A Family called Osborne started decorating their own home in Arkinsaa in the 90s. They grew so much that the crowds of people who travelled for miles to see them were causing traffic jams and the neighbourhood complained until they were stopped. Every year thousands of Dollars were raised for Charities.

When Disney heard this they decided to offer The Osborne lights a place at MGM, which is now Hollywood Disney Studios. Over 1 MILLION lights now are in place with most of the original lights still in the display. 

Disney Hollywood hold this wonderful event every year. Every Fifteen minutes the masses of lights and displays ”Dance” to Christmas Tunes as the SNOW Falls around you. Only in AMERICA but it is certainly a site everyone should see. It is FREE with the admission into the Park during these Christmas dates.

We are fortunately arriving on the 4th of January and will head straight for DHS to catch the last night and it will help us get into the Florida Time Mode, a great way to start anyones holiday.

Mary & Larry Phillips

 MAGIC KINGDOM

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party:  tickets are required for the merriest Christmas party. This usually starts at 6.00 and you can see the snow fall on Main Street, also enjoy cookies and cocoa to help keep you warm, and watch a magical holiday parade with characters in festive costumes, and a special presentation of Wishes fireworks around the castle. All the rides are open as usual.

You can meet Santa Claus at the small garden next to City Hall.

EPCOT

The entrance to Epcot has beautiful poinsettia trees. The Lights of Winter illuminate the walkway between Future World and World Showcase, they light up with festive musical scores. Also the fountains at the entrance dance along to the music.

There is a Tree Lighting Ceremony each night at 6pm. All the lights go out and then the tree comes to life.

Candlelight Processional: There is a wonderful choir and orchestra together with a guest narrator. Lots of carols and festive songs to listen to.

Storytelling around World Showcase: As you stroll around the World Showcase, there are storytellers from each of the countries.

IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth: Not forgetting the daily firework and music spectacular with extra fireworks at the end just for Christmas.

 DISNEY-MGM STUDIOS

Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights: Lots of lights on the buildings and they twinkle along with the music. Snow is falling as well!!

The parade has lots of characters in their Christmas finery!

DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Jammin’ Jungle parade has characters dressed in their Christmas finery.

Camp Minnie-Mickey has carolers and photo opportunities with the characters in their Christmas get ups.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY

There are carolers and live music at Downtown Disney and Father Christmas can be found in his hut by the lake.

DISNEY HOTELS

All the Disney hotels put on a great show. There are beautiful swags in the lobbies, wonderful trees, there are roundabouts made from chocolate, houses made from gingerbread and lots of other decorations.

ICE AT GAYLORD PALMS

Have a great time looking at the ice sculptures at Gaylord Palms. You will need to be warmly wrapped up and you are supplied with extra thick coats while you walk through the Ice Pavilion.

At Downtown Disney there is an unusual and remarkable event from 7th. Nov - 9th. Nov where you can see the amazing pictures of Master Pavement Artists. The pictures have to be seen to be believed. Your children can join in as there is a section for everyone to have a go. There is also live music which creates a real Xmas atmosphere. Again, something a little different and the best thing about Downtown is there is NO Parking Charges!!!

A Very Happy Christmas Everyone.

Mary 

We booked our tickets in advance and saved a few Dollars.

We say, Go ON, Spoil Yourselves & The Kids, you will not regret it.

Mary & Larry

A truly enchanting Christmas is created at the Gaylords Palms Resort (6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, Florida), called ICE! 

From late November until early January, there is an enormous ice carving on display. Two million pounds of ice is hand-carved into a truly spectacular Christmas winter wonderland. The carvings are done by a team of 40 artisans who visit from Harbin China every year, and it is a pleasure to be able to view their artwork on display at this venue - one of only a few places in North America. 

Wrap up warm though; the ice carvings are kept at a chilly 9 degrees

Christmas 2007 heralded the carving of a candy house, ice cream sundae and giant frostproof express locomotive.  There were icy slides to try out (for the young and young at heart), as well as an outdoor ice rink, and of course, Santa comes to visit.  Another added attraction was the Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt – 20 gnomes hidden throughout the resort presented a unique challenge.

There was also a live stage show ‘Luminessence – A Christmas Fantasy’ and a synchronized laser light show.

Christmas plans are announced in August on the Gaylord Palms Resort website  www.gaylordpalms.com/ice, where you can purchase your tickets (or phone (407) 586 0000).

2007 prices were $12.99 for ICE, and $7.99 for ice skating (when purchased with ICE ticket)

Sand Sculptures

Gaylord Palms Resort also features an evolving array of sand sculptures in their Key West atrium. 

Blocks of building sand are sculpted into figurines, which are then sprayed with a thin coat of diluted Elmer’s Glue to keep the moisture within the sand.

2 tons of sand is used to create the sand displays and it takes about 3 days, and 60 working hours, to create each sculpture.  With the sculptures being kept in the weather-shielding atrium, they are able to be preserved for approximately 6 months.  However, they are continually updated - at least several times a year.

The artists who create the displays have won local, state and international honours for their works

Events are open to day ticket holders as well as inclusive for hotel guests.

If you get the opportunity to visit Florida during the Christmas season, then you are in for a treat. Most of the theme parks kick off their Christmas festivities immediately after Thanksgiving and most continue until the first week in January.

 A lot of the celebrations are included in the normal theme park ticket price so you can enjoy the extra entertainment at no extra charge. The only exception is the night time Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom which is by separate ticket admission.

Even if you are not visiting the theme parks, there is still plenty to enjoy with Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, float parades, carollers, music concerts and lighted boat parades in many towns throughout Florida.

Though it is rare for much snow to fall in Florida, there is plenty of opportunity to see snow at a number of special events including Disney’s town Celebration, Naples and Lake City. There is also the amazing ICE! at Gaylord Palms attraction in Orlando where nearly two million pounds of ice are carved into spectacular scenes.

Of course if you are able to stay until January, then you also have all the exciting New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations to look forward to as well.

Have an extra Special Christmas Holiday

Mary & Larry