Why Disney, WHY?! EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Just Got Confusing.

As much as we love the festivals at EPCOT, it seems like every one of them has their quirks.

And the International Festival of the Holidays is no different. It’s got a whole bunch of layers to its quirks, and specifically it feels like Disney’s having fun (maybe at our expense) with trying to have us keep up. So, let’s break it all down as to why the Festival of the Holidays feels like a chaotic snowstorm of to-dos (and why are we secretly here for it)!

Just in case you missed it, the International Festival of the Holidays is EPCOT’s last festival of the year, and it is all about holiday celebrations all around the world. It started back on November 29th, and runs through December 30th.

Now, as we were saying, for some reason, it feels like Disney enjoys giving us a veritable mountain of things to do at this festival which can make it super confusing on how you’ll plan out your time there. But don’t worry, we’re here for you. So let’s break it all down.

A Festival Unlike Any Other

First of all, let’s give credit where it’s due. Out of all the EPCOT festivals, the Festival of the Holidays is different. While Food & Wine, Flower & Garden, and even the Festival of the Arts lean heavily on food booths and gorgeous aesthetics, the Festival of the Holidays is truly about celebrating, well, the holidays.

So, what does that all mean? It means you’re not just juggling a list of must-eat snacks or Instagram-worthy topiaries. You’ve got:

- Holiday Storytellers at the World Showcase pavilions (like Père Noël and Las Posadas)
- The Candlelight Processional, which is practically a Broadway-level performance (complete with celebrity narrators).
- Food booths that showcase all the different global holiday traditions.
- And don’t forget the scavenger hunts, special merch, and all the holiday décor sprinkled around the park.

Basically, you’re not just attending a festival. It’s like you’re attending at least 12 mini celebrations in one giant, magical, and slightly overwhelming park.

So Much to See, So Little Time

As we were saying, while some of the other festivals feel a bit streamlined or relaxed, man this one is all-in. And that’s great, except for one tiny detail: it’s going to take you some serious planning.

Candlelight Processional

For example, if you want to see the Candlelight Processional, you’ll need to either book a dining package or prepare to camp out in line for a good spot. Want to catch all the storytellers? Well, that’s going to involve some schedule-studying because these performances aren’t exactly back-to-back.

Even just trying all the festival booths takes a game plan. You’ll definitely want to map out your priorities so you don’t hit a food coma halfway through.

And guess what? We haven’t even talked about balancing all of this and trying to get on rides. Disney is basically saying, “Good luck!” while sprinkling some pixie dust over you.

Why We’re Still Obsessed

Despite the logistical chaos, this is why the Festival of the Holidays is low-key the best: it feels like the old EPCOT magic. It’s immersive, heartfelt, and it’s probably the closest thing you’ll get to a full-on cultural celebration short of hopping on a plane to experience Christmas abroad.

Plus, there’s something undeniably special about hearing live choirs belt out “O Holy Night” and Spaceship Earth glowing away in the background. Even if you’re stressing over which booth to hit next, it’s really hard not to feel the holiday spirit.

But Seriously, Disney…

That all being said, it wouldn’t be a Disney festival without a touch of “Disney” shenanigans, right? Case in point: the $10 Spaceship Earth Tile Gingerbread Tile cookie.

Yes, you read that correctly — $10 for a cookie. It’s essentially just a gingerbread triangle covered with milk chocolate at the bottom and some white icing on top. Come on, Disney. We love you, but maybe sprinkle a little goodwill into the price tag next time.

The Bottom Line

If you’re heading to EPCOT this holiday season, make sure you buckle up. It’s definitely a whirlwind of magic, food, and culture, AND it’s also a masterclass in multitasking. So grab your park maps, your must-eat lists, and maybe a little extra cash for that cookie.