Christmas in Orlando

Florida Guide > Hints and Tips

Orlando is a magical place at any time of year but never more so than at Christmas.

If you go to Universal Studios do not miss Macy’s Holiday parade which takes place from early December until January. This is one of the world’s most famous parades and it features fantastic balloons and floats from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York City. It takes place each day of the holiday season and includes the festive tree-lighting ceremony by Santa Claus. There is also a holiday concert every Sunday during the celebrations.

At Islands of Adventure all the family will delight in Grinchmas which is also early December until January. Seuss Landing is transformed into the wonderland of Grinchmas. The Grinch is in the show and there is a great performance of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” You can walk around the Whoville Wonky Tree Lot and look at the Wholiday decorations.

Christmas in the City at Universal CityWalk features live music and colourful decorations there is a great atmosphere here.

The Gaylord takes in forty tons of snow for its Christmas attraction “Ice” which is on from 20th November and I presume will be on until the New Year. Now they have snow for all ages to play with. There is a fun snow play area and lots of holiday-themed carnival games including a snowball throw, Coke bottle toss, Flip a Penguin, Frosty Ring Toss and even a Kiddie Snow Tube Run, sounds like great fun.

Over at Hollywood Studios the Streets of America backlot area sparkles with millions of twinkling lights during the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. This is a must see for us every time we visit our villa at Christmas. It is lovely with everything from trees to porches lit up with millions of sparkling bulbs. The spectacle was originally the creation of Arkansas businessman and philanthropist Jennings Osborne. He eventually hung so many lights at his home that the council banned them so Hollywood Studios took them over. None of the visitors at Hollywood Studios complain!

At Seaworld the Polar Express Experience is transformed into a thrilling expedition to the fabled Santa Town. Try and go and see this at quieter periods as the queues can be quite long.

Winter Wonderland on Ice is also at Seaworld from November 26th until January 2nd. Ice Skaters are on the stage, while water fountains dance and fireworks light up the night sky.

Finally do go to Celebration to see their “Snowing Nightly”. The snowfall takes place three times each night and lasts for about ten minutes. The children love it and parents can have a drink whilst the children play in the snow. We usually finish our evening here by either going for a meal or with a visit to their cinema.

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