Orlando Florida Celebrates the 2008 Christmas Season With Holiday Fun

Florida Theme Parks always have a magical quality about them, but during the holiday season, the magic combines with holiday cheer, creating a wonderland of fun. There are special events at Disney World, Universal Resort, Sea World & Cypress Gardens, so every family can find the type of celebration that is right for them. One thing is certain though - no matter where you celebrate in Orlando you'll be treated to holiday festivities that rival any other city in America.

Walt Disney World presents a holiday attraction of epic proportions, with each of the four individual parks offering something special for the holiday season. At the Magic Kingdom, Mickey teams up with Santa to present Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. This season, there will be 18 evenings of holiday fun: November 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 21, 30 and December 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 2008. Beginning at 7 p.m., guests with tickets to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party can enjoy the holiday splendor with lively stage shows and favorite holiday traditions. Cinderella's castle will be adorned with thousands of twinkling lights, creating a "Snow & Ice Princess" scene. Guests can also enjoy "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" and the excitement of a holiday-themed fireworks spectacular, "Holiday Wishes--Celebrate the Spirit of the Season," during a special after-hours party inside the Magic Kingdom theme park. The holiday attractions at Disney also include live Disney character stage shows like "Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Celebrate the Season."

A Candlelight Processional is being presented at Epcot from November 28-December 30, with several performances nightly. This activity is included with the price of admission, and focuses on the retelling of the Christmas Story, complete with choir, orchestra and celebrity narrators. Epcot also features "Holidays around the World," during which Epcot's pavilions are transformed to present holiday traditions form around the world. A synchronized light show, tree lighting ceremony and storytellers are also featured at Epcot.

Disney's Hollywood Studios lights up the night with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. From November 28-January 4 the park presents an electric light display that includes 3D and animated displays, including giant Santa displays and a larger than life Mickey Mouse. The Osborne Light Show is included with the price of admission. Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade roars through Disney's Animal Kingdom during November 28-Januray 4. This colorful parade combines Disney's favorite animal characters, like Simba, with Santa and his friends for one wild parade! Discount Disney World tickets are available for all of these events.

Universal Orlando Resort is an exciting place to go for the holidays because of the classic characters and traditions they showcase. At Universal Studios there is an Orlando rendition of the famous Macy's Parade, which includes some of the signature balloons found in the Macy's parade(held in New York,) as well as Santa, Reindeer and marching bands that signal the start of the holiday season for many Americans. The parade is marches on from December 6-January 1. Universal's Islands of Adventure invokes the Dr. Seuss version of a holiday classic, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," for a Grichmas of a good time! From December 6-January 1 Islands of Adventure will present a musical presentation of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and the Green Grinch will be available to meet and greet guests. All Universal Orlando holiday events are included with the price of admission.

SeaWorld's Holiday Celebration comes ashore November 14 and departs January 4. The Wild Arctic motion simulator is transformed into The Polar Express Experience, where guests can experience a truly unforgettable train ride to the North Pole. Classic scenes from the movie are recreated in a multi-sensory experience immersing passengers in special lighting, scent, sound and motion effects. Nightly presentations of the Shamu Christmas Miracles stadium show, Christmastide Holiday Fountain Show and nightly snow shower complete the holiday festivities at SeaWorld.

Cypress Gardens features a "Home for the Holidays" theme this Christmas. The theme park will get into the holiday spirit with millions of lights, choreographed light show to music in the Plantation Gardens every evening. Santa Clause, carolers and other festive characters will appear throughout the park, creating a cozy Christmas celebration for all. Special holiday meals and holiday crafts will also be available.

hotelsinorlandoflorida budget-rent-car vacationresortsandspa