If you are looking for an exciting place to spend the Holiday Season look no further than the exciting area of Orlando! It is a great time to have fun and party, and where better than the Sunshine State and the magical Orlando and Disney! An exciting place all year it celebrates Christmas with even more enchantment and flamboyancy.
At Disneyworld’s Disney Hollywood Studios you will find the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – an amazing display of fairy lights beyond your wildest imagination! This attraction has grown to become Disney’s third largest one and only happens at Holiday Time. The story goes that Jennings Osborne started a display of lights at his home in Arkansas for his 6 year old daughter. However, the display grew so much that his neighbours were unhappy and took him to court. After a long battle, reaching the US Supreme Court, he lost and thought no more would be able to see the light display which had given pleasure to so many. To Jennings surprise Disneyworld got in touch and the display is now ‘live’ from Thanksgiving through to the first week of January.
Moving across to Epcot this park has its ‘Holidays around the World’ from around 23 November through to 30 December. The showcase features Christmas traditions found in many countries - there’s storytelling, visits from Père Noel (France) and La Befana (Italy) whilst Santa visits The American Adventure. Epcot’s Candlelight procession has guest narrators accompanied by massed choir and orchestras to retell the Christmas story. Candlelight dinner packages can also be booked (to make a reservation call 407 WDW-DINE). As well as celebrating Christmas Hanukah and Kwanza customers are also showcased at Epcot. At night time Mickey and some of his friends host a tree lighting ceremony with music and storytelling. The nightly firework, laser and lights show ‘Illuminations’ is finished off with a holiday finale. This firework show is one of my favourites at Disney and the finale really adds something special at this time of year.
Animal Kingdom celebrates Christmas and the Holidays with traditional music to give the Christmas spirit as well as Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade which starts from 12 November and finishes on 6 January. Characters dress in their holiday best costumes at Camp Mickey whilst Christmas carols are sung at Santa Goofy’s Holiday Village which is decorated with Christmas trees, entertainers and photo opportunities.
Magic Kingdom is decorated in seasonal style – if you are lucky you may experience ‘snow’ falling on Main Street! The castle forecourt stage has shows with a Christmas flavour for all to enjoy whilst later at night the castle has a light show featuring Mickey, Minnie and friends performing a nightly ceremony - the castle becomes even more beautifully illuminated as it glistens to imitate ice and the lights twinkle to look like snow. Visit the Galaxy Palace Theatre where you can listen to Mickey’s version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas which is performed several times a day.
Magic Kingdom’s main offering features Mickey Mouse and his Very Merry Christmas Party. This has been going on for over 25 years and will be on (2007) 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30 November and 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21 December at 7pm (after the park closes). There are two performances of Mickey Mouse’s Very Merry Christmas Parade with impressive music, magic and fun!
Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate are brought round to guests if there is a chill in the night temperature to ensure you have a warm cosy Disney experience. The party is after the park closes and does require an additional ticket to the main entrance. It can be worth booking in advance as many dates sell in advance as it’s so popular.
And don’t forget Downtown Disney - it has a Christmas shop all year! Santa will be waiting to greet you in his chalet from around 23 November through to 24 December from noon and 10pm.
At Disneyworld’s Disney Hollywood Studios you will find the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights – an amazing display of fairy lights beyond your wildest imagination! This attraction has grown to become Disney’s third largest one and only happens at Holiday Time. The story goes that Jennings Osborne started a display of lights at his home in Arkansas for his 6 year old daughter. However, the display grew so much that his neighbours were unhappy and took him to court. After a long battle, reaching the US Supreme Court, he lost and thought no more would be able to see the light display which had given pleasure to so many. To Jennings surprise Disneyworld got in touch and the display is now ‘live’ from Thanksgiving through to the first week of January.
Moving across to Epcot this park has its ‘Holidays around the World’ from around 23 November through to 30 December. The showcase features Christmas traditions found in many countries - there’s storytelling, visits from Père Noel (France) and La Befana (Italy) whilst Santa visits The American Adventure. Epcot’s Candlelight procession has guest narrators accompanied by massed choir and orchestras to retell the Christmas story. Candlelight dinner packages can also be booked (to make a reservation call 407 WDW-DINE). As well as celebrating Christmas Hanukah and Kwanza customers are also showcased at Epcot. At night time Mickey and some of his friends host a tree lighting ceremony with music and storytelling. The nightly firework, laser and lights show ‘Illuminations’ is finished off with a holiday finale. This firework show is one of my favourites at Disney and the finale really adds something special at this time of year.
Animal Kingdom celebrates Christmas and the Holidays with traditional music to give the Christmas spirit as well as Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade which starts from 12 November and finishes on 6 January. Characters dress in their holiday best costumes at Camp Mickey whilst Christmas carols are sung at Santa Goofy’s Holiday Village which is decorated with Christmas trees, entertainers and photo opportunities.
Magic Kingdom is decorated in seasonal style – if you are lucky you may experience ‘snow’ falling on Main Street! The castle forecourt stage has shows with a Christmas flavour for all to enjoy whilst later at night the castle has a light show featuring Mickey, Minnie and friends performing a nightly ceremony - the castle becomes even more beautifully illuminated as it glistens to imitate ice and the lights twinkle to look like snow. Visit the Galaxy Palace Theatre where you can listen to Mickey’s version of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas which is performed several times a day.
Magic Kingdom’s main offering features Mickey Mouse and his Very Merry Christmas Party. This has been going on for over 25 years and will be on (2007) 12, 15, 16, 25, 27, 29, 30 November and 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21 December at 7pm (after the park closes). There are two performances of Mickey Mouse’s Very Merry Christmas Parade with impressive music, magic and fun!
Complimentary cookies and hot chocolate are brought round to guests if there is a chill in the night temperature to ensure you have a warm cosy Disney experience. The party is after the park closes and does require an additional ticket to the main entrance. It can be worth booking in advance as many dates sell in advance as it’s so popular.
And don’t forget Downtown Disney - it has a Christmas shop all year! Santa will be waiting to greet you in his chalet from around 23 November through to 24 December from noon and 10pm.