Dreaming of a White Christmas? Orlando is still the best place to be.
As a kid, living in the UK, one of the things I always used to dream of was a “White Christmas.” It was usually a very rare event but this year it seems that more than half the US is likely to be hit by a blanket of snow this festive period. A massive snowstorm is moving from the Great Plains and up into the Northeast and it seems that some 150 million people will wake up with their dream of a white Christmas being fulfilled.
Accuweather is even predicting that ‘significant’ snow will fall in Oklahoma and Arkansas, potentially giving Oklahoma City its first Christmas snowfall since 1914 and Little Rock Arkansas could get up to three inches. That last time more than an inch fell on Christmas Day was 1926.
Nowadays, snow has less of a fascination for me even though my kids still seem to love it. Moving to Florida means I get to avoid the wet slushy white stuff and that means life goes on in a smoother way rather than having to pay the penalty for hurling the odd snowball. Sure, I understand snow can be a lot of fun. It can also be a pain in la derriere! I don’t like the cold, I don’t like getting delayed wherever I want to go and I certainly don’t want to deal with the madness on the roads that the snow inevitably brings.
For me, Christmas is simply better in Florida. Waking up on Christmas Day to temperatures in the 70’s or even the 80’s is my idea of fun. Yes, the kids call me a killjoy but when my biggest decision is do I go to Disney, SeaWorld or Universal today, then I know life’s pretty good. All of the theme parks have some great holiday entertainment going on and it’s fun to take it in.
The best park for me during the Christmas period is SeaWorld. Over the last two years, the SeaWorld folks have really raised their game and there’s lots to do with the superb Broadway style production of O Wondrous Night, Winter Wonderland on Ice, Shamu’s Christmas…Miracles, Clyde and Seamore’s Countdown to Christmas, A Sesame Street Christmas, Holiday Reflections: Fireworks and Fountains Finale, and The Polar Eexpress Experience where upon arrival at the North Pole, guests can meet Santa Claus himself.
Over at Walt Disney World, Magic Kingdom has Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Epcot has the Candlelight Processional, The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights are highlighted at Hollywood Studios and Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade is the main event at Animal Kingdom. Downtown Disney is also a fun place to go and hang out for a few hours. You can take in a movie at AMC, enjoy some bowling at the newly opened Splitsville or test your gaming skills at DisneyQuest.
Universal Orlando is another fun place to visit during the Christmas period. At Islands of Adventure, the popular Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is brought to life in Grinchmas, a live stage show featuring an original musical score by Mannheim Steamroller. During the show, six songs are performed by a live cast, including The Grinch and The Whos from Whoville. This show is performed on Soundstage 20 and ss a part of the Grinchmas celebration, guests will also have the opportunity to meet The Grinch and explore the Whoville Wonky Tree Lot.
At Universal Studios, the world-renowned balloons and floats from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade are the star attraction. The parade begins around dusk and guests can experience the excitement of the New York City tradition as the Macy’s Holiday Parade cruises through the streets of the park. In addition to the parade, Universal Studios guests can enjoy performances by marching bands from across the country and a nightly Christmas tree lighting.
One thing to note about Christmas in Orlando is that the theme parks will be very busy. Orbitz is reporting that Orlando is the place most folks want to travel to over the holiday season. If you don’t want to mingle with the crowds, then enjoy a calmer and quieter pace of life. There’s a lot of choice when it comes to other activities and one of the least known things about the Central Florida area is it’s natural environment. Visits to the Osceola County Welcome Center & History Museum or the Historic Bok Tower or Harry P. Leu Gardens will bring you close to nature. A visit to Gatorland is also recommended as apart from the great education there is a wildlife preserve featuring some of Florida’s birdlife and of course, it’s number one inhabitant, the alligator.
The area also has some great golf courses for the avid golfer. Some 50+ golf courses are within a few minutes drive of our Florida Leisure Vacation Homes. Shoppers will enjoy Florida Mall or the Mall at Millenia, an upscale mall with every store you could want. Orlando is one of the best cities in the world in which to take a vacation. You can chill by your own heated pool at your vacation home or you can make a trip to the beach on the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico…both within easy reach for a day trip.
And now… you understand why I don’t like the snow! With so much to do right on the doorstep, we just don’t need that stuff getting in our way!
