Florida Theme Parks At Christmas

Christmas at the Theme Parks is a big deal and the likes of Disney, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld go all out to provide a visual spectacular.

Here is a brief summary of what’s happening at the Theme Park’s over Christmas.

Walt Disney World: Disney offer an amazing array of theme’s and show from Christmas Around the World and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot to the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom, Disney World is generally the king of Christmas shows.

Universal/Islands of Adventure: Islands of Adventure, home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has it’s own unique Christmas tale, told in the form of a live presentation of the classic Dr. Seuss tale “The Grinch“.

Next door at Universal Studios, there’s the Macy’s Holiday Parade, complete with authentic balloons, and live performances by Mannheim Steamroller on select nights. The festivities start on December 3.

SeaWorld: If you like your Christmas displays on water then SeaWorld’s Sea of Trees is for you, other popular Christmas shows include Shamu’s Christmas Miracles and the brand-new O Wondrous Night are all provided to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit. You can even ride the Polar Express Experience, which puts you in the classic Tom Hanks movie.

Each night of the Christmas celebration is capped off with a stunning fireworks show. The event runs weekends through December 11, then shifts to every night starting December 17.

Busch Gardens: Outside of Florida,  Busch Gardens in Tampa celebrates the holiday season with a special musical and Christmas ice show. You can even book breakfast with Santa, which includes a family photo as a momento.

Leogland Florida: As we have already reported Legoland Florida which opened in October, will be celebrating the holiday season with its first ever Christmas Bricktacular. One of the highlights is, of course, a giant Lego tree made from green and red bricks. The event starts on December 8.

How to book

Disney attraction tickets are available from Orlando Attraction Tickets from only £223 per adult.*

Universal attraction tickets including the Harry Potter Theme Park are available from OrlandoAttractionTickets.co.uk from only £87 per adult.*

SeaWorld attraction tickets are available from www.orlandoattractiontickets.co.uk from only £73 per adult.*

Busch Garden attraction tickets are available from Orlando Attraction Tickets from only £73 per adult.*

LEGOLAND Florida tickets are available from Orlando Attractions from only £38 per adult.*

*prices are subject to change without notice.

Ages and Heights for Rides.

Theme parks and attractions in the US are not only for adults there are plenty of things babies and small children can do to. We have put together a list of parks and rides so you can see what your children can enjoy. One’s in Bold- babies from birth plus can enjoy.

Magic Kingdom……….

Ariels Grott0,Astro Orbiter, The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm (ok from around 2, height 35in), Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Carousel of Progress, Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, Country Bear Jamboree, Donald’s Boat, Dream Along with Mickey, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Enchanted Tiki RoomHall of Presidents, The Haunted Mansion (although it says babies can ride, I’m not sure I would take a baby on here), It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, Liberty Square Riverboat,
Mad Tea Party, Main Street Family Fun Day Parade, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mickey’s Country House, Mickey’s Philharmagic, Minnie’s Country House, Peter Pan’s Flight (this is a little dark and quite high), Pirates of the Caribbean, Pooh’s Playful Spot, Snow Whites Scary Adventures, Splash Mountain, Stitch’s Great Escape, Swiss Family Treehouse, Laugh Floor, Tom Sawyer Island, Tomorrowland Speedway, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Woody’s Cowboy Camp.

Animal Kingdom……..

Boneyard (supervision needed), Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, Dinosaur, Expedition Everest, Festival of the Lion King , Finding Nemo – The Musical, Flights of Wonder, It’s Tough to be a Bug, Kali River Rapids, Kilimanjaro Safari, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Pangani Exploration Trail, Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Triceratops Spin.

Hollywood Studios aka MGM……

Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!, Backlot Tour, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Beauty and the Beast, Sounds Dangerous, Fantasmic, Star Tours, The Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror, Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground, High School, Musical Pep Rally, Indiana Jones Stunt,Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Lights – Motors – Action! Stunt Show, Magic of Disney Animation, Muppet Vision 3D, MGM Parades and Fireworks, One Man’s Dream.

Epcot………….

Soarin, Spaceship, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Test track, Innoventions, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Imagination!, Circle of LifeLiving with the Land, The Seas with Nemo and Friends, “Turtle Talk with Crush, Mission: Space.

Islands of Adventure……

Marvel Superhero Island –

The Incredible Hulk Coaster (You must be 54 inches tall to ride),
The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (You must be 40 inches tall to ride) ,
Storm Force Accelatron (this is like the teacups),
Dr. Doom’s Fearfall (You must be 52 inches tall to ride).

Toon Lagoon

Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges (You must be 42 inches to ride),
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls (You must be 44 inches to ride), Me Ship, The Olive Playground Area.

Jurassic Park –

Jurassic Park River Adventure (You must be 42 inches to ride),
Pteranodon Flyers (You must be taller than 36 inches or shorter than 56 inches to ride. Adults can only ride when accompanied by a child.) ,
Camp Jurassic Playground Area with Dinosaur Noises,
Discovery Center.

The Lost Continent –

Dueling Dragons (You must be 54 inches to ride), Poseidon’s Fury (no height restriction but loud noises and darkness may make it unsuitable for nervous toddlers), The Eighth Voyage of Sindbad.

Seuss Landing –

The Cat in the Hat Ride Inside (No hand-held infants are allowed on the ride), One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Caro-Seuss-el, The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride (34 inches),  GrinchMas (seasonal).

Universal Studios……….

Revenge of the Mummy – Must be at least 48″

Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast -Must be at least 40″ (persons under 40″ can experience this attraction from an adjacent stationary location.), Shrek 4-D No height, but can be scary, Fear Factor Live – No height restriction but consider subject matter carefully, Terminator 2: 3D – Battle Across Time – No height but consider subject matter carefully,  Men in Black Alien Attack – Must be at least 42″,  E.T. Adventure (possible height requirement of 40in, not for small babies) Probably ok for toddlers, but it is dark and mildly scary, Jaws – No height but consider subject matter carefully. I have read reviews where kids screamed and cried all the way through.  Twister: Ride it Out. Animal Planet Live!, Earthquake: The Big One.

Nickelodeon Studios…………

Curious George Goes to Town play park, A Day in the Park with Barney great show for little ones, Fievel’s Playland play park with water, Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster -Must be at least 36″ Good for toddlers, Universal Horror Make-Up, Beetlejuice Graveyard Review No height restriction, but consider subject matter carefully, The Blues Brothers, Simpsons Ride – 40 inches.

SeaWorld………….

Shows:

Believe
Blue Horizons
Clyde and Seamore
Mistify
Odyssea
Pet’s Ahoy

Animal Attractions

Dolphin Cove
Manatee Rescue
Pacific Point Preserve
Penguin Encounter
Shark Encounter
Wild Arctic
– there is a ride Height Restriction: 42 inches or a walk through option.

Rides at Seaworld –

Journey to Atlantis – Height Restriction: 42 inches.
Kraken -Height Restriction: 54 inches
Shamu Express – Height Restriction: 38 inches with an adult or 41 inches without an adult
Shamu’s Happy Harbor playground