

Candlelight Processional, EPCOT

But as always, it’s sometimes the smallest touches that make EPCOT and Disney so special.

Winter on the Rhine, German Pavilion, EPCOT

Twinings Tea Shop, United Kingdom Pavilion, EPCOT

And it’s spending time with my two favorite people that makes it fun.

The Stave Church, Norway Pavilion, EPCOT

Happy Holidays. Until next year!

Christmas Tree, EPCOT 2011

Holidays Around Walt Disney World part 1 – Resorts

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Posted on December 24, 2011

As many of us are either recovering from feasts or preparing to feast, I thought I should take a break from pictures of food to bring you a little holiday cheer.

We’ll start with a brief tour of the beautiful holiday decorations around some of the Walt Disney World deluxe resorts. Enjoy.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort