SPOTLIGHT IN FOCUS
Have fun in the snow and enjoy all things holiday throughout in Central Florida. BY CHERI HENDERSON
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SUBTROPICAL TEMPERATURES CAN PUT A DAMPER on any Floridian’s holiday spirits, a problem often for snow tubing and resolved by an out-of-state getaway. But what if a snowball toss. New this year is a you could experience the wonders of winter within a Broadway-style proshort drive? Good news: You can. CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD PALMS Celebrate the season in hands-on, high-flying style with a host of holiday happenings for the whole family. Through Jan. 2, guests can enjoy interactive adventures, shows, music, winter play, visits with Santa and more at Kissimmee’s Gaylord Palms Resort. At the center of the festivities is “Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf,” in which guests partner with Buddy the Elf in interactive challenges to save Christmas. If you have enough brainpower remaining, put it to use in the Naughty or Nice Escape Room or in one of two scavenger hunts. Take a break by decorating gingerbread cookies or walking along the Christmas tree trail. Or join Mrs. Claus for milk, cookies and a story, and don’t miss a photo op with Santa. Cross some Christmas shopping off your list at the Build-A-Bear Workshop, and then don your winter apparel in preparation
duction of “Cirque: The Spirit of Christmas” filled with acrobatics and gravity-defying stunts. Visit the atrium for a light show set to music, or take the kids to the fun, interactive show “Adventure Kids: Wonders of Winter.” You can celebrate the Three Kings Festival with “The Journey of Los Tres Magos,” the story of the three kings who visited Jesus or take in a multicultural musical rendition of “The Greatest Story” about the life of Jesus Christ. Tickets for “Mission: Save Christmas” are $16.99 plus tax for kids 4 to 11 and $29.99 plus tax for guests 12 and older. Tickets are available for various groups of experiences, or guests can include experience bundles with an overnight stay. christmasatgaylordpalms.com
snow flurries, sleigh rides on the Wekiva River, a Christmas tree forest and more. The fun continues through Christmas Day. In its sixth year, the event features daily sights and activities. A 20-foot-tall Christmas tree takes center stage in the lighted forest. Family-friendly highlights include snow flurries daily from 3 to 9 p.m., holiday movies on the lawn, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Grinch and the Whos of Whoville. In addition, visitors can experience a guided 30-minute, Florida-style sleigh ride on the river ($20 per adult; $10 per child). Santa makes scheduled appearances, such as at the popular Breakfast with Santa, scheduled for Dec. 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. ($14 per adult; $11 per child 12 and younger). Kids can also enjoy Stories with Santa at 7 p.m. on Dec. 8, 15 and 22. Admission to Wekiva Island is $2 per person. wekivaisland.com
WINTER WONDERLAND AT WEKIVA ISLAND This annual monthlong family-friendly event puts a Florida twist on holiday fun with daily
ST. AUGUSTINE NIGHTS OF LIGHTS The nation’s oldest city comes alive nightly starting at 5:30 under millions of lights, an event recognized by National Geographic as
16 | ORLANDOMAGAZINE.COM | DECEMBER 2021 | SPOTLIGHT
COURTESY GAYLORD PALMS RESORT
‘Tis the Season
Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee decorates its vast, tropical atrium for the holidays.
