If you’re not craving a trip to a Disney destination after the last few food guides, this one might break the hesitation on planning the trip. The official Foodie Guide for EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays has been released, and there are some GOOD holiday kitchens for the 2024 holiday season. The festival will run each day from November 30, 2024 through December 30, 2024. Let’s review and see what’s in store at the park during the most wonderful time of the year.
Returning, and a special part of the festival, is the Holiday Cookie Stroll. There is a little passport that contains the cookies at select Festival Holiday Kitchens, purchase five of the selected cookies (and the stamp from the kitchen) and return to Holiday Sweets & Treats for a special treat. This is such a fun way to try a variety of treats, and receive an extra treat in return! Another fun filled option for the entire family is Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt. The maps for the scavenger hunt can be purchased at select retail locations.
Brand new for this season, a gingerbread display that replicates Spaceship Earth. The display can be found inside CommuniCore Hall. Also found at CommuniCore Hall is a Spaceship Earth Tile Gingerbread Triangle!
A new Festival Kitchen, Favorites of Festivals Past, will be dishing up three menu items that were deemed favorites of previous years holiday kitchens. There was also a similar kitchen this year at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. The menu will include Brown Sugar and Mustard-glazed Ham Sliders, Bauducco Panettone Holiday Truffle, and Reuben Croquettes.
Did you know that Connections Cafe and Connections Eatery are two different options? Connections Cafe is a STARBUCKS location inside the park, but they also serve fun holiday options like the Holiday Sugar Cookie. Just around the corner, Connections Eatery will be offering the Holiday Sweater Liege Waffle that features a chocolate coating on a Belgian waffle and topped with holiday sprinkles and chocolate Journey Into Imagination symbol.
Inside The Odyssey, Holiday Hearth Desserts will have six different items on their delicious menu. Chocolate-covered Toffee Brittle, Mint Chocolate Mousse Wreath, and Apple Caramel Crumb Cake are the first few menu times. The final three options are Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cake, Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth Cookie, and Mouse Crunch that is made with red and green M&M’s. All of these items make the perfect grab and go snack to continue on your way through the park.
Continuing through World Showcase, to the left (the only way to go), you will first come to Mexico and the Los Posadas Holiday Kitchen which is offering two new items for the year. The new Empanada de Pollo is crafted with chipotle chicken and potatoes that are placed into a corn tortilla that is fried then topped with crema Mexicana, and queso fresco. The second new item is the Tamal de Puerco con Mole. The corn masa is stuffed with shredded pork then topped with mole negro, and a drizzle of queso fresco and crema Mexicana.
The Shanghai Holiday Kitchen also has a new offering on top of their delicious Vegetable Spring Rolls. XO Fried Rice features a combo of Chinese sausage, onions, egg, mushrooms, and a Hong Kong sauce that is made inhouse. There is also a new Taro Bubble Milk Tea on the menu.
One kitchen that is a must-do on my list is the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen located in Germany. Why? The Cheese Fondue is served in a bread bowl with steamed baby vegetables. There is also a Pork Schnitzel and a Hazelnut Linzer Cookie.
Tuscany Holiday Kitchen, in Italy, features a few favorite items of house-made fried dough. The Montanara is the fried dough that is served with pomodoro sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan cheese, and a sprig of fresh basil. The next is the house-made dough rolled in cinnamon sugar. Panettone is the final item and is a Panettone bread pudding served with a vanilla cream.
Continuing around, The America Adventure is the next stop and here you will find the traditional holiday items. A Slow-roasted Turkey is served with a side of mashed potatoes, stuffing, and green beans and topped with cranberry sauce. Another delicious option is the Blackened Catfish that is served with Hoppin’ John and Comeback Sauce. The final and sweet choice is a SNICKERS-Doodle Cookie.
A sweet treat on the way through The America Adventure is a funnel cake. Nothing screams holidays like a Gingerbread Funnel Cake that is topped with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream with red and green sprinkles.
A popular location is Japan where guests will find Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen. While the Sushi Tree Roll is making a return, a Mochi Donut Wrap is making an appearance for the first time. This pastry is topped with sweet red beans, a strawberry sauce, and whipped cream. It is then topped with a gyuhi rice cake sheet and some sliced strawberries.
Yukon Holiday Kitchen is a wonderful idea if you’re looking for something hearty. Not only is the Seared Salmon making a return, but so is the delicious Beef Bourguignon served with crushed potatoes. Also returning is the adorable Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie.
Another favorite of the holiday kitchens is Swirled Showcase. Here the Holiday Mickey-shaped Liquid Nitrogen Pop can be found. This is crafted with chocolate cake that is then dipped into a ganache and covered with red and green M&M’s. There are also three flavors of softserve; vanilla, apple-cinnamon, and dark chocolate.
Holiday Sweets & Treats is the location where guests can redeem their Holiday Cookie Stroll Passport, but it is also offering a sweet Peppermint Sundae. Made with a chocolate soft serve ice cream, topped with whipped cream, and finished with pieces of crushed peppermint candy.
If you happen to be looking for a quick grab and go treat that could also be saved for later, Chestnuts and Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen is the place to be! Not only are they serving a delicious Egg Nog, but they are also selling cinnamon-glazed almonds, cashews, and pecans, plus Fired Roasted Chestnuts.
The final item I want to mention is the Peanut Butter Cookie that is made with red and green M&M’s Minis. This treat can be found inside The Land Pavilion at Sunshine Seasons.
There are so many delicious options to choose from at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. I could spend days there experiencing all of the holiday kitchens, cultural festivities, and celebrations happening inside the park. If you’re ready to experience all of this magic and so much more, reach out to Marvelous Mouse Travels to plan a magical adventure to Walt Disney World!
