Episode SummaryIn this festive episode, Scott and Candice take you on a full tour of EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays, exploring entertainment, food, drinks, seasonal overlays, and all the cozy extras that make EPCOT sparkle even brighter during Christmas. From Santa meet-and-greets to musical performances, from savory bites to cookie stroll sugar highs, the hosts break down everything you can expect when visiting EPCOT during the season.They also share their own stories from attending last year—crowds, weather, the iconic Living with the Land holiday overlay, and navigating EPCOT during a bout of the Disney crud. And yes…they definitely have opinions about roasted chestnuts, festival beer flights, and which cookies are worth your precious stomach space.This episode also marks the final show of the year before the Hangar Bar team takes their annual holiday break—so listen for some updates on what’s coming in Season 6.What We Cover✨ Opening Thoughts: Why EPCOT at Christmas Just Hits DifferentThe “glowiness” of the parks after darkHoliday ambiance, cooler temps, and elevated energyEPCOT décor differences across pavilionsReflections on their 2024 December trip🎅 Holiday Entertainment at EPCOTMeet & GreetsSanta Claus at CommuniCore HallSanta Goofy at The OdysseyLive PerformancesJOYFUL! A Celebration of the SeasonGospel, R&B, and soulful Christmas & Kwanzaa musicHoliday StorytellersCultural holiday traditions reenacted in every World Showcase pavilionHighlights include Mexico’s Feliz Navidad festivities and Norway’s mischievous holiday legendsA must-do next time for the hostsCandlelight Processional. One of EPCOT’s signature holiday experiences🍽️ Festival Booths & Food HighlightsScott & Candice walk through literally every booth in detail. 🎄 Extra Seasonal MagicLiving With the Land Holiday OverlaySpaceship Earth nightly Christmas light showReindeer chow, Dole Whip specials, holiday eggnog, gingerbread drinksCommuniCore experimental holiday cookiesSavory festival booths that are easy to miss but worth prioritizing🎧 Tips from Your HostsFocus on savory first, then choose sweets intentionallyShare plates—the portions are generousConsider skipping table-service meals to prioritize boothsUse dining packages for the Candlelight ProcessionalCheck Storyteller schedules early if you want to see severalEPCOT during the holidays = crowds + cooler nights + pure magic✨ End-of-Year AnnouncementsThis is the final episode of 2025The show will return in early January with the launch of Season 6During the break, Scott & Candice will be active on social media—engaging, posting, and planningThey invite listeners to share:Favorite parts of this episodeWhich festival food sounded bestWhat topics they want to hear in 2026And whether the podcast should do more “for science” research trips🎁 ClosingWishing all Hangar Bar listeners a warm, joyful, magical holiday season.Thank you for an incredible year—and remember…There’s always a great big beautiful tomorrow.We’ll see you real soon.Happy Holidays!

🎙️ Holiday Whiplash: A Disney Adult’s Coping GuideEpisode Summary:Scott flies solo this week as Disney does what Disney does best — moving from pumpkins to poinsettias at record speed. With Halloween candy barely gone, the parks are already twinkling for Christmas, and Scott explores what that means for Disney adults trying to keep up with the most magical seasonal whiplash on earth.From the overnight transformation of Main Street, U.S.A. to the logistics of flipping a whole resort’s décor in one night, this episode dives into the magic (and the madness) of Disney’s holiday season. Scott breaks down the major events coming to Walt Disney World in 2025 — including Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Frozen Holiday Surprise, Jollywood Nights, EPCOT’s Festival of the Holidays, gingerbread displays at the resorts, and the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll — and offers a practical, heartwarming guide to surviving it all without losing your joy or your budget.He reflects on the balance between doing it all and just being in the moment, finding your personal “start line” for Christmas, and letting the magic be a little messy — because sometimes the best Disney memories aren’t captured on your phone, they just live in your heart (and maybe in your bag of prepackaged cookies).✨ Key TopicsWhen it’s socially acceptable to start watching Muppet Christmas Carol and Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band ChristmasThe insane logistics behind Disney’s overnight transformation from Halloween to ChristmasAll the major 2025 Disney World holiday happenings:Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (Nov 7–Dec 21)Frozen Holiday Surprise nightly at Magic KingdomJingle Cruise overlay in AdventurelandDisney Jollywood Nights (Nov 8–Dec 22) at Hollywood StudiosEPCOT International Festival of the Holidays (Nov 28–Dec 30)Candlelight Processional with celebrity narrators and choirsResort gingerbread displays at Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Beach ClubDisney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll and seasonal diningSanta meet-and-greets across parks and resortsNavigating overlapping festivals, ticketed events, and the fear of missing outSetting your Disney holiday budget — because magic isn’t freeWhy “living in the moment” beats documenting every one of themScott’s heartfelt take on when it finally felt like Christmas for him — standing in Magic Kingdom last year💭 Favorite Quotes“If it feels like Disney flips faster than you can put away your pumpkin Mickey mug, it’s because they literally do.”“There’s something very Disney about watching the seasons change in a single night.”“Disney might be running on turbo speed into Christmas, but your holiday joy doesn’t have to.”“Let the magic be a little messy — because no photo ever captures it quite like your memory does.”🧭 Episode MoodTone: Warm, witty, and reflectivePerfect for: Disney adults trying to plan a holiday trip, fight FOMO, or just decide when it’s acceptable to cue up “It Feels Like Christmas.”📣 Call to ActionWhen does your Disney Christmas season officially begin?Tell us your favorite Disney Christmas movie or song on our socials:🎧 Instagram — @hanginatthehangarbar🎧 Facebook — Hangin’ at the Hangar Bar