Germany is credited with starting a lot of Christmas traditions, unfortunately the pile ornament never really caught on big in America but Helga the German Storyteller shares with guests some that have.IMG_7099 IMG_7100

China brings the holidays alive with the Chinese Lion Dancers that bring good fortune and happiness to all during the Lunar New Year and Lantern Festival.IMG_7101Norway we meet Sigrid and Julenissen, as we learn of a mischievous barn gnome and how the Norwegians celebrate the holidays.

Mexico celebrates Feliz Navidad with Mariachis and Dancers on the World Showcase Promenade.

Of course the park is decorated all around for the holiday season.IMG_7268 IMG_7266 IMG_7157IMG_7265IMG_7066 But no visit to Epcot during the Holidays would be complete without seeing the Candlelight Processional. This long standing Disney Parks tradition goes back more than 50 years to when Walt Disney wanted to do something special at Disneyland for Christmas time. In 1971 when the Magic Kingdom opened is was part of the first Christmas season and stayed till 1994 when it was relocated to the American Gardens Theater and expanded to include multiple narrators over a months time. IMG_7233 IMG_7228 IMG_7252This years line up includes such esteemed talent as Whoppi Goldberg, Edward James Olmos, and of course Neal Patrick Harris all narrating the biblical tale of a savior born to a virgin in Bethlehem accompanied by local school and Disney Cast choirs, some of the Voices of Liberty, and a full orchestra.

Of course there is no better way to top off a day at Epcot than with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, but during the Holidays Around The World a special Peace on Earth Holiday tag is added at the end of each show helping bring a extra BOOM to each silent night!