Yes, it’s only just the start of autumn here in Florida; yes, it’s still the middle of Halloween season; and yes, there’s nothing overtly Christmassy about Central Florida. Yet. But wait a minute or two, and that approaching sound you can hear is Santa and his elves all scampering in this direction, ready to launch the full festive vibe over our theme parks and other attractions.
So hold on to your Santa hats, because it all starts on November 2 (that’s right, less than two weeks’ time), and then we’re in the fast lane to the full Yuletide experience of nightly activities and seasonal fun.
Just to be clear, over here they call it “The Holidays,” and the seasonal greeting is “Happy Holidays!” as much as “Merry Christmas!” Either one is fine, so don’t worry about what you call it. It is still the same festive fiesta we love in the UK – only bigger and longer!
It all starts on the aforementioned November 2 at, of all places, SeaWorld’s Aquatica water park, where they will be celebrating Beach Nights every Saturday evening before Christmas Day with a suitably seasonal film on the big screen – notably Elf, National Lampoon’s Vacation and The Polar Express – along with appropriate snacks, hot chocolate, blankets and family-friendly games.
From there, the main theme parks kick into high gear with a dazzling series of special events – both during regular park hours, and for separately-ticketed evening events – and then the rest of our attractions, entertainment centres and communities add to the fun and excitement with their own unique takes on all things Christmas.
From Crane’s Roost Park in Altamonte Springs to the nature oasis of Wekiva Island, and from the fabulous Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to Leu Gardens, there are all manner of festivities to add sparkle and shine to the season. There are free concerts, movie shows, lighting spectaculars, “snow” falls, carriage rides, parades and much more throughout the two months that make up the “Holiday” period.
Of course, it’s hard to beat the theme parks for the spirit of the season and you can’t go wrong with any of Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld, as they really turn on the style with a level of decorating and special shows that are truly wonderful.
Disney also adds two after-hours ticketed events that are well worth considering for that extra Christmas lustre, At Magic Kingdom Park, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party runs on select dates from November 8 to December 20 (7pm-midnight) and features a stunning evening parade, as well as fireworks, dance parties and LOTS of characters dressed up in their Holiday finery. Be aware this is a hugely popular event that often sells out well in advance, so be sure to get your tickets early! Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Jollywood Nights is the extra programme of Yule extravagance, on select nights from November 9 to December 21 (7.30pm-12.30am), with unique character experiences, fun photo ops, speciality treats, a distinctive ice-skating show, rockin’ dance party at Pixar Place and a not-to-be-missed movie moment inside the Stage 1 Company Store, where you will be able to step behind the scenes of the fab 1992 classic, The Muppet Christmas Carol.
One extra thing we’ll be looking out for this year is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where not only will they continue their own take on things with the Merry Menagerie – a series of artisan-sculpted, life-size winter animal puppets introduced last year – and the Holiday version of the Tree of Life Awakenings, but 2024 will also feature the first Dino Institute Holiday Party during regular park hours, which will offer a super-cool character greeting experience for Santa and some scintillating Christmas lighting. It will also effectively be a “farewell” from this land as it will be shutting on January 12 next year (apart from the Dinosaur ride) to make way for the new Tropical Americas in future.
Universal Orlando has its own style and Christmas vibe, and that will again be underlined by the two Wizarding Worlds of Harry Potter, where Hogwarts castle lights up for the holidays, while both the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees put a holiday spin on their performances. Larger-than-life balloons float through the streets of Universal Studios in the signature Universal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s, along with appearances by the Minions from the Despicable Me films and favourite characters from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek films. Then there’s the annual get-together with the resident Whos, with all the music and fun of The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, starring the Grinch.
For fans of dramatic Christmas decorations, SeaWorld really knows how to turn on the style with their array of magnificent set-piece showcases, including the ever-popular Sea of Trees, Rudolph’s Christmas Town, Winter Wonderland on Ice and snow flurries along the Waterfront area of the park. Add in Sesame Street Christmas Parade, the Mrs Claus’ Magic Kitchen show and the return of the wonderful O Wondrous Night stage presentation, and you have an absolute barn-stormer of a seasonal celebration.
But don’t stop at the theme parks, either. As already mentioned, there are dozens of other events and happenings across the Orlando spectrum, from the dinner shows that change to Christmas-themed productions at this time of year and the impressive community festivals that dot the landscape to the many – and varied – ways to meet Santa among all the festivities. This is simply THE best place to be for a true Christmas bliss-out.
For the official Visit Orlando calendar of events see www.visitorlando.com/blog/post/christmas-holiday-events-orlando/. And be sure to see next week’s blog, where we’ll highlight our Top 10 of the best seasonal events outside the theme parks. It’s enough to drive you Christmas crackers!
Have you been to Orlando for Christmas? Give us your thoughts about the experience on the friendly AttractionTickets.com Community Facebook page, on X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram.
