Look, a hidden Mickey!

Another freezing night in Central Florida...

The Interior of the Gaylord Palms Hotel

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

The Three Kings tell us about their gifts to the baby Jesus and the gift giving Christmas traditions in Mexico.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

In China, Sun hou-kong, the Monkey King, tells us his how Buddah threw him in jail for using his amazing magic powers exclusively for selfish purposes until the kindly monk, Thang Seng asked Buddah to put him in a work-release rehab program to assist in bringing Buddha's original texts from India to China. Before the adventure was over, the Monkey King learned that helping others gave him great joy in his life.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

In Germany, we learn of the Tanenbaum, the first Christmas tree, and the story of the Nutcracker.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

In Italy, La Befana, the good-hearted witch who has been flying down chimneys delivering gifts longer than Santa Claus, tells us her origin story: Three wise men came by looking for the baby king and invited La Befana to join them. She thought it was crazy, but when angels appeared in the sky to shepherds and everyone, she believed, but by that time the star of Bethlehem was fading and it was too late. Since then, every year on the eve of the Epiphany (Jan 6th) she rides her magic broomstick down chimneys of houses looking for the baby Jesus to give him a gift like the Magi did. Every time she sees a good child sleeping, she thinks, "This one looks as beautiful as the baby Jesus," and leaves a gift and treats for all of them as well.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

In Japan, a street peddler shows us his wares, Daruma dolls which you buy at O-Shogatsu (New Year's) and put on your front door step. You paint the pupil of the left eye when you make a wish for the New Year, and when it comes true, you paint in the other pupil, and your friends and neighbors know your wish has come true. He also told of family get togethers and other O-Shogatsu traditions like the 108 tolls of the gong at the Shinto shrine, which remind folks of the 108 earthly desires to overcome. Once you have all that under your belt, you have got it made.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

The Targee Drummer / Storyteller leads us in dance and tells us of Moroccan holiday traditions like the great feast after the fasting of Ramadan, and the holiday of Ashura, when families get together to give gifts and have a festive bonfire in the evening.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

Father Christmas leads us in caroling and tells us about British Christmas traditions of wassailing, sending Christmas cards, and kissing under the mistletoe.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

Pere Noel tells us about French Christmas traditions like Nativity Scenes and Letters to Santa.

Christmas Traditions Around the World at Epcot

Papa Noel is traveling somewhat incognito through Canada. His assistants, the Belsnickles are everywhere watching to see who is naughty and who is nice.

The Return of the Peacocks

We awoke this morning to some thunks on the roof. Closer investigation revealed this...

The Christmas Tree is up...

And it's feeling more like winter now that the cold weather has arrived!