Holiday Festivals Bring Fun and Cheer to Orlando

With all the fun holiday festivities that the Orlando theme parks have to offer, you may not want to stray outside the parks for seasonal fun this winter. However, you and your family would definitely be missing out if you didn’t, as Orlando is home to several exciting and unique holiday festivals. From a holiday festival that takes you back in time to a cultural holiday celebration, be sure to check out some of these fun events happening soon in the Orlando metropolitan area.

On December 6th, one of Orlando’s largest holiday celebrations will attract over 8,000 people when the Navidad Jibara festival comes to town. Located on the TG Lee Boulevard Grounds near Orlando International Airport, the 7th annual festival is Central Florida’s largest Hispanic-focused holiday celebration. The highly anticipated Navidad Jibara festival celebrates the holiday season traditions of Puerto Rico and the rest of the Hispanic community. However, that’s not to say that this is a Hispanics-only event; anyone can come and enjoy the music, exhibits, and traditional Latin food.

And what place is more appropriate for a holiday festival than Fort Christmas? Located twenty miles east of Orlando, this fort replica was modeled after a fort and stockade created by a force of 2,000 US Army volunteers and Alabama volunteers on December 25th, 1837. One of over 200 forts built during the Second Seminole Indian War, the fort was abandoned in March 1838 and reproduced by Orange County Parks Department in 1977. Today, the replica of the fort houses historical exhibits and presentations, as well as ten restored historical homes and structures built in the “Cracker” architecture of East Orange County.

During the Cracker Christmas Weekend on December 6th and 7th, the fort celebrates its namesake holiday with an annual festival of arts and crafts. Visitors can enjoy a large craft fair, special exhibits, and lots of great food. There’ll also be Florida Cracker demonstrations of arts from pioneer times, including broom making, spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, wood carving, Dutch oven cooking, and more.

Finally, on December 13th, the city of Kissimmee in Orlando-neighboring Osceola County will host a scaled-down version of its annual Holiday Extravaganza. From 4 to 6 pm at Toho Square, families can enjoy Santa’s Social at Toho Square, where kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. And at night, the downtown streets of Kissimmee will illuminate with the Festival of Lights Parade at 6 pm, featuring Santa Claus and Scott & Erica from the Morning show on Mix 105.1. Food vendors will also be present offering tasty holiday treats during this seasonal spectacle.

So this winter, take a break from the parks to enjoy some of the sights and sounds of the season around Orlando and its neighboring cities. Be sure to also check out Celebration Town Center’s “Now Snowing” event, which features carolers, Santa, carriage rides, and nightly snowfall. And on December 4th and 5th, stop by Winter Park to see the Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting Ceremony, along with the annual lighting of a special Tiffany’s window holiday display in Central Park. With all the fun and magic of these seasonal events, there’s no place like Orlando Florida for the holidays.

How to Save Time on an Orlando Theme Park Vacation

Saving is on everyone’s mind these days, especially when it comes to the Orlando theme parks. Your Orlando vacation time is no time to waste time, so here are some great ways to make the absolute most of your Orlando vacation time.

Orlando Vacation Time Saver – Planning
Taking your Orlando vacation during a slower time of year can be a huge time saver. There are off-peak periods every year when all of the Orlando theme parks have reduced crowds, which means less waiting in lines and more time to fit everything in.

The best times to visit an Orlando theme park is just before or immediately following a very busy time. The beginning of November is a slow time, just before the Thanksgiving crowds show up, and the same is true for the beginning of December. These are also good times to visit because the Christmas celebrations and decorations are usually in full swing so you can still enjoy those special treats without the throngs of people.

Mid to late January is also a quieter time on the Orlando theme park front. The weather in January can get a bit chilly despite the Florida locale, but in many ways a cooler day can make your Orlando theme park experience even more exciting. Just bring a jacket, hat and gloves and hit your Orlando vacation running.

Orlando Vacation Time Saver – Where to Stay
If possible, try to stay on property at the Orlando theme park of your choosing. The Walt Disney World Resort has several Disney hotels adjacent to the Disney theme parks. The Universal Orlando Resort has a few hotels of their own, which put you right next door to both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

There are many hotels in the vicinity of SeaWorld, Discovery Cove and Aquatica by SeaWorld as well. Staying close by means less time traveling to and from your favorite Orlando theme parks.

Orlando Vacation Time Saver – Know What You Want To Do
To avoid wasting time once you get to the Orlando theme park of your choice, figure out what you want to do beforehand. Make a list of the must-sees, and organize your day around that. Nothing wastes more valuable Orlando theme park time than standing around trying to figure out where to go next. A little planning and decision making will go a very long way to saving your Orlando vacation time!

Never Too Early to Start Thinking About the Holiday Season

It is never too early to start thinking about the holiday season in Orlando, especially when it comes to Walt Disney World. Walt Disney World offers tons of options for families to celebrate the holiday season, starting as early as November! All of the main Disney parks, surrounding resorts, and shopping areas are getting into the holiday spirit and you are invited to join in on all of the fun.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, kicks off all of the fun on November 10th. Running until December 19th, on select nights only, you can join in by celebrating the joys of Christmas with all of your favorite Disney characters. Mickey and all of his friends will be throughout the park celebrating the holiday season in their most festive attire. There will be great stage shows, a Holiday Wishes firework display, special activities, Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, and, don’t forget, all of the great Magic Kingdom attractions. Admission to this event requires a separate ticket from the Magic Kingdom admission.

At Epcot, celebrate the Holidays Around the World! Recognizing all of the fantastic cultures, customs, food, and traditions of countries around the world, you can expand your horizons and learn about all of the great celebrations of the holiday season. There is also a nightly candlelight processional at the American Gardens Theatre, where guests can listen to the retelling of the Christmas Story by a celebrity narrator, 50 piece orchestra, and mass choir. To top off the night walk through the Lights of Winter and watch a holiday themed rendition of IllumiNations: Reflection of Earth. Holidays Around the World will run from November 28th to December 30th.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios celebrates the holiday spirit with the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Walk through the downtown area of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and be amazed by all of the lights, color, and fun! Millions of twinkling lights synchronized to holiday music are sure to get you in the holiday spirit! Running from November 28th to January 4th, you will not want to miss it!

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, dance to the jungle and seasonal beat with Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade. Mixing the spirit of the season with the adventure of Animal Kingdom, you are sure to be entertained. Make sure to stop by Camp Minnie-Mickey and the Oasis to meet all of your favorite characters dressed up in their holiday best! Also, make sure to stop by Santa Goofy’s Wild Wonderland!

Not only in the parks can you find all of the excitement of the holidays, but at Downtown Disney and throughout the Disney Resorts as well! At Downtown Disney celebrate the Festival of the Season with great shopping, live entertainment, and even visits from Santa, himself! Make sure to get your picture taken with jolly old Santa for a keep-sake you will always remember! There are tons of great light and holiday displays throughout the entire Disney property, so make sure to check out all of the resorts, shopping areas, and more.

There really is SNOW better place to celebrate the holidays, than at Walt Disney World!

Valentines Day at Sea World Orlando

Located in between the Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World Resorts is another theme park that is unlike any other in Central Florida Sea World Orlando. This theme park resort offers guests a different experience than either of its competitors, as it gives them a look at sea creatures and land-based animals living in their natural habitats, and combines that with rides, shows and other attractions suitable for the entire family. So, if you are looking to spend your Valentine’s Day with hundreds of loveable animals, Sea World just may be the place for you!

If Sea World Orlando is among your top destination options for Valentine’s Day with your loved one, then DWTickets.com may help you push it to the top of your list. DWTickets.com has exclusive discounted offers on tickets to Sea World that you can’t get anywhere else! These deals are unbelievable and unbeatable, so be sure to purchase them now by clicking here!

No Valentine’s Day would be complete without a good meal, and Sea World Orlando has tons of options to choose from. The Sharks Underwater Grill will not only give your taste buds something to remember, but it will also entice your sights at this one-of-a-kind restaurant. SeaWorld’s chefs serve up world-class entrees, from blackened sea scallops, filet mignon, pan-seared snapper and more, and while the food here is unforgettable, what you are sure to remember is the more than 50 sharks that are swimming just inches away from you at this unique underwater dining establishment.

SeaWorld may have the only restaurant where you can dine with sharks underwater, but they also have another dining option that is unique to only SeaWorld Orlando. At SeaWorld Orlando’s Backstage at Believe… Dine with Shamu, you can enjoy a delicious buffet meal backstage at the new Shamu show, Believe. Meet killer whale trainers and see Shamu from a completely different vantage point as a VIP guest for the price of $37 for adults 10 and up and $19 for children ages 3-9.

Or, if you are looking for a dinner and show all in one, we would like to suggest the Makahiki Luau. As the sun sets over the harbor, the Seafire Inn (located at The Waterfont district in Sea World) celebrates this authentic Polynesian festival that is filled with the exotic sights, sounds and tastes of the Pacific Isles. Pacific Island dancers fill the evening with live music, colorful wardrobes, traditional dance and delicious island cuisine that can only be found at Sea World Orlando. While this show requires an additional ticket, you can also find these tickets at a discounted rate courtesy of DWTickets.com. Click here to make your reservations today!

Of course, Sea World Orlando is not only a place to enjoy a feast – they also have some of the best shows and attractions in all of Central Florida. You and your significant other can enjoy a ride on one of the best roller coasters in America, Kraken, see Shamu the killer whale in Believe, or tickle your funny bone at Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island. Whatever you choose to do on Valentine’s Day this year, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Sea World Orlando!

New Years Eve Around Town

The year is rapidly coming to a close, and the time has come to make that final decision: what are you doing for New Years? DWTickets.com is here to help! First, we will give you all of the latest details on what is going on this December 31. Once you decide which event you want to attend, DWTickets.com steps up with the best discounts on cheap theme park tickets around.

Virtually all of the Orlando theme parks are open late during the holidays, and that means past midnight on New Year’s Eve. That also means some special celebrations for those year-end park guests.

New Year’s Eve at SeaWorld will feature pop, Latin and swing music throughout the park along with dancing tunes provided by Michael Andrews and his 18-piece Atomic Big Band. All of the park’s rides and attractions are staying open until midnight, when a fabulous fireworks show will escort in the new year.

Shamu’s cousins over at Busch Gardens Africa in Tampa will be hosting the “Ultimate New Year’s Eve Celebration” and keeping the rides open until 1 a.m. There will also be music and dancing featuring Rhythm Nation on the Gwazi Park stage. Over in the Desert Grill, guests can see Theatricks, with special guest Sideswipe (previously seen on America’s Got Talent!). To close out the old year and bring in the new, Busch Gardens will fill the sky with fireworks from December 26-30.

Back in Orlando, the excitement at Islands of Adventure continues late into the night. Park guests will be able to bring in the new year at midnight and then hang out and ride until 1 a.m. Universal Studios is also staying open until 1 a.m., and they are playing host to the special VIP Capital One Bowl Pre-Game party. Some lucky Universal Studios guests may even be treated to a sneak peak at the new Disasters! Ride that is due to open this month. Disasters! is replacing the Earthquake ride.

Also at the Universal Orlando Resort, the Blue Man Group will have special New Year’s Eve performances that include a champagne toast and “Auld Lang Syne” in the unique Blue-Man-Group style.

So if you don’t want to hit a bar or a gigantic crowd this New Year’s Eve, consider SeaWorld or Universal for your year-end celebration. Whatever you decide, DWTickets.com has the theme park tickets you need at the best prices in town.

Post-Christmas Partying at Sea World Orlando

The holiday hustle and bustle is in full bloom all over Orlando, and the big day is barely a week away. If you will be in Orlando for the holidays, you will see first hand that the week of Christmas is one of the busiest times of the year at the theme parks. The crowds are some of the biggest, but so are the exciting events. In fact, some of the parks have special post-holiday happenings that can only be experienced during this last week of the year. One thing you can experience all year round, though, is the great prices on theme park tickets you will find right here at DWTickets.com.com! SeaWorld Adventure Park Orlando has more than one special post-holiday planned this year, and they are sure to delight all of the park guests.

Sea World has some great holiday events including Shamu Christmas…Miracles and the Polar Express Experience that have been in action all month. But the day after Christmas brings a new nighttime finale to SeaWorld’s center lagoon. Mystify is like no other show. It presents the audience with the amazing vision of marine creatures swimming across 60-foot mist screens over the lake, fire dancing on the water and a fabulous fireworks display to end the night. The spectacular new show will be closing the park nightly from December 26-30.

Also appearing for a short time is Breakfast with Elmo and Friends. Park guests can start the day with a delightful breakfast buffet and enjoy spending time with Elmo, Big Bird, Grover, Zoe, Ernie and the Cookie Monster. Park admission and reservations are both required for the breakfast, which has two seatings each morning at 8:30 and 10:30 from December 26-31.

Also still open to guests through January 1 is the Makahiki Christmas Luau, where guests can enjoy the “ancient holiday traditions of the Pacific Islands.” This event also requires reservations, but park admission is not necessary.
When park admission is needed, DWTickets.com.com is the place to go for cheap theme park tickets whether you are visiting SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or any of the Orlando area attractions. At Christmas and in the coming New Year, DWTickets.com.com is your number one source for discount SeaWorld tickets. We are also your best resource for Orlando theme park news and information, so visit us often for all of your Orlando vacation needs

Cypress Gardens Celebrates it Old Style

The holiday season is in full bloom all over Orlando, and for many – even vacationers – that means rushing, stressing, traffic, stressing, shopping, stressing, and well…just stressing. If you need a break from the seasonal stress, DWTickets.com is the place for you. We have the best deals on tickets to all of your favorite Orlando theme parks all in one place, and you can get them with an easy click or phone call. We love making your holidays easier by doing all the work for you. One stop here and your theme park ticket shopping is done!

The folks over at Cypress Gardens want to de-stress your Christmas too, so this year they invite you to an “Old Fashioned Christmas.” From now through December 30, Cypress Gardens guests can leave that “holiday hustle” behind and “hearken back” to the days of yesteryear. The park is dressed to the nines and is set to bring back the good old days with an 80’ Christmas tree. The decorations include millions of lights twinkling throughout the park as well as some of the original displays used way back in 1936 when Cypress Gardens became Florida’s original theme park.

The peaceful garden holiday atmosphere is enhanced by strolling carolers and musicians that serve guests a heaping helping of Christmas cheer. And when the entertainment isn’t meandering through the winding paths, you can enjoy the festivities at a number of seasonal shows. “Jingle Fest” combines Christmas characters, caroling, dancing and food. You know that is definitely a must see.

A featured show at Cypress Gardens, “The Living Nativity” presents a wondrous, live musical account of the miracle of Christmas. If you want a romantic seasonal story, then the warmth of “A Holiday Homecoming” should be on your to do list. Bringing the Garden’s ice rink to life, “An Old Fashioned Christmas On Ice” features spectacular twists, turns and amazing grace…all on the ice set to a remarkable holiday soundtrack.

Jubilee Junction is home to many holiday treats and also features Dr. Christmas, the resident storyteller. The “Kringles” display takes guests young and old on the journey of “Santa Through History.” Then to top it all off, visit the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus.

So celebrate Christmas this year “as it SHOULD be” at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park. While you’re at it, get your tickets at the prices you should pay only at DWTickets.com!