Now that it’s the middle of October, it is time to think about the holidays…no, I’m serious.   As soon as the Halloween decorations go down, Disney will begin putting up holiday decorations all over Walt Disney World.  When the holiday celebration gets under way, guests will have a myriad of choices to revel in the holiday festivities.  This week, we’ll take a look at some of the events you should expect come the holiday season.

First on the list is Epcot.  In Epcot Holidays Around the World, Epcot hosts an international showcase of holiday traditions including The Lights of Winter, a daily Tree Lighting ceremony with Mickey, and themed storytellers (November 24 - December 30) around World Showcase.  In the true spirit of Epcot, guests can experience the holidays in all the pavilions.  Not only can guests meet Santa Claus in the American Adventure pavilion, but they also have the opportunity to hear storytellers detail the adventures of Père Noël in France, La Befana in Italy and other legends from around the world.  Kwanzaa and Hanukkah observances are also featured.

Probably the most famous of the holiday celebrations is the Candlelight Processional (November 24 - December 30).  The Candlelight Processional features a celebrity narrator accompanied by a huge live choir and a 50-piece orchestra.  This event takes place outside in the America Gardens Theatre in the American Adventure Pavilion.   The show begins November 23 and runs every evening until December 30. Shows are approximately 40 minutes at 5:00pm, 6:45pm, 8:15pm.  This year’s guest narrators are:

November 23-25: David Robinson

November 26-28: John O'Hurley

November 29-December 1: Neil Patrick Harris

December 2-4 : Dennis Franz

December 5-7: Monique Coleman

December 8-10: Steven Curtis Chapman

December 11-13: Chita Rivera

December 14-16: Isabella Rossellini

December 17-19: Kirk Cameron

December 20-22: Edward James Olmos

December 23-25: Gary Sinise

December 26-28: Rita Moreno

December 29-30: Marlee Matlin

While the program retells the story of the Nativity, non-Christians should not be put off.  The choir and the orchestra are truly wonderful and must be experienced at least once.  Try not to miss the Candlelight Processional.

"IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," also changes for the holidays.   The nighttime spectacular featuring fireworks, water and lasers, will have a touch of holiday magic added to its finale.  Believe me when I say that you should stick around – it’s a sight (and sound) to behold (and it might make you a bit teary-eyed as well).

Epcot’s X-Mas Tree

            Let’s turn to the Studios now, as the holiday headliner there is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights.  First…some background:

Jennings Osborne, a Little Rock, Arkansas businessman, began putting up lights nearly a decade ago, at the request of his young daughter.  Each year, he added to the displays. When he ran out of room, Osborne bought the two houses on either side of his home so he could continue his creativity. Neighbors complained, however, and the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in October 1994 that Osborne's house, when adorned with the 3 million lights, was a public nuisance.  

All the buildings are covered in strings of lights – it is more impressive at night…

In 1995, the Walt Disney Company brought the Osborne Christmas lights to Walt Disney World and have been a constant stop for guests ever since.  The Spectacle of Lights includes: 5 million lights, 32 miles of extension cables, 66 snow machines, 100 gallons of snow fluid a night, and approximately 43 hidden Mickeys.  Last year, the spectacle was enhanced to include choreographed "dancing" lights while holiday music plays.  Every building facade, all the trees, wreaths, bells and holiday figures dance to classic tunes among "Florida snow" flurries.

For more info on Studios holiday festivities, check out this page that Matt put together. 

See – I told ya so.

The Magic Kingdom is beautifully adorned during the holidays – and it is nicely showcased during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.  A special ticket is required – but it can be well worth it. During the party, the Magic Kingdom features a nighttime holiday parade, a flurry of snow and seasonal entertainment.  Highlights include: greetings by Santa Goofy on Main Street, U.S.A.; a special edition of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks; holiday cookies and cocoa; strolling carolers; and two holiday stage shows featuring many of the favorite Disney characters.  And expect a little snow on Main Street USA.

This yea’s party has a couple of very nice additions.  First, an all-new Castle Light Show. Cinderella Castle is adorned with thousands of shimmering white lights, covering the turrets and towers like a glistening blanket of ice. The twinkling lights create an elegant wintry effect perfect for the seasonal celebration.  Second, Mickey's Once upon a Christmastime Parade celebrates the many festive moods of the holiday season, showcasing a series of holiday themes including a Friends and Family Christmastime Party, a sleigh ride through a Winter Wonderland, a romantic Fairy Tale Christmastime, a scrumptious display of Christmastime sweets, and of course Santa and Mrs. Claus in a grand finale. And for longtime Disney Christmas parade fans: Soldiers, Snowflakes and dancing deer are all still in the parade. The parade features original music as well as both classic and current holiday tunes.

            I’ll take a look at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the future, and include some touring tips, prices, dates, and specifics.  Make sure to check back!

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Well that does it for this week on What in the World?  Next week I’ll examine the holiday happenings at the Animal Kingdom, Downtown Disney and resorts.  You’ll be surprised at how elaborate some of these displays can get!

And don’t forget the live chat on Friday, October 19, 2007.  It starts at 8:00PM EST (5PM Pacific) and we’ve got a few surprises in store! And like Matt says – bring a snack – Glenn gets cranky during chats if he doesn’t have a snack!

Until next time!