EPCOT 2024 Festival of the Holidays Opens with New Offerings at CommuniCore Hall and Plaza

Nov 29, 2024 in "Epcot International Festival of the Holidays"

2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays CommuniCore Hall and Plaza
Posted: Friday November 29, 2024 11:00am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays begins today, and for the first time, CommuniCore Hall and Plaza are at the heart of the celebration with several new offerings.


Inside CommuniCore Hall, a gingerbread Spaceship Earth has taken center stage. This impressive 8-foot-tall creation, crafted by the EPCOT Pastry Team and Walt Disney Imagineering, mirrors the park’s iconic geodesic sphere. Made from nearly 1,000 gingerbread triangles, the display incorporates over 240 pounds of honey dough, 55 pounds of dark chocolate, and 100 pounds of royal icing. The sphere lights up and plays festive music, while guests can search for 11 hidden Mickeys symbolizing the World Showcase countries.

The hall is also dressed for the season, with its Glittering Grove by Balsam Hill providing a shimmering backdrop of holiday trees. Exclusive festival merchandise is available inside, offering guests the chance to bring home a piece of the celebration.

The Experimental Prototype Cookies of Tomorrow, a new Holiday Kitchen, serves decorated cookies, including a gingerbread triangle decorating kit inspired by the Spaceship Earth display.


Outside in CommuniCore Plaza, snowflake decorating stations invite guests of all ages to get creative, while the JOYFUL! A Celebration of the Season performance has found a new home on the plaza’s stage. The live show blends gospel, R&B, and holiday classics.

Foodies will appreciate the Favorites of Festivals Past kitchen, which is offering nostalgic dishes from previous EPCOT festivals just outside the hall.


Along the walkway between the Imagination! pavilion and World Showcase, Scentsy’s snow globe garden fills the air with the aromas of the holidays, adding an extra sensory layer to the festivities.

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wdwmagicJul 09, 2025

I'm going to close this thread now that we have 2025 details https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/walt-disney-world-holidays-2025.986347/

wdwmagicJul 09, 2025

Yes

DisneyDreamer08Jul 09, 2025

Does Fantasmic still happen for day guests on a Jollywood night?

DisneyDreamer08Jul 09, 2025

On sale July 16th for resort guests

DisoneJul 09, 2025

Heard and okay. Fingers crossed 🤞 then

TheMaxReboJul 09, 2025

No idea if they would ever do it but would be nice to see the gingerbread house somewhere at Disney Springs and would make it easier for people (locals) to get there and buy gingerbread and no overrun Grand Flo

DisoneJul 09, 2025

It's the opposite, they went out of there way to avoid this. It was suppose to happen in 23, pushed to 24 and then Pushed back again to 25 and possibly 26. Finally they ripped the bandaid off and just said do it in 2025 and get it over with. If they were trying to get rid of foot traffic they would also get rid of all the other gingerbread displays at the other Resorts. None of which make us much money as the gingerbread house at the Grand. No the Disney accountants are not trying to find ways decrease foot traffic with acceptable declines in revenue. If they're making money they're perfectly okay with the front traffic. The new bar may bring a new year-around revenue stream but they will still get a huge revenue boost by doing the gingerbread house. It's not a one or the other type thing. I'm more interested in how that Christmas tree is going to fit with the bar there. I'm waiting for the announcement, and I don't have inside knowledge on this just speculating on my own, that the Christmas tree in the lobby will also be canceled for 2025. I can't imagine they're going to put the tree so close to an actual construction site. And then once it's done will there be room for the tree?

aladdin2007Jul 09, 2025

Heard this as well, not necessarily for that reason, though probably a part of it. I can't see the bar and gingerbread house operating at the same time that would be a mess. This was their way out of it and the cost of doing it, regardless of what two month profit came in from it, the bar will bring in year round profit to make up for it. Disney has been trying to decrease foot traffic for a while now across property. Bad business in my opinion, but their messed accounting reigns supreme.

SchweinoJul 09, 2025

Ive always wondered why they would add another thing to generate a queue/line (bar) when that place can get super packed when GH is up and running. Sounds like the GF lobby is going to get even worse.

BrianJul 09, 2025

It is absolutely coming back.

mattpetoJul 09, 2025

I hope you’re right. I’m skeptical.

AylaJul 09, 2025

Dreamlights will never return as long as they are using projections.

DisoneJul 09, 2025

Imagine the Goodwill they would generate, if they brought both back? This year. On the heels of closing the Muppet's and the rivers of America, they need this Goodwill. I used to think statements of the attendance decline were overstated. Maybe 10-15% which isn't good by any business model at all but it's also not the end of the world and somewhat expected with epic opening down the street. But having been there recently on Sunday, oh my God it was way more than 10 to 15%. The Magic Kingdom felt like Disneyland on a Wednesday in September. I think Walt Disney World is in dire need of some wins and good will with their guests But I also believe they are woefully unaware of this. :(

DisoneJul 09, 2025

Nope. It will be back. Too much of a money maker. And honestly amount of grand Floridian guests complaining about the crowds are easily outmatched by the amount of Grand Floridian guests complaining that there's no gingerbread house. The gingerbread house has a direct impact in excess of $1 million in revenue for the Grand and an indirect impact in the ability to sell rooms during the holiday season at extremely high rates.

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