Tell me about Christmas at EPCOT

[lllovell]

We are going to be there next week and my son's school project is to visit the Santa's in each country (we are getting maps of the countries and a little bit of info from his teacher) and compare them to how we celebrate Christmas here. I have never done this before, but I assume they do some sort of story time thing with the Santas??? We did the Candlelight Processional last year at the German restaurant and got to experience some German Christmas traditions there....but I was curious about the Santa specifically. As much as I would love to experience the CP shows/experience again, we certainly can't do it nightly so I think the Santas would be a better way for him to see the differences in Christmas.

Anyone out there that can tell me how the EPCOT Santa experience works?

Laura

[bavaria]

oooh this is my question to answer!!! :bluebloun I LOVE Epcot during the holidays - my computer wallpaper right now is the holiday lights over the WS walkway.

Re the Holiday Storytellers (I think that's what they call them...)

Each country has a story teller indicative of the traditions of that country. They will tell a short history or story, and then make time for photos. It's a very good way for kids to learn about the differnet traditions. (And adults - one year I was reading a book in the UK, and a stranger waiting for his wife sat down to chat. He was sooooooo excited about what he had learned, and kept quizzing me! :) )

So here are my recollections:

Norway - Julnissen; a Norwegian elf/gnome who eats porridge

China - the Monkey King (one of the best, IMHO); I like to get some tea and cookies from the CS and wait for his show. It's not Christmas related obviously but is a great story reflecting Chinese tradition

Germany - St Nikolaus; in the last few years I have been a little disappointed - the Nikolaus from a few years ago was a little more authentic and the recent one *ahem* seems to have a little odd (put on?) german accent. I would like to see him with Black Peter or one of his other 'sidekicks' but that would probably scare children. There used to be a great book on german holiday traditions in the Christmas shop, but they don't sell it anymore. And most germans DON'T know about the pickle tree, FYI - it's a regional tradition

Italy - La Befana; an old lady who waited for the Chirst child, I believe

UK - a great gingerbread house serving hot chocolate - oh sorry! Besides holiday characters there is SC himself, I think (I honestly don't remember much!!)

Japan - a female storyteller, can't remember much

Morocco - a great storyteller, very unique and worth a stop

France - Pere Noel, tells a story about a little girl

UK - Father Christmas; did you know that the American Santa Claus used to be skinny like Father Christmas, Pere Noel, St Nikolaus, etc and it's due to a Coca Cola advertisement that he looks the way he does now??

Canada - a very odd Santa in lumberjack clothing; he does talk about the french Canadian traditions so somewhat unusual

Mexico - ?? I think that it's the three wisemen but can't remember.

[lllovell]

WOW - Thank you!!! That tells me who to look for and what to expect!!!

(also *blushing because my EPCOT ignorance is showing* I needed a list of the countries for his teacher and I didn't know them all. She is the one giving me the maps for him to color, etc. I think this will be fun! :bluebloun )

Laura

[bavaria]

I should also mention that the times are listed in the times guide. If you want to see them all, you may need to do it in two afternoons/evenings.

Oooh, I'm getting excited for you!!!!

[lllovell]

I am all about park hopping and with the monorail between there and the MK, I am sure we will go more than one day!

[withdisneyspirit]

Great question, Laura and wonderful answer, Bavaria!!! I was thrilled with this and printed out your answer to take with me. I am also getting very excited for our trip in 3 weeks:yo-yo: :goodvibes

[pouncingpluto]

Yeah, I was surprised to learn that pickle thing. I spent a year in high school as an exchange student in Germany and never heard of it. The family I was living with definitely didn't do it!

[lllovell]

My aunt gave us a pickle ornament for our tree last year. I have bought several small gifts (yeah for the dollar store) like coloring books, stickers, etc and every night I hide it again. It really gets the kids involved with the tree and I love that. :) (nothing like some good old fashioned bribes! hehe )

Laura

[bavaria]

Yeah, I was surprised to learn that pickle thing. I spent a year in high school as an exchange student in Germany and never heard of it. The family I was living with definitely didn't do it!

I received my first one at age 30-something from a friend who proudly bought it for me at Crate and Barrel. Luckily I had seen it at EPCOT, otherwise I wouldn't have had a clue!

And my family is from all over Germany, including former territory. Plus I asked around at my schoolfriends and my parents friends.... definitely a regional thing!