It’s the most wonderful time of the year:
Holidays Around the World at
Epcot where the World Showcase countries reflect the seasonal traditions – including tastes of homelands far, far away.
Starting our stroll at Promenade Refreshments, try the Turkey Waffle – a filling sweet potato waffle with roast turkey and green bean casserole (all-in-one holiday dinner). Then head to Canada for pecan-maple bark, a nod to our Northern neighbor’s bounteous maple sugar production. Next door in the United Kingdom, it’s hot applejack cider with whiskey and a blend of seasonal spices – sip while you listen to stories of Father Christmas.
France sweetly celebrates with the classic bûche de noël au chocolate (chocolate cake shaped like a log) at
Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, and glace au apin d’epices (gingerbread ice cream) at
L’Artisan des Glaces. More sweets at Morocco’s Juice Bar, where honey walnut baklava is on the holiday menu and a Moroccan drummer reflects on family traditions commemorating the holiday of Ramadan.
Japan adds teriyaki chicken karaage, a Japanese version of crispy fried chicken bites with teriyaki sauce, at
Kabuki Cafe, and you can hear the story of the hollow-round Daruma doll and the Japanese customs of the New Year.
Up next, American Adventure, with freshly baked gingerbread men, chocolate chunk cookies and sugar cookies, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and peppermint bark at the Sugar and Spice Holiday Bakery (perfect snacks for the
Candlelight Processional). Look for Santa and Mrs. Claus, along with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa celebrations throughout the holidays, plus our favorite Voices of Liberty Dickens Carolers.
At Italy you can meet La Befana, the kind-hearted witch who arrives on the eve of the Epiphany to grant gifts to good children – like panettone, the sweet bread loaf served at the Gelato kiosk, along with sweet moscato wine and ciocolata calda (hot chocolate).
In Germany, listen as Helga tells the story of the first Christmas tree as you nibble on stollen fruit cake and sip glühwein (hot spiced wine). China is serving kaikouxiao (happy face fried cake) at the
Joy of Tea kiosk, where nearby you can watch the agile Monkey King celebrating Chinese New Year.
Learn about the Christmas gnome in Norway and indulge in the traditional rice cream at
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (so popular they leave it on the menu year-round). Finally, in Mexico try the sweet tamales at
La Catina de San Angel as you celebrate with Los Tres Reyes Mago, the three kings, as they tell of their journey and traditions.
Then take another lap around the World Showcase Lagoon to burn all those calories – ‘tis the season!
