So I’m thinking if you’re planning group travel for this time of year, you’re probably thinking someplace warm?
Which led me south and to beach-like places. Which flew my thoughts over Orlando. And, basically, I can’t think of Orlando without sinking in and just savoring it for a while. So I stayed there. And I thought, do people know it’s Christmas there now?
Disney, in my humble opinion, does almost everything really, really well. As you can imagine, this self-proclaimed “happiest place on earth” kind of likes Christmas. They begin in November, updating their after-dark spectaculars with red and green and ribbons and wrapping paper and the white-bearded guy himself. Here’s a breakdown of the Christmas hulabaloos in each of the major Disney parks.
Magic Kingdom – First of all, the castle is transformed for the season, decorated with thousands of brilliant icicles. The nightly music and fireworks display becomes the Holiday Wishes fireworks show, helping to close the park with a spectacular burst of Christmas spirit. Finally, for some dates you can purchase separate event tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This includes complimentary cookies and cocoa and the beautiful Christmas parade with Santa himself as the finale. Some of the most popular attractions in the park are open late as well!
Epcot – You may remember Epcot has two sections – the future section, all about technology and innovation, and the World Showcase. For the holidays this latter section becomes Holidays Around the World, giving you a peek into the holiday traditions of each of Epcot’s featured nations. There’s a Candlelight Processional at the end of the night to shed light on the true meaning of the holiday, and the nightly Illuminations display takes on a moving holiday message as well with Let There Be Peace on Earth.
Hollywood Studios – The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights transforms the Streets of America into fully illuminated Christmas cards. The rest of the park evokes an old-fashioned Christmas.
Animal Kingdom – This zoo-slash-theme park extravaganza dresses up its decor for Christmas and puts its nightly parade in the holiday spirit with Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Expeditions
Maybe it’s not for you. But for some people, reveling in the holiday spirit but not having to wear their winter gloves comes pretty near perfection. For me, it’s just all about combining two of the happiest things – Disney magic and Christmas cheer.
Photo by Loren Javier on Flickr.
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