It’s the most wonderful time of year! If you’re visiting Orlando this holiday season, why not indulge in these favourite festive holiday experiences, as recommended by the White Rose Villas team?

#1. Take a walk around Disney Springs

At this time of year, the shops and restaurants are decked out in their festive finery.  Enjoy the holiday atmosphere while you pick out a few gifts for the folks back home.

#2. Whizz down the ice slides at ICE! Gaylord Palms

See the beautiful ice sculptures at this Kissimmee Resort and, at the end of your tour, you get to slide down giant ice slides.  A firm family favourite.

#3. See the giant gingerbread houses at Disney’s Grand Floridian

At Disney’s Grand Floridian hotel, the foyer is filled with Christmas decorations – including giant gingerbread houses.  Plus, you can buy more pocket-sized gingerbread Christmas treats to take home.

#4. Take a horse-drawn carriage ride around the town of Celebration

Celebration is a picture-perfect lakeside town just a short drive from the main gates of Disney.  At this time of year, you can expect carol singers, lights and even snow!  For a really Christmassy feel, take a tour around town in a horse-drawn carriage.

#5. Walk down Main Street and watch the special Christmas fireworks show

It’s hard to imagine a more magical experience than your first Disney parade, but it is extra special at Christmas time. 

#6. Meet Santa!

Most of the theme parks offer opportunities to visit with Santa.  Outside the parks, the most highly regarded Santa meet and greets can be found at Disney Springs (he has a chalet on the Christmas Tree Trail), at the Mall at Millenia and you can also find his chalet beside the lake in Celebration.

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Christmas and New Year concept. Portrait of good old Santa Claus sitting in his armchair. Red background.

#7. Enjoy the snowfall in Celebration

Snow falls every night in Celebration at this time of year and it’s super fun! 

#8. Take a festive cookie stroll at Epcot

As you wander around the world showcase, you can collect Christmas cookies as you go.

#9. See Hogwarts decorated for Christmas

If you’ve ever wondered about Dumbledore’s taste in tinsel, take a wander around Hogwarts castle at Universal’s Islands of Adventure at this time of year and all your questions will be answered!  Definitely better than the Durseley’s!

#10. Listen to the carols at Epcot

Epcot’s Christmas highlight is the Candlelight Processional.  It features a 50-piece orchestra and takes place three times each night.

#11. Enjoy a warm butterbeer!

Head down to Diagon Alley or the village of Hogsmeade at Christmas and you can enjoy a delicious draught of warm butterbeer – it’s bound to fill you with Christmas cheer.

#12. Breakfast with the Grinch

Bah humbug!  You’ll need to book in advance if you want to start the day with the Grinch at Universal’s Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast.  You can meet a variety of Dr Seuss characters before heading into the park to enjoy the Who-liday Spectacular show.

#13. See a classic Christmas ballet

The Orlando Ballet’s annual performance of the Nutcracker at the Dr Phillips Centre is something of an Orlando institution.  A magical way to celebrate the season.

#14. Sit in a giant Lego sleigh

Of course, Legoland is decked out in all its finery at this time of year too – and if you have Lego-mad kids the giant sleigh is going to be a highlight.

#15. Party with Mickey and friends

What better way to celebrate the season in Orlando than the all-singing, all-dancing Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party?  The party atmosphere on these select nights through November and December will have you dancing in the Magic Kingdom, plus you can enjoy Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.

We’d love to hear about your favourite seasonal events and activities in Orlando and Central Florida at this time of year. Please share your thoughts with us!