Disney

Theme parks dress up for holidays

By Peter Couture, Times Staff Writer
Published November 25, 2007

There's no mistaking that the holidays have arrived at Walt Disney World. One need only look at Cinderella Castle for proof.

The Magic Kingdom landmark has been decorated with 200,000 white lights for what the park is calling an "elegant, wintry effect."

Sorry, Disney. It's a giant Christmas ornament.

But what better way to decorate for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?

The annual bash began this month and continues on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays through Dec. 21. The party begins at 7 p.m. after regular park hours and features the castle's lighting, fireworks orchestrated to holiday tunes and "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade." Disney forecasts a "100 percent chance of snow flurries on Main Street" each night.

Admission requires a separate ticket, $47.95 plus tax for ages 10 and older and $40.95 plus tax for ages 3 to 9. Buy in advance, and you can save $7 per ticket on some dates. For availability, call (407) 934-7639 or visit www.disneyworld.com/holidays.

Here are a few of the celebrations at the other Orlando area parks:

Epcot

One of the best things about Epcot's Holiday Around the World is that no extra ticket is required beyond the regular admission ($71 for adults, $60 for kids). As in past years, each country in the World Showcase features its holiday traditions through Dec.30. Other highlights include Mickey's Tree Lighting Treat and the nightly Candlelight Processional, which features a mass choir, orchestra and celebrity narrators. Mouse Trap's scheduled favorite: Neil Patrick Harris of the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother. The event is at the America Gardens.

Disney-MGM Studios

It wouldn't be the holidays at what soon will be known as Disney's Hollywood Studios without the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the back lot. The lights - and the faux snow - run through Jan.6. An extra treat this year that Mouse Trap recommends: the world-renowned Harlem Gospel Choir, which performs three nightly shows from Nov.30 to Dec.25 at the park's Theater of the Stars. There is also a daily "Hollywood Holly-Day Parade." The holiday treats are included in the regular admission of $71 for adults, $60 for kids.

Universal Studios

Couldn't make it to New York City for Thanksgiving? Head to Universal. All the parks have parades, but only Universal has the Macy's Holiday Parade, which features balloons and floats. The parade begins next month (and is included with park admission of $71 for ages 10 and older, $60 for ages 3 to 9).

Islands of Adventure

The park that many of us associate with thrill rides gets into the holiday spirit in Seuss Landing with "Grinchmas," which features a new, live musical retelling of How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Plus, you can meet the Grinch himself. It's all included in park admission of $71 for ages 10 and older, $60 for ages 3 to 9.

Sea World Orlando

The annual "Christmas at Sea World" celebration includes decorations, carolers and shows. It runs through Dec.25 and is included in park admission ($64.95 for adults; $53.95 for kids).

Gaylord Palms resort

It's not exactly a theme park, but the ICE! extravaganza atGaylord Palmsin Kissimmee has certainly become an attraction. In the resort's vast convention center are 2-million pounds of ice carvings, an ice slide and a chilly life-sized nativity scene. It's all kept at a cool 9 degrees, but parkas are provided for guests. The event runs until Jan.3 and is $9.99-$24.99, depending on day and ticket package. Parking is $7. Call (407) 586-4423 or go to www.gaylordpalms.com/ice.

Stocking stuffers

When it comes to Disney guidebooks, it's not a small world.

There's no end to how many are published. And since Mouse Trap loves guidebooks, here are two we recommend, especially for newbie parents and your relatives up North. The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World With Kids (Wiley, 448 pages; $16.99) is the companion to the much bigger Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. We recommend the kids version; it's shorter and we like its lists and rankings.

Speaking of authors with a sense of humor, St. Petersburg Times food critic Laura Reiley has written Walt Disney World and Orlando (Avalon Travel, 225 pages; $17.95). The book is part of the Moon Handbooks series and packs a lot of information - extending to the Tampa Bay area and the Space Coast - in a small book suitable for backpack or purse. Mouse Trap likes this guide, and not just because Reiley has the same taste in thrill rides as we do. Her funny account of braving a time-share sales pitch in order to get half-price Disney tickets is worth a read all by itself.

Pete Couture can be reached at pcouture@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 23, 2007, 14:36:09]