Walkabout The World - A Disney Podcast - An Epcot World Showcase Holiday Stroll

Episode Date: December 5, 2022

Hello Travelers and happy holidays! Take a holiday themed trip around the World Showcase at Epcot in Walt Disney World with host Jeremy this week. In this episode, you'll take in the entirety of the Père Noël and the Hanukkah holiday storyteller presentations, some classic festive Epcot holiday ambience, and lastly we let the incredible Joyful! band sing us out! Just try not to dance - we dare you!      As always, use good listening devices as we always record in 4 channel surround sound. We hope you enjoy the episode and thanks so much for following along!    Look us up at @WalkaboutWDW on Instagram and drop us a note to say hi! Find our producer Josh also on Instagram at @TheSteele. Say hi to our west coast correspondent Ric at @opticaljedi. Lastly give a shout to our Orlando correspondent Pete at @neverlandlocal.   You can now also drop us at line at [e-mail]. Say hi, give us some suggestions on things you'd love to hear, or even record your own 'Hello Traveler' show open when you are out and about, and we'll work it into a future show!

Welcome back to Walk About The World and hello travelers and Merry Christmas from Epcot Center on an early morning. Crowd streaming in, sitting right in front of the prettiest girl in school. That's Spaceship Earth, by the way. Listening to the Christmas music. And today the goal is we are going to go from here out to the World Showcase and attempt to experience some World Showcase holiday goodness. Hopefully take in some of the Christmas presenters and generally just have a relaxing good time. You ready?

I know, you are. Let's go! Walking past Spaceship Earth now. Gateway Gifts to your left. Going to head up past Connections. Thank you. Okay, we've got a plan. I stopped by a guest experience, and they educated me on how to find the times for all the shows, which I probably should have known, but I didn't. It's in MDE. MDE? My Disney Experience? So I found it.

And so currently standing right next to the stage where they're going to be having Joyful play. And I think we're going to circle back and try to get that because it's one of my favorite shows of the season. And they have one.15, so I think we can work our way back, but for now, we are going to head to the right, which is anathema to me, um, you're supposed to go left towards Mexico, but the first show of the day for us that I'm targeting is Père Noël in the France Pavilion, so we're going to head that way, and then going to try to take in the Hanukkah Performer as well, and after that way, and then we're going to try to take in the Hanukkah performer as well. And after that, who knows? We'll see where the wind blows. But for now, let's head to the right.

Let's go on past Canada, UK, etc., work our way out to France. Here we go. I also have a walkabout sticker. Trying to find a place to stage. It's a little breezy, so I have to be careful where I put it. I am soaking this up it is rare to be out on a morning where

it is this comfortable in Epcot in Central Florida thank goodness for December. As you can tell, we have entered the France Pavilion. Going to do a time check here. We're 10.15, so we've got a ways to go before the first show. I need to find out where the show is, so I'm going to scout that out,

because I don't exactly remember. And then I'm also just taking a moment. So what I've done, as soon as I turned, as soon as I came across the very last bridge into the France Pavilion, I turned immediately right. And if you are a frequent Epcot goer, you know it well. There's a little area over here with bistro tables and benches and a stone wall right by the waterway. So yeah, standing here next to the stone wall where you can look across and see the Skyliner coming and going and see the International Gateway with our fellow travelers streaming in. World Traveler Shop right across the water.

It's calm. Little tiny bit of breeze, just enough to put some ripples on the water. France Pavilion ambience in the background. All of the sycamore trees here that they have planted are losing their leaves. Central Florida fall comes late. So it's kind of like a miniature

autumn scene here. And I'm loving it. So I'm going to quit talking. Let you guys take in a little France Pavilion ambience here for a few. I'm going to scope things out for the show, and I'll rejoin you here in a bit. Terima kasih telah menonton! ¶¶ I met my friend From three great places Who was on a trip

This morning I met my friend From three great places From this great path Hey, bonjour! Bonjour! Can you all say that with me? Bonjour! Bonjour! Très bien!

And as we say in my country, joyeux Noël, or Merry Christmas! Now, let me ask... Do you know who I am? Oui, some people call me Santa. But in France, I am Le Père Noël. Father Christmas! I am the good spirit of this season! It is a joy for me to see all of you in such good spirit! But now I have another question for you.

Have any of you, or your pets in general, really? Have you ever written a letter to my friend Santa Claus in your heart? You big people, you can admit this too. Well, in France, if a child writes a letter to me, Pierre Noël, and puts a return address on the envelope, the French government pays the postage on my reply. Not bad, eh? I get so many, L'État. I would like to share with you one of my favorites. It comes to me from a lovely little girl named Babette who lives with her old

uncle Louis and her brother François on a farm near Les Baux in the mountains of Provence. And let's hear, if you will, a bit of the flavor of the holiday saison in France. Ecoutez, listen. Dear Père Noël, even though my big brother François says Christmas is for babies I look forward to La Vie de Petit Jésus and a visit from you. Of course she does. The watch night of the watch night Christmas Eve and the watch night the watch night is a magical evening when my family and I sit in front of the fire, sipping hot cider and Uncle Louie tells the story of the birth of the baby Jesus. She goes on to say that her brother teases her about her youth. He does not believe in Christmas! He does not believe in carnal wealth! But for me, nothing surpasses the magic of the watch-light and the fragile beauty of a child's face on Christmas morning. Hello. With Christmas still several days away,

Uncle Louis secretly decorated the tree. And Francois, a puppet, who set up the crash. Oh, you know this word? Crash? The nativity scene. One of the most important symbols of Christmas to be French. Even though it was invented by an Italian.

Saint Francis of Assisi. He's okay, too. the French even though it was invented by an Italian. Saint Francis of Assisi! He's okay too! Now, you know the figures that go into the French, yes? Marie and Joseph, the wise men, the little drummer boy, eh? Well, where they come from in Provence, the little statues were made for the Nativity. Also include

people from your village. The baker, the priest, little figures made out of clay called centa. That means little saints. And Babette's wish for Christmas last year wish you would get it in

to put into the nativity scene as if it you was going to worship the baby jesus yeah is it nice custom huh last year father was finally open enough to go to midnight mass with Uncle Louis. It was very beautiful as Uncle Louis carried a newborn lamb to the church to symbolize the Lamb of God and then put it into a little cart for Babette to pull around the church

for everyone to see with shepherds playing flutes and drums. Then, after the mass, they go home for the réveillon, the big supper. Really sweet at Christmas time, eh? Really sweet only time, eh?

The French are not different. Last year for the réveillon, papétiers agro- Duce, Pâté, Le Fromage. Oh, Le Fromage. It sounds very fancy, no? It means cheese. I thought they said, C'est un douche de Noël,

A cake shaped like a yule log. Even Francois likes that one, doesn't he? Zimbabwe, she put a little santa on the baby Jesus, and he did it for her. And, of course, the last she does before she goes to sleep is to set out her shoes for me to fill with treats and goodies last year this is the shoe i find in the fireplace with her name on it. If this is Babette's shoe, she's going to be a big fool. The next morning, Christmas Day, Babette, oh, Babel, she jumps off the bed, she rubs her eyes, she wants François to go with her to see what I have for them to eat.

But François, he takes his time. He does not believe in Christmas. He does not believe in pain or well, remember? But when the children go to the tree, they say, well, I can't believe you see me. Not one, but three sometimes. Two more even than my little friend, Alicia. Only one is cowed to look like her uncle, Louis.

And does her look just like her brother, dozing for his food. And then Nazaire looks just like sweet little puppet, herself. She concludes a letter. and you can see I see Christmas is a very magical day all I ever wish is a Christmas tree Santa and you love is very sweet and that makes me that is a small taste of a fresh Christmas seen through the eyes of a delightful little child

a sneaky one but a delightful one nonetheless I am Delightful one, nonetheless, eh? I have just received a letter from... Can you guess who from? Francois, her brother!

He emailed me this morning! So! I said, don't you believe in the pair nowhere too, right? Eh, just a little bit. And what of you? Do you believe in Père Noël? Yes. Yeah, do you believe in Christmas? Yes.

So, come here and say with me, Merry Christmas in the language of my country. It is Joyeux Noël. One, two, three.illou-Noël. Oh, 2, 3... Joaillou-Noël. Noël. Rêbellez! Merci! Oh! Yousef tou pernoù eus eus!

Ha-ha-ha-ha! E Joaillou-Noël, everyone! E-e-e-e-e-e! Oh, merci! Merci tout sauv! Feu gentil! everyone Amazing Père de Noël In France

I have actually never Never stopped to see that before And that's a shame Because it was kind of great Okay Let's head on and see what we can find next Shalom everyone! My name is Zachary and I am so thrilled to celebrate Hanukkah with all of you here at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Oh good, my travel truck arrived. I'm always worried they'll lose my luggage. Forgive me, I've been traveling for quite a while and now I am finally home just in time to celebrate Hanukkah.

During my study abroad, I traveled from one corner of the world to the next, and I learned two things. The world doesn't actually have any corners, and people in different places and cultures celebrate Hanukkah in their own unique ways, and it is beautiful. Now, Hanukkah is the only Jewish holiday not mentioned in our holy book, the Torah. Seriously. That's probably why there are so many ways of

celebrating the holiday around the world. But there is at least one thing that every Hanukkah celebration has in common. The telling of a story. Not just any story, but a miraculous story. It is the story of our ancestors, the Maccabees. Over 2,000 years ago, in the city of Jerusalem stood a temple. To the Jewish people, it was the holy temple, a sacred place of worship. It was, I wish I could describe it to you, but I cannot, because it was desecrated. Quickly now, stand together, brothers. Do not let the the temple fall They are coming, they are coming They are here It was 166 BCE

And an opposing army marched on the temple 40,000 well-armored, well-trained soldiers Their adversary? A small group of Jewish rebels Known as the Maccabees Led by Judah the Strong Maccabees, led by Judah the Strong. Maccabees, let us fight unto the death in defense of our souls and our temple. This small band of rebels met the enemy army and they fought.

The temple, it is on fire. Douse the flames. Save the scriptures. When the smoke cleared, all that was left was the Maccabees and the holy temple. They did it. The Maccabees pushed out the enemy army and saved the temple, but the temple was not left unscathed. Precious holy items were stolen. Idols were placed on the altar. Vandals destroyed what once was sacred. We must cleanse the temple. Bring me the menorah. But that too was gone. Unwilling to accept defeat now, the Maccabees crafted a new menorah. But when they found the blessed oil, there was only enough for one day.

We cannot let the holy lights dwindle again. So, they lit the menorah and they prayed. And the flame lasted two days. Three days. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight days.

The holy flame still burns. A great miracle has happened here. That small vial of oil lasted for eight nights, long enough to cleanse the temple and get more blessed oil. Every year during Hanukkah, we remember the bravery of the Maccabees and the miracle that happened all those years ago. And how do we remember that miracle? Well, during the eight days of Hanukkah, families come together and we share our traditions. For my family, we eat, we sing songs, we eat, we exchange presents. Oh, by the way,

did I mention? Yeah, we eat. I can smell it now. Potatoes and onions frying in hot oil as dad flips the latkes. Oh, and then sweet sugar fills the air as mom coats the fried jelly donuts called sufganiyat. During Hanukkah, we eat foods cooked in oil to remind us of the oil that kept the candle burning for the Maccabees all those years ago. Then, as the sun sets, the house becomes quiet, as it is time to light the menorah. As the youngest male of the household, it is my responsibility to light the candles. The first night, I light two candles. The first is always the shamash, the attendant candle. Set above the others, it is used to light the Hanukkah candles. The shamash reminds us of the good that we can bring to others. For the next eight nights,

we repeat this ritual, adding one more candle each evening until all eight candles burn bright. Light the first of eight tonight Furthest candleful to the right Light the first and second too When tomorrow's day is through Then light three and then light four Every dusk light one candle more Till all eight burn bright and high Honoring a day gone by

In my family, like so many other families around the world, our tradition was to exchange gifts after lighting the candles. The house erupted with joy and laughter, especially on the first and the last nights when my parents gave us kids the big presents! A dollhouse for my sister and for me a helmet to go along with my new bike! That was a good year. The nights in between were for what my parents called more practical presents. School supplies, clothes, an extra fancy pair of socks. Oh, check out these sweet babies I got last year. Oh, you can see them all the way over there, right?

Can't miss them. We also got some of the Hanukkah staples. Chocolate coins called gelt, and of course, dreidels. Now dreidel is Yiddish for spinning top. On each side is a Hebrew letter. Nun, gimel, hey, and shin. These four letters form the acronym of the phrase, a great miracle happened there. By playing dreidel during Hanukkah, we are reminded

of the bravery of the Maccabees. So every year, my family and families around the world play dreidel. And while we play, we sing the classic dreidel song. I'm sure you've heard it before, and I could sing it for you now, but I think I might need some help. So I'm going to recruit all of you out there to be my collective volunteer. Don't worry, I will take care of most of the words. I just need the rest of you to be in charge of one very important word. Do you think you can guess what that word is? Dreidel. Very good. You're very quick. So when I raise the dreidel high in the air like this, I need you all to say nice and loud.

Dreidel. Just like that. Let's try it with the song. I have a little dreidel. I made it out of clay. And when it's dry and ready then I will play I made it out of clay And when it's dry and ready then

I will play Let's try it really fast now. Ready? 3, 2, 1. You guys join in. I made it out of clay And when it's dry and ready then I will play Give yourselves a round of applause, my choir. Now those are just some of my family's Hanukkah traditions.

Through my travels around the world, I discovered many other unique traditions in celebration of this joyous holiday. While I was traveling through North Africa, I heard another Hanukkah story, one I was not familiar with. The story of the hero Judith. One night after lighting the menorah, the bubby, that's grandmother in Yiddish, of the family I was staying with, came to me. Zachary, tonight is the seventh night of Hanukkah. Tonight we remember Judith with her own coming bravery. She assassinated a general and saved her people.

Ooh, I love you. Today in northern African countries, they celebrate Chag Havana, the festival of the daughters, in honor of the strong women connected to the Jews' battle for freedom. Oh, and then when I was in Argentina, I heard the most wonderful language.

There, many Jews speak in a unique Judeo-Spanish language called Ladino. Oh, and the music. The music there is even more beautiful than the language. Candles for me Hanako is here Eight candles for me Oh One candle Two candles Three candles Four candles

Five candles Six candles Seven candles Eight candles for me Beautiful Hanako is here Eight candles for me. Beautiful Hanukkah is here. Eight candles for me. Beautiful Hanukkah is here. Eight candles for me.

One little candle, two little candles, three little candles, four little candles, five little candles, six little candles, seven little candles, eight candles for me. Thank you! Ocho Candelicas, Eight Candles. Such a lovely song. And there are so many other wonderful Hanukkah songs and traditions out there in the world. Yet, it seems no matter where in the world you are, Hanukkah is about remembering the miracle. It's about remembering to be a light to others and celebrating with food, fun, but most importantly, family. Clap along with me here on this one. Don't be shy. Here we go. But we'll give you a treat, a dreidel to play with and lardkis to eat And while we are playing, the candles are burning low

One for each night they shed a sweet light to remind us of days long ago One for each night they shed a sweet life to remind us of days long ago Chag Sameach! Thank you. Happy Hanukkah. Please enjoy the rest of your day here at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays. Happy Hanukkah! Happy Hanukkah! Okay, we are entering the Africa Pavilion, which is an area I wanted to go to on purpose. Let's take a look around.

Hi guys Stop to look at the carved animals. I just love them. They actually have a carver on duty today. You can hear the young travelers beating the stuffings out of the drums up ahead. I'm going to go ahead and get my beer. They have a peanut stew that I wanted to investigate. Believe it or not, it's kind of hot. And so I'm going to skip on the peanut stew, but it looks delicious. I think if I came over here of an evening,

ate that in the waning light of World Showcase, I would be a happy boy. So let's trek on to China, shall we? See you over there. Oh, mommy, there's kids. Daddy, there's kids. Sampai jumpa di video selanjutnya. Storbritannia Obviously, welcome to the Mexico Pavilion. And welcome to the end of today's holiday journey in Epcot. Thank you so much for hanging out.

It means the world that you guys listen and communicate with us. Speaking of, find us on Instagram at walkaboutwdw as always. It's our one and only place on the internets where we have a presence and interact with our favorite people. That's you, by the way. You can find all of our hosts on Instagram.

You can find me, Jeremy, at Jeremy underscore Hunt underscore FL. You can find Josh at The Steel with an E, Pete at Neverland Local, and Rick at Optical Jedi. Drop us a line via email, if that's easier, at contact at walkabouttheworld.com. And do us a favor this holiday season. Here's the gift that we would like in our stockings.

Take a minute or two, go to your favorite place of listening, whether that be Apple Podcasts, Spotify, you name it, and leave us a good review if you like what you hear. It really means a lot. Spotify, you name it. And leave us a good review if you like what you hear. It really means a lot. We don't ask often, but it would make us happy. Give us some holiday cheer if you guys left us a good review. That's it for me,

and that's it from Epcot today. As always, there is a great, big, beautiful holiday tomorrow out there, and we will see you in one of those tomorrows on another episode of Walk About the World. See you soon. Clap your hands and make some noise if you feel the joy flow out there, Epcot.

Well, we are too, and we're excited to celebrate this holiday season with you. I can feel the joy filling the air. Oh, wait a minute. What's that I hear? It sounds like angels are singing. Up the herald angels sing. Glory to the newborn King.

Peace on earth and mercy mild god and sin never reconciled joyful all ye nations rise joy the triumph of the skies with angelic hope proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem All hark the herald angels sing Glory to the newborn King All hark the herald angels sing Glory to God Glory to God, glory to God, glory, glory, glory, glory, glory, glory. We sing glory to the newborn King of men. Amen But now we do it with a different group. But the message is still the same.

We've got to tell the story. Come on, Collector, sing the song. Joyful, you ready? I said Joyful, are you ready? All right, here we go. Children know where a sin be. How shall a sin be? Hey, hey, know know where I'll send thee

Hey, how shall I send thee? Listen, I'm gonna send thee one by one Like one was a little bee Baby, a boy of a bird's name Mary, I hear you bless me Oh, I'm a boy bless me, yeah How shall I send thee, yeah I'm gonna send thee two by two

Two of the falling heads And one with a little pity For my number three I need you'd get me on Oh yeah, I knew it was on Oh yeah, I knew it was on I got chills in my eyes I got chills in my eyes

I got chills in my eyes I'm gonna send me Yeah, I'm gonna send me I'm gonna send my family I'm gonna send me three by three Three were the Hebrew children And two were Pauline I was the, but little is me Baby, I'm the one I have a baby

Every, I dream Every one I'm born in the black market I'm born in the black market I'm born in the black market Children, you're what I need Hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my children, hey, I'm gonna tell my so my love, for whoever for you stood at the door. We were Hebrew, children, two were calling, silent, and one was a little pretty. Baby, I'm a boy, I got my parents with me.

Family, I'm here, yes, she was. Boy, boy, boy, boy, Boy, boy, boy Boy, boy, boy Boy, boy, boy Boy, boy, boy Boy, boy, boy