Celebrate This Holiday Season in Orlando
ORLANDO, Fla. ? This holiday season, Orlando decks the halls with festive celebrations for the entire family. With glittering trees, frosted ice and sparkling fireworks, locals and visitors experience a winter wonderland in a destination where the temperature stays comfortably cool.
Starting as early as November, Orlando’s world-class theme parks transform into fanciful festivals when special events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration at SeaWorld Orlando and Grinchmas at Universal Orlando Resort entertain families with holiday-themed shows and characters.
While some visitors might not be used to a snow-less holiday, there’s plenty of carolers, tasty treats, hot cocoa and “snow falls” to make them feel right at home. And there’s no better place to wrap the end of the year than in Orlando where there’s dance parties, champagne toasts and dazzling fireworks shows to welcome the New Year.
Here are some highlights of the best holiday celebrations Central Florida has to offer during the remainder of 2011. More information is available on Orlando’s online calendar at VisitOrlando.com ( http://www.visitorlando.com ) .
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Nov. 8 – Dec.18, Select Dates
Magic Kingdom plays host to this series of nighttime holiday fun events for the little ones, including holiday shows, fireworks and magic treats with Minnie and Mickey. Admission: Adults $56.95, children ages 3-9 $51.95 for advance tickets; adults $62.95, children ages 3-9 $57.95 for same-day tickets.
disneyworld.com ( http://www.disneyworld.com ) 407-824-4321
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
Nov. 10 ? Jan. 3
This dazzling holiday extravaganza electrifies Disney’s Hollywood Studios with millions of sparkling lights. With Jennings Osborne’s lights and a little Disney magic, the big city comes alive in glowing color as snow falls overhead. Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $85, children ages 3-9 $79, children ages 2 and under free.
disneyworld.com ( http://www.disneyworld.com ) 407-824-4321
Leu’s Holiday House
Nov.14 ? Jan. 4, 2012
The beautifully restored late 19th century Leu House Museum is decked out for the holidays by some of Orlando’s best interior designers. Guests can stroll along the garden’s meandering paths shaded by ancient oaks, forests of camellias and giant camphor trees. Admission: Included in regular admission. Adults $7, children ages 5-18 $2.
leugardens.org ( http://www.leugardens.org ) 407-246-2620
ICE! And SNOW at Gaylord Palms
Nov. 20 ? Jan. 2
Who says the holidays in Florida are all about palm trees and sunshine? Visitors should prepare for the coolest winter on record as Gaylord Palms Resort presents ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Shrek the Halls. An instant dose of winter and fun-loving characters, this spectacle is made from nearly 2 million pounds (907,185 kilograms) of ice. In addition, new for 2011 is Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW which includes underground snow tunnels, snow tubing and an opportunity to throw snowballs. Admission: Varies by weekday and weekend.
gaylordhotels.com ( http://www.gaylordhotels.com ) 407-586-2000
SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
Nov. 25 ? Dec. 31
Create yuletide memories and celebrate the season during “Christmas at SeaWorld.” This holiday event features festive decorations, a new Christmas Market, holiday-themed shows and a Sea of Trees where lighted trees are set to classic holiday tunes. Admission: Included in park admission. Adults $81.99 and children ages 3-9 $73.99.
SeaWorld.com ( http://www.seaworld.com ) 407-363-2259
Holidays Around the World
Nov. 25 ? Dec. 30
This Epcot tradition features storytellers, a daily character tree-lighting ceremony and a stunning display of snow-white lights. The moving Candlelight Processional, a favorite of all ages, includes celebrity guest narrators, accompanied by a massed choir and orchestra for a retelling of the Christmas story. Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $85, children ages 3-9 $79, children ages 2 and under free.
disneyworld.com ( http://www.disneyworld.com ) 407-824-4321
The Chocolate Nutcracker
Dec. 3
This multi-cultural, dance and musical extravaganza, held at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre, borrows elements of the classic Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker” ballet with a contemporary spin. Admission: $23.00 and $43.00.
chocolatenutcrackerorlando.org ( http://www.chocolatenutcrackerorlando.org/index.html )
Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios
Dec. 3 ? Jan. 1
The world’s most famous parade has become a holiday experience for park guests at Universal Studios, featuring some of the most popular balloons and floats from the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The excitement and pageantry of the parade, complete with a festive tree lighting ceremony by Santa Claus himself, is exhibited each day of the holiday season through the New Year. Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $85, children ages 3-9 $79, children ages 2 and under free.
universalorlando.com ( http://www.universalorlando.com ) 407-363-8000
Grinchmas at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
Dec. 3 ? Jan. 1
This annual holiday celebration is based on the beloved Dr. Seuss tale and Universal Pictures’ and Imagine Entertainment’s Academy Award-winning blockbuster hit, “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure is transformed into a bah-humbug haven by the Grinch. The entire Seussian-themed island is colorfully decorated for the season, and guests are invited to meet the Grinch in his lair, which is outfitted with authentic movie props and gadgets. Grinch fans enjoy a live, musical stage show that re-tells the world-famous story of the grumpy Grinch. Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adult $85, children ages 3-9 $79, children ages 2 and under free.
universalorlando.com ( http://www.universalorlando.com ) 407-363-8000
Kids’ New Year’s Eve at LEGOLAND-Florida
Dec. 31
The new theme park’s first New Year’s Eve celebration is perfect for families. LEGOLAND’s “Kids’ New Year’s Eve” let’s kids rock out and watch LEGO fireworks at just the right time for them, midnight KST (Kid Standard Time), otherwise known as 7 p.m. EST. Admission: Adults $75 and children ages 3-9 $65.
legoland.com ( http://www.legoland.com ) 863-318-5345
New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld Orlando
Dec. 31
SeaWorld Orlando’s New Year’s Eve features a spectacular musical celebration and a fireworks show that will light up the night welcoming 2012. Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $81.99 and children ages 3-9 $73.99., children ages 2 and under free.
SeaWorld.com ( http://www.seaworld.com ) 407-363-2259
New Year’s Eve 2010 at Universal CityWalk
Dec. 31
With Smash Mouth and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy set to perform live, Universal CityWalk’s “Rock the New Year!” is one of Orlando’s hottest New Year’s Eve parties. In addition to live music, enjoy an expansive gourmet buffet, a champagne toast and live entertainment at the various nightclubs, including the groove , an electrifying dance club; CityJazz, a hip jazz venue; Jimmy Buffett’s Magaritaville and others. Admission: $139.99 plus tax.
universalorlando.com ( http://www.universalorlando.com ) 407-363-8000
New Year’s Eve at the Walt Disney World Resort
Dec. 31
The parks come alive to say farewell to 2011. Magic Kingdom presents: “Wishes” nighttime spectacular with a holiday overlay at 8:30 p.m. and “Fantasy in the Sky” at 11:51 p.m. Epcot’s “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” salutes the new year at 7 p.m. and 11:42 p.m. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, “Fantasmic!” combines water, fire, lights, lasers, fireworks and music will be presented at 6:30 and 8 p.m., with “Lights! Camera! Happy New Year!” fireworks display at midnight. Admission: Included in regular park admission. Adults $85, children ages 3-9 $79, children ages 2 and under free.
disneyworld.com ( http://www.disneyworld.com ) 407-824-4321
For more information about vacation experiences in Orlando, to order a complimentary vacation planning kit that includes a comprehensive Official Vacation Guide the Orlando Magicard? or to purchase discount attraction tickets, visitors can log onto Orlando’s official Web site at VisitOrlando.com ( http://www.visitorlando.com ) or call an Official Travel Counselor at 1-800-551-0181 (United States and Canada) or 407-363-5872. For real time updates, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/VisitOrlando ( http://www.twitter.com/visitorlando ) or Facebook at facebook.com/VisitOrlando ( http://www.facebook.com/visitorlando ) . While in Orlando, visitors may stop by the Official Visitor Center located at 8723 International Dr., at the southeast corner of International Drive and Austrian Row. The Official Visitor Center is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (closes at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 and is closed Dec. 25).