The 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Finds New Ways to Keep Things Merry

The holiday season is now in full swing throughout Walt Disney World. Festivities kicked off at some of the parks on Nov. 6, but EPCOT waited until after Thanksgiving to launch a modified version of the park's annual holiday festival, this year called Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, now through Dec. 31.

Holiday Kitchens serve up seasonal cuisine and holiday treats from around the globe and entertainment gets a festive overlay. I visited to see what EPCOT's latest festival was like during this far from ordinary year. Although Covid-19 has forced the cancellation of character meet-and-greets, fireworks, and some seasonal offerings like the Candlelight Processional, there's still more than enough to eat, drink, ride and see to keep it feeling like the most wonderful time of the year.

Disney has regularly updated safety guidelines in response to the evolving pandemic, particularly with respect to the ongoing tightening of mask rules and requirements. Guests over the age of 2 must wear a face covering at all times except when eating or drinking and must be stationary and at a 6 ft. physical distance from other guests. Rules have also recently been updated to prohibit food and drink past a certain point in ride queues, even when guests are stationary, so don't plan to bring those festival drinks and snacks with you in line.

EPCOT's Festival of the Holidays menus feature plenty of savory, seasonal dishes celebrating holidays around the world, but this is one EPCOT festival where desserts are the main event. New this year is Holiday Hearth in the World Showplace Events Pavilion, serving up a wide variety of sweet eats and sips for the season, like Red Velvet Mini Bundt Cake and this Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth Cookie.

Holiday Hearth also serves festive drinks like the Gingerbread Milkshake (try it spiked with Whipped Cream Vodka) topped with whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie, Hot Cocoa, and the Cocoa Candy Cane, hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. For an edible souvenir, pick up packaged take-home treats like Snowball Cookies in a souvenir container, Peppermint Bark, and Mouse Crunch, a colorful mix of caramel apple popcorn, chocolate-covered pretzels, and M&Ms.

Guests who love a food challenge can take their cookie grazing to the next level with the Holiday Cookie Stroll. Pick up a festival booklet and collect stamps when you buy five holiday cookies ($2.50 each from any or all of five Cookie Stroll locations) around World Showcase and get a complimentary Minnie Peppermint Cookie as a reward for completing the stroll.

It makes sense that one of the best savory dishes at the festival would come from Germany, the land of Christmas markets and the country credited with originating the traditional Christmas tree. Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl is served with steamed vegetables and marble potatoes. The cheese is silky smooth with a hint of heat; the bread is fresh; and the vegetables are tender without being overcooked. Don't miss this one at the Bavaria Holiday Kitchen where another hearty dish, Pork Schnitzel with mushroom sauce, spatzle, and braised red cabbage also provides a good base before digging into all those treats.

Disney continues to innovate when it comes to vegan and vegetarian offerings. New this year at the American Holiday Table kitchen is a Holiday Pot Pie made with jackfruit, mushrooms, carrots, peas, onions and puff pastry. Jackfruit's pulled-pork-like texture makes it a natural plant-based meat substitute and the rich, flavorful sauce gives this dish a depth that even meat-lovers will appreciate. Also on the menu at this kitchen is Slow-roasted Turkey, served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cranberry sauce.

The France pavilion has become known for its festive frozen cocktails, and this season's doesn't disappoint. At Le Marché de Noel Holiday Kitchen, the Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini made with Grey Goose Vanilla, vodka, and chocolate milk is a holiday party in a glass. While you sip it, scope out the new "Ratatouille" sign above the construction wall where work continues on a new attraction, Remy's Ratatouille Adventure, and a new restaurant, Le Creperie de Paris, both set to open in 2021.

New this year, "Olaf's Holiday Tradition Expedition" is the latest incarnation of EPCOT's all-ages scavenger hunt around World Showcase. Purchase a map and search for the hidden Olafs and get one of three souvenir cups as a prize.

Character meet and greets are currently suspended but EPCOT's seasonal processionals give guests a chance to spot their favorite characters in holiday garb. Impromptu, mini parades make their way around World Showcase throughout the day. EPCOT's processionals feel more intimate and interactive than those at the other parks-I find it easier to make eye contact to get a wave or a quick selfie here.

For families missing their chance to sit on Santa's lap this year, EPCOT is my favorite park to spot him. Santa in his horse-drawn carriage is a great fit amidst the backdrop of World Showcase and you get a bit closer to him here than at other parks.

Out on the lawn between The Land and Imagination pavilions, Joy from Pixar's Inside Out, Winnie the Pooh, and Chip and Dale also come out to play and pose, looking extra cute in their holiday accessories.

Fans of Figment, the iconic purple dragon that's come to represent classic EPCOT, were treated to an unexpected surprise when Figment turned up one morning wearing an "ugly" holiday sweater in Journey Into Imagination With Figment. The ride has become a must-do this season for Figment's devoted fan base, eager to catch a glimpse of how adorable he looks in his sweater.

Another iconic EPCOT attraction, Living with the Land, known for its vibrant greenhouses, is even more colorful with the addition of twinkling lights, giant ornaments, and snowmen. Normally best in the daylight, this is one time to wait to ride at night to enjoy this festive experience.

The Candlelight Processional is one beloved experience that's on hold this year at EPCOT, but guests can still enjoy plenty of live performances and seasonal music. Mariachi Cobre and Voices of Liberty take the stage at America Gardens Theatre; The Jammitors appear on the Canada Mill Stage; and in World Showplace, JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season performs songs celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa and pianists play holiday favorites.

You've probably seen the 1952 Mickey Mouse holiday short, "Pluto's Christmas Tree," in which Chip and Dale hitch a ride into Mickey's house via a Christmas tree and torment Pluto with their hijinks. This year's festival merch features plenty of nods to the classic cartoon, with the Santa candle from the mantle reimagined as a holiday cookie.

This season's answer to the ever-popular bubble wand, a new version lets fans make their own "snoap" (the term Disney fans have given to the fake snow oft used at Disney parks and Disney Springs. The wand lights up and is refillable with regular bubbles. Originally $30, it's available for a limited time for just $15 and would make a great stocking stuffer.

With cast members unable to take photos with guests' phones during the pandemic, Disney's PhotoPass photographers have become even more desirable when it comes to getting family photos taken. PhotoPass photographers are stationed throughout the park and you might discover that they've added some extra magic to your photos.

To manage capacity, a Disney Park Pass reservation is required in order to visit EPCOT. Disney Park Passes are allocated in three tiers to Disney resort guests, annual passholders, and regular ticket holders not staying at a Disney resort. Park Passes for some dates and parks are already unavailable for the busiest dates during the holidays so guests should be sure to reserve Park Passes as soon as possible when visiting during this busier season.

While you can't see the whole thing yet, EPCOT's entrance is getting a glow-up, and you can already spot the top half of three stunning prism pylons that form the centerpiece to a new entrance fountain. An official reveal date hasn't been announced yet, but on Nov. 19 during the D23 Fantastic Worlds Celebration, it was shared that the completed EPCOT fountain will be debuted "later this year."