Holiday helper: A guide to theme parks for rest of 2024
Sure, your Halloween decorations haven’t started collecting cobwebs yet. But now we are all in for the November-December holiday season at Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions.
We’ve compiled a list of seasonal activities — arranged by start date — and thrown in a few not-so-holiday occasions for your planning purposes.
This list probably will grow once the sugar rush of Oct. 31 passes. So consider this a sampler, and stay tuned. (We didn’t try to wrangle New Year’s Eve events yet. They’re so 2025.)
• Nov. 2: Aquatica water park’s Beach Nights promotion features holiday movies on Saturday evenings through Dec. 21. (Included with regular admission.)
• Nov. 2: Jungle Cruise shifts into holiday mode and becomes Jingle Cruise at Magic Kingdom.
• Nov. 4: Blizzard Beach water park reopens at Walt Disney World. (Typhoon Lagoon closes Nov. 3.)
• Nov. 8: SeaWorld Orlando’s Coasters After Dark – Christmas Edition, an after-hours, extra-ticket event, will happen six select nights through Dec. 13. Participants will have access to seven thrill rides amid holiday lighting.
• Nov. 8: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, an after-hours, extra-ticket event at Magic Kingdom, includes a parade, fireworks, “Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration” stage show, dance parties, many attractions including a handful with holiday overlays, including Space Mountain and Mad Tea Party. (The party is held 25 select nights through Dec. 20)
• Nov. 9: Jollywood Nights is back for a second year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The after-hours, extra-ticket event has added a skating show named “Glisten!” to the lineup as well as returning activities such as a stage show with Kermit and Miss Piggy, “The Nightmare Before Christmas” singalong, “Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam!” projection production and live entertainment. (Jollywood goes 13 nights through Dec. 21)
• Nov. 9: Give Kids the World Holiday Soiree, featuring a plated dinner, auctions, dance party and millions of holiday lights, benefits the Kissimmee-based Give Kids the World Village, which hosts children with critical illnesses and their families.
• Nov. 9: The Orlando location of Fun Spot plays host to Night of Gold, a Christian music event with keynote speaker Ramces, plus access to 25 rides.
• Nov. 12: The Merry Menagerie puppeteers return to the Tree of Life area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Plus, Santa will meet guests at Restaurantosaurus, which is themed for the 75th annual Dino Institute Holiday Party.
• Nov. 15: The “Ice” display returns to Gaylord Palms with a new theme based on the 2003 film “Elf.” (Nightly through Jan. 4)
• Nov. 15: Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, featuring new hand-constructed displays, runs on select nights through Jan. 19 at Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Garden in Sanford.
• Nov. 16: SeaWorld Orlando’s Christmas Celebration includes Sea of Trees display, “O Wondrous Night” stage show, Sesame Street Christmas Parade, end-of-night holiday fireworks and new decor at Journey to Atlantis Plaza. SeaWorld also has events tied to Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. (Event wraps Jan. 5).
• Nov. 19: IAAPA Expo sets up shop for its annual attractions get-together at Orange County Convention Center. Among the new offerings this year are drone shows, first-time exhibitors of food and beverage and a dedicated Halloween area.
• Nov. 22: Universal Orlando celebrates the holidays with Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure and the Holiday Parade featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios (daily through Dec. 31).
• Nov. 29: Holidays at Legoland features a new Christmas tree made of 350,000 Lego bricks, new shows, the Holly Hype Dance Party and seasonal characters, including the new Holiday Elf Ivy. Festivities at the Winter Haven attraction go through Dec. 31.
• Nov.29: Epcot International Festival of the Holidays again features global storytellers, “Joyful! A Celebration of the Season” stage show, holiday kitchens, Living With the Land holiday overlay and Candlelight Processional (First narrator up: Josh Gad). The festival runs through Dec. 30.
Disney: Candlelight Processional readers include Ralph Macchio, Tituss Burgess
• Dec. 3: Historical Holiday Experience at Orange County Regional History Center includes decorating ornaments, caroling, storytelling, cookies, cocoa, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more. It’s a ticketed event held eight days through Dec. 18.
• Dec. 7: Gatorland will host its Holiday Ho, Ho, Ho-Down on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22.
• Dec. 20: Holidays in Space at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex includes “Starflake’s Holiday Voyage” projection mapping show, new Rocket Tree Trail, 6-foot-tall astronaut nutcrackers and more. Holiday festivities are included with regular admission.
• Dec. 25: Orlando World Center Marriott presents nightly drone shows above the resort’s Fall Pool through Dec. 30.
Email me at dbevil@orlandosentinel.com. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.