Christmas is coming to Florida

As Christmas draws nearer (it’s only 8 weeks away) we thought we’d take a break from work and focus on our Orlando Christmas Guide for Orlando, Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld.  It starts at the end of November in the theme parks so you can have a great time celebrating the festive spirit during your vacation.  Nowhere celebrates Christmas as well as the big names in Florida, you just have to get used to the warm temperature and blazing sunshine!

Here is our favourite selection of Christmas events to look out for as Christmas takes over the theme parks for a crazy month of fun.

Disney’s Magic Kingdom Christmas Holiday

The Magic Kingdom will be celebrating Christmas in style with these unmissable events!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party – select nights from 7:00 PM to midnight, November 8 to December 20, 2013

• Castle Dream Lights on Cinderella Castle – festive lights and Disney tunes.
• Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade – Gingerbread men, elves and others dance down Main Street
• Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season – Brilliant lights explode in the air above Cinderella’s Castle
• Totally Tomorrowland Christmas – Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch
• Celebrate the Season Show – Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and others get into the holiday spirit
• Meet-and-greet opportunities throughout Magic Kingdom park with some of your favourite Disney Characters
• Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa
• A magical snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.

Downtown Disney’s Festival of the Seasons – Holiday carollers, holiday songs, street performer from November 15 – December 29, 2013

Holidays Around the World at Epcot – Epcot celebrate Christmas around the world from November 29 – December 30, 2013

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade – Animal Kingdom’s festive celebration from November 9, 2013 to January 2, 2014

As well as all these events, each of the Disney Hotels puts on special displays and decorations, as demonstrated by our son in the picture below!

Gingerbread House at the Floridian, with little Rowan

SeaWorld Christmas Events

Continuing our Orlando Christmas Guide, SeaWorld always put on a fantastic Christmas display and shows.  They offer some variety to the normal shows and the shops and decorations are fantastic.  This is well worth a visit and the park opens late during the Christmas season.

SeaWorld sea of trees

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration – 11/23/2013 – 12/31/2013

• Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas – this is a must see!
• Elmo’s Christmas Wish – Sesame Street friends have come to SeaWorld Orlando!
• O Wondrous Night – over 30 carols, live-size puppets and live animals
• Sea Of Trees – over 100 trees light up to music, as in the picture above
• Shamu Christmas Miracles – Shamu shows off to a Christmas theme
• Winter Wonderland on Ice – ice skating extravaganza
• Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountain Finale – fountains, dazzling lights, and fireworks
• THE POLAR EXPRESS Experience – where you’ll meet Santa Claus himself.
• Shamu’s Happy Harbor – Experience the Holly Jolly Railway

New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld – 12/31/2013 – 01/01/2014

SeaWorld Holiday Reflections

Santa’s Fireside feast.  Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus at SeaWorld’s Santa’s Fireside Feast, an exclusive dinner featuring an all-you-care-to-eat menu of holiday favourites and delicious desserts.

Universal Orlando Christmas Events

Universal Studios Florida

• Macy’s Holiday Parade – marching bands, clowns, and an appearance by Santa Claus from December 7, 2013 – January 4, 2014
• Mannheim Steamroller – select Saturday and Sunday nights in December – December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22

Universal’s Islands of Adventure

• Grinchmas – Seuss Landing s transformed into a wintry wonderland from December 7, 2013 – January 4, 2014

Universal CityWalk

• Orlando’s Premier New Year’s Eve Party – a party that doesn’t stop until next year. Bid a fond farewell to 2013.  Live entertainment.  Midnight champagne, and more!

As well as the theme park events it’s also worth visiting Celebration Town who usually put on a snowstorm every night leading up to Christmas.

We hope our Orlando Christmas guide gives you lots of inspiration when visiting Florida this Christmas, make sure to plan in to your schedule all the fantastic events so you don’t miss out.