2025 Epcot Festival of the Holidays

[bullcat_02]

Wow that is late, and well after our dining window opens up! Thanks for the info!

If the narrators are released around the same time this year, it will be 2+ weeks after my ADR window opens.

 

[GriffinFan]

They are always so beautiful. Will be interesting to see if they do anything in the Encanto area and new Walt statue area.

That sounds so good. Will have to try that if it’s brought back.

Which was your favorite cookie?

I liked the Mocha one with the creme!! Do they change them up each year?

 

[lovethattink]

I liked the Mocha one with the creme!! Do they change them up each year?

No telling if they will keep them the same or not, until it’s announced.

One year there was a drink I loved. It was hot chocolate with toasted marshmallow syrup. So good. Looked for it the next year, and it wasn’t there. My husband surprised me for Christmas that year with Monin toasted marshmallow syrup. I made my own.

 

[pinkxray]

We are traveling Thanksgiving so we can head to Epcot the day after Thanksgiving or that Saturday. Is there much of a difference in the crowds those days? I’m guessing it is packed both days and just pick the one that works better for our trip?

 

[toesmom]

Candlelight Professional. Went for the first in 2024 and absolutely loved it. Can't believe we hadn't done it before. Planning to see again this year.

Yes this. Candlelight processional is beautiful. We were able to watch from the walkway because I could not get tickets and it was just beautiful. Especially if you are there at Christmas you really do feel Christmas when you experience this

 

[rndmr2]

I have been to WDW at Christmas (that actual day/week) a couple times before but many years ago. I have never seen the Candlelight Processional so I'm most looking forward to that. But looking forward to everything. My DH is the one who requested going during the Holidays (I like it at Christmas but Prefer Fall for visiting the World.)

 

[Goldilocks07]

Hi all it's been forever since we've been at WDW during xmas/holidays. Can someone briefly explain what the Festival of the Holidays is at EPCOT? I clicked the link to the official Disney website- it just looks like there are extra decorations (obviously), holiday people telling stories, specialty holiday-themed meals, some sort of lighting thing and a cookie stroll? What is a cookie stroll? Is this like at MK where it's a separate ticketed night time event? Or is this similar to the other EPCOT festivals where you buy a map and then get a cookie at the end? I'm confused. Also, I love cookies. LOL Thanks!

 

[lovethattink]

Hi all it's been forever since we've been at WDW during xmas/holidays. Can someone briefly explain what the Festival of the Holidays is at EPCOT? I clicked the link to the official Disney website- it just looks like there are extra decorations (obviously), holiday people telling stories, specialty holiday-themed meals, some sort of lighting thing and a cookie stroll? What is a cookie stroll? Is this like at MK where it's a separate ticketed night time event? Or is this similar to the other EPCOT festivals where you buy a map and then get a cookie at the end? I'm confused. Also, I love cookies. LOL Thanks!

Cookie stroll: there are food booths set up around World Showcase. You ask for a stamp in your booklet to prove you bought a qualified cookie. Once you have all the stamps, you’ve completed the cookie stroll and go somewhere to redeem your little prize.

 

[Goldilocks07]

Cookie stroll: there are food booths set up around World Showcase. You ask for a stamp in your booklet to prove you bought a qualified cookie. Once you have all the stamps, you’ve completed the cookie stroll and go somewhere to redeem your little prize.

Ah, I see thank you! Similar to the food scavenger hunt during the art/food n wine festivals. Very cool.
Though that sounds like a LOT of cookies. HA

 

[Dakota731]

I hope this isn’t another park day where we will pay full price for our tickets and have to leave early or else buy another special event ticket? We already have that with Magic Kingdom and the Studios for two of the nights we are there in November!

 

[lovethattink]

I hope this isn’t another park day where we will pay full price for our tickets and have to leave early or else buy another special event ticket? We already have that with Magic Kingdom and the Studios for two of the nights we are there in November!

No, this is like F&W, F&G, and Festival of the Arts. Not a separate ticketed event. And it’s been happening for years.

 

[lovethattink]

Narrators announced

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

I plan on doing a dining package for one of the nights Jordan Fisher is there! This is my first time and I’m so excited! Do they release the dining packages at the typical 6 a.m. on the day (I read was October 14th)?

 

[BorderTenny]

Gary Sinise is actually on one of my available days this year! Just made my park reservation. Now I just have to hope to snag a dining package, or get in line real early.

 

[Disneyhanna]

I plan on doing a dining package for one of the nights Jordan Fisher is there! This is my first time and I’m so excited! Do they release the dining packages at the typical 6 a.m. on the day (I read was October 14th)?

Same here, THRILLED! If I remember last year, they didn't drop on time. I know that because I never get up early for ADRs and people were frustrated, and they ended up dropping randomly a few hours late and went extremely fast.

 

[VAtink]

I'm surprised NPH isn't doing it this year, but also glad he's not there for our trip since those dining package reservations have been a nightmare to get on his nights!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I'm surprised NPH isn't doing it this year, but also glad he's not there for our trip since those dining package reservations have been a nightmare to get on his nights!

He's appearing in ART on Broadway so I'm guessing he couldn't make it work this year. I was also surprised no John Stamos or Josh Gad, though they may have similar schedule conflicts.

 

[marmentrout85]

Really torn on restaurants for the dining package. I'm leaning toward Garden Grill breakfast since we've never done it before, and sort of kills 2 birds with one stone as a character meal AND seating for Candlelight Processional, but I don't know if that's the best move lol. Same-day Regal Eagle sounds like it could be very competitive so I'm not sure if I'd want to even try or take my chances on that.

 

[VAtink]

He's appearing in ART on Broadway so I'm guessing he couldn't make it work this year. I was also surprised no John Stamos or Josh Gad, though they may have similar schedule conflicts.

Ahhh, good to know! And thank you for refreshing my memory, I knew there were others missing but couldn't remember who they were!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Really torn on restaurants for the dining package. I'm leaning toward Garden Grill breakfast since we've never done it before, and sort of kills 2 birds with one stone as a character meal AND seating for Candlelight Processional, but I don't know if that's the best move lol. Same-day Regal Eagle sounds like it could be very competitive so I'm not sure if I'd want to even try or take my chances on that.

I agree. I wouldn't gamble on it, unless you'd be ok listening from somewhere in the America Pavilion if you weren't able to get it. Also, you'd probably want to be in line by 10:30 before the 11:45am open to have the best chance so there's that time to consider. I think GG breakfast sounds like a great plan!