Spending the Holidays in Orlando
At times it’s difficult for me, a New Englander and snowbird by nature, to wrap myself around the idea of spending the winter holidays in the warm and sunny south (though spending the cold and blistery months somewhere other than the great white frigid north however has its advantages) – it’s simply that blue

skies, warm balmy weather, and swaying palm trees don’t immediately come to mind when I think of Christmas – instead a picture of foot high snow banks, dangling ice sickles, Jack Frost nipping at my nose, holly berries, wreaths wrapped with ribbons, and evergreen trees everywhere you turn pops into my head. I have however, over the years, come to appreciate the splendor of the holiday celebrations throughout Orlando and central Florida – they too now have their place in my heart (and the hearts of millions of others as well) and here’s why…

The Holidays – Disney Style
It should come as no great surprise that holiday celebrations throughout the Walt Disney World parks and resorts are simply spectacular – it’s Disney after all (and they do everything in spectacular style). Magnificent trees, garlands and wreaths, twinkling lights, and jingling bells adorn the streets and lands at every Walt Disney World theme park while the resorts are decorated .

At The Walt Disney World Theme Parks:

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The Magic Kingdom
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (with celebrations taking place on December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, and 22) is a separately ticketed and special event held after normal park hours at the Magic Kingdom (kicking off at 7 pm). Party goers will enjoy a special holiday parade aptly named Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade, live stage shows, and a very unique version of the Magic Kingdoms nightly fireworks spectacular - “Holiday Wishes –Celebrate the Season” that is meticulously choreographed to the festive holiday music playing in the background. “Snow flurries” fall from the skies as the park temporarily becomes a winter wonderland - and you can even enjoy hot cocoa and cookies compliments of the Mouse. Tickets for this event run $45.95 for an adult (ages 10 and up) and $37.95 for children between the ages of 3 and 9.

If you purchase the tickets in advance you’ll save roughly $6 per ticket (which for families, especially larger ones, can add up to some rather substantial savings).

Additionally, only a limited number of tickets are available for each nights celebration and due to the popularity of the event many nights often sell out well ahead of time. If you have your heart set on attending I highly recommend purchasing your tickets as far in advance as is possible. For Tickets call 407/W-DISNEY, 407- 934-7639, or head to www.disneyworld.com

In Celebration of New Year’s Eve the Magic Kingdom is presenting a special holiday version of the SpectroMagic parade at 7 pm and 10:30 pm on New Year’s Eve. “Holiday Wishes”, the holiday version of the park’s nighttime fireworks spectacular, will light up the park skies at 8:30 pm, while “Fantasy in the Sky”, a completely different version, will brighten the skies at midnight – just in time to ring in the New Year. The park has extended hours in order to celebrate and will be open from 8 am ‘till 1 am.

Epcot
The Candlelight Processional has become a yearly tradition at Epcot. The park is filled with holiday music as a mass choir and full orchestra offer performances each evening (at 5 pm, 6:45pm, and again at 8:15 pm) and a traditional rendition of the Christmas story is retold by a host of celebrity narrators. While subject to change, the narrators lined up for this years event include Rita Moreno, Brian Dennehy, Stephen Curtis Chapman, Maureen McGovern, Kirk Cameron, Neil Patrick Harris, Cuba Gooding Jr., Gary Sinise, and Marlee Matlin. Every evening Mickey himself shows up for the nightly tree lighting ceremony, music, and storytelling. “The Lights of Winter” light up a canopy across the bridge that leads from Future World to the World Showcase and a special holiday version of Illuminations, the parks laser and fireworks spectacular, takes place every evening.

Santa appears throughout the World Showcase (in traditional form at the respective countries - for example Pere Noel in France and La Befana in Italy) as well as at the American Adventure as Santa Claus himself.

New Year’s Around the World kicks off with DJ’s and dance parties throughout the evening not to mention two presentations of “Illuminations” (the first at 7:30 pm, the second at 11:40 pm). Park hours on New Year’s Eve are from 8 am ‘till 1 am.

Disney- Hollywood Studios
The Osborne Spectacle of Lights has become a holiday tradition at Disney-MGM Studios and this year it’s even better than before. The Streets of America are filled with millions of twinkling and sparkling lights – and this year they dance. Impeccably choreographed to the holiday music the lights seem to cheerfully dance about making the presentation even more festive than ever. Even the buildings are decked out – adorned with trees, wreaths, bells, and more while classic holiday music plays throughout the park and Florida “snow flurries” fall from the skies. The display will twinkle and sparkle nightly through January 7, 2007 and the entire celebration is included with park admission.

New Year’s Eve celebrations include multiple presentations lf “Fantasmic!” at 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm, and again at 10 pm, a DJ dance party around the Sorcerer’s Hat Stage, and a special “Lights! Camera! Happy New Year!” fireworks display right at midnight. Park hours are from 8 am December 31 ‘till midnight.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom
No special holiday celebrations, other than the daily holiday parade (Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade), are being held at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. At camp Minnie and Mickey, however, carolers are singing holiday songs, the characters are dressed in holiday costumes, and the entire area is filled with ornaments, Christmas trees, and festive touches. Dinoland USA is decked out for the holidays as well.

Downtown Disney
The Pleasure Island New Year’s Eve celebration is a special and separately ticketed event. Throughout the night guests will be treated to the hippest and hottest sounds around as DJ’s spin the latest tines and live musical performances run throughout the night so be sure to bring your dancing shoes to ring in the New Year here. The party starts at 8 pm and lasts ‘till 2 am. Party-goers (ages 21 and older only) will also get to taste some tempting treats ranging from lime marinated chicken, petite steak sandwiches, barbeque smoked pork, and grilled mahi-mahi tacos. There is of course a champagne toast and a special fireworks display at midnight. Tickets run $89 per person (again keeping in mind that this is for those 21 and over only).

At the Walt Disney World Resorts:
While all of the resorts are decked out in celebration of the holidays, some certainly stand out among the others…

At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Be sure to check out the grand gingerbread house that adorns the lobby

At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas
Be sure to check out the wonderfully whimsical carousel display in the lobby

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The tremendous Christmas trees that adorn the resort’s stories high lobby are simply stunning.

At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Similar in nature to the display at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the stories high lobby allows
for a spectacular Christmas tree display that’s not to be missed.

At Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort is offering a Peppermint Pedicure from now through December in honor of the holiday season – call 407-827-4455 to make your appointment – and don’t forget- Disney vacation club members receive a discount on spa services.