Christmas Quote

Lucy Worsley

"At Christmas, play and make good cheer,

for Christmas comes but once a year."  

- Thomas Tusser

Santa Ornament at EPCOT

There are so many little holiday touches to be found throughout the parks at Disney World each Christmas. One of my favorite things are all of the ornaments sprinkled through the garlands in World Showcase at EPCOT. This Santa in a wreath of jingle bells was in the United Kingdom Pavilion. 

The Sheep Detectives

Amazon

There's something quite compelling about reading or watching a mystery, especially when it involves humor. And trying to solve the mystery before you reach the end is a delightful way to pass the time. A new mystery movie, The Sheep Detectives, is heading to theaters next May and it looks quite hilarious.

Here's the official synopsis from Amazon:

In this witty, new breed of mystery, George (Hugh Jackman) is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.

Starring Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, with Hong Chau and Emma Thompson, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Rhys Darby.

The Sheep Detectives arrives in theaters in May of 2026.

The Muppet Show Special

Jim Henson Company

Soon it will be "time to play the music" and "time to light the lights" because it will once again be "time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight."

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

It's The Muppet Show! Kermit, Miss Piggy and the beloved Muppet gang are back with a brand-new special event. Music, comedy, and a whole lot of chaos is bound to ensue when The Muppets once again take the stage of the original Muppet Theatre with their very special guest, Sabrina Carpenter!

The Muppet Show returns for a special event on February 4th on DisneyPlus and ABC.

Amaury Guichon's Gingy Cake

Amaury Guichon

Amaury Guichon makes the sweetest desserts. They look amazing and they sound delicious. His latest creation is a cake version of Gingy from Shrek. 

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2

Disney

The first season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians was fantastic. Season 2 looks absolutely epic. Percy gains a brother and must rescue a friend, goes on a quest for the golden fleece and fights to protect Camp Half-Blood from unexpected enemies, all with the help of his new family.

Here's the official synopsis from Disney: 

After Camp Half-Blood’s borders fall, Percy Jackson sails into the treacherous Sea of Monsters to rescue Grover and recover the Golden Fleece, the only hope for Camp Half-Blood. With Annabeth, Clarisse, and Tyson at his side, Percy must survive sirens, Polyphemus, and the deadly passage of Scylla and Charybdis, all while Luke rallies an army to awaken Kronos and destroy Olympus. Heroes don’t run; they fight for each other and their home. 

The first two episodes of Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians are on DisneyPlus and Hulu now.

New episodes will debut each Wednesday.

I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm - Pentatonix

Pentatonix

Pentatonix's latest Christmas album is another great mix of  Christmas songs both old and new. And one of the songs is a bit of both: an unreleased recording of Frank Sinatra with some added vocals by Pentatonix. The result is this delightful version of Irving Berlin's "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm".

Bob Hope Quote

"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness."

- Bob Hope

Retro Wreath At Hollywood Studios

I love all of the retro decor at Hollywood Studios, especially at Christmas. Brightly colored wreaths on Hollywood Boulevard feature delightful images of Santa, Candy Canes, or Snowmen.

We Wish Ewe A Merry Christmas

Aardman Animation

I don't quite know why, but I love Shaun the Sheep. There's just something hilarious about the crazy antics of Shaun and the rest of the flock. In this Christmas episode, Shaun and his pals decide to make a very special Christmas for the Farmer.

Raising the Stakes

20th Century Studios

The next chapter in the saga of the Sully family is nearly here. Once again, they must fight to protect all they love from forces that seek to destroy them. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at Avatar: Fire and Ash. 

Avatar: Fire and Ash arrives in theaters on December 19th.

"Bah Humbug" - Pentatonix

Pentatonix

Pentatonix's latest Christmas album is filled with a delightful mix of songs both old and new. One of the new songs, "Bah Humbug", is based on Scrooge's journey in A Christmas Carol. It's fantastic.

Pentatonix's Christmas in the City is available as a CD, record, and from various music streaming services now.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Special Look

Disney

With just two days to go until the premiere of Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Disney has released a special behind-the-scenes look at the latest adventures of the kids from Camp Half-Blood. It looks rather epic!

In case you need a reminder of everything that happened in Season 1, here's a quick recap by Phineas and Ferb. It's hilarious! 

The first two episodes of Season 2 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians arrive on DisneyPlus and Hulu on December 10th. New episodes will debut each Wednesday.

A Christmas Carol Quote

Jim Henson Company

"I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

- Nephew Fred, A Christmas Carol

Retro Christmas at Hollywood Studios

I love the retro Christmas decorations at Hollywood Studios. There are Santas, or reindeer, or bells on nearly every lightpost. Every time I see them, they make me smile. 

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" - Postmodern Jukebox

Postmodern Jukebox

I love the way Postmodern Jukebox takes familiar songs and gives them a retro twist. Their latest song is an Andrews Sisters-style version of Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You."

Now, it feels like Christmas!

Christmas Treats At EPCOT

All images: Disney

EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays has returned with lots of holiday celebrations, music, and of course, tasty treats from around the world. And this year's Holiday Cookie Stroll has a delightful gift at the end: a Mickey cookie spatula and tube of mini M&M’S to make your own holiday cookies. These delicious delights will be available until December 30th.

CommuniCore Hall

Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow

• Prototype Cookie: Sugar cookie with orange-cranberry icing and dark chocolate 🎄🍪 
• Ginger-Molasses Cookie with cream cheese icing 🎄🍪 
• Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth Cookie 🍪 

• Gingerbread Milk Shake 🧋  
• Gingerbread Milk Shake with whipped cream vodka 
• Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s 🧋  
• Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s with whipped cream vodka 🎄  
• Crooked Can Brewing Company Gingerbread Bock 🎄  
• Gulf Stream Brewing Baking Spirits Bright Gingerbread Red Ale 🎄  
• Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Frosted Gingerbread White Stout  
• Beer Flight  
• Seasonal Wine 

CommuniCore Plaza

Favorites of Festivals Past 

• Reuben Croquettes with pastrami, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese with Thousand Island dipping sauce  
• Brown Sugar and Mustard-glazed Ham Sliders with cranberry and apple coleslaw on a Hawaiian roll  
• Panettone Holiday Trifle with eggnog custard topped with cranberry-cherry compote and sugared almonds 
• Cigar City Brewing Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Brown Ale 🎄  
• Keel Farms Pecan Pie Hard Cider 
• Southern Tier Brewing Co. Tiramisu Imperial Stout 
• Beverage Flight 
• Seasonal White Wine  
• Seasonal Red Wine  
• Martin Ray Chardonnay 
• Katherine Goldschmidt Cabernet Sauvignon 

The Odyssey

Holiday Hearth Desserts

• Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookie 🎄🥬🍪
• Reindeer Chow featuring M&M’S Milk Chocolate Candies Holiday Blend  
• Apple-Caramel Crumb Cake 
• Chocolate-covered Toffee Brittle 

• Red Velvet Cake Pop with festive sprinkles 🎄  
• Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s 🧋  
• Frozen Caramel Hot Cocoa featuring TWIX cookie bar pieces and Whipped Cream 🧋  
• BRLO Winter Hard Cider 🎄  
• Keel Farms Yukon Maple Bourbon Hard Cider 🎄  
• 3 Daughters Brewing Peppermint Hard Cider 🎄

• Cocoa Peppermint Warmer: Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s with peppermint schnapps
• Wicked Weed Brewing Jack Frost IPA 
• Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Cranberry Vanilla Wheat Ale 🎄  
• Brewery Ommegang Gilded Noel White Chocolate Imperial Blonde Stout 🎄  
• Beer Flight 
• Hard Cider Flight   

World Discovery

Connections Café 

• Holiday Sugar Cookie 🍪 

Connections Eatery 

• Figment Holiday Sweater Liege Waffle: Chocolate-coated gingerbread waffle with a flurry of blizzard-themed sprinkles and white chocolate garnish 
• Spiced Caramel Apple: Minute Maid Cranberry Juice, apple cider, and caramel syrup garnished with a cinnamon stick 🎄🧋 (Spirited version available with Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey)
• Mickey Toy Soldier Drummer Sipper

World Showcase 

Mexico

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen

• Tostada de Carne: Braised beef tips slowly cooked Mexican-style atop a fried corn tortilla with black beans, crispy onions, and queso fresco 🎄  

• Tamal de Pollo con Mole: Shredded chicken and mole in corn masa topped with mole negro, queso fresco, crema Mexicana, slivered almonds, and sesame seeds 🎄   

• Dulce de Leche Churro sprinkled with cinnamon sugar 🎄  
• Chai-mazing Margarita: Chai-infused Dulce Vida Tequila Blanco, apple-ginger juice, and chai liqueur 🎄  
• Horchata Margarita: Cinnamon-infused Ilegal Mezcal, Abasolo Corn Whiskey, agua de horchata, and cinnamon horchata rum 🎄  
• Holiday Cerveza: Mexican artisanal craft lager with black currant liqueur  

China

Shanghai Holiday Kitchen

• BBQ Char Siu Pork Fried Rice with Chinese La Chang sausage, egg, yellow onion, green onion, and sesame 🎄   
• Beef Noodle Soup Bowl with slow-braised beef shank, green onion, and house-made chili oil  
• Vegetable Spring Rolls with citrus sauce  
• Tiger Milk Tea with Assam black tea, whole milk, brown sugar syrup, and tapioca boba 🎄🧋 
• Brew Hub Year of the Dragon: Dragon fruit lager 
• Butterfly Lantern: Butterfly pea blossom gin, vodka, prickly pear syrup, lychee syrup, and white boba  
• Lychee Martini: Vodka, lychee syrup, and vermouth  
• Peach of Longevity: Peach schnapps, citrus vodka, piña colada mix, and Minute Maid Orange Juice  

African Outpost

Refreshment Outpost

• Spiced Shrimp Stew with Jollof Rice 🎄  
• DOLE Whip Raspberry in a waffle cone 🥬  
• Ivanhoe Park Brewing Co. Florida Ginger Snap Lager 🎄  
• Crooked Can Brewing Company Chocolate Mint Cookie Stout 🎄  
• Ciderboys Caramel Apple Hard Cider 
• Boyd & Blair Chai Tea Mule

Germany

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen

• Pork Schnitzel with mushroom sauce, spätzle, and braised red cabbage   
• Cheese Fondue in a bread bowl with steamed baby vegetables and marble potatoes  

• Hazelnut Linzer Cookie with raspberry jam 🍪
• Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier 🎄 
• Possmann Pure Hard Cider 
• von Trapp Brewing Trösten Smoked Dark Lager 
• Beverage Flight  
• Regional Riesling 
• Glühwein: House-made hot spiced wine. Served warm 

Sommerfest

• Warm Apfel Cider with Jägermeister liqueur garnished with an orange wedge. (Served warm) 🎄 

Italy

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen

• Salsiccia e Peperoni: Sweet sausage, roasted peppers, and focaccia 🎄
• Montanara: Fried house-made pizza dough with pomodoro sauce, Parmesan, and fresh basil 

• Pizza e Cioccolato: Fried house-made pizza dough with sugar, cinnamon, and chocolate 🎄
• Peroni Pilsner  
• Tiramisu Stout  
• Prosecco  
• Moscato  
• Chianti  
• Italian Red Sangria  
• Italian-inspired Blood Orange Margarita: Tequila, triple sec, and blood orange liqueur 

American Adventure

Fife and Drum

• Apple Pie Sundae: Apple pie filling with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce topped with streusel 🎄 

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue

• Frozen Gingerbread Eggnog with gingerbread syrup topped with nutmeg 🎄🧋(Spirited version available with Thomas Tew Single Barrel Rum)
• Mickey Toy Soldier Drummer Sipper

Block & Hans 

• Cinnamon-glazed Nuts 🥬 
• Apple Pie Frozen Slush: Frozen Minute Maid Apple Juice with cinnamon syrup topped with cinnamon and sugar 🎄🧋 (Spirited version available with apple pie moonshine)

American Holiday Table

• Chocolate Cookie featuring SNICKERS bar pieces and salted caramel 🎄🍪  
• Slow-roasted Turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce  
• Blackened Catfish with Hoppin’ John and comeback sauce  
• Victory Brewing Co. Chocolate Cherry Stout 🎄
• Crooked Can Brewing Company Bah HOPbug IPA  
• 3 Daughters Brewing Eggnog White Porter 
• Beer Flight  
• Regional White Wine 
• Regional Red Wine  

Funnel Cake 

• Red Velvet Cookie Funnel Cake topped with powdered sugar, vanilla ice cream, cream cheese whipped cream, red velvet cookie pieces, mini chocolate chips, and chocolate syrup 🎄 

Japan

Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen 

• Strawberry Bun: Soft pink dessert bao containing sweet strawberry cream filling finished with a light coconut sauce 🎄 
• Sushi Tree Roll: Christmas tree-shaped sushi roll with krab meat and cream cheese garnished with spicy mayo and colorful rice pearls  
• Toshikoshi Soba: Buckwheat soba noodles in hot dashi fish-based soup topped with shrimp tempura and chopped green onion  
• Yuzu Refresher: Yuzu and passion fruit drink with Minute Maid Premium Lemonade and popping green apple boba pearls 🎄🧋 
• Sapporo Premium Black Beer  
• Chocolate Nigori Sake  
• Japanese Punch: Shōchū, plum wine, white cranberry juice, and lemon juice

Morocco 

Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina

• Moroccan Wrap with tomato-cucumber relish and garlic sauce served on warm Moroccan flatbread  
• Chermoula Chicken  
• Moroccan-spiced Lamb  
• Falafel 🥬 
• Stone-baked Moroccan Bread with assorted dips  
• 3 Daughters Brewing Golden Fig Hard Cider 🎄  
• Keel Farms Frostbite Blueberry Ginger Hard Cider 🎄  
• Gulf Stream Brewing Holiday Snakebite 
• Beverage Flight  
• Sparkling Holiday Fig Cocktail: Sparkling Wine, Kleiner Feigling liqueur, and white cranberry juice  

Between Morocco and France

L’Chaim! Holiday Kitchen 

• Mickey-shaped Almond Black and White Cookie 🎄🍪  
• Pastrami on Rye with house-made pickles and deli mustard  
• Smoked Salmon Potato Latke 
• Potato Latkes 🥬 
• Rugelach: Pastry with raspberry jam, walnuts, and cinnamon 🍪
• Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout 
• Frozen New York Whiskey Sour: Manifest Whiskey and Manischewitz Blackberry Wine  

France

Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen

• Macaron de Noël aux Épices: Large gingerbread macaron with spiced filling 🎄   

• Dinde Rôtie, Sauce et Garniture, servi avec Patates Douces: Roasted turkey with mushrooms, pearl onions, bacon, turkey gravy, and roasted sweet potatoes 🎄   
• Crème de Saumon Fumé en Brioche aux Grains de Sesames, Concombre et Radis: Smoked salmon spread on a sesame brioche roll with cucumber and radishes  
• Pierre Sparr Crémant d’Alsace Brut Rosé 🎄 
• Vin Chaud French Mulled Wine flavored with orange and cinnamon spices. Served warm 🎄  
• Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini: Vodka, cocoa, and whipped cream  

Canada

Yukon Holiday Kitchen 

• Maple Leaf Shortbread Cookie with maple buttercream 🎄🍪  
• Seared Salmon with butternut squash purée, maple-bourbon glaze, and fennel-arugula salad  
• Beef Bourguignon with crushed potatoes 
• Frozen Joffrey’s Coffee 🧋  
• 81Bay Brewing Co. Peanut Butter Banana Porter 
• Playalinda Brewing Co. Maple Cookie Blonde Ale 
• Collective Arts Brewing Brown Sugar Coffee Porter 🎄  
• Beer Flight  
• Regional Ice Wine  
• Regional Red Wine  
• Frozen Joffrey’s Coffee with Tap 357 Canadian Maple Rye Whisky  

Near Canada

Refreshment Port 

• Turkey Poutine: Sweet potato fries with turkey gravy, cranberry relish, and crispy onions 
• Keel Farms Cinnamon Sugar Donut Hard Cider 🎄  
• Pasek Cellars Cranberry Wine 

Near Point of Entry

Holiday Sweets & Treats 

• Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, and peppermint candy  
• Festive Flight featuring Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s 🎄🧋
• Christmas Sugar Cookie Hot Cocoa topped with whipped cream and sprinkles 
• Gingerbread Hot Cocoa topped with whipped cream and a gingerbread garnish 
• Cookie Butter Hot Cocoa topped with whipped cream and speculoos spice 
• Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s 🧋  
• Chocolate-Peppermint Shake featuring Twinings Peppermint Cheer Tea 🧋  
• Carib Brewery Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree IPA 🎄  
• Stevens Point Brewery Whole Hog Hazelnut Brownie Porter 🎄  
• Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s with choice of liqueur (Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur, Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream Liqueur, or Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey)  
• Chocolate-Peppermint Shake with Twinings Peppermint Cheer Tea and whipped cream vodka

Between World Showcase and Imagination Pavilion 

Swirled Showcase

• Liquid Nitrogen Chocolate-Peppermint Mousse featuring M&M’S Holiday Mint Chocolate Candies 🎄  
• Soft-serve in a waffle cone 
• Vanilla
• Apple-Cinnamon
• Dark Chocolate
• Soda Float: Barq’s Red Creme Soda or Barq’s Root Beer with vanilla soft-serve 🧋  
• Yuletide Float: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky and Barq’s Red Creme Soda with apple-cinnamon soft-serve  
• Coffee Float: Dark chocolate soft-serve with Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee and choice of Mozart Chocolate Cream Liqueur or Mozart White Chocolate Liqueur  

Mele Kalikimaka Holiday Kitchen

• Kālua Pork with coconut, sweet potatoes, and mango salad 
• Lomi Lomi Salmon with tomatoes, onions, salmon roe, yuzu mayonnaise, and yuca chips 
• Coffee-Mocha Cookie topped with coffee-infused buttercream, cocoa nibs, and chocolate-covered espresso beans  🍪
• Maui Brewing Co. Mango Stickee Rice IPA 🎄  
• Florida Orange Groves Winery Pineapple Sparkling Wine 
• Melon Breeze: DOLE Pineapple Juice, lime juice, melon liqueur, and Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum  

Nochebuena Cocina

• Pan de Jamón: Traditional Latin Christmas bread, rolled ham, raisins, and green olives 🎄 
• Plant-based Chorizo Tamale with plant-based cotija and spicy red chile sauce 🥬 
• Cinnamon-spiced Chocolate Crinkle Cookie 🍪
• Ponche Navideño: Christmas punch with apples, pears, guava, oranges, dried hibiscus, brown sugar, tamarind, cinnamon sticks, and cloves (Served warm) 🧋   
• Left Hand Brewing Co. Mexican Hot Chocolate Milk Stout 

Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen 

• Cinnamon-glazed Almonds 🥬 
• Cinnamon-glazed Cashews 🥬 
• Cinnamon-glazed Pecans 🥬  
• Fire-roasted Chestnuts 🥬  
• Eggnog 🧋 
• Southern Tier Brewing Co. Chestnut Praline Imperial Ale 
• Eggnog with choice of liqueur (Fireball Cinnamon Whisky or Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey)  

The Land

Sunshine Seasons 

• Peanut Butter Cookie featuring M&M’S Minis Milk Chocolate Candies Holiday Blend 🍪 
• Cookie Milk Shake: Spiced gelato with whipped cream, a cookie wreath, Mickey-shaped holly, and sprinkles 🎄🧋  

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

• Holiday Cookie Latte: Espresso, caramel sauce, almond syrup, and choice of milk topped with whipped cream and merry sugar sprinkles 🎄🧋 (Spirited version available with Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur) 

Various popcorn carts

• Mickey Elf Bucket

🎄 - New

🍪 - Holiday Cookie Stroll

🧋 - Non-alcoholic

🥬 - Plant-based