Holidays Around The World News

[Howie]

Epcot - Holidays Around the World Offers Scrumptious Dining and Celebrity Narrators



Friday, Nov. 28 through Tuesday, Dec. 30, the Epcot® World Showcase comes alive with the legends and lore of the season. Come listen to the stories of France's Père Noel, Italy's LaBefana, and Santa Claus at The American Adventure. Celebrate with Mickey and his friends each evening (6 p.m.) with a festive tree-lighting ceremony, and discover richly diverse holiday traditions from the far corners of the world. Also enjoy the Lights of Winter - a dazzling canopy of lights glittering with holiday cheer.

One of the most beloved Epcot holiday traditions is the Candlelight Processional -- a joyous retelling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a glorious mass choir. The Candlelight Processional will be performed three times daily (5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m.) during Holidays Around the World at The America Gardens Theatre.

Celebrity Narrator Schedule - Program offerings, celebrity narrators and other elements subject to change without notice.

11/28 - 11/30: Andy Garcia (Tentative) - A star of the big screen. Andy Garcia is best know for his roles in Oceans Eleven, The Untouchables, Stand and Deliver, Internal Affairs, When A Man Loves A Woman and The Godfather Part III, a role for which he earned Best Supporting Oscar and Golden Globe nominations.

12/1 - 12/3: Ben Vereen (Tentative) - Vereen was 18 when he made his on stage debut in Prodigal Son. Sweet Charity, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and Pippin are just a few of the many stage productions he has starred in. Vareen's film credits include Funny Lady, All That Jazz, Fosse and Feast of All Saints.

12/4 - 12/6: Rita Moreno - A dancer, singer and actress, Rita Moreno is of the few people to win an Oscar, a Tony an Emmy and a Grammy throughout her long career.

12/7 - 12/9: Ericka Dunlap (Tentative) - Orlando's own, Erica Dunlap is Miss. America 2004.

12/10 - 12/12: David Ogden Stiers (Tentative) - David Ogden Stiers perhaps is best know as the overbearing Major Charles Emerson Winchester on the ever-popular television series M*A*S*H. Stiers was the voice of Cogsworth and the narrator in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Ratcliffe and Wiggins in Disney's Pocahontas, the Archdeacon in Disney''s Hunchback of Notre Dame, Fenton Q. Harcourt in Disney's Atlantis: The Lost Empire, and Jumba in Disney's Lilo and Stitch.

12/13 - 12/15: Steven Curtis Chapman (Tentative) - The winner of four Grammy awards and 47 Dove awards, this Contemporary Christian Music Artist has recorded 13 albums, appeared on television shows and contributed to numerous movie soundtracks.

12/16 - 12/18: Edward James Olmos (Tentative) - A respected actor of stage, screen and television, Olmos is best known for his roles in Selena, Hollywood Confidential, Stand and Deliver, and Blade Runner.

12/19 - 12/21: Sandi Patty - Sandi Patty is one of the biggest stars in Contemporary Christian Music and has earned three platinum albums, five gold albums, 35 Dove Awards and five Grammys.

12/22 - 12/24: Robby Benson - An accomplished actor, musician, producer and director, Robby Benson made his Broadway debut at the age of 12 in Zelda. Starring film credits include Ode to Billie Joe, Ice Castles, One on One, The Chosen, Running Brave and the voice of Beast in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

12/25 - 12/30: Gary Sinise (Tentative) - Gary Sinise's film and television career includes starring roles in Forest Gump, Apollo 13, Mission to Mars, Snake Eyes, Being John Malkovich, Ransom and The Green Mile.

Guests also can purchase a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package, which includes choice of soup, salad or appetizer, entrée, dessert, non-alcoholic beverages and gratuity at select Epcot full-service restaurants and guaranteed seating for the Candlelight Processional. The cost does not include park admission, dining packages are not available on Sunday, Dec. 7 (5 p.m. show), and "After 4" admission is not available. Dining Packages can be picked up at Epcot in the Candlelight Dinner Package pick-up area at the Main Entrance of Epcot. Dining package details include:

Tier 1 -- Adults - $28.99 / Child (3-11) - $10.99 (plus tax)

The Garden Grill Restaurant - The Land
Biergarten - Germany
Restaurant Akershus - Norway


Tier 2 -- Adults - $34.99 / Child (3-11) - $10.99 (plus tax)
San Angel Inn - Mexico
Restaurant Marrakesh - Morocco
Nine Dragons - China
Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room - United Kingdom


Tier 3 -- Adults - $41.99 / Child (3-11) - $10.99 (plus tax)
(Does not include Lobster Entree at Le Cellier or Coral Reef)
Chefs de France - France
L' Orignale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante - Italy
Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada
Mitsukoshi Teppanyaki Dining Room - Japan
Coral Reef - The Living Seas

 

[2tinksmom]

Wow, thanks for all the info! We'll be arriving 12/30 and hope to enjoy a little of EPCOT's magic and the CP that evening.

 

[WaltDisneyWorld]

Thanks for all the great information on the Candlelight Processional as I am really looking forward to the event. Is it possible to get a decent seat in the theatre without having to purchase tickets?
If we have purchased tickets, are the dinner choices off the regular menu?
Where is the tree lighting ceremony held at 6pm?
Thanks for any help you can provide!

 

[Grumpy92]

Standby lines (for those without the pkg)form for each show and can get pretty lengthy, especially the closer to xmas you get. Guest often stand in line for an hour or more to ensure that they get into the show. We find the pkg valuable for that reason. If it is cool weather the wind whipping off the lake makes it a long wait.

The menu is not the regular menu but a special cp one that usually includes the most popular items from the regular menu. We have eaten at R&C, Le Cellier, Alfredos, Akershus & Chefs de France. All have been good food wise.

The EC xmas tree is at the entrance to World showcase. Just go over the bridge which is lighted with the lights of winter. The tree lighting is very nice.

 

[DebbieB]

We ate at LeCellier last year and it was the regular menu.

 

[Lesley]

We did the CP dinner package twice last year...the first time we stood in line to get our seats early, the second time I just walked in right before the show began. I actually had a better seat the second time. Early in Dec. I really don't think you need to have the package to see and enjoy the show. Near to Christmas may be a different story.

We were going to do it this year again (the package)...mainly because last year they offered a merchandise discount with the package. I've read that this year they aren't offering the discount...so its not nearly as worth it for us. My dh and ds don't really care for the show itself. And I don't expect my dd and I will have a problem finding a seat.

You can make the dinner package worth it for adults...if you order the most expensive things on the menu...otherwise you're really overpaying for your meal. And the kids' package meals are not a value at all.

 

[da disney fans]

I was thinking about making CP dinner reservations, but I have no idea which restaurant to choose. I'd really like to stick with the Tier 1 choices, as Disney at Christmas is expensive enough as it is. Also, I want to get the best value for our money.

Any suggestions??

 

[Simba's Mom]

Wow! All those "tentatives" are making me nervous. As of now, I have Miss America, but I'd really like to see David Ogden Stiers so I was thinking of switching nights. However, since they're both "tentative", I think I'll just stay with what I have and take my chances. Do the CP speakers often change at the last minute?

 

[wannabee princess]

Thanks for the info!

A couple of questions for those experience CP visitors -

Do you think a PS for Le Cellier at 5 would give us time to be at the tree lighting at 6?

Anyone who has seen the tree lighting - is this pretty crowded? Will we get to see much if we just walk up close to the 6pm start time?

Thanks!

 

[danny1649]

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