Six Reasons We LOVE World Showplace During the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The holiday season at Walt Disney World this year has quite a few extra surprises to help make this rough year a little jollier. One such surprise is the World Showplace pavilion at the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. This pavilion is a winter wonderland and a destination all its own. Here’s why we love it and think it should be on your must-do list.

1. Live music
2. Wonderfully wintery wonderland atmosphere
3. Three Holiday Kitchen booths
4. Gingerbread display
5. Holiday and Frozen decorations
6. Festival and holiday merchandise spot

Walking into World Showplace during the holiday festival is like walking into a winter wonderland. This pavilion has been used for years as a special events space and for other seasonal activities. The lighting and decorations are on the level of any special event or convention that Disney would normally host in this space. It is a treat to be able to stroll through this space during regular park hours, rather than needing to spend for an extra ticket fee for a special event, which would normally be the case for this pavilion. There are holiday and Christmas decorations as well as a display featuring Frozen.

There is live music in this pavilion, which only furthers it as a destination at which to spend some extra time. A piano player delights guests with holiday classics in between sets of the incredible gospel-inspired show, JOYFUL! – A Celebration of the Season. This show is sure to inspire you; I personally get goosebumps whenever I see this show. It is truly special to have it offered indoors this year with special lighting and in such a festive setting.

While you’re enjoying all this wonderful atmosphere and entertainment, you can feed your craving for tasty festive fare with three different Holiday Kitchens. PROST! Holiday Kitchen is focused on ales and ciders, and there is a cheese and charcuterie board to nibble on. Holiday Hearth is the spot for decadent sweets including a Spaceship Earth-shaped cookie and a gingerbread milkshake! Finally, Festival Favorites has two savory dishes that are both expertly executed, Blackened Bass and Duck Confit, plus a gingerbread cookie as part of the EPCOT Holiday Cookie Stroll.

Adding to the holly jolly atmosphere is the gingerbread display of re-creations of the Lincoln Memorial Monument, the Washington Monument, the Capitol Building, and the Jefferson Memorial. This display is normally at the American Adventure, but there is more space inside World Showplace. And with the lack of other gingerbread displays around Walt Disney World this is a real treat. Make sure to take the time to observe all the details, and Disney touches, in this display.

If all this festiveness in one spot really gets you into the holiday spirit you may find yourself having a hard time resisting the festival and holiday merchandise available for purchase in this pavilion. It all adds up to a pavilion packed with holiday fun and joyfulness, and something that has not been offered in years past. So be sure to make time in your schedule to enjoy all that is offered inside World Showplace.

Have you been to the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays yet this year? What’s is your favorite thing about this festival?