Any Christmas or holiday activities in Orlando?

[sweet maxine]

I hope my subject line was not too vague.

I'm looking for things to do in the Orlando/Kissimmee area over the Christmas week period. I feel sure that there must be some other things to do in Orlando during that time. By this I mean not going into any of the parks, just some sight-seeing around town.

Does anyone know or have any experience with this? I did call Arabian Nights, and they said there is a Christmas type show, but their menu is the same. I have thought about the Christmas show at Dixie Stampede, but not really sure that's in my budget. I read on this board somewhere that someone said something about the town of Celebration, and that there would be some nice decorations to see there.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[spiceycat]

DD at WDW is very nicely decorated - I am pretty sure most of the places are decorated.

the wdw resorts that you can easily go visit are decorated.

I would stick to non-mk resorts - so you don't pay for parking - unless you want to include a meal, too.

just tell the security guard you are looking for future stays - or want to visit the gift shops.

the best decorated are MK resorts - GF, WL/VWL - but the BW and BC/YC/BCV are also nicely decorated.

PO, CBR and CSR are also nicely decorated.

Until this year I haven't seem the value resort decorated - but soon I will!!!!

 

[tarheelmjfan]

We are wanting to do the same thing. We're planning 10 nights at FW, with only 3 days spent in the parks. Here's what I've found so far. Unfortunately, we don't have enough time to fit it all in.

Celebration has a nightly snow fall on the hour, from 6 to 9pm. The whole town is supposed to be decorated beautifully.

Check out this site. http://www.iridetrolley.com/lights.htm I wish we had time for this.

We are taking a carriage ride at Fort Wilderness to see the camping sites decorated for the holidays. This cost $30 + tip

I know you said that you didn't know if DS is in your budget, but we have seen the regular show, and I can't wait to see the Christmas show. I hope you can somehow work it in. You can get a discount for booking early. There is also websites that offer discount tickets. Do a search for Dixie Stampede discount tickets.

Gaylord Palms Resort has an exhibit called "ICE" which costs $18.14 for adults, and $8.51 for children 12 & under. You are welcome to check out the resort and have a complimentary cup of cocoa after enjoying the exhibit.

If you don't mind the drive, Cypress Gardens is supposed to have special holiday activities. This theme park is nothing like the ones in Orlando.

That's it for now. I'll go through my notes, and if I find anything else, I'll post it.

 

[spiceycat]

I completely forgot about the holiday lights - thanks for the reminder - that is now on the list!!!!

 

[sweet maxine]

Thanks so much for your replies!

Tarheelmjfan, I'm a little jealous of you having all that time at FW! We spent about 10 nights in a cabin there this summer and my family loves that place! I think we may have to swing by there to see things all decorated. I got a really nice deal through the getravel.com site for Silver Lake for $249/week, so I decided to go that route.

I did think about the campgrounds, and maybe going over to the campfire program for s'mores. I can't remember though, if those staying offsite can participate. We've just always stayed onsite, so this will be a first for my family. (We'll probably be going through a little Fort Wilderness withdrawal while we're there. )

Spiceycat, thanks for reminding me about the resorts. I think that would be a nice evening adventure.

I'm just trying to find some things to do that might not involve a lot of standing in lines, etc. I'm going to check out the Dixie Stampede tickets, and also the ICE show. That sounds neat!

We're all so excited to be spending our first Christmas at Disney. Usually, we open our presents, and then just sit around. LOL!!! Our relatives all live so far away, and this will kind of help make Christmas a little more special.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

sweet maxine,
I know they say the campfire is for on-site guests, but I don't see you having a problem doing this. I know the FW transportation wouldn't be an issue, because you don't have to be an on-site guest to go to the HDD. How would they know where you were going? We have never had to show proof that we are staying on WDW property to enjoy the campfire sing-a-long & movie. At least, this is our experience.

 

[spiceycat]

I would volunteer to try it for you - but mother doesn't like campfire...

and she wasn't going - but changed her mind this week - so now I am trying to find things that she would also enjoy.

we are going to be there for two weeks - Nov 20 - Dec 4 - staying at off-site timeshares - plus a couple of days on-site.

 

[sweet maxine]

In June, while we were staying at the cabins, we went to the campfire program about 3 times. My daughter loves the movies, and especially the s'mores, and she's 16! We also did this the summer before while at the cabins, and we've never had to show any ID. I do have a room for Christmas Eve and Christmas at the POR, so I guess we may have to wait until then to go if it's strictly a resort guest only thing. I'll give them a call in the morning and check.

Spiceycat, I took my mom with me this Sept., and she really enjoys everything there. She grew up in a household with very little money, so I guess anything is special to her. I bet your mom would love seeing all the decorations, and maybe even a stroll around DTD. We're definitely going to spend some time there.

I'm getting really excited about this trip, and I really appreciate all of your help! If you have any more ideas, please post!

 

[trola2]

We did the Ice event at the Gaylord palms last year. Afterward I did read mixed reviews but my family who has never seen snow and ice really enjoyed it! The slides were awesome and we stayed in the cold about as long as we could since the kiddos were sick. If I had it to do over, I'd find out if you can come out for a bit and hang onto the parka, get a cup of cocoa and then go back. I'll try to find my notes from last year but the night we went it was virtually empty except for us so that meant no lines on the slides for the kids. I would suggest to take and wear some very warm clothing...pants/shoes/socks becasue although the parkas do a good job, your feet and legs will get cold! My kids would vote to do this again for sure!

We've never been to Dixie stampede, but that is supposed to be good, too. If you are driving, stop at the rest areas before you get to the turnpike. Pick up those attractions coupon books...there are usually some discounts in those, too.

Happy planning
~~Beth

 

[sweet maxine]

Good morning!

Trola2, thanks for your review of the ICE show at the Gaylord. It really sounds like something we might be interested in.

Spiceycat, that's about what we'll be doing, except we've only got one week booked in the timeshare (Silver Lake), and then 2 nights onsite (AP discount). I'm finally figuring out how to stretch my Disney budget for a trip. Mom and I stayed at CPGV in September for $249 a week, and we loved that place! The timeshare option really does make for an enjoyable trip, budgetwise and spacewise.

 

[spiceycat]

if you can ever get Hilton Grand Vacation Club on Skyauction - it does come up occassionally - then boy will you be spoiled.

HGVC and the Marriott (II - not RCI ) - are as good as DVC - so they will definitely make you a timeshare believer.

You can rent DVC points here - DVC rental/trade forum on this site. OKW studio can be anywhere from $80 per night to $220 per night - depending upon who you are renting from and when you are going. Everything else costs more.

So I do the timeshares (use my SA to trade) and then also use my DVC points - but a little at a time.....makes them last much longer.

then DVC becomes a treat again instead of what is expected.