CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR 2006

 

 

Walt Disney World

 

 

MAGIC KINGDOM

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: Join Mickey and Friends as they celebrate the Season on selected nights (November 13, 17, 27, 28, 30 and December 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 14, 15, 18, 19, 21, 22; event tickets required), at the merriest party on Earth! Stroll down Main Street as ‘snow’ falls gently around you. Enjoy cookies and cocoa, special holiday shows, a magical holiday parade and a very special presentation of Wishes. Santa himself will meet guests prior to the parade, and your admission includes a complimentary souvenir family photo. Advance purchase for ages 10 and up is $42.55, ages 3-9 $34.03 (No discount available December 1, 8, 15, 18, 19, 21 or 22). Gate purchase is $28.94 ages 10 and up, $40.42 ages 3-9. Call 407-W-DISNEY for advanced purchase or check for availability at Guest Services. Tickets generally sell out in advance, so be sure to call early.

Meet Santa Claus: at the small garden next to City Hall from 10am-6pm daily through 24 December.

 

                     

                      Christmas Magic shines at Magic Kingdom                            Epcot’s stunning Lights of Wonder

 

Donald & Company Tree Lot: A rare opportunity to meet everyone’s favourite Duck! Find Donald in Fantasyland from 10am-3pm, 4pm-8pm and during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, through 29 December.

 

 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Parade: Gingerbread Men, Snowmen, elves, and St. Nick ring in the Season December 24-31 at 12:30pm and 3:30pm. Don’t miss this annual highlight, one of Disney’s most magical parades.

 

EPCOT

 

Holidays Around the World: Epcot is a beautiful park at night, and never more so than during the Christmas season.  The spectacular Lights of Winter illuminate the walkway linking Future World and World Showcase from 1 December -8 January as they twinkle and dance to festive musical scores.

 

Tree Lighting Ceremony: Each night at 6pm Epcot hosts a 10 minute tree lighting ceremony in Showcase Plaza. Arrive early for this eye-catching spectacle!

 

Candlelight Processional: Backed by a 50 piece orchestra and a Mass choir ensemble, each evening’s special guest narrator tells the Christmas Story in this breathtaking presentation, sure to tug at your heartstrings. The show is included in your park admission and is offered at 5pm, 6:45pm and 8:15pm in the American Garden Theater outside the American pavilion in World Showcase, 24 November through 30 December. Special dinner packages are available by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

 

Storytelling around World Showcase: As you stroll through World Showcase, stop to enjoy traditional Christmas stories from each country, told by themed storytellers, through 30 December. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are also recognised.

 

                                                 

                                                             Bringing Italy’s Christmas story to life

 

IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth: Epcot’s stirring night time laser, music and fireworks finale ends your evening with a special holiday addition as Walter Cronkite narrates to the sounds of “Let There Be Peace on Earth”.

 

 
DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS

 

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights: The Streets of America are transformed (through 13 November-7 January) into a glittering, twinkling display when more than 4 million Christmas lights combine to create seasonal scenes as twilight descends. Enter the light display via Commissary Lane, stroll at your own pace, and be prepared to be dazzled! Included in park admission.

 

Hollywood Holly-Day Parade: Disney’s Stars and Motorcars parade takes on a Christmas theme as your favourite characters (and their cars!) deck out in their Seasonal finest, beginning 14 November. Check your Times Guide for current times.

 

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

 

Santa Goofy’s Wild Wonderland: If you think having your picture taken with Santa is goofy, you’re right! Camp Minnie-Mickey rings with the sound of carolers while Mickey and Friends greet you in their Christmas finery, highlighted by a photo opportunity with Santa Goofy.

 

Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Expedition: Animal Kingdom’s Jammin’ Jungle parade takes a seasonal twist December 1-31 at 3:45pm, when Mickey and Friends’ safari supplies are replaced by garland and wreaths. Show up early and you may be chosen to ride on one of the parade transports!

 

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

 

Festival of the Seasons: No trip to Walt Disney World would be complete without a visit to Downtown Disney, especially before Christmas. The air is filled with music at The Marketplace and West Side as strolling carolers and live bands sing the joys of the season. Santa himself can be found greeting guests at his chalet in front of World of Disney from noon until 10pm from 23 November-24 December. It is worth the trip over if for no other reason than to watch the locals have their cats and dogs picture taken with Santa!

 

New Years Eve at Pleasure Island: Rock in the New Year with live music, high-energy night clubs and a midnight fireworks spectacular. Cheap Trick, Tone Loc, Kurtis Blow and Kim Locke bring in 2007 for the 21 and over crowd, with club admission and a champagne toast included in your special Admission ticket price ($84 plus tax). Valid photo ID is required.

 

Cirque du Soleil: Ring in the New Year with a special performance of La Nouba on 31 December at (time). A Champagne toast and souvenir program are included, capped off with a special finale to the show sure to begin your year in style. $74-$136 depending on age and ‘tier’ (location of seats).

 

 

SeaWorld

 

 

Believe: SeaWorld’s newest show inspires guests to ‘believe’, with a holiday-themed pre-show sure to tug at your heartstrings.

 

Festivities at the Waterfront: The Waterfront fills with the joy of the Season as strolling carolers and shimmering snow-showers add to the festive atmosphere while Santa hears children’s Christmas wishes. Don’t miss the ‘Christmastide’ Holiday Fountain Show along the lagoon. 24 November-30 December. Check your map for show times.

 

Shamu and Friends breakfast: Join Shamu for breakfast (9am-10am) at the Seafire Inn November 24, 25 and 26 and each weekend during the month of December (except the 24^th and 25^th). Costumed characters are available for autographs and photo opportunities. Book dining at the Dining Reservations Counter before you enter the park.

 

BayWave…Jazz By the Bay: The Bayside Stadium hosts a celebration of jazz from 26 December-30 December, at 1:30pm and 4:15pm. Musical guests include guitarist Ken Navarro (26-30 December), ‘A Soulful Christmas’ with Brian Culbertson, Bobby Caldwell, Warren Hill, Ray Parker Jr. and Eric Darius (27-28 December) and ‘Peter White Christmas’ with Rick Braun and Mindy Abair (29-30 December).

 

New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld: Count down to the New Year with a festival of jazz, featuring Michael Andrew and The Atomic Big Band. Then, a midnight fireworks spectacular brings in 2007 with a bang! Jazz party and fireworks are included in your park admission.

 

 

 

Universal Orlando

 

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

 

Macy’s Holiday Parade: Come see why the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of America’s most beloved traditions, celebrating its 80^th year in 2006. Universal Studios hosts marching bands from across the country while giant helium character balloons direct from the Thanksgiving Day parade float overhead. And no Macy’s parade would be complete without the guest of honor himself, Santa Claus! 9 December-1 January, free with park admission.

 

Delancey Street Festival: Sample a ‘taste of New York’ as you stroll down Delancey Street through the month of December. Offerings such as Italian sausage and green pepper hoagies (torpedo rolls), funnel cakes and New York City-style Zepolles (fried dough fritters with toppings) are available for purchase.

 

 

ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE

 

There will be no specific Christmas events at Islands of Adventure this year, but guests can Meet The Grinch in Seuss Landing from December 8-January 1.

 

CITYWALK:

 

Christmas in the City: Festive decorations and live music add a touch of Christmas to your Citywalk visit.

 

New Years Eve at Citywalk: Citywalk sizzles with live music from Cyndi Lauper and Tower of Power, all you can eat gourmet cuisine (filet mignon, shrimp, desserts and more), and a midnight fireworks spectacular. Each night club hosts its own party for guests 21 and over with valid photo ID. $109 per adult, VIP upgrade $60 (includes full open bar); tickets can be purchased by calling 1-800-711-0080 locally, or on line at http://themeparks.universalstudios.com with a $5 discount per ticket when you use your MasterCard

 

Cypress Gardens Adventure Park

 

 

An Old Fashioned Christmas: Millions of glittering lights, brilliant floral displays of ‘Color Me Christmas’ , the lively ‘Christmas on Ice’ and the touching ‘Living Nativity’ evoke a feeling of Christmas Past, when family and friends gathered to enjoy the simple beauty of the Season. Aunt Julie’s scrumptious Holiday Feast along with big name musical entertainment round out the festivities on offer 24 November-30 December

 

 

Busch Gardens Tampa

 

 

Christmas Celebration: The sights and sounds of Christmas can be found throughout the park, with a daily ‘song and dance extravaganza’ featuring snowmen, reindeer and toy soldiers, beginning 30 November at the Desert Grill. Santa and his Elves pay a special visit for an added helping of Seasonal magic.

 

New Year’s Eve at Busch Gardens: Bring in the New Year aboard an extreme coaster and it’s all up hill from there! All of Busch Garden’s attractions, plus live entertainment and a spectacular midnight fireworks finale are included in your park admission.

 

 

Silver Springs

 

14^th Annual Festival of Lights: Silver Springs lights up with a million twinkling lights and dozens of neon displays each Friday and Saturday night (25-25 November, 1-2, 8-9, and then every day 15-30 December). Local choirs join strolling musicians and carolers while a Lighted Boat Parade shimmers on the river. Santa Claus will be in attendance through 24 December for those all-important Wish List requests.

 

 

Gaylord Palms Resort

 

ICE!: Rosy cheeks in Florida? It’s not from sunburn when you visit the Gaylord Palms resort’s annual ICE! extravaganza. Two million pounds of ice, 40 Chinese artisans and a room chilled to 9 degrees Fahrenheit combine to create this astonishing one-of-a-kind attraction. This year’s theme is ‘A Season of Wishes’. A walk-through train depot (with a locomotive you can explore, inside and out!), Santa’s Workshop and Church in the Woods are just a few of the icy environments, some of them interactive, spread out over 18.000 square feet inside the ‘Florida Fridge’, with complimentary cocoa available afterwards. Be sure to have your photo taken with the Coolest Santa in Orlando! ICE! runs from 18 November-2 January. Tickets can be purchased on line (no less than 24 hours in advance) for $16.99 Monday-Thursday, $21.99 Friday-Sunday. Or $19.99/24.99 Adults, $16.99/21.99 Seniors and $9.99 for children over age 3, at the box office or by calling 407-586-2000. For more info visit: www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/things_to_do/IcePalms.cfm

 

 

ICE! Skating: New in 2006, for an additional $5 over the admission price to ICE!, guests can strap on a pair of skates (included in price) and glide across the shimmering ICE! rink. Ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult (no exceptions!). Hours vary.

 

Holiday Gnome Hunt: Stroll around the grand atrium at Gaylord Palms in search of hidden gnomes. Good fun for all the family!

 

 

Dinner Shows

 

Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede: North vs South takes on a holiday theme as Dixie Stampede transforms into a winter wonderland of twinkling lights, seasonal music, shimmer snow-showers, The Living Nativity and a friendly rivalry between North Pole elves and South Pole elves, culminating in a visit from Santa himself. 28 October-1 January; call 866-443-4943, or visit www.dixiestampede.com.

 

Christmas at Arabian Nights: Come see ‘the most wonderful things’ as Sugar Plum Fairies, dancing reindeer and elves galore ring in the holidays for the Princess and her guests. 13 November-7 January; call 800-553-6116 from the US, or visit www.arabian-nights.com

 

Pirates Dinner Adventure: ‘Yo Ho Ho Ho!’ Pirates swings into the holiday spirit beginning 25 November (22 November for ‘soft opening’) with a yuletide twist on their swashbuckling antics. Call 800-866-2469 from the US for reservations or visit www.piratesdinneradventure.com

 

SeaWorld’s Makahiki Christmas Luau: The popular Hawaiian Luau transforms into a celebration of the Season, beginning 14 November and running through 31 December. Call (888)-800-5447 for reservations (required) or visit .

 

 

Just looking for Santa?

 

In addition to the theme parks, Downtown Disney and Gaylord Palms resort, you can find Santa at the following locations:

 

Mall at Millenia: Santa makes a spectacular entrance to kick off his visits to Mall at Millenia, with a dance party, stage show, elves, strolling performers and Mrs. Clause on hand to bring in the festivities. The Jolly Old Elf himself arrives under a shower of snow and pyrotechnics, touching down on the rooftop at 6:45pm on 17 November before he settles in and takes Wish List requests, starting at 7:30pm. Find him in Hollyville inside the Mall until Christmas Eve.

 

Florida Mall: Santa will hear your Christmas wishes from 10 November-24 December during mall hours (10am-9pm Mon-Sat; 12pm-6pm Sunday, with extended hours through the holidays).

 

Festival Bay: 25 November heralds Santa’s arrival at Festival Bay on International Drive. The mall will have holiday activities and entertainment through the New Year.

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright Simon and Susan Veness, November 2006