Here’s a video highlighting the holiday events:
Florida Theme Parks & Attractions
VIDEO: LEGOLAND Florida’s First Christmas Tree Lighting
To celebrate their first Christmas in Florida, LEGOLAND built a 30-foot Christmas tree entirely out of LEGO bricks – 270,000 of them to be exact. The details are so fun, with LEGO paper-chains on the tree and even little elves helping trim the tree in the back. David Oliver, the world’s current American record-holder in 110m hurdles and 2012 Olympic Track & Field favorite was on hand to light the lights and you can see him hurdle on to the scene in the video below, along with general manager Adrian Jones and of course, Santa! Check it out:
VIDEO: SeaWorld Orlando’s Spectacular Sea of Trees
SeaWorld Orlando recently invited my family out to experience their holiday happenings. I was completely blown away and impressed by what SeaWorld had to offer. I thought maybe the Shamu show would have a Christmas theme to it, but SeaWorld was completely transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, music, special shows and more. As you walk toward the Waterfront area lighted arches show the way and trees drip with twinkling icicles. Live bands perform in various areas around the park, even special holiday meals options are served.
I’ll post more about the wonderful shows offered during this season, including “O Wondrous Night: The Greatest Story Never Told” which was just beautiful, with a surprise ending that brought the audience to its feet in applause. But for now, I’d like to share the awe-inspiring Sea of Trees show. Expanded this year to include 100 massive trees, each sparkling, lighted and choreographed to classic holiday tunes, making a dramatic display around SeaWorld’s center lake. It is just breathtaking! Well, I’ll just show you:
SeaWorld’s Sea of Trees – How’s It Made?
I’m so excited to see this in person tomorrow night, I had no idea Sea World had this amazing holiday experience. Check out the video below:
Universal Orlando Resort’s Holiday Events and Entertainment Start Saturday
While many people visit Orlando during the holidays and attend special events and ticketed events, Universal Orlando Resort offers some wonderful holiday happenings, which are included in the price of park admission. The Holiday events start this Saturday, December 3 and runs through January 1. Here are all the details below:
Universal Orlando Resort is the only place you can come face-to-face with The Grinch and the Whos from Whoville, watch a cheerful holiday parade filled with big, colorful Macy’s balloons and sing along to the classic sounds of the season as you stroll through a holiday-trimmed theme park with your loved ones.
The Holidays fanfare runs from December 3, 2011 through January 1, 2012, offering guests incredible entertainment themed for the season at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
At Islands of Adventure, adults and children alike will be entertained when the popular Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is brought to life in Grinchmas. Guests can see the heartwarming live stage show, “Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular,” starring The Grinch and the Whos from Whoville with an original recorded musical score by Mannheim Steamroller. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet The Grinch and the Whos, and on select dates, purchase a spot at a special character breakfast with the mean, green one himself.
At Universal Studios, the Macy’s Holiday Parade will celebrate its 10th Anniversary of partnership with Universal Orlando by filling the streets every evening with some of the same iconic elements seen winding through New York City each year at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The beloved event features colorful holiday characters, fantasy-filled floats – including one specially-designed to commemorate the 10- year milestone – a tree-lighting ceremony by Santa Claus and dozens of larger-than-life balloons. The Macy’s Holiday Parade also welcomes select park guests to participate in the procession as real balloon-handlers guiding the helium giants, a truly unique and exclusive experience to Universal Orlando.
Returning this year with more concerts than ever before is Mannheim Steamroller – the masters of Christmas music with more than 40 million albums sold worldwide. The acclaimed musical group will take to the Music Plaza stage in Universal Studios six times this year to play their memorable holiday hits for guests, performing on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18.
Also at Universal Studios, guests can enjoy special holiday-themed versions of their favorite shows, and nightly a capella holiday music in the nearby Holiday Village, which is filled with hand-blown glass ornaments, caramel apples, hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and a cupcake decorating location.
The celebration continues at Universal Orlando’s three on-site hotels – Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Loews Royal Pacific Resort – all of which will glisten with holiday decorations. Hotel guests will be immersed in the spirit of the season with tree-lighting ceremonies, special musical performances, holiday pool-side “dive-in” movie presentations and holiday buffets and dining events. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel kicks off the season on Friday, November 25 with ‘Holiday Harbor Nights’, a wine tasting, food and jazz celebration on the piazza, along with a tree lighting ceremony. Hard Rock Hotel welcomes Santa to The Kitchen restaurant on Fridays in December and Loews Royal Pacific Resort rings in the new year with a family-friendly dinner and celebration.
All holiday entertainment – including the Mannheim Steamroller concerts – is included as part of any annual pass, two-park or multi-day admission to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. There’s never been a better time to start a new family tradition at Universal Orlando’s Holidays event, as guests can take advantage of special Florida resident offers.
For more information on Universal Orlando’s holiday celebration and Florida resident offers, guests can visit www.UniversalOrlando.com/holidays.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents DRAGONS-Ticket Giveaway!
Special ticket offer to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Presents DRAGONSSM
And a chance to win four free tickets!
Looking for a holiday gift that is sure to thrill? Ready for something BIG to arrive this January? Don’t miss DRAGONS, a once in a millennium event that honors The Year of the Dragon. Circus performers from the farthest reaches of the earth have assembled for Ringling Bros. Presents Dragons to showcase their astounding acts of bravery and astonishing athleticism. Ringling Bros. Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson presides over this fantastical celebratory tournament of circus champions that brings together mystic dragon lore with authentic circus feats. DRAGONS is a never-before-seen blend of renowned spiritual and real life legends that can be found only at The Greatest Show On Earth! ®. Playing the Amway Center Jan. 12-16.
Get tickets for just $12 (plus facility and handling fees) by using promo code MOMMY at checkout on ticketmaster.com. This offer is available for all tickets except Circus Celebrity, Front Row and VIP. The offer is valid for the following performances: Friday at 7:30 pm; Saturday at 11:30 am and 7:30 pm; Sunday at 5 pm; and Monday (MLK Day) at 5 pm.
For those looking for something really special, try the VIP Family Four Pack, which includes 4 VIP tickets, 4 small Lemonades, 4 small Popcorn Boxes, and 4 jumbo Lollipops. The package is $170 and is a savings of over $50! To get this package use promo code FAMDEAL at checkout.
For more information on the show, visit www.Ringling.com. We’ll see you at the show!
Here’s your chance to win four ticket vouchers good for any performance of DRAGONS:
Comment below with your favorite part of a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance. I know I have such fond memories of seeing Gunther Gabel Williams and his tigers at my first visit many years ago! Contest runs from now until December 15, 2011. Winner chosen at random and announced December 16 and will need to contact me with your mailing address to receive the vouchers for any Orlando performance.
For additional entries, LIKE my facebook page facebook.com/zannaland or tweet about the contest, feel free to copy and paste the text below to tweet:
” I just entered to win 4 tix to the Greatest Show On Earth in Orlando @zannaland and you can too! bit.ly/txAiE0 “
Congrats to our winner Becky Browne Allen!
Good luck and On with the Show!
In exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.
LEGOLAND Florida Water Park and New Premium Pass Announced
LEGOLAND® FLORIDA – JUST ADD WATER!
Central Florida’s Newest Theme Park Announces Water Park Details and Unveils All-New Premium Annual Pass
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (November, 28, 2011) – Just six weeks after its official grand opening, LEGOLAND Florida today released details of its first expansion – LEGOLAND Water Park. Scheduled to open in time for summer 2012, the water park will feature a wave pool, Build-A-Raft lazy river, tube slides, body slides and an interactive water-play structure – DUPLO® Safari.
“We’re very excited to share plans for this amazing new attraction,” said LEGOLAND Florida General Manager Adrian Jones. “True to our mission, the water park attraction has been designed for families with children ages 2 to 12 and will add hours of water play to an already full day and move LEGOLAND Florida into a multi-day experience for vacationers. The additional also adds another great value proposition for our Annual Pass members.”
Admission to the water park attraction is included with an all-new LEGOLAND Premium Pass, which offers 12 months admission to LEGOLAND Florida and seasonal access to the LEGOLAND Water Park. Single-day LEGOLAND Florida guests may upgrade to a water park attraction ticket for an additional $12 per person (children under 3 are $3). The Premium Pass is now available for purchase at www.LEGOLAND.com or select AAA Auto Club Group branches.
Key areas of LEGOLAND Water Park attraction include:
· LEGO Wave Pool – Families can catch a gentle wave or simply cool off in this perfectly sized wave pool where the waves are just big enough for all ages to enjoy
· Twin Chasers – Friends ride tubes 375 feet down an intertwining pair of enclosed water slides before plunging into a refreshing pool below
· Splash Out – The thrill seekers of the family can ascend to the tallest point of the water park attraction and choose from one of three unique slides, then speed down a 60-foot drop and “splash out” into the water below
· Joker Soaker – A fun, interactive playground with various lengths, heights and types of slides that offer something different for every member of the family. Guests can wade in the surrounding pool and be surprised with a torrential spill from a 300-gallon bucket
· Build-A-Raft River – Families can imagine, design and build a unique LEGO vessel and set afloat on a maiden voyage around the 1000-foot-long lazy river, set amongst playful LEGO Friends, flowering vegetation and palm trees
· DUPLO® Splash Safari – Toddlers will rule at this water play area with shorter slides and interactive, larger-than-life DUPLO creatures
“This newest attraction is just one of many ways we will continue to evolve LEGOLAND Florida over the next several years,” said Jones. “Creating a multi-visit proposition for families adds another dimension to the LEGOLAND Florida offering. Adding the water park attraction will fulfill this criteria as well as offering a unique attraction in Central Florida. ”
**Important: Please check operating schedule at www.LEGOLAND.com for park days and hours.
First SNOW and Tree-lighting in Celebration Florida This Saturday!
This will be our first Christmas as Celebration residents and I couldn’t be more excited. Last year, as we visited friends, the holidays were what convinced us to make this move happen and set things in motion. Now, a year later, we’re here and it’s all real. Continuing the Thanksgiving gratitude for a moment, I couldn’t be more thankful.
Last year, crowded as it was on the first night, seeing the horse-drawn carriages, hearing the bells from the church as we walked with our friends downtown, it was truly magical. I’m so happy we’ll be experiencing it in a different way this year, heading back to our home a mile from downtown at the end of the night. I thought maybe some out-of-town visitors or locals would like to have info on tonight’s festivities, so here’s the schedule from CelebrationTownCenter.com:
Help Kick off Now Snowing with the first snowfall of the season, a special arrival by the big man himself-Santa Claus, strolling Carolers, and a whole lot more.
Here is the run-down for the nightly snowfall activities:
Snowfall and Events EVERY Night through December 31st (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) Nightly Snowfall 6, 7, 8 and 9 PM November 24th through December 31st, 2012.
Join Celebration Town Center as they kick off 14th Annual Now Snowing event with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 34th from 5:30-9 PM. This special tree lighting event will feature live music, a special entrance by Santa Claus himself, and family fun for everyone.
Now Snowing, Central Florida’s original and premier “Snowing” event, offers an all new ice rink and a schedule filled with surprises. Now Snowing is a month long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, photos with Santa, horse drawn carriage rides: Wagon Rides- $5.00 per person Horse and Carriage Rides- $25 for the first 2 passengers, $10 each additional, the Celebration Express train, and nightly snowfall at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 PM.
The ice rink will be open daily from 4:00-10:00 PM through January 2nd – If you are a resident, make sure to ask about Resident Skate Passes or multiple-day skate passes for guests. Endless Ice-Ice Skating Rink $10.00 for a 1/2 hour minimum skate (skate rental included) 4:00-10:00 p.m. daily
In addition to the everyday fun at Now Snowing Nightly, join us for the Orlando Sentinel Celebration of Voices on December 1st and you can catch a special Radio Disney Holiday concert and filled with surprise performances on December 8th.
Experience Cold and Snow in Florida at Gaylord Palms ICE-Shrek the Halls!
As you enter the Gaylord Palms convention center, you are greeted by the “Holiday Halls” where ICE!, Snow, Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating, and the DreamWorks Experience are held. In addition to the free elements of the Gaylord Palms holidays, the special ticketed events include ICE! with over 16,000 square feet of 9-degree weather – quite the contrast to the 80 degree temperatures we are experiencing.
This year, ICE! is Shrek-themed with perfect representations of your favorite characters including Shrek, Fiona, Puss in Boots, Donkey and more. It is amazing how much the huge blocks of colored ice look like their animated counterparts. Also within the experience are the slides made entirely of ice, which my big kids (and my friend and I) loved sliding down! It’s such a fun way to experience winter in central Florida!
Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW is another play area with a separate admission. Inside there are more slides and playground equipment and 130 tons of freshly made snow. No parkas are needed in here, it’s around 50 degrees, but snowball fights abound as you play in a courtyard themed to the Valley of Peace from Kung Fu Panda. The whole family loved making snowballs and playing in the snow – without the shoveling and scraping ice off your cars!
New this year is Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating. This area was not open last night but will be now. There guests can purchase and decorated gingerbread houses, cookies or a tree ornament cookie and meet with Gingy himself!
The DreamWorks Animation 3D Theater Experience is also now open, where guests can walk the red carpet with Puss in Boots and enjoy gourmet theater food and beverages with Shrek and Princess Fiona before enjoying Puss In Boots on the big screen, in 3D!
Ticket prices vary by date and you can also look into a one or two-night DreamWorks Experience package to stay at the Gaylord Palms and get some amazing amenities, including interactive Character Meals, Meet & Greets and more. Check out pricing and more info at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com Be sure to check in on foursquare for a special treat too – free hot chocolate! Those on twitter can follow the action using the #GPICE hashtag and you can upload your photos to the group flickr account too. Speaking of flickr, for more photos from me check out my Gaylord Palms ICE set on flickr. As you can see below, photographers are on hand to capture your family’s experiences and allow you to bring home memories to last a lifetime.
Some of the free events within the hotel include Luminescence, a musical journey into the spirit of Christmas, Christmas Wonders and Majestic Christmas Tree Lighting and Visits with Santa. I can’t wait to bring the family back again and check out all of these beautiful events in person.
This Saturday, 11/19, Gaylord Palms is teaming up with the amazing local kids charity Give Kids the World, for 50% off admission to ICE! Be sure to use promo code: SEGKW when purchasing tickets!
Have a Brick-tacular Holiday with LEGOLAND Florida’s First Christmas
The Beginning is home to a truly spectacular, Bricktacular sight – a more than 30-foot-tall LEGO Christmas tree made with a combination of 270,000 forest green LEGO and DUPLO® bricks. The park’s first-ever tree lighting ceremony takes place on Dec. 5 with a special master of ceremonies. Through Dec. 31, a special family will be chosen to help light the Bricktacular tree each night. I can’t wait to see this in person!
Santa Claus even makes special daily appearances in the historical botanical gardens making a picture perfect spot to capture family memories sure to be treasured for years to come.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 let’s kids rock out and watch the sky explode with LEGO fireworks at just the right time for them, midnight KST (Kid Standard Time) – otherwise known as 7 p.m. EST.
Holiday events are included in park admission. Tickets and Annual Passes for LEGOLAND Florida are available at www.LEGOLAND.com