Christmas at Gaylord Palms starts today, November 21, and there is so many fun things to do for the whole family!
Last night CSO was invited to a media preview so we could experience it first hand, and it was a great evening.
Santa
Out and About: Christmas at Gaylord Palms is Great Family Fun
Christmas at Gaylord Palms is a great time to visit the resort, with several shows and attractions that will make you feel like it’s the holidays.
Yesterday, I told you all about this year’s ICE! attraction, featuring vignettes from the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. But that’s not the only reason to take in Christmas at Gaylord Palms.
It’s Going to Be A Charlie Brown Christmas at Gaylord Palms
It may be July, but Gaylord Palms is already planning for their annual Christmas festivities, including ICE!, which this year will feature A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz.
Watch Charlie Brown rediscover the true meaning of Christmas as the beloved classic story unfolds through interactive ice sculptures and displays. All hand-carved from 2 million pounds of actual ice by Chinese artisans.
Kissimmee Festival of Lights Parade Brings Holiday Cheer on December 8, 2012
The evening kicks off with a Santa meet-and-greet from 5pm to 6:30pm, at the Kissimmee Police Department building (8 N. Stewart Ave), with entertainment from carolers.
The parade itself kicks off at 7pm in downtown historic Kissimmee. The city’s official tree-lighting ceremony will immediately follow the parade.
For more information, call 407-518-2576, or visit kissimmee.org.
SeaWorld Orlando’s 2012 Christmas Celebration to Begin in November
Mix together Elmo, Santa, and Shamu, and you have just an inkling of what SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration has to offer.
This year, the holiday event runs select dates from now through December 31, 2012.
SeaWorld guests can once again enjoy the spirit of Christmas with several holiday-themed shows and festivities:
- O Wondrous Night – The story of Christmas told through the eyes of a variety of live animals, with angels and more than 30 carols. Guests will also have the opportunity to take photos with some of the stars from the show, as well.
- Winter Wonderland on Ice – An ice skating extravaganza where Christmas comes to life through towering water fountains, fireworks and ice skaters from around the world.
- Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas – The sea lion duo of Clyde and Seamore search for Santa, with help from a few mischievous otters, a comical elf, and a wintery walrus or two.
- A Sesame Street Christmas – Using dance, laughter, and interactive sing-a-longs, Elmo, Telly Monster and the rest of Abby Cadabby’s Sesame Street friends teach her what Christmas means to them.
- Shamu Christmas-Miracles – A nighttime show starring SeaWorld’s whales performing to seasonal music.
- Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale – Enjoy soaring fountains, lights, and festive fireworks, choreographed to holiday musical favorites.
- Polar Express Experience – The beloved holiday classic comes to life as guests are immersed in the wonder of this holiday classic. Upon arrival at the North Pole, guests can meet Santa Claus himself, and encounter astounding animals in a wintery wonderland.
In addition to the above seasonal shows, the Sea of Trees features more than 100 decorated treas, with lighting choreographed to classic holiday tunes.
All SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration shows and activities are included in regular park admission. For more information, or to purchase tickets/passes, visit seaworldorlando.com.
Light Up UCF Opens for 2011 Holiday Season of Fun
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s annual holiday traditions, starts up this Friday, November 11, 2011, and runs through January 1, 2012.
During the event, the area in and around the University of Central Florida arena is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
Several times throughout the event, they’re also showing free movies outdoors on a two-story screen. According to their schedule, here are the movies they have lined up (start times are at 7pm, with a repeat at 9:30pm):
- Friday, November 11 – Home Alone
- Friday, November 18 – Elf
- Saturday, November 19 – It’s a Wonderful Life
- Wednesday, November 23 – The Santa Claus
- Saturday, November 26 – Dr. Seuss How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- Tuesday, November 29 – Fred Claus
- Friday, December 09 – A Christmas Story
- Saturday, December 10 – Home Alone 2
- Friday, December 16 – Polar Express
- Tuesday, December 20 – Miracle on 34th Street
- Friday, December 23 – A Christmas Carol
- Friday, December 30 – Santa Claus 2
Santa will also be making appearances at the neighboring Barnes & Noble for photo ops on the weekends and every day from December 16-23. Price for the photo is $12.50.
It’s free to wander around but there is a charge for the rides. There is also a charge for using the ice skating rink ($12 nightly skating/$19.75 nightly unlimited skate and rides pass/$75 seasonal skate pass).
Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster. Light up UCF has several group packages, including discounts on skating for groups of 10 or more.
Hours are Monday through Thursday 5pm to 10pm, Fridays 5pm to midnight , Saturday 11am to midnight, and Sundays 11am to 10pm.
For more info on the event, visit the Light Up UCF website.
Not Your Normal Santa Sculpture at WDW Swan and Dolphin
I’ve seen snow Santas and sand Santas but the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotel has a Santa sculpture I’ve never seen before – a life-size chocolate Santa.
The entire display, complete with armchair, fireplace and Christmas tree, is made from 1,200 pounds of chocolate.
According to the hotel, their world-champion executive pastry chef, Laurent Branlard, used 880 pounds of dark chocolate, 132 pounds of milk chocolate, 154 pounds of white chocolate and 120 pounds of cocoa butter.
They also say this amazing creation contains almost 3,000,000 calories. Something tells me Weight Watchers would not approve.
Not sure what they’re going to do with the sculpture when the holidays are over, but I sure hope they have the air conditioning cranked up to prevent it from melting in the meantime.
[Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin]
Light Up UCF Opens for 2010 Holiday Season
Light Up UCF, one of Orlando’s annual holiday traditions starts up today (November 12, 2010) and runs through January 2, 2011.
During the event, the area in and around the University of Central Florida arena is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, holiday music and rides.
Several times throughout the event, they’re also showing free movies outdoors on a two-story screen. Check their schedule for what’s playing when.
Santa will also be making appearances for photo ops on the weekends.
It’s free to wander around but there is a charge for the rides. There is also a charge for using the ice skating rink ($12 nightly/$75 seasonal pass).
Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster. Light up UCF has several group packages, including discounts on skating for groups of 10 or more.
For more info on the event, visit the Light Up UCF website.