Exploring Epcot at Christmas

Please welcome our very special Guest, Mike of My Dreams of Disney! Mike, along with his wife and daughter, is an avid Disney fan. What started was an online repository of the memories of his trips has grown into a site where you can find trip planning, reviews and occasional contests. You can find Mike on Facebook and Twitter, over at Chip & Co., and at The Disney Moms!

I want to take a moment and thank Jodi from having me on her wonderful site, Magical Mouse Schoolhouse! I hope that I am able to live up to the standard that she has set for her blog, because she has produced some great content on her site! Thanks for having me, Jodi! [We're so happy to have you, Mike! Thanks for being our Guest!]

The Epcot Christmas Tree. Image Courtesy ©DISTherapy

There is a ton of great Christmas activity going on at Epcot during the month of December! When I think of Disney World during the Christmas season, there are two main things that stand out in my mind. They are Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and exploring all of the countries of Epcot's World Showcase.

Did you know that each of the countries at the World Showcase focuses on the Christmas traditions of its own land? Each country has its own traditions, and I can think of no better place to explore each of those traditions than at the Epcot World Showcase.

However, not all of the countries focus on Christmas. Many of them look at different celebrations, including Kwanzaa and Chanukah.

I have never been to Walt Disney World during the Christmas season, so I have yet to experience this wonderful time of year at the parks. I would love to take my wife and daughter there one year, and plan on doing so at some point. So today, I'll share some photos that my friend Didi from DISTherapy loaned to me!

At the United Kingdom, Father Christmas tells his story of Christmas. When I look at this image, I'm immediately struck by how closely Father Christmas reminds me of the classic tale, "A Christmas Carol."  Makes sense, since that is where the story takes place.

Father Christmas at the UK Pavilion. Image Courtesy ©DISTherapy

Over in France, Pere Noel tells the story of Christmas through the eyes of a young girl, whose letter he is reading to all of us. Pere is certainly in better shape than the Santa Claus that I know!

Pere Noel in France. Image Courtesy ©DISTherapy

But perhaps my favorite of these scenes is the one at the Mexico Pavilion. Here we see the three wise men, and from what I've found out, they are telling the story of the search for Jesus, bearing gifts to be given to my Savior.

The Three Wise Men at Mexico. Image Courtesy ©DISTherapy

Today's Takeaway:
For today's takeaway, here is what I suggest you do. Take a look at all of the countries of the World Showcase:

• Mexico
• Norway
• China
• Germany
• Italy
• United States
• Morocco
• Japan
• France
• United Kingdom
• Canada

Pick one, and research online or at your local library the various ways that Christmas or other holidays are celebrated throughout the year! See how similar (or different, as the case may be) the holiday traditions you celebrate are from those of the country you select! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season!

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Social Studies
SKILL LEVEL: All

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