The holidays are here, and, let’s be real, the International Festival of the Holidays at EPCOT has got to be THE definition of all that holiday magic wrapped up in one sweet, glittering bow!

I mean, with all the Christmas trees, holiday decor, festival booths, not to mention the World Showcase pavilions themselves, it’s the best kind of holiday overload (and we’re not complaining). But you know what? It’s not ALL sugar and spice. No, there are some “unfortunate” side effects of attending the Festival of the Holidays, and we’ve gotta talk about them!

As we were saying, there’s no better way to get into the spirit of the holidays and enjoy the customs from around the world than by hitting up the International Festival of the Holidays. Every single year, this festival is chock-full of entertainment, delicious eats and drinks, holiday storytellers, special decorations, and so much more.

That being said, not every thing is all sugar and spice. You’re most likely going to encounter a couple of “unfortunate” side effects of going to the festival, so we thought we’d go over some of them so that you’re not caught unawares!

Tummy Ache from the Cookie Stroll

Let’s kick things off with the big one. If you’ve done the Cookie Stroll before, you know exactly where we’re going with this.

It sounds like a cute idea: grab a map, wander around to select spots in the park, and collect stamps as you munch your way through a variety of holiday cookies. A couple of cookies later, you’ve earned yourself a “free” completer treat.

But let’s talk logistics. Five cookies sounds manageable in theory until you remember they’re not mini bite-sized cookies. These are EPCOT cookies — big, sugary, dense rounds of deliciousness that could probably double as paperweights.

By the time you’re three cookies in, you’re probably starting to feel a little sugar-ed out. And if you push through, as any self-respecting Cookie Stroller does, unfortunately, a tummy ache is almost inevitable. It’s like your inner child and responsible adult are fighting a silent battle, and I don’t know about you, my inner kiddo always wins.

Our advice is to space them out! Do a couple cookies, enjoy a few other treats or savory options from the food booths, and then come back for more cookies later.

Or, if you’re with a group, split the cookies with your crew! This way, you’ll still earn your completer treat without having a serious tummy ache halfway around the park.

Blowing Your Gift Budget on Merch for Yourself

I don’t know about you, but every year I go in with the best of intentions. I’m specifically going to pick up cute stocking stuffers for my loved ones, snag that one special ornament, maybe even get a little something for that one “hard-to-buy-for” relative. But it’s like the moment I step into those EPCOT gift shops during the festival, it’s like there’s some special holiday-spending spell that gets cast on me, and suddenly every piece of merch just screams my name.

Between the adorable holiday-themed ears, limited-edition ornaments, and all the EPCOT-exclusive festival swag, it can feel way too easy to veer off your “gifts for others” plan and end up with bags of goodies just for you (trust us, we’ve been there too many times).

Before you know it, you’re facing the harsh reality that you’ve blown half your holiday budget on a cozy EPCOT hoodie and three new mugs that will totally fit in your already overflowing kitchen cabinet.

Here’s our advice: Maybe set a merch budget in advance, and try to stick to it (easier said than done, we know). Or, make a mental list of the merch you can’t live without so you don’t end up spending extra on impulse buys.

Crowds Crammed into the World Showcase for Storytellers

Now, one of the best parts of the Festival of the Holidays has to be the World Showcase Storytellers, where each pavilion has a unique holiday tale or tradition to share with guests. It’s incredible to watch these performances and hear stories from different cultures about how they celebrate the season.

Now, the not-so-fun part is that you and about a thousand other people are going to be huddling in these areas to catch a glimpse of Father Christmas, La Befana, or the Daruma dolls.

The Storytellers are fantastic, but that means everyone flocks to these events, which can make some of the pavilions a tad uncomfortably packed. And if you’re there with kids, getting them a view can be a whole other challenge.

If you want to catch a Storyteller (and you totally should), you might want to try and aim for times earlier in the day when the pavilions aren’t quite as packed, or catch one of the lesser-known shows first to avoid the rush.

At the end of the day, the Festival of the Holidays has a whole lot more magic than mishaps, and we wouldn’t miss it for anything! These “side effects” are all part of the EPCOT festival experience, but a little planning can help you avoid the worst of them (or at least keep things manageable).

In the meantime, keep it right here at DFB for any updates on this festival and all it has to offer!

Click Here for All the Festival of the Holidays Details!

Are you going to the festival this year? Tell us in the comments!