Dateline Disney World travels to Epcot this week for a look at the charming holiday offerings in World Showcase. There’s also a Star Wars twist . . . yes, Star Wars . . . and not all of you are going to be happy about it. Let’s take a look.

Welcome to Epcot!
Welcome to Epcot!
Walls up near the walkway by Imagination.
Walls up near the walkway by Imagination.
Holidays Around the World runs until right after the New Year.
Holidays Around the World runs until right after the New Year. It’s like a mini version of the Food and Wine Festival, but with a holiday twist.

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Festival of the Three Kings is right near the walkway to Imagination.
Feast of the Three Kings is right near the walkway to Imagination.

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The Canadian Holiday Voyageurs entertain multiple times a day.
The Canadian Holiday Voyageurs entertain multiple times a day on the stage where the logging show is usually located.

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Seeing a musical act here has us missing Off Kilter.
Seeing a musical act up here again has us missing Off Kilter.
Poinsettias in the UK.
Poinsettias in the UK.

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Father Christmas is the storyteller in the United Kingdom.
Storytellers are used throughout World Showcase to highlight how the holidays are celebrated in that country.
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Father Christmas is the storyteller in the United Kingdom.

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Tea pots in the UK.
Tea pots in the UK.
France has peppermint decor on all the lampposts.
France has peppermint decor on all the lampposts.
Pere Noel is the storyteller in France.
Pere Noel is the storyteller in France.

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There are also these fun ornament displays again this year.
There are also these fun ornament displays again this year.
Buche de Noel!
Buche de Noel!

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Some Food and Wine booths are reused for holiday season food offerings.
Some Food and Wine booths are reused for holiday season food offerings.

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Epcot's tree across World Showcase Lagoon.
Epcot’s tree across World Showcase Lagoon.
Whoopi Goldberg was narrating the Candlelight Processional this weekend.
Whoopi Goldberg was narrating the Candlelight Processional this past weekend.
At the American Adventure pavilion, there is a Kwanzaa storyteller.
At the American Adventure pavilion, there is a Kwanzaa storyteller.

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The American Christmas tree.
The American Christmas tree.

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There is also a storyteller who shares about Hannukah.
There is also a storyteller who shares about Hannukah.

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Mr. and Mrs. Claus also meet and greet at American Adventure,
Mr. and Mrs. Claus also meet and greet at American Adventure,
Gingerbread capitol building.
Gingerbread capitol building.
The Voices of Liberty sing holiday tunes this time of year.
The Voices of Liberty sing holiday tunes this time of year.

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Santa Mickey's in between Italy and Germany.
Santa Mickey’s in between Italy and Germany.
La Befana tells the story of the Epiphany in Italy.
La Befana tells the story of the Epiphany in Italy.
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La Befana originates from a fairytale about a woman who flies on a broomstick bringing presents to children in Italy. La Befana is believed to be searching for baby Jesus.

 

She's a good witch!
She’s a good witch!

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Mmmm beer.
Mmmm beer.
The end of Germany's presentation has this life sized nutcracker that poses for photos.
The end of Germany’s presentation has this life sized nutcracker that poses for photos.
Special ornaments for sale.
Special ornaments for sale.
Making the ornaments by hand.
Making the ornaments by hand.
Snowflakes outside of Norway.
Snowflakes outside of Norway.

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Ingrid and Julenissen tell the story of the three day long Christmas celebration in Norway.
Ingrid and Julenissen tell the story of the three day long Christmas celebration in Norway.

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The Florida Fresh Food and Wine booth has been repurposed.
The Florida Fresh Food and Wine booth has been repurposed.

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We'll revisit Spaceship Earth in a few...
We’ll revisit Spaceship Earth in a few…

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The special Peace on Earth fireworks tag runs through the New Year after the traditional Illuminations.
The special Peace on Earth fireworks tag runs through the New Year after the traditional Illuminations show.
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It provides a lot of extra magic to this already popular show.

 

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Lastly this week, the Disney Parks Blog had a meet up where they projected the Death Star on Spaceship earth to promote Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
This week, the Disney Parks Blog had a meet up where they projected the Death Star on Spaceship earth to promote Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
The event featured announcements about Rogue One inclusions at Star Wars Launch Bay and changes coming in 2017 to Star Tours to coincide with Episode VIII.
The event featured announcements about Rogue One inclusions at Star Wars Launch Bay and changes coming in 2017 to Star Tours to coincide with Episode VIII.
Mads Mikkelsen, who plays Galen Erso in the film also showed up.
Mads Mikkelsen, who plays Galen Erso in the film also showed up.
This projection has caused some controversy in the Disney community. Some feel that since it was for a few hours after park closing that it is no big deal. Others feel like projecting a fictional symbol of totalitarianism onto Spaceship Earth, EPCOT's symbol of communication is a bad move in the current political climate.
This projection has caused some controversy in the Disney community. Some feel that since it was for a few hours after park closing that it is no big deal. Others feel like projecting a fictional symbol of totalitarianism onto Spaceship Earth, EPCOT’s symbol of communication, is a bad move in the current political climate.
Where do you stand on the issue?
Where do you stand on the issue?
One thing is for certain: that's no moon.
One thing is for certain: that’s no moon.

 

More Walt Disney World News:

This week, Spaceship Earth at Epcot was transformed into a Star Wars Death Star through digital projections and laser light displays. Though this was done for an after hours special event, there should be more opportunities to see this special display as the Disney Theme parks celebrate the upcoming debut of Rouge One: A Star Wars Story.

Disney Hollywood Studios announced the return of “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” nighttime show. Starting December 16th, this fireworks event will join “ Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” as a second nightly show thru December 31st.

Be on the look out for new props from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, at Disney Hollywood Studios: Star Wars Launch Bay.

A Death Star model, Shoretrooper Blaster, U- Wing gunship and much more will be on display along with a new behind the scenes film in the Launch Bay Theater.

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Every afternoon in the Magic Kingdom, Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen from The Princess and the Frog will be hosting a special event. “Tiana’s Riverboat Party, Ice Cream Social and Parade Viewing” will be offered on a daily basis.

The event starts at the Liberty Belle boat dock, where Guests will meet Tiana and Naveen while enjoying hand scooped ice cream and soft drinks. Guests will then board the Liberty Belle riverboat for a special and unique viewing of the “Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade” and a ride around Tom Sawyers Island. This special event is part of a new program at Walt Disney World called  “Enchanted Extras Collection” Cost is $49 per an Adult and $29 per a child 9 years old and younger. Park admission is required and not included for the event

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The new special event Highway in the Sky Dine-Around will give Guests special priority boarding as they journey to Disney’s Grand Floridian resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village resort and Disney’s Contemporary resort. Starting at The Contemporary resort for a welcome cocktail, the Monorail will travel to the Polynesian resort for South Pacific inspired drinks and appetizers. The next Dine-Around stop is at the Grand Floridian. Guests will enjoy a special entrée and wine pairing at Citricos. After dinner, sparkling wine and artisanal cheeses are offered in the lobby. The Contemporary also serves as the final stop of the Dine-Around. A private patio viewing of the Magic Kingdom fireworks show over Cinderella Castle will be offered along with dessert, cordials and coffee. Highway in the Sky Dine-Around will be offered Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Cost is $150, Valet parking and gratuity included, tax additional.

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Well, that does it for this week. Do you visit Holidays Around the World at Epcot and enjoy the different cultures? What are your thoughts on the Star Wars promotion in Epcot, and more specifically, on Spaceship Earth? Let us know in the comments below. Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.