Christmas showed up at EPCOT today as cameras rolled on a performance for ABC’s Disney Parks holiday specials. Country singer Warren Zeiders appeared to be the act on stage in World Celebration Gardens. He had a full band behind him and a row of decorated Christmas trees. Here’s the latest.
Warren Zeiders Films ABC Disney Holiday Special at EPCOT
IN THIS ARTICLE:
- Filming for ABC’s Disney Parks holiday specials took place in World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT.
- Country singer Warren Zeiders appeared to be today’s featured performer.
- Both specials air on ABC later this year, and parade taping moves to Magic Kingdom this week.
Every fall, Disney turns parts of its parks into TV sets for ABC’s two holiday broadcasts. Today it was EPCOT’s turn, with a stage built in World Celebration Gardens and a country act front and center.
A Country Christmas in World Celebration Gardens
Christmas trees lined the back of the stage, each one covered in red and green ornaments with Mickey-shaped baubles mixed in among the round ones. Tall columns of white lights stood between the trees, and a camera crane swung out over the audience to grab shots from above. Zeiders sang out front in a denim shirt and a big silver belt buckle.
The crowd packed in tight against the stage, and almost everyone dressed for the occasion. We spotted Santa hats with Mickey ears, red polka-dot Minnie ears, and sparkly sequined ears throughout the audience. Yellow and purple flowers were still blooming in the garden beds behind the trees. It was a very Florida Christmas.
Zeiders is a Pennsylvania-born country singer best known for his hit “Pretty Little Poison.” During today’s performance, he sang Mistletoe by Justin Bieber.
When to Watch on ABC
Disney hasn’t named a host or performers for either special yet, so it’s not clear which broadcast today’s performance will appear in. As we reported when ABC set its 2026 air dates, The Wonderful World of Disney: Holiday Spectacular airs Monday, November 30th at 8:00pm. The Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade follows on Christmas morning, December 25th, at 10:00am Eastern.
Magic Kingdom gets its turn next. Walt Disney World scheduled daytime performances of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade for the annual taping, with both shows starting at 2:00pm on November 10th and 11th. Day guests can catch it without a Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party ticket. Disney has filled Main Street USA with Cast Members during recent tapings. Frontierland and Liberty Square are the better bets for a view.
Last year, Disney shared the full performer lineup about three weeks before the Holiday Spectacular aired. This year’s lineup could arrive any day now. We’ll share it as soon as Disney does.
The Story So Far
- October 21: 2026 Christmas Parade Taping Dates Revealed, with daytime parade performances set at Magic Kingdom for November 10 and 11.
- October 27: ABC Sets 2026 Air Dates for Disney Parks Holiday Specials, placing the Holiday Spectacular on November 30 and the parade on Christmas morning.
- November 9: Filming came to EPCOT, with Warren Zeiders appearing to perform in World Celebration Gardens.