Disney is always so magical but never more so than at Christmas. Each of the main theme parks have their own way of decorating and celebrating. Most of their events start mid November and go on for about six weeks.
Be sure not to miss The Lights of Winter, a daily Tree Lighting ceremony with Mickey at 6:00 p. m. at the World Showcase Plaza Tree Stage. This is very traditional and there are also great storytellers. Do not forget however that at this time of the year the evenings can turn a little chilly so if you are spending most of the day at the Parks be sure to take a jacket for evening.
You can meet Santa Claus in the American Adventure showcase. In France you can hear storytellers detail the adventures of Père Noël in France whilst Italy will tell you about La Befana.
The Candlelight Procession features a celebrity narrator accompanied by a huge live choir and a 50-piece orchestra. I always find it very moving when the procession starts.
You can end your evening at The Illuminations, Reflections of Earth, this features fireworks, water and lasers and has a touch of holiday magic added to its finale.
The Osborne Family of Lights is a must. These are usually switched on about 6pm so we usually go to these before heading off to see Fantasmic that is takes place just before the park closes.
The history behind the light is that an Arkansas business man starting putting Christmas lights up for his little daughter. As the years went by he bought two houses side by side and kept adding to the lights until he had 3 Million! Eventually after complaints by his neighbours he was taken to court and heavily fined. It was at this stage that Disney bought them to display at Hollywood Studios.
As you walk through the snowstorms looking at the lights (there are now 5 Million) look out for the 43 hidden Mickey’s. When we went last Christmas there was a series of dancing lights accompanied by music about every 15 minutes.
Children young and old as well as adults will love Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This takes place in the evening usually starting about 7. pm and finishing at midnight. You need to purchase a special ticket for this event although you do not need a separate ticket to enter the park.
There is a special holiday parade, flurries of snow as well as hot chocolate and cookies.
Santa Goofy will greet you in Main Street and you will see as special edition of “Fantasy in the Sky” fireworks. We find the park is usually quieter than in the day and at the end of the evening as some of the younger children are taken home you can just run from ride to ride and get straight on them.
At the entrance to the park you will see 65-foot Christmas tree surrounded by carol singers. We are used to a cold Christmas but when we went there last year at 10 in the morning on a hot sunny day it still felt like Christmas as we stood around the tree listening to the singing.
At Camp Minnie-Mickey, you can meet Santa Goofy and other Disney characters dressed in their holiday clothes at Santa Goofy’ s Holiday Village where you will see holiday trees, live entertainers and have good photo opportunities.
At DinoLand U. S. A Donald Duck lends a hand to create a special holiday version of Donald’ s Breakfastosaurus, the daily character breakfast.
Celebration is just off the 192 as you head for Highway 27. It advertises “Snowing Nightly” and this happens several times each evening in the holiday period. Whether you are going just to see the snow, have a drink or an evening meal it is well worth a visit.
Happy Christmas, Orlando is a great place to be.
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