Christmas in Orlando
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Christmas in Orlando
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Christmas Vacation in Orlando
Celebrating Christmas in Orlando is sure to create magical family memories. What better way to celebrate the season than by telling the kids they get to enjoy Christmas by taking an Orlando Disney vacation!
An Orlando Christmas remains one of the most popular vacations imaginable for families worldwide. The Orlando area lights up for the season with plenty of holiday cheer. From the theme parks and attractions to Orlando's many shops, restaurants, resorts and attractions, you'll discover a wide array of festive Christmas lighting, trees and decorations. And the list of special Christmas events goes on and on. Enjoy holiday light shows, ice carvings, falling "snow", special parades, greetings with Santa, and much more.
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Experience Holiday Excitement at the Theme Parks!
Holiday Fun at Walt Disney World Resort!
An Orlando Disney Christmas can begin at Disney’s Magic Kingdom where you can celebrate Disney Very Merriest After Hours, enjoy a festive Christmas parade complete with an appearance by Santa Clause, a holiday themed fireworks extravaganza, experience an amazing array of holiday decorations and enjoy musical performances that are sure to mesmerize.
Meanwhile, Disney’s Epcot offers special annual events such as Holidays Around the World – a celebration of unique traditions from around the globe – and a stirring Candlelight Processional featuring a retelling of the story of Christmas as narrated by a celebrity guest.
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration!
Join a winter wonderful celebration featuring live holiday shows, festive shopping options including a Christmas Market, and delicious food. Celebrate the season with SeaWorld's many decorations including the Sea of Trees - more than 100 sparkling trees with lights dancing to the holiday music and waterfront snow flurries.
Other special themed attractions and shows include Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, Sounds of the Season Performance Series, Winter Wonderland on Ice, and Elmo's Christmas Wish featuring Elmo, Grover, Zoe and Cookie Monster!
Holidays at LEGOLAND!
Legoland, known as one of the best theme parks for toddlers and children in the Central Florida area, has a very special Christmas celebration for everyone. Enjoy a festive and magical day where decorations include a giant 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made out of LEGOs. You can also meet Santa Claus and toy soldiers, experience thousands of twinkling holiday lights, enjoy festive music and treats and have fun with lots of building activities.
Other Holiday Events in Orlando
Orlando Ballet: The Nutcracker
Every year, the famous Orlando Ballet brings the classic Nutcracker performance back to life with its beautiful choreography, music and storytelling. Don’t miss out on this magical event that includes falling snow and candy canes!
Festival of Trees
The Orlando Museum of Art is transformed into a winter wonderland of sparkling trees and hand-designed holiday decor.
Frequently Asked Questions
With a sub-tropical climate and seasonally warm temperatures, central Florida is the perfect escape from the snow and cold. Even on a Christmas vacation, families can swim in heated pools, golf, shop, go sight seeing, or visit one of the exceptional parks that make Orlando the theme park capital of the world.
December temperatures in Orlando are spectacular, averaging a near perfect high of 73°F and a comfortable low of 50°F. December is also considered the "dry season" in central Florida so rain chances are much lower than during the summer months.
For most people, the go-to options are the theme parks! They are open all holiday season, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day! The theme parks include many holiday performances and celebrations, opportunities to meet Santa Claus and your favorite characters, and dine at fun and themed restaurants. But if you are looking for even more options consider the many attractions on International Drive. Places such as Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, Fun Spot Orlando, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, WonderWorks, the giant ICON Orlando wheel, and more are all open on Christmas Day.
Your best bet for finding restaurant options open on Christmas Day is to visit places such as Disney Springs or Universal Orlando’s CityWalk. These popular shopping/dining/entertainment areas offer a wide range of quick serve and sit-down dining options that will surely make your Christmas Day extra special! In Disney Springs, you will find restaurants such as The Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, Paddlefish, Planet Hollywood Observatory, STK Orlando, Frontera Cocina, and the list goes on and on. At Universal’s CityWalk you'll find options such as Hard Rock Café Orlando, VIVO Italian Kitchen, The Cowfish Sushi Burger, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, and many more.
Short answer, yes! We do recommend checking with Disney World for specific park hours but you can bet that all four Disney theme parks are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Other major theme parks such as Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida are also open on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 25 (Christmas Day). Please note that these holidays are some of the busiest days of the year in Orlando's theme parks so try to arrive early.
In almost every corner of Orlando, FL you will find a street or area that is covered in Christmas Lights! Still we recommend checking out one of the following light extravaganzas: Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Disney Springs, Disney Very Merriest After Hours at Magic Kingdom, the Sea of Trees at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, downtown Orlando’s gigantic Christmas tree, or explore the town of Celebration, FL (near Disney World) that also features a nightly soap bubble “snowfall.”
Start Planning your Christmas Orlando Vacation with Westgate Resorts!
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