2023 Celebrity Narrators for the EPCOT Candlelight Processional
Who's New and Who's Back for Christmas 2023
If you plan to attend the EPCOT Candlelight Processional in 2023 (and you should), you’re in for a treat as Disney has put together one of the best line-ups in recent memory.
Listen to the Disney Travel News Podcast
The EPCOT Candlelight Processional is a must-see retelling of the Christmas story featuring a celebrity narrator, a huge choir and a 50-piece orchestra. It also has herald trumpeters and the Voices of Liberty vocalists. For 2023, there are nine new celebrity narrators -- one of the most impressive line-ups in years.
2023 EPCOT Candlelight Processional Celebrity Narrators:
Chrissy Metz (NEW): November 24-25
Luis Fonsi (NEW): November 26-27
Ann-Margret (NEW): November 28-29
Simu Liu: November 30-December 2
John Stamos: December 3-5
Neil Patrick Harris: December 6-8
Marlee Matlin: December 9-11
Brendan Fraser (NEW): December 12-14
Eva Longoria (NEW): December 15-16
Joey McIntyre (NEW): December 17-18
Sterling K. Brown (NEW): December 19-20
Jordan Fisher (NEW): December 21-23
Steven Curtis Chapman: December 24-26
Audra McDonald (NEW): December 27-28
Lisa Ling: December 29-30
Candlelight Processional Dining Packages Open October 17
Booking a dining package is one way to guarantee a seat for the show, but you'll still have to line up well over an hour before showtime if you want a great seat.
Choose from seven EPCOT restaurants for the Candlelight Processional Dining Package, including:
Akershus,
Biergarten,
Coral Reef,
Garden Grill,
Le Cellier,
Rose & Crown and
Spice Road Table.
Walk-ups are also available day of the show at Regal Eagle Smokehouse, but they are limited and sell out quickly.
If you plan to buy a dining package, there are a few important things that you need to know. We share our best tips in this week’s episode to save you a few unexpected surprises.
Santa is Back at the Odyssey Pavilion
Santa Claus will once again greet guests at the Odyssey pavilion from November 24 through December 24.
Holiday Kitchens and the Cookie Stroll are also Back
Over 15 Holiday Kitchens will tempt you with dishes that celebrate global holiday cheer.
The Holiday Cookie Stroll is back. Buy five cookies from any of the cookie stroll locations and get the matching stamp in your festival passport. Once you have five stamps, bring the stamped passport to the Holiday Sweet & Treats Holiday Kitchen and get a free cookie. The stroll runs through December 30.
Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Scavenger Hunt
The Olaf Holiday Traditions Expedition Scavenger Hunt is a fun way to explore World Showcase. Buy your map and stickers from a festival merchandise kiosk and discover the “tradition” that Olaf found in each pavilion. Whether or not you complete the quest, you can redeem your map at Creations Shop, Disney Traders or World Traveler at International Gateway for a special holiday keepsake (valid until Dec. 30).
New Dishes Available at Three Disney World Resort Hotels
Geyser Point Bar & Grill at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and Banana Cabana at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort all have new menu items to try.
At Geyser Point Bar & Grill there's the new Crispy ‘Peking’ Ribs. This dish is tossed in a peking sauce with cashews. If wings are more your thing, the Geyser Chicken Wings are now available in two new flavors – Thai Chili or Sriracha Buffalo. Teriyaki is still available.
The new Turkey BLT Sandwich combines house-smoked black pepper turkey, candied bacon, and avocado puree for the perfect blend of flavors in every bite.
There are three new plant-based offerings. The Macaroni and ‘Cheese’ Bites are “cheesy” bites paired with tomato and peppers. The Vegetable Burger with ‘Cheese’ is topped with a spicy slaw, pepper jack ‘cheese’, lettuce, and tomato. And the Multigrain Salad with Tofu combines mixed greens, wild rice, bell peppers, and sesame vinaigrette. It’s also available with chicken, steak, or salmon if you’d like.
Over at Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago at Coronado Springs Resort you'll find Korean Fried Chicken Bao Buns. This is paired with lime mayo, sweet-and-spicy gochujang sauce, ‘kimchi’ pickles and radish. Another new starter is Tamarind Soy-glazed Pork Ribs with scallions, pickled fresno chili and cilantro. Ceviche Classico has kona kampachi, sweet potato, cancha, red onion, chile, and leche de tigre.
For salad lovers, the Villa del Lago Wedge Salad combines baby iceberg lettuce, chorizo, bleu cheese, and marinated tomatoes topped with avocado dressing. Also available with grilled shrimp or grilled chicken.
For entrées, the new Pork Carnitas Tacos are served with a trio of sauces – chipotle-pineapple salsa, tomatillo salsa verde, and salsa borracha – along with cotija cheese and pickled vegetables served with black beans and rice. The Chicken Mole Poblano is a sweet corn-Oaxacan cheese tamale.
The Three Bridges Signature Burger is topped with a bacon marmalade, sun-dried tomato jam, smoked gouda queso, crispy vegetables, and arugula served with smoked paprika fries.
Finally, the Plancha-seared Mahi Mahi and Shrimp is paired with basmati rice, bok choy, Thai red coconut-curry sauce and mint.
There are three new beverages. The Cold Brew Old Fashioned has SelvaRey Chocolate Rum, Tia Maria Coffee Liqueur, Joffrey’s Mexican Femenino Cold Brew, and Hella Cocktail Co. Orange Bitters. The Tinto de Verano has red wine, Combier Creme de Mure, Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, and Sprite. For a tropical non-alcoholic drink, the Tropical Coconut Cooler is a refreshing blend of coconut, orange, pineapple, and lime juices with a salt rim.
At Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Banana Cabana has a new Banana Cabana Burger. This one features Caribbean barbecue, tomatillo-jalapeño cream cheese, and pineapple salsa with plantain crunch served with french fries.
For seafood lovers, there are two new items to try poolside – the Seafood Fritters served with a passion fruit aïoli and the Coconut Shrimp served with citrus-chili sauce and french fries.
Thank You for Listening to the Disney Travel Podcast
Thank you very much for listening to this episode, Amelia and I hope that you enjoyed it. If you did, we would be very grateful if you could rate, review and subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts/iTunes (or on whichever app you choose to listen). A brief review about what you liked most about an episode truly helps to keep the show going by exposing it to new listeners. We look forward to continue producing new episodes each week.
Also, be sure to browse the Emporium at 1923 Main Street for our unique original designs on t-shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies, leggings, dresses, swimwear and more (and all with a touch of magic).
Contact 1923 Main Street
Thank you for listening to the Disney Travel News Podcast at 1923MainStreet.com. As always, we love to get feedback and questions from our listeners and to hear your suggestions and ideas for future episodes.
Please be sure to follow along on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Help support the show by shopping at the Emporium at 1923 Main Street for original apparel and merchandise, inspired by the magic.
Thank you for listening and have a magical day!
Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic