Halloween horror nights at universal is THE BEST experience ever, we have been going now for the past 6 years and always make sure our holiday is around the time when this is on. the best deal out there is the frequent fear pass, you do not need an annual pass to get this, it is a very special offer, you get to go to the horror nights at least 12 times, you get to ride all the rides on the side they are having the horror nights, so not only are you getting to experience all the fun of the horror nights with the haunted houses and scare zones, you are able to enjoy universal also.

We would also recommend the meal deal bands that they have, it is a great deal $19.99 for the whole day at selected restaurants, pizzas, burgers, chinese, fried chicken, pasta, deserts, cookies. it is great for the whole family, something for everyone….

There is also a drinks cup you can buy, if you buy it with your armband your drinks are free all night, if you just buy the drinks cup then refills are about $1 per refill, still a great idea drinks can get quite expensive when you are hot and sticky running around in the hot weather from ride to ride !!!Express pass is great but a little expensive, seaworld and busch gardens are doing similar options now a lot cheaper.

but you can not beat disneys fast pass (FREE) you just have to collect a ticket from each ride you want to go on.

Best times to visit the parks is MAY and September, very quite easy to get on the rides not too much queing

Best restaurants > GOLDEN CORRAL and for the kids a great cheap meal out

all you can eat CI-CI’S Pizza at $5.00 per person for all you can eat pizza, pasta, salad, deserts !!!!!!! great value great taste’

you can find ci-ci’s on international drive, highway 192  vineland rd

Many more opening,

best crazy golf, highway 192 BONANZA golf only $3.99 per person, special offers always in the books, check out all coupons can save you a lot of money over 2 weeks !!!!!

Universal & Busch Gardens actually employ THOUSANDS of extra staff to dress up and SCARE the visitors as they make there way around the Parks. Their costumes are absolutely brilliant and with all of the Scarey bits there are lots & lots of laughs.

Seaworld include their nights in with the price but Disney, Universal & Busch have special ticketed nights so it is best to check the nights & prices out.

Universal have a Special Themed event each year & this year it is from The Silver Screen –CHUCKY & THE WOOLFMAN.

REMEMBER some Halloween Events are NOT suitable for young children. We have this chart below which will give you a good idea of the shows but again it is best to check everything out for your own family.

Halloween 2009 At a Glance

The events really do Blow the Socks off our shows here in the UK and are well worth visiting—IF YOU DARE!!!!!!

Have fun - we are over there so we certainly will

Mary & Larry

It was fabulous to be able to put up a Christmas tree and decorations to get the real feel of Christmas without the UK wind rain and bad weather.

We visited Old Town which is a must for any time of the year on Thursday and Saturday to see the car and motor bike display. but what we really thought was nice was that because Old Town was decorated up so nice with a very large Christmas tree in the centre of the town, excited the children,  that much that they wanted to spend more time in the town walking in and out of the shops and eating and drinking  rather than the “fun-spot” fair.

We also thought it would be nice to have a look at what was going on at Celebration, early evening on New Years Eve. It was fantastic with the hourly snow fall the live music which allowed the children to dance in the snow in the street, there was also face painting, bouncy castle, horse and cart ride, the water fountain and food stalls for the children, for the adults there were plenty of drink stalls which allowed you to buy a glass of wine and wonder around Celebration in a fantastic atmosphere. There were plenty of restaurants open where you were able to sit in and order meals. Overall we thought it was excellent.

We also took a little walk in and out of the back streets to look at the Florida homes decorated up, we took some lovely photos and all pointed out which house we would love to buy, mine of course would have to be one with a large porch and two identical rocking chairs, so we could just watch the world go by……

Visiting the parks during the day was also good, the sun was out, giving you the feel of our UK summer not to hot and not cold, looking at how the parks were decorated for the Christmas theme was amazing; the size of the Christmas tree was out of this world.

Very very enjoyable Christmas and hope we can do it again…..   

If you are visiting Orlando this December, why not visit Celebration and enjoy their “Now Snowing”  & “New Years Eve” Event.

Now Snowing is a month long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 PM. This event runs up to New Years Eve and Now Snowing Nightly parking and admission are FREE!
 
On Saturday 20 December Celebration hosting the Radio Disney Holiday Concert.  Radio Disney is a 24/7 radio network devoted to kids, tweens and families. Kids help pick the music that is played and are encouraged to interact via a toll-free line to the Radio Disney studio.  The snow starts falling at 6.00 pm and the music begins immediately after with performances by some of the Radio Disny artists. 
Again the event is free and everyone is welcome. 

New Years Eve will be the exciting new family friendly FREE New Years Eve Bash in Celebration Town Center.  On Wednesday December 31st, Celebration Town Center will bring the New Year in with a bang at an all new fun, family friendly celebration like none other. The event will kick off with special performance by Robbie Carrico (American Idol Season 7 Finalist) and Johnny Bulford (Colgate County Music Showdown Challenge winner) followed by the great sounds of multi-talented The Reflections Band and live music throughout the streets. Then as the clock strikes midnight, catch the fireworks spectacular while standing in the final ‘snowfall’ of the year. 
 
I have personally visited the Now Snowing event with my family every Christmas we have been to Orlando.  There is plenty of snow for everyone and the children love playing and throwing the snow at each other.  Christmas music is played whilst snowing and it really makes it a festive occasion.  I actually prefer the snow here than in Disney as a lot more snow falls here and its FREE!  As it takes place on the hour the children get to enjoy it more than once.  We have also visited some of the great restaurants whilst there and it has made a really great evening out.  I would definately recommend a visit if you are visited Orlando during December, Christmas and lead up to New Year.
 
Celebration is conveniently located between Highway 192 and interstate 4 near Walt Disney World.
 
Further information can be obtained by visiting http://celebrationtowncenter.com

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