[AN] Les parcs floridiens se préparent pour Noël
Ask anyone who has visited theme parks in December and they will tell you that the holidays are the most magical season. Here is a lineup of this year's festivities:
Walt Disney World
Throughout the property there are more than 1,500 Christmas trees, including "icon" trees at each of the theme parks ranging in height from 45 to 70 feet. Other decorations include more than 8 million lights to decorate all resort locations; more than 68,000 poinsettias in flowerbeds and hundreds of poinsettia baskets, bells, skirts and balls; and more than 15 miles of garlands.
The Magic Kingdom -- particularly the park's Victorian Main Street section -- is festooned with garlands, holiday lights and poinsettias, not to mention a 65-foot Christmas tree trimmed with old-fashioned decorations.
A highlight is the daily Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, with everything from gingerbread men and toy soldiers to dancing Christmas trees and snowmen marching down Main Street. It is included in the regular admission price.
A separate-admission, not-to-be-missed happening, is the nighttime Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, held Nov. 27 and 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20. Each date will feature free hot cocoa and cookies served throughout the park, two performances of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, holiday storytelling, live music, and Disney character shows including "Mickey's `Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Celebrate the Season." New this year is a fireworks display filled with traditional holiday music. And, of course, there will be "snow" falling on Main Street, and guests may even get a greeting from Santa Goofy.
Advance tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are $38.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $29.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. (Children under 3 are admitted at no charge.) The advance ticket prices are good only for the Sunday-Thursday dates. Tickets on the day of each party are $43.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $34.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9.
Meanwhile, the Disney-MGM Studios are aglow with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, extended to 56 nights this year. Presented from Monday through Jan. 8 in the Streets of America backlot inside the theme park, the spectacle features a 70-foot Christmas tree formed with more than 50,000 lights. Some of Arkansas businessman and philanthropist Jennings Osborne's original creations include 3-D and motion-based displays, a giant holiday-light Mickey Mouse, dozens of flying angels and several giant Santa Claus light creations.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights display started at the Osborne home in Arkansas 18 years ago, when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter Breezy. Soon, their 22,000-square-foot home was covered in millions of lights, and the display has continued to grow and glow since its premier at Disney-MGM Studios in 1995.
Disney-MGM Studios guests can enjoy showings of the Hollywood Holly-Day parade, during which festively dressed parade cars, holiday chorus performers and Disney characters come together. The parade and glittering spectacle are included in Disney-MGM Studios admission.
World Showcase at Epcot is home to international holiday lore and legends during the Holidays Around The World celebration from Nov. 25-Dec. 30 (included in park admission). Not only can guests meet Santa Claus in the American Adventure showcase, but they also can hear storytellers detail other legends from around the world. The celebration includes a nightly tree lighting ceremony with Mickey Mouse and friends in World Showcase Plaza at 6 p.m., plus a luminous light bridge on the breezeway to World Showcase Plaza. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah observances are also featured.
Additionally, "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," the nighttime spectacular of fireworks, water and lasers, will have a touch of holiday magic added to its finale.
Another Epcot holiday tradition is the Candlelight Processional, presented as part of the Holidays Around The World celebration from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30. The Candlelight Processional treats guests to a musical performance by a choir and 50-piece orchestra that are joined by celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story. The show is staged each evening at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. at America Gardens Theatre.
The celebrity lineup (subject to change) is: Nov. 25-27, Rita Moreno; Nov. 28-30, Phil Donahue; Dec. 1-3, Haley Joel Osment; Dec. 4-6, Cicely Tyson; Dec. 7-9, Jaci Velasquez; Dec. 10-12, Eartha Kitt; Dec. 13-15, Lou Diamond Phillips; Dec. 16-18, Harry Hamlin; Dec. 19-21, Marlee Matlin; Dec. 22-24, Jim Caviezel; Dec. 25-27, John Stamos and Dec. 28-30, Stephen Curtis Chapman.
At Disney's Animal Kingdom park, the holiday-themed Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade is filled with the spirit of the holidays. Included in regular park admission, the holiday parade kicks off Monday and continues through Jan. 8. Gathered around a towering 65-foot Christmas tree at the park's entrance, carolers greet guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom with renditions of favorite seasonal classics.
At Camp Minnie-Mickey, guests can meet Santa Goofy and other Disney characters dressed in their holiday best at Santa Goofy's Holiday Village. The village is decorated with Christmas trees and features live entertainers and photo opportunities. The songs of the season resonate as carolers round out the scene.
Universal Orlando
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City takes to the streets of Universal Studios with its larger-than-life helium balloons, floats, bands, clowns and Santa Claus too. It is included in the price of admission to the park.
At Islands of Adventure, guests can meet the Grinch in his lair in the Seuss Landing section of the park and join in the fun of the musical Whoville Whobilation, also included in park admission.
Sea World Orlando
Sea World welcomes the holidays with festivities that are highlighted by a special Shamu holiday-themed show and a fantasy of fountains. Shamu's Christmas, A Child's Wish is a killer whale show presented nightly. Orcas and trainers share the Christmas spirit along with musicians and singers as they tell the story of a child's wish to see Shamu.
The Christmastime Holiday Fountain Show, presented in The Waterfront section of the park nightly from Nov. 25 to Jan. 1, is a spectacle of waters "dancing" in unison with Christmas music. Both shows are included in park admission.
The holiday splendor in The Waterfront, by the way, also features nightly "snow flurries" descending upon guests as well as carolers and visits with Santa for the little ones.
Busch Gardens, Tampa
Christmas decorations, including poinsettias, adorn the park, and holiday-themed entertainment is presented throughout the season.
Cypress Gardens
Christmas Wonderland is a festival of lights, sounds and aromas at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven. Millions of twinkling lights and displays blanket the park, which kicks off on Thursday with a reading of the original Christmas story and tree lighting.
Other highlights include a ride on the "Wonderland Express," a train ride through a landscape of holiday marvels and visits with the jolly old man himself in Kringles' "Santa Land." The miracle of Christmas is relived through a musical rendition of the "Living Nativity" and the Royal Palm Theater sparkles with "Christmas on Ice." Even the Wild West gets in on the act with "Shenani-Guns Cowboy Christmas" and entertainment abounds in Jubilee Junction. The Star Haven Amphitheater plays host to Christmas concerts with Charlie Daniels appearing Nov. 26 and Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers on Dec. 17.
Source : Sun Sentinel
Walt Disney World
Throughout the property there are more than 1,500 Christmas trees, including "icon" trees at each of the theme parks ranging in height from 45 to 70 feet. Other decorations include more than 8 million lights to decorate all resort locations; more than 68,000 poinsettias in flowerbeds and hundreds of poinsettia baskets, bells, skirts and balls; and more than 15 miles of garlands.
The Magic Kingdom -- particularly the park's Victorian Main Street section -- is festooned with garlands, holiday lights and poinsettias, not to mention a 65-foot Christmas tree trimmed with old-fashioned decorations.
A highlight is the daily Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, with everything from gingerbread men and toy soldiers to dancing Christmas trees and snowmen marching down Main Street. It is included in the regular admission price.
A separate-admission, not-to-be-missed happening, is the nighttime Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, held Nov. 27 and 29, Dec. 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 and 20. Each date will feature free hot cocoa and cookies served throughout the park, two performances of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade, holiday storytelling, live music, and Disney character shows including "Mickey's `Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Celebrate the Season." New this year is a fireworks display filled with traditional holiday music. And, of course, there will be "snow" falling on Main Street, and guests may even get a greeting from Santa Goofy.
Advance tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are $38.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $29.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. (Children under 3 are admitted at no charge.) The advance ticket prices are good only for the Sunday-Thursday dates. Tickets on the day of each party are $43.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $34.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9.
Meanwhile, the Disney-MGM Studios are aglow with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights, extended to 56 nights this year. Presented from Monday through Jan. 8 in the Streets of America backlot inside the theme park, the spectacle features a 70-foot Christmas tree formed with more than 50,000 lights. Some of Arkansas businessman and philanthropist Jennings Osborne's original creations include 3-D and motion-based displays, a giant holiday-light Mickey Mouse, dozens of flying angels and several giant Santa Claus light creations.
The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights display started at the Osborne home in Arkansas 18 years ago, when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter Breezy. Soon, their 22,000-square-foot home was covered in millions of lights, and the display has continued to grow and glow since its premier at Disney-MGM Studios in 1995.
Disney-MGM Studios guests can enjoy showings of the Hollywood Holly-Day parade, during which festively dressed parade cars, holiday chorus performers and Disney characters come together. The parade and glittering spectacle are included in Disney-MGM Studios admission.
World Showcase at Epcot is home to international holiday lore and legends during the Holidays Around The World celebration from Nov. 25-Dec. 30 (included in park admission). Not only can guests meet Santa Claus in the American Adventure showcase, but they also can hear storytellers detail other legends from around the world. The celebration includes a nightly tree lighting ceremony with Mickey Mouse and friends in World Showcase Plaza at 6 p.m., plus a luminous light bridge on the breezeway to World Showcase Plaza. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah observances are also featured.
Additionally, "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth," the nighttime spectacular of fireworks, water and lasers, will have a touch of holiday magic added to its finale.
Another Epcot holiday tradition is the Candlelight Processional, presented as part of the Holidays Around The World celebration from Nov. 25 through Dec. 30. The Candlelight Processional treats guests to a musical performance by a choir and 50-piece orchestra that are joined by celebrity narrators retelling the Christmas story. The show is staged each evening at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. at America Gardens Theatre.
The celebrity lineup (subject to change) is: Nov. 25-27, Rita Moreno; Nov. 28-30, Phil Donahue; Dec. 1-3, Haley Joel Osment; Dec. 4-6, Cicely Tyson; Dec. 7-9, Jaci Velasquez; Dec. 10-12, Eartha Kitt; Dec. 13-15, Lou Diamond Phillips; Dec. 16-18, Harry Hamlin; Dec. 19-21, Marlee Matlin; Dec. 22-24, Jim Caviezel; Dec. 25-27, John Stamos and Dec. 28-30, Stephen Curtis Chapman.
At Disney's Animal Kingdom park, the holiday-themed Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade is filled with the spirit of the holidays. Included in regular park admission, the holiday parade kicks off Monday and continues through Jan. 8. Gathered around a towering 65-foot Christmas tree at the park's entrance, carolers greet guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom with renditions of favorite seasonal classics.
At Camp Minnie-Mickey, guests can meet Santa Goofy and other Disney characters dressed in their holiday best at Santa Goofy's Holiday Village. The village is decorated with Christmas trees and features live entertainers and photo opportunities. The songs of the season resonate as carolers round out the scene.
Universal Orlando
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City takes to the streets of Universal Studios with its larger-than-life helium balloons, floats, bands, clowns and Santa Claus too. It is included in the price of admission to the park.
At Islands of Adventure, guests can meet the Grinch in his lair in the Seuss Landing section of the park and join in the fun of the musical Whoville Whobilation, also included in park admission.
Sea World Orlando
Sea World welcomes the holidays with festivities that are highlighted by a special Shamu holiday-themed show and a fantasy of fountains. Shamu's Christmas, A Child's Wish is a killer whale show presented nightly. Orcas and trainers share the Christmas spirit along with musicians and singers as they tell the story of a child's wish to see Shamu.
The Christmastime Holiday Fountain Show, presented in The Waterfront section of the park nightly from Nov. 25 to Jan. 1, is a spectacle of waters "dancing" in unison with Christmas music. Both shows are included in park admission.
The holiday splendor in The Waterfront, by the way, also features nightly "snow flurries" descending upon guests as well as carolers and visits with Santa for the little ones.
Busch Gardens, Tampa
Christmas decorations, including poinsettias, adorn the park, and holiday-themed entertainment is presented throughout the season.
Cypress Gardens
Christmas Wonderland is a festival of lights, sounds and aromas at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven. Millions of twinkling lights and displays blanket the park, which kicks off on Thursday with a reading of the original Christmas story and tree lighting.
Other highlights include a ride on the "Wonderland Express," a train ride through a landscape of holiday marvels and visits with the jolly old man himself in Kringles' "Santa Land." The miracle of Christmas is relived through a musical rendition of the "Living Nativity" and the Royal Palm Theater sparkles with "Christmas on Ice." Even the Wild West gets in on the act with "Shenani-Guns Cowboy Christmas" and entertainment abounds in Jubilee Junction. The Star Haven Amphitheater plays host to Christmas concerts with Charlie Daniels appearing Nov. 26 and Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers on Dec. 17.
Source : Sun Sentinel