EPCOT Extends Operating Hours for 2024 International Festival of the Holidays

Posted: Friday September 20, 2024 3:30pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has announced that starting November 29, 2024, EPCOT’s hours will shift to 9:00 am to 9:30 pm.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

This additional 30 minutes aligns with the beginning of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, a seasonal event featuring various holiday festivities, performances, and food offerings. Early Entry and Extended Evening hours will increase this to 8:30 am - 11:30 pm on select days.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

Running from November 29 through December 30, 2024, the International Festival of the Holidays will celebrate holiday traditions from around the world. Highlights of the festival include:

Candlelight Processional: A retelling of the Christmas story featuring a celebrity narrator, massed choir, and a 50-piece orchestra.
JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season: A vibrant tribute to Christmas and Kwanzaa through Gospel, R&B, and holiday music.
Meet Santa Claus: Guests can visit with Santa at the Odyssey Pavilion.
Holiday Storytellers: Storytellers from around the world share holiday lore and legends in World Showcase.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

The festival also features Holiday Kitchens, where guests can enjoy seasonal dishes and treats from various cultures, the Holiday Cookie Stroll, and Living with the Land – Glimmering Greenhouses, a festive version of the popular attraction. Families can participate in Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt, which sends guests on a quest around World Showcase to help Olaf find lost holiday traditions.

2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays overview

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spectromagic0420 hours ago

Santa Goofy is confirmed at DAK. I’m guessing Duffy because Duffy meets at Jollywood.

ToTBellHop23 hours ago

Something called “Santa Duffy” replaces Santa at the DHS M&G 12/25-31. I remember Santa Goofy years back. Guess it’s Duffy now?

JMcMahonEsq1 day ago

Of course all this is is a 2 hour commercial to promote the parks and resorts….what else would it be? And yes, I totally see where it would be better to make tons of Disney staff and entertainment people have to work on Christmas instead of being with their families to cater to a bunch of people who want to have a “live event” as opposed to-prerecorded. And certainly given that the parks are completely empty in Xmas day, it definitely makes sense to do the live show then, as opposed to pre-recorded since with such low crowds it won’t interfere at all with the guests and day at the park.

yensid19671 day ago

SOUNDS BORING to me! All this is is a HUGE 2 hour INFOMERCIAL for DIsney Resorts...nothing special anymore! This was 'something' to watch...just like The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...because it was LIVE and not prerecorded. Bring back the Christmas Day Parade: LIVE from WDW and DL...then you'll have a bigger viewing audience...I will not be watching

MisterPenguin2 days ago

Not to mention a Ball and lots of stars.

larryz2 days ago

They've ALWAYS had Garland hanging in the dining room...

jpeden4 days ago

It was disappointing to not see him but I assumed they pulled him after the online stalking. I know the other site said he hasn’t been pulled but some CM’s on reddit said he has so who knows.

MisterPenguin4 days ago

Tally's a snitch.

Disney Analyst4 days ago

And hopefully that’s true, but still people are leaking their identity and being incredibly creepy.

LittleBuford4 days ago

The Other Site claims that Disney says he hasn’t been pulled from the parade.

aladdin20074 days ago

Just a note that the Brown Derby is actually decorated this year, well sort of. No tree in the lobby or anything like they use to, but the dining room has some garland and hanging decorated boughs etc.