Non-Theme Park Christmas Events

[GEM]

Does anyone have any info on other Christmas events outside the major theme parks? DS 8 is a total holiday junkie....LOVES lights, decorations, any kind of Christmas event. I know all about everything going on at the Disney parks, resorts, Downtown Disney, etc. And we will also be doing Islands of Adventure for Grinchmas and Ice/Snow at Gaylord Palms. We're spending two weeks in the area, so I'm looking for some other fun Christmassy things to do. Any smaller, cheaper, lesser-known Christmas fun outside of the Disney park and resorts and the other major parks? I know that Celebration used to have a lot going on that time of year. We will have a car and don't mind driving out of the immediate area for some fun if anybody knows of anythng cool a little further away. He honestly seems to love smaller activities...tree lightings, cookie decorating, looking at decorations, just as much as the parks.

 

[iloveftwilderness]

Go to the Fort Wilderness Resort

 

[mikkiwikki]

Go to the Fort Wilderness Resort

We did this one year...rented a golf cart and just drove around and looked at all the decorated campsites. people get really into it.

 

[GEM]

Thank so much for the suggestion. I should have mentioned that we are already planning on doing a Fort Wilderness tour. We definitely know all about all the offerings at the Disney parks and resorts. We've been there many times in December. Looking more for stuff beyond Disney...other stuff in the community, etc. Thanks again for the suggestion, though. You're right, that does make for a fun night!

 

[deegack]

Hop on the monorail and tour the resorts. I think but can't swear that the Floridian has a big gingerbread house.

 

[GEM]

Thanks so much! Really looking for non-Disney things though.....off Disney property. We know about all that Disney has to offer. Just wondering what else might be available in the area.

 

[mikkiwikki]

We are going to be offsite as well and around the same time ...
I found this visit Orlando site that has some fun offsite things it looks like

I found these concerts that look nice

http://orlando.about.com/od/orlandocalendar/qt/Orlando-Holiday-Music-And-Concerts.htm

Some plays
http://orlando.about.com/od/orlandocalendar/qt/Holiday-Shows-And-Performances-In-Orlando.htm

 

[Detailor]

Thanks so much! Really looking for non-Disney things though.....off Disney property. We know about all that Disney has to offer. Just wondering what else might be available in the area.

How about an evening in the town of Celebration? It "snow" soap flakes/bubbles there at 6, 7, 8 and 9 pm, there are strolling carolers most evenings, Santa is there, horse drawn carriage rides and there's a skating rink. And, of course, the shops and restaurants.

Dick Taylor

 

[cheerky]

What about ICE at Gaylord Palms?

 

[Detailor]

We were in St. Petersburg a few years ago at the beginning of December (I think it was the last few days of November into the first couple of days, on a weekend, of December) and they had a huge Christmas fair located in the city park that was near our hotel (the Renaissance Vinoy) near the Bay. We saw a Christmas parade in that area on the Saturday morning and later made our way over to Tampa and saw another Christmas parade in Tampa's Cuban section (Ybor City). For us it was all rather unexpected and fun but I don't know if there are similar celebrations on other weekends leading up to the holiday.

I've always thought that a visit to Christmas, Florida, which is twenty or thirty miles east of Orlando/Kissimmee, should be interesting at Christmas time. But since the town is named after a fort (Fort Christmas) I'm not sure how much they play up the Christmas theme there. I suppose it would be worth researching though.

Dick Taylor

 

[atlantis2011]

How about an evening in the town of Celebration? It "snow" soap flakes/bubbles there at 6, 7, 8 and 9 pm, there are strolling carolers most evenings, Santa is there, horse drawn carriage rides and there's a skating rink. And, of course, the shops and restaurants.

Dick Taylor

This is a great visit