Theme Park Holiday Cheer

Snow may not fall in Orlando during the holiday season, but the destination’s theme parks sure know how to make things merry and bright.

From dazzling light displays to heartwarming performances to festive food and drink, the theme parks are offering many extras to guests in order to enhance the holiday spirit—even a snow flurry every now and then (no hats or gloves necessary!).

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Legoland Florida Resort

The Christmas Bricktacular will take place at Legoland Florida Resort in Winter Haven December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17 and 23-25. Included with park admission, the festivities feature a giant Christmas tree made of thousands of Lego and Duplo bricks; scavenger hunts and Lego-building activities; meet-and-greets with Lego Santa and Lego Toy Soldier and the occasional snow flurry.

Additionally, the park will also unveil special New Year’s events December 26-30, including nightly fireworks and a dance party. On December 31, the Kids’ New Year’s Eve will feature the drop of a giant Lego brick (similar to the Times Square ball) and a countdown to “midnight” at the kid-friendly hour of 8 p.m.

Visit legoland.com/florida/about-us/travel-agents.

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, included with park admission, takes place on select nights from November 24 through December 31. The festivities include the opportunity to meet Santa Claus at Wild Arctic; appearances by Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and friends; a Christmas Market featuring artisan crafts, live entertainment, holiday treats and a model train village; an illuminated Sea of Trees lighting up the lake; and the “O Wondrous Night” live nativity.

Clients can also attend a variety of special performances during the celebration, including Elmo’s “Christmas Wish” musical; Clyde and Seamore’s “Countdown to Christmas” with sea lions and otters; “Shamu Christmas Miracles,” a killer whale show; and the “Winter Wonderland on Ice” figure-skating show.

Visit seaworldparks.com/travelagents.

Universal Orlando Resort

From November 28 to January 6, clients visiting Universal Orlando Resort will find more holiday-themed experiences than ever before. For the first time, Christmas is coming to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with both Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley featuring Christmas-themed decorations and holiday food and performances. As night falls, state-of-the-art projection mapping and lighting will wrap Hogwarts castle, bringing Christmas moments inspired by the Harry Potter series to life.

At Universal Studios Florida, the new Universal Macy’s Holiday Parade boasts more than a dozen new balloons and over 15 floats designed exclusively for Universal Orlando. The parade will also include appearances by the Minions as well as Santa Claus. Mannheim Steamroller will perform live concerts on select dates in November and December.

At Seuss Landing in Universal’s Islands of Adventure, the “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular” provides a retelling of Dr. Seuss’s holiday classic, with the Whos from Who-ville celebrating the true meaning of the season. Clients may choose to book tickets for breakfast with the Grinch and friends, available on select dates. Festive decorations will adorn all five of Universal’s on-site hotels, which will offer Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve buffets.

Visit universaltravelagents.com.

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Walt Disney World

Your clients will find holiday cheer around every corner at Walt Disney World Resort, as the four parks add extra sparkle for the season. Most of the festivities run from November 9 through December 31.

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the new Sunset Seasons Greetings features projections of Mickey, Minnie and other Disney characters sharing their favorite Christmas stories as a snowy Sunset Boulevard twinkles with holiday decorations. Running continuously throughout the night, the magic also transforms the Hollywood Tower Hotel into a giant pile of Christmas gifts, a gingerbread house and a frozen winter wonderland.

The “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” nighttime fireworks show returns, featuring state-of-the-art projections, special effects and Christmas music, capped by a message from Santa himself. For reserved viewing with holiday-inspired food and drink, clients can book the “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” Dessert Party (November 9-December 30), which also features a visit from a Disney character.

Epcot will unveil the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (November 9-December 30), where the number of holiday kitchens doubles this year to 15, offering such sweet treats as Maple Bûche de Noël in the Canada pavilion. In the new Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree, clients can purchase a map and stickers and travel around the World Showcase looking for the famous chipmunks with their ornaments, returning the completed map for a festive surprise.

The Magic Kingdom’s seasonal offerings include “A Frozen Holiday Wish,” held nightly on the Castle Forecourt Stage. Anna and Elsa lead the celebration, which culminates in Queen Elsa transforming Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace for the holidays.

The specially ticketed Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (held after regular park hours on select dates) features a performance of Holiday Wishes fireworks and the earliest performances of other spectaculars like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” stage show. From December 23-31, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade takes place daily.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom will feature an animal-themed holiday tree, as well as decorations framing new day-into-nighttime experiences, including Tree of Life transformations, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali Rivers Rapids and Expedition Everest. Disney Springs will display an even bigger Christmas Tree Trail in the Marketplace—with 10 trees themed around Disney classic movies—next door to Santa’s Chalet, where Santa will accept Christmas wish lists; and Stitch’s Holiday Gift Hunt, a scavenger hunt.

Visit disneytravelagents.com.