Opening Day of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Yesterday (November 26) was the first day of the 2021 Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. I stopped by for a bit. I did not stay for the Candlelight Processional. I’ll be experiencing that this coming week so I’ll let you know about that at a later date.

There are plenty of Holiday Kitchens once again. It may not feel like all that many because some of the Food & Wine booths are still there, just empty. But there are plenty of choices. Many of them are sweet. My favorite option from last year has returned. It’s the Holiday Pot Pie at American Holiday Table. This seems to be a love it or hate it item. I don’t like my food overly spiced, and this isn’t.

The Holiday Cookie Stroll is back. There are five different cookies that you’ll need to buy, and then you can receive a sixth cookie for free. If six cookies are too many for you there’s a cookie jar that you can buy, if there are any left. They tend to sell out.

Storytellers have returned around World Showcase. You can find the times in the My Disney Experience App. Easiest way to do that is to check Wait Times, but then switch to Entertainment at the top. I’ll then go to Show List in the top right. I can then see all the entertainment options and the next time. As far as I can tell they aren’t listed on the Disney Genie Tip Board. Hopefully that will change.

Olaf is searching for holiday traditions in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. We saw plenty of adults without children looking for him. The scavenger hunts can be fun, but you might want to look during the day. Olaf is harder to find after dark, plus there tend to be more adults who overindulge in the evening who aren’t paying attention to where you’re walking.

Living with the Land has received its holiday overlay. I plan to checking that out this coming week as well.

Santa is greeting face to face in the American Adventure Pavilion. There’s still no sitting in his lap, but kids can have a conversation with him. Since it’s outdoors you can take mask-less pictures, unlike at Disney Springs.

Of course there are holiday decorations everywhere. That’s a given.

These are the basics of the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. It runs daily through December 30. I’ll add more information after I attend the Candlelight Processional, and probably at other times as well.