There is no time like Christmas at Disney World, Universal Studios and other major theme parks. Take in the holidays with a dose of magic this year, with these spectacular winter-time special attractions. You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy these treats.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
On select nights,Nov. 8-Dec. 22, snow falls on Main Street U.S.A. during this after-hours event, which features the new Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime fireworks show, and the fan-favorite Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, plus unlimited cocoa and cookies.
Photo via Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party/FacebookDisney Springs Christmas Tree Trail
Disney Christmas Tree Trail
Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
For some completely fee-free Disney holiday fun, take a walk along Disney Springs’ annual Christmas Tree trail, which features 23 trees themed to classic films and characters. Beware: waits to meet Santa here can stretch until Easter.
Disney Springs, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista
Photo via Walt Disney World/WebsiteChristmas at Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Resort, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, 407-586-4423
Chinese craftsmen carve over 2 million pounds of ice into a wintery walk-through inspired by The Polar Express. After defrosting, guests can also enjoy visits with Santa, Cirque Dreams UnWrapped live stage show, Sounds of the Season concerts, and more.
Photo via Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center/WebsiteGrinchmas
Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, 1000 Universal Studios Plaza, 407-363-8000
Meet the Grinch, take in the Who-liday Spectacular and explore a wintry wonderland in Seuss Landing. After dark, sip hot Butterbeer while a holiday edition of the Hogwarts Castle light show illuminates the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Photo via Universal Studios Hollywood/WebsiteHolidays at Legoland presented by Hallmark
Legoland Florida, 1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, 855-753-8888
Have a “bricktastic” holiday with interactive live shows and meet and greets with Lego Santa on select days, and New Year’s Eve fireworks on Dec. 31 at a kid-friendly early hour.
Photo via LegoLand Florida?FacebookSeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration
SeaWorld Orlando, 7007 Sea World Drive, 407-545-5550
A new Sesame Street Christmas Parade is the headliner of Sea World’s holiday event this year, which also sees the return of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and pals, along with the O Wondrous Night nativity show.
Photo via SeaWorld/WebsiteHolidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Holidays at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
The “nahtazu” gets festive for the first time with holiday décor throughout the park, including up-cycled ornaments in the World of Avatar. Meet Mickey and Donald, who have dressed for the season, and don’t miss the interactive folk-art animal puppets patrolling Discovery Island.
Photo via Walt Disney World/WebsiteEpcot International Festival of the Holidays
Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
Celebrate the season around the world with food and drink samples from the festival booths, and hear storytellers share holiday tales from different cultures. This year’s Candlelight Processional celebrity narrators include Ming-Na Wen, Neil Patrick Harris, and Isabella Rossellini.
Photo via Walt Disney World/WebsiteBusch Gardens Christmas Town
Busch Gardens Christmas Town
Busch Gardens Tampa, 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, 813-884-4386
Santa and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer help transform Busch Gardens into a holiday wonderland with extended weekend hours, a sing-along train ride, and family-friendly live shows, including Christmas on Ice and Elmo’s Christmas Wish.
Photo via Busch Gardens/FacebookChristmas at Bok Tower Gardens
Christmas at Bok Tower Gardens
Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales,863-676-1408
Experience Pinewood Estate completely transformed into a holiday showplace reflecting the grandeur of the 1940s and take holiday walking tours of the gardens.
Photo via
Bok Tower Gardens/FacebookThe Heart of Christmas at The Holy Land Experience
Holy Land Experience, 4655 Vineland Rd., 407-872-2272
Orlando’s only religious theme park revives its holiday musical, The Heart of Christmas, which retells the tale of “The Servant King” through the eyes of two families.
Photo via The Holy Land Experience/FacebookSunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, 407-824-4321
We still miss the Osborne Family light spectacle, but the projection mapping displays on the Tower of Terror make up for it by featuring the Muppets. Sadly, there are no Life Day decorations in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, but stick around for the Goofy-centric Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! fireworks.
Photo via Walt Disney World/WebsiteUniversal’s Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s
Universal Studios Florida, 6000 Universal Blvd, 407-363-8000
Marching bands, massive balloons, and Santa himself appear in this seasonal celebration inspired by Manhattan’s Turkey Day spectacle. In addition, Diagon Alley is decorated for Yule, and Mannheim Steamroller performs their holiday hits on select evenings.
Photo via Universal Studios Orlando/WebsiteHolidays at Old Town
Old Town, 5770 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Kissimmee, 407-396-4888
The Kissimmee entertainment complex once again raises its iconic Christmas tree, and its brick streets will be coated in “snow” every weekend. A holiday bazaar will be held on Dec. 7, with a bike toy run on the 8th and a golf cart parade on the 14th
Photo via Old Town/Website
