If you are staying in the Orlando area between Thanksgiving (end of November) and Christmas why not get into the spirit of Christmas with a visit to Celebration.
Celebration is a small village like community just off the Highway 192, quite close to Disney. The homes area all built in traditional old American colonial style and it its worth a drive around to look at the fabulous Christmas decorations that many of the owners put up outside their homes.
The main centre of Celebration is Market Street. This is a small road lined with exquisite individual shops which at this time of year are also seasonally decorated.
At the end of Market Street is the lake which is a feature of Celebration. At this time of year Santa's grotto is set up along side the lake and Santa is either to be found inside to delight the children or sometimes walking around outside. There are also horse drawn carriages departing for rides along side the lake.
The highlight at this time of year has to be the snow!
For those of us who know snow in our home countries, it does seem very bizarre to see a sign saying 'snowing nightly from 6pm'!
In Market Street, from 6pm, every hour on the hour, it snows!
The snow falls from the quaint lamp posts lining Market Street and lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes per session. Stand back and it looks like a real snowstorm! Watch the children's faces - they are a real picture of wonderment and excitement! Some have clearly never seen snow before and just believe it is real! Many are scooping it up to throw - others are catching it as it falls or sliding in it as it hits the ground.
The accompanying Christmas music helps to complete the magic!
If you want to make an evening of it - why not have a meal there too. We can thoroughly recommend Café Antonio which is an Italian on the corner of Market Street, by the lake. You do need to either get there early at this time of year, or book in advance though. If you time it right you can eat first and then finish your meal in time for one of the 'snow sessions'.
Celebration is an interesting place at any time of year and is certainly worth a visit in the summer months too. However - the Christmas festivities there are well worth and evening of your vacation.
Celebration is a small village like community just off the Highway 192, quite close to Disney. The homes area all built in traditional old American colonial style and it its worth a drive around to look at the fabulous Christmas decorations that many of the owners put up outside their homes.
The main centre of Celebration is Market Street. This is a small road lined with exquisite individual shops which at this time of year are also seasonally decorated.
At the end of Market Street is the lake which is a feature of Celebration. At this time of year Santa's grotto is set up along side the lake and Santa is either to be found inside to delight the children or sometimes walking around outside. There are also horse drawn carriages departing for rides along side the lake.
The highlight at this time of year has to be the snow!
For those of us who know snow in our home countries, it does seem very bizarre to see a sign saying 'snowing nightly from 6pm'!
In Market Street, from 6pm, every hour on the hour, it snows!
The snow falls from the quaint lamp posts lining Market Street and lasts for about 10 to 15 minutes per session. Stand back and it looks like a real snowstorm! Watch the children's faces - they are a real picture of wonderment and excitement! Some have clearly never seen snow before and just believe it is real! Many are scooping it up to throw - others are catching it as it falls or sliding in it as it hits the ground.
The accompanying Christmas music helps to complete the magic!
If you want to make an evening of it - why not have a meal there too. We can thoroughly recommend Café Antonio which is an Italian on the corner of Market Street, by the lake. You do need to either get there early at this time of year, or book in advance though. If you time it right you can eat first and then finish your meal in time for one of the 'snow sessions'.
Celebration is an interesting place at any time of year and is certainly worth a visit in the summer months too. However - the Christmas festivities there are well worth and evening of your vacation.