Complete Guide to Epcot’s Holidays around the World 2015 including Storytellers schedules and touring plan
The Epcot Storytellers (many refer to them as Santas) will begin appearing Friday, November 27, 2013 and continue through December 30, 2012 as a part of “Holidays around the World” that also includes Joyful: A Gospel Celebration and the Candlelight Processional. Most Storyteller presentations range from 10-15 minutes each. The presenters are available for a few minutes following the presentation to sign autographs and take photos. The Storytellers provide an excellent demonstration of holiday celebrations around the world.
Epcot Storytellers:
America – Hanakkah
Discover the traditions of Hanukkah, the story of the brave Maccabees and their revolution against the Roman ruler Antiochas and the miracle of the burning oil lamp. Games have become an important part of teaching Jewish lessons, so the Dreidel toy and gifts help teach these lessons.
11:30 AM – 11:45 AM
12:15 PM – 12:30 PM
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
3:15 PM – 3:30 PM
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM
America – Kwanzaa
Come hear about the wonderful celebration of Kwanzaa. This truly unique African-American holiday commemorates not only the harvest, but also traditional African values and unity of the family. Our Storyteller brings to light the rich heritage this cultural and spiritual celebration represents and highlights the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
American Music Machine – Christmas Celebration
Hear your favorite Christmas songs performed acapella with some modern twists.
12:00 PM – 12:20 PM
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
2:00 PM – 2:20 PM
3:00 PM – 3:20 PM
4:00 PM – 4:20 PM
Canada
12:25 PM – 12:45 PM
1:20 PM – 1:40 PM
2:15 PM – 2:35 PM
3:10 PM – 3:30 PM
4:25 PM – 4:45 PM
6:00 PM – 6:20 PM
China – Lion Dancers
The China pavilion bursts to life with the vibrant Chinese Lion Dance, bringing good fortune and happiness to all in honor of major holidays such as the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival.
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM
1:30 PM – 1:45 PM
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM
France – Pere Noel
Pere Noel awaits your visit as he unfolds the story of little Babbette and her wishes at Christmastime. You can share your wishes with Pere Noel, too! Celebrate and enjoy the foods that make up le reveillon, our Christmas Eve feast.
11:20 AM – 11:35 AM
11:55 AM – 12:10 PM
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM
1:20 PM – 1:35 PM
2:10 PM – 2:25 PM
3:40 PM – 3:55 PM
4:25 PM – 4:40 PM
5:40 PM – 5:55 PM
Germany – Helga and Nutcracker
Did you know that many of our modern day holiday customs originated in Germany? Come hear about the very first Christmas tree, the first Nutcracker, and the Christmas pickle. You can help decorate our tree or listen as our band plays some of your favorite Christmas carols.
1:00 PM – 1:10 PM
2:00 PM – 2:10 PM
2:55 PM – 3:05 PM
3:55 PM – 4:05 PM
5:30 PM – 5:40 PM
6:05 PM – 6:15 PM
6:40 PM – 6:50 PM
7:15 PM – 7:25 PM
Italy – La Befana
La Befana is Italy’s good Christmas witch! She comes down the chimney of the little bambinos, or children, and leaves them treats. Come hear her sweet story of how the Epiphany is the day we love to celebrate in Italia.
1:40 PM – 1:55 PM
2:35 PM – 2:50 PM
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
4:25 PM – 4:40 PM
6:00 PM – 6:15 PM
6:40 PM – 6:55 PM
7:15 PM – 7:30 PM
8:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Japan – Daruma Vendor
Happy New Year! It’s time to sweep away the old, a time for fresh starts and thanking our family and friends for sharing the year with us! Meet our engaging Daruma vendor and hear the story of the Daruma doll.
12:55 PM – 1:05 PM
1:45 PM – 1:55 PM
2:25 PM – 2:35 PM
4:00 PM – 4:10 PM
4:45 PM – 4:55 PM
6:00 PM – 6:10 PM
6:30 PM – 6:40 PM
7:45 PM – 7:55 PM
Joyful! A Gospel Celebration
(Behind the Fountain of Nations)
D’Vine Voices uniquely blends the soulful expressiveness of Gospel and Inspirational music with the sounds of Jazz, R&B, and urban music. When this versatile ensemble of vocal and instrumental artists of Central Florida takes the stage, the results are simply…D’Vine! Their joyful voices will touch, uplift, and inspire you to celebrate the season!
1:25 PM – 1:50 PM
2:25 PM – 2:50 PM
3:25 PM – 3:50 PM
4:25 PM – 4:50 PM
Mexico – Mariachi Show
Mariachi Cobre is a classic Mexican Mariachi band that plays outside the Mexico pavilion.
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
12:15 PM – 12:35 PM
1:00 PM – 1:20 PM
1:45 PM – 2:05 PM
2:30 PM – 2:50 PM
4:15 PM – 4:35 PM
5:00 PM – 5:20 PM
Morocco – Spice of Life
A Moroccan storyteller invites guests to join her on a journey to experience the gaiety of festivals, holiday traditions, and celebrations that are like the “spice of life” across Morocco.
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
2:05 PM – 2:20 PM
2:50 PM – 3:05 PM
4:25 PM – 4:40 PM
5:35 PM – 5:50 PM
6:10 PM – 6:25 PM
7:25 PM – 7:40 PM
Norway – Julenissen and Sigrid
Visit our storyteller Sigrid, a beautiful farm girl, who will give you all the details, and tell you of the mischievous Julenissen, or Christmas Gnome. Be forewarned though, Julenissen has been known to play a little trick or two on the storyteller herself. Julenissen’s antics will delight and confound you. A true Norwegian Christmas experience.
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
3:40 PM – 3:55 PM
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM
5:45 PM – 6:00 PM
6:30 PM – 6:45 PM
7:05 PM – 7:20 PM
7:45 PM – 8:00 PM
United Kingdom – Father Christmas
Did you know that the custom of decorating with boughs of holly began in the United Kingdom? So did Christmas cards! Meet our jolly Father Christmas and hear his tales of Christmas past as you prepare for Christmas present.
1:05 PM – 1:15 PM
2:00 PM – 2:10 PM
2:55 PM – 3:05 PM
4:30 PM – 4:40 PM
5:40 PM – 5:50 PM
6:30 PM – 6:40 PM
7:30 PM – 7:40 PM
8:30 PM – 8:40 PM
Voices of Liberty at American Adventure Rotunda
The Voices of Liberty are an a capella group comprised of 8 or more singers. They wear date specific costuming from the late 1700s to early 1800s. They offer stirring renditions of treasured, historical songs from American history. The show is performed in an acoustically perfect rotunda that amplifies the sound of their amazing voices.
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM
12:30 PM – 12:45 PM
1:15 PM – 1:30 PM
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM
2:45 PM – 3:00 PM
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
4:15 PM – 4:30 PM
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus (Nov 27 – Dec 24)
Epcot is the only location in Disney World to Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus together! Extremely popular meet, so arrive early!
1:30 PM – 2:40 PM
3:30 PM – 4:40 PM
5:30 PM – 6:40 PM
7:30 PM – 8:40 PM
2015 Epcot Storyteller’s touring plan is available for everyone on Character Locator!
The purpose of this plan is to hear every storyteller in Epcot with little back-tracking. It involves a pretty casual walking pace. It’s sort of an “ultimate” Storytellers tour and I even allow time to take in some attractions, time for lunch and dinner. You should even have time to meet Santa Claus in the American pavilion! You could easily take in the the headliners in Future World and the boat ride in Mexico and some of the films. If you intend to watch the Candlelight Processional without a dining package, try the last show of the day.
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth
Each year Illuminations adds on a special ending of holiday cheer that is narrated by Walter Cronkite with dozens of extra fireworks blasts. Be sure to get a spot early or use Fastpass+!
Shows are 9:30pm nightly from November 27 to December 30.
Epcot Candlelight Processional
Candlelight Processional is a dramatic reading of the birth of Jesus using a mass choir presenting traditional and contemporary Christmas songs accompanied by a full live orchestra. It is a very popular event.
11/27 – 11/29 — Gary Sinise
11/30 – 12/3 — Neil Patrick Harris
12/4 – 12/5 — Whoopi Goldberg
12/6 – 12/8 — Joe Morton
12/9 – 12/11 — Ana Gasteyer
12/12 – 12/14 — Meredith Vieira – NEW
12/15 – 12/17— America Ferrera – NEW
12/18 – 12/20 — Chandra Wilson – NEW
12/21 – 12/23 — Daniel Dae Kim – NEW
12/24 – 12/26 — Edward James Olmos
12/27 – 12/28 – Blair Underwood
12/29 – 12/30 — Amy Grant
This year’s event runs nightly at The America Gardens Theatre at Epcot from November 27 to December 30. It is presented three times per night — 5:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.*
Dining packages include appetizer, entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at select Epcot full-service restaurants (or one full buffet where applicable), and guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional. Dining packages do not include park admission.
My touring recommendation is to either book a dining package or to attend the 3rd show of the night.
The Candlelight Processional is held at the American Gardens Theater in the America Pavilion and is included free of charge with your Epcot admission and is first come, first seated, unless you book the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package which allows you to receive a special pass that guarantees you a seat for a performance.
The Candlelight Processional Dining Package will provide you with a lunch or dinner meal at one of the Epcot restaurants below. The meal includes a choice of appetizer, entree, dessert and non-alcoholic, non-speciality beverage or a full buffet at buffet restaurants. Princes below do not include tax or gratuity and park admission is required. You can use your Disney Dining Plan but they do not accept the Quick Service Plan.
Disney Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan – 2 Credits per person
Premium Dining Plan and Platinum Dining Plan – 1 Credit per person
You can book online by following this link https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/candlelight-dinner-packages/ or call 407-WDW-DINE.
*Biergarten lunch will be charged the dinner price on Christmas Day.
You’ll also find special holiday treats inside the park. Enjoy Epcot’s Holidays around the World. Be sure to Pin and Share on Facebook below!