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For those of you just joining the WDW Christmas research team, here’s the instant recap: Not much of a Christmas celebration at Animal Kingdom; plenty of Santa Claus and other modern-day Yuletide spirit at Disney-MGM Studios. But where’s the real Christmas spirit? You know, the goodwill towards all men, peace on earth kind of spirit. Don’t worry -- it’s not gone, it’s at Epcot... Epcot Epcot, Walt’s dream of a utopia where people would live in harmony together, is the perfect place to showcase peace on earth, good will towards men. And World Showcase is the perfect venue. Entering the Epcot entrance area, we are greeted by Spaceship Earth decked out with a giant Mickey hand and wand, visible from just about anywhere on Disney property. It is huge. And controversial – some purists want the "plussing" removed from Spaceship Earth; some (like me) kind of like it. Rumor has it that the word "2000" will be removed at the end of the Millennium Celebration and replaced with the word "Epcot".
Of course, in order to get to Spaceship Earth you have to pass through the Leave A Legacy installation. It’s kind of creepy in a way. Jeff joked that it reminded him of the Vietnam Memorial -- he expected to see flowers at the base of each monolith and people taking rubbings of the photos. I countered that it really wasn’t that bad – it reminded me more of Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. We both noticed that there was still plenty of space for new photos and the long queue with its many switchbacks for the Leave A Legacy sign-up kiosks remained empty during our many trips to Epcot that week. After we quickly passed by Leave A Legacy, we entered Epcot to the strains of Christmas carols playing over the loudspeakers. What made this noteworthy was that it wasn’t the kitschy 1950’s versions played at Disneyland or the pop versions at Disney-MGM Studios – Epcot plays carols arranged for and played by full orchestra. Very classy, and it really put me in the Christmas mood. We walked right on to Spaceship Earth, a wonderfully corny yet inspiring ride. Suitably cheered up by an attraction that actually features lots and lots of animatronics and no cardboard cutouts, we went forth and took in the offerings of Future World. Future World runs the gamut – from the best of educational entertainment to some of the cheesiest and cheapest attractions possible. The hands-down favorite for me is Ellen’s Energy Adventure. It combines lots of education with a very amusing ride. I could watch the preshow over and over. Besides, who wouldn’t want Bill Nye the Science Guy as a next-door neighbor? Jeff and I both agreed there was a tie for the cheesiest attraction. Food Rocks has the dopiest puns (I mean, substituting the lyrics "I want to be your high fiber" for Peter Gabriel’s "I want to be your sledgehammer", isn’t just painful – it’s criminal). The other attraction high on the cheese factor has to be the Hydrolater at the Living Seas. Even the four-year-old kids standing around us figured out that they weren’t diving to the bottom of the sea. Unfortunately, since this was Jeff’s first trip to WDW this year, it meant taking him on the new Journey Into Your Imagination. Beforehand, he’d joke that he was going to engage in a marathon of riding JIYI over and over just so he could see me roll my eyes at him. After we finished riding the attraction, he solemnly turned to me and said that the only way he would ride JIYI again was if he could take explosives with him. Ouch! By now, it was time to resume my search for the Christmas spirit. First up was the holiday shop between Future World and Canada which featured the world’s largest Teddy Bear.
You could also paint ornaments at the crafts section of the store.
One of Epcot many offerings for the season was showcasing holiday storytellers in every World Showcase pavilion. First stop was Canada, but Santa was just going on a break, so we decided to rest our feet and watch Off-Kilter. That’s where Santa was too, who was attempting to eat popcorn while signing autographs for the kids who had the courage to go up and ask for his signature. I guess Off-Kilter (a pop-rock band that wears kilts and features a bagpipe as a solo instrument) is an acquired taste, but I know this group of lads has their following. They are kind of cute but for some reason Jeff dragged me away before I could fully, ummm, ascertain if they too had the Christmas spirit. Next up was the Santa who I’d name as "Best Of Breed": Father Christmas in England. This Santa looked and acted every inch the part.
After Father Christmas was Père Noël in France. We figured Père Noël had been spending too much time at Epcot instead of France because his accent kept mysteriously disappearing. Hmmm.
Slipping away from France’s holiday storytelling, we took in the Living Statues of France. Actors dressed in white robes and in full white facial makeup pose for delighted onlookers. Of course, one youngster had to come closer and see for himself.
Next up was Japan. Since their holiday storyteller was fairly low-key, the highlight of this country was the Magical Toys of Japan exhibit. Large mechanical dolls known as Karakuri were programmed to perform a graceful dance.
A large dragon (fully automated via computer) performed his dance.
Of course, the American Adventure pavilion was not to be outdone. In addition to the decorated exterior,
the preshow area contained not only the usual Christmas tree but a Kwanzaa display
and a Hanukkah display!
In Italy, a large nativity scene was on view.
Next to Germany, a miniature railroad steamed around a village dressed up for Christmas.
What would Christmas be without a giant Nutcracker doll in Germany?
The final pavilion, Mexico, featured the Three Wise Men, who graciously signed autographs for their fans.
At this point, it was just about time for Tapestry of Nations so Jeff and I staked out a spot in between Mexico and Norway. While we were cooling our heels, the Three Wise Men came back out to their stage in addition to a swarm of cameramen, grips, and makeup people. Then the reason for this sudden burst of activity was soon made clear. A trio of very lovely young women wearing Santa Claus mini-skirts appeared and taped some kind of announcement in Spanish. I asked one of the film crew who they were and she replied that they were the singing group Sparks, and they were taping a promotional spot for Telemundo. I’m not sure if I heard this correctly as I wasn’t able to find out anything about this after I got home from WDW, so if anyone knows the story, drop me a line!
We had missed quite a few pavilions along the way, but there were so many shows to pick from, we couldn’t fit it all in! I guess I’ll have to come back next year. Darkness was now beginning to descend over Epcot and it was time for Tapestry of Nations, Candlelight Processional, Illuminations 2000: Reflections of Earth and the synchronized lights at Showcase Plaza.
What’s nice about Tapestry of Nations is that it’s a straightforward, sincere attempt to show unity and harmony among people. However, although the costumes are pretty cool, they tend to look the same after a while and the same music loops over and over. It’s hard to not like this parade though and I’m happy to watch something free of cynicism and merchandising opportunities.
After the parade ends, Jeff and I walk over to the America Gardens Theater to catch Candlelight Processional. The narrator for that night was the actor James Avery. The rest of the week featured Joe Mantegna, whom we saw here and there around WDW with his cute and well-behaved kids.
Once Candlelight ended, it was time for the Illuminations land grab. Luckily (especially if you were a polar bear), the weather was pretty cold and one could get a good seat anywhere around the lagoon up until a few minutes before the show. I dressed as warmly as possible: long-sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, down jacket and stocking cap. Jeff thought it was cold enough to warrant wearing a thin sweatshirt over shorts! How do guys do it? I could go on and on about Illuminations. As far as I’m concerned, it is the best show Disney has ever come up with. It is even better than Disneyland’s Believe fireworks show, which is pretty awesome in its own right. Jeff and I ran over to Epcot almost every night the week we were at WDW just to see Illuminations. The show begins with a huge explosion and fireworks representing the creation of earth. Afterwards, the music builds and you witness fiery volcanic eruptions and cataclysms as Earth is built. Then a beautiful orchestral interlude begins and a giant sphere of Earth majestically glides out to the center of the lagoon. As the music plays, man’s achievements in both technology and the arts display on the continents of the Earth sphere. The show’s finale features a gorgeous song, "We Go On", sung by soloist and choir which depicts man’s ability to face and overcome obstacles and his quest to live in harmony and peace. I never fail to cry at this point, and when I look over at Jeff, I think I see a tear or two on his face too.
After Illuminations ends, we float down the World Showcase walkway to leave the park. But at the Showcase Plaza, we stop to admire a huge Christmas tree lit and decorated with signs in all languages wishing peace on earth and good will to men.
Along the Plaza walkway between Future World and the lagoon, a huge canopy of synchronized lights has been erected. The lights have been programmed to flash different color patterns in time to the carols playing over the speakers. Truly beautiful.
Epcot totally exceeded my expectations of what to expect from Disney during the Christmas holidays. They’ve raised the bar, so to speak, for the other parks to emulate. But maybe the other parks shouldn’t attempt to match Epcot’s accomplishments – if we were constantly bombarded with messages of peace and hope, we’d become immune to the message. And that would be a shame.
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Third in the series
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