November 2019 - Page 2 of 2 - On the Go in MCO

ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Sneak Peek

DISCLOSURE: I was an invited guest of the Gaylord Palms Resort to find out about their holiday celebrations and to step inside the ICE! tent, but all opinions and overuse of exclamation points are all my own!!!

You know that the holidays are in full swing when the Gaylord Palms Resort welcomes a team of artisans from China to Kissimmee to begin the month-long carving for ICE! featuring The Polar Express.

Gaylord Palms team members gathered in the lobby to greet the artisans like celebrities with a standing ovation.

Welcoming ice artisans to Gaylord Palms 2019

The ICE! attraction is crafted each year onsite at Gaylord Palms by these artisans from Harbin, China, home of the world’s largest ice and snow sculpture festival, who travel more than 6,000 miles to Florida. They hand-carve more than two million pounds of colorful ice, creating larger-than-life sculptures.

This year, as guests explore the attraction, they will discover more than ten favorite scenes from “The Polar Express,” along with the event’s two-story ice slides and the popular Frostbite Factory live ice carving showcase. The ICE! experience concludes with a separate area dedicated to a traditional Nativity created with crystal clear ice.

And after we welcomed the artisans, it was time to put on our blue parkas and take our first steps inside the tent where ICE! is created!

It’s absolutely amazing to see how these ice artisans bring these giant blocks of ice to life, and I couldn’t think of a better holiday story to feature than the Polar Express!!!

ICE! and Christmas at Gaylord Palms opens on November 25 and runs daily until January 5, and you can find more information about the festivities here.

Walt Disney World Behind-the-Scenes Holiday Tours

Have you ever wondered how the Walt Disney World Resort transforms into a holiday wonderland?

There are two behind-the-scenes holiday tours that offer a peek in to how Walt Disney World fills their parks and resorts with holiday decorations, displays, lights, and treats.

Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy

The holiday season at Walt Disney World is brimming with dazzling displays, delectable treats, and pure Disney magic!

And you can get a sneak peek into how it all comes to life during the festive and fun-filled 3-hour Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy tour.

During the adventure behind-the-scenes, you’ll see firsthand the incredible artistry and logistics that make Walt Disney World Resort even merrier and brighter at this time of year including:

• How Holiday Services Designers use themes to fashion the distinctive decorations that “deck the halls” throughout the Resort.
• Visit the Floral Department for an up-close look at the special displays created just for the season.
• Join a Disney Springs culinary artist to whip up a mouthwatering seasonal treat of your own.

In addition, each Guest will receive an exclusive holiday keepsake!

Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy tour costs $149 plus tax per person, and guests must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this tour with guests under 18 years of age accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is registered for the tour.

Know Before You Go

As Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy is a seasonal event, the tour is offered only on select dates in November and December. For an exact schedule, please call (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687.
Event elements including, but not limited to, tour stops, routes, and services are subject to restrictions, change, or cancellation without notice. No refunds given for any such changes or cancellations.
Theme park admission is not required nor included.
Transportation during the tour is provided. If anyone in your party will be utilizing a mobility device, such as an ECV or a wheelchair, please call (407) 566-3352 prior to booking to ensure space is available for the device.
This tour is delivered in English only. Simultaneous translation is not provided, nor is it allowed.
For safety reasons, closed-toe and closed-heel shoes (such as sneakers) are required for this experience. No sandals, open-toe or open-heel shoes will be permitted.
No cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage. However, photography is allowed and encouraged in all non-backstage areas.
Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
Guests must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this tour.
Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is registered for the tour.
Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call or book.
Please check in next to the blue-and-silver “Epcot Guided Tours” sign posted outside and to the far right of the Main Entrance.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.
No-shows will forfeit the entire price of the tour unless canceled at least 48 hours prior to the start of the tour.

Disney’s Holiday D-Lights

Come celebrate the excitement of the holidays like only Disney Parks can with festive sights and sounds of the season.

For 12 nights only, experience an enchanting evening where your “holiday host” will help unwrap some of the secrets behind our most spirited traditions in Epcot and Magic Kingdom park:

Begin your tour with an early, family-style barbecue dinner (included) at Whispering Canyon Cafe, located located within Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Go backstage at 2 Walt Disney World theme parks to learn, firsthand, how we bring to life some of our most cherished customs.
Interact with some of the talented folks who put together these remarkable events. Get your questions answered by some experts in their fields.
Meet the gifted Event & Decorating Support team responsible for adorning Cinderella Castle in hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights. Then, see the stunning display for yourself during our breathtaking lighting ceremony.
Put yourself in the action with exclusive photo opportunities.
Continue on to Epcot to witness the stirring Candlelight Processional, a retelling of the Christmas story brought to life by a 50-piece live orchestra, choir, and celebrity narrator.
Experience the finale of the Holiday D-Lights tour with a new fireworks spectacular: Epcot Forever.
Remember this occasion with a special takeaway collector’s pin exclusive to this tour!

Take note that on Monday, December 2nd, 2019, the Holiday D-Lights tour will offer an alternate tour stop due to early closure at Magic Kingdom park. On this date, Guests will visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios to view the Christmas tree lighting and experience Sunset Seasons Greetings.

Know Before You Go

As Disney’s Holiday D-Lights is a seasonal event, this tour is offered only on select dates in December. For an exact schedule, please call (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687.
Transportation during tour is provided. If anyone in your party will be utilizing a mobility device, such as an ECV or a wheelchair, please call (407) 566-3352 prior to booking to ensure space is available for the device.
This tour is delivered in English only. Simultaneous translation is not provided, nor is it allowed.
No cameras, video equipment or cell phones may be used while backstage. However, photography is allowed and encouraged in all non-backstage areas.
Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice.
Guests must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this tour.
Guests under 18 years of age must be accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is registered for the tour.
Guests under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian permission to call or book.
Please check in next to the blue-and-silver “Epcot Guided Tours” sign posted outside and to the far right of the Main Entrance.
Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the tour start time.
Disney’s Holiday D-Lights Tour is approximately 6 hours long.
No-shows will forfeit the entire price of the tour unless canceled at least 48 hours prior to the start of the tour.
Theme park admission is not included and not required for this tour.

Disney’s Holiday D-Lights tour costs $289 plus tax per person, and guests must be at least 12 years of age to participate in this tour with guests under 18 years of age accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian who is registered for the tour.

If these behind-the-scenes holiday tours are something you’d be interested in, reservations for both the Disney’s Yuletide Fantasy and Disney’s Holiday D-Lights tours can only be made by calling (407) WDW-TOUR or (407) 939-8687.

The Spirit of Christmas is Alive at The Holy Land Experience

This winter, guests can celebrate Christmas in a unique, heartwarming and authentic way at The Holy Land Experience, which kicks off its holiday season November 26.

Heart of Christmas The Holy Land Experience

Visitors will experience a full schedule of original theatrical productions, an exciting live Nativity scene and interactive holiday-themed shows and displays throughout the park — all designed to cheer every heart with the splendor of the season while reinforcing the powerful message of faith at the heart of Christmas.

“We’re thrilled again this holiday season to offer our unique Christmas experience to guests here at The Holy Land Experience,” said General Manager and Vice President Mike Everett. “As they do every year, our creative team and talented actors have combined some unforgettable stories with rich costumes, settings and music to bring the glory and life-changing spirit of this season to all our guests.”

This season, the popular and highly acclaimed musical, The Heart of Christmas, returns to the park’s state-of-the-art, 2,000-seat Church of All Nations theater, taking guests on a fascinating journey back in time to experience the joy and glory of Christmas from past generations. This Broadway-style production follows a pair of families from two very different times as they take a journey of hope, love and sacrifice and diligently search for the true spirit of the Christmas season.

Guests will enjoy a number of live and colorful interactive Christmas productions throughout the park, where they’ll witness firsthand the angel Gabriel’s extraordinary encounter with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and her joyous visit with her cousin Elizabeth. They’ll also join Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem and at the lowly stable where Jesus will be born. Finally, they’ll be on hand as the shepherds and wise men worship the newborn King, and as the elderly Simeon realizes his long-held dream of beholding the Savior.

Also returning is the park’s popular live Nativity scene, where guests of all ages can step into a busy Bethlehem, meet its residents — including a few furry friends — and feel as if they stepped back in time.

In addition to the holiday productions, guests will enjoy the park’s many historical and life-changing exhibits, including the Wilderness Tabernacle, the heart of worship for the children of Israel after their exodus from Egypt; the Great Temple, a magnificent representation of the Jewish holy place that once stood on hallowed Mount Moriah in First Century Jerusalem; and the world-renowned Scriptorium, a combination museum, library and research center housing a collection of priceless manuscripts, scrolls, biblical antiquities and artifacts.

“Christmas has always been an extra-special time for us here at The Holy Land Experience,” said Everett. “Every member of our team is committed to help fill the hearts of our valued guests with the warmth of the holiday season. We look forward to welcoming families from all over the world to share the joy and spirit of Christmas this year.”

The 2019 Christmas season at The Holy Land Experience premieres Nov. 26 and runs through January 4, 2020. The Holy Land Experience is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Special Limited Time Offer:

Now through the end of the year, guests can experience two different seasons at The Holy Land Experience with the 2 Days, Any Day offer. When guests purchase a one-day ticket, they’ll received a second day for 50% off.

Visitors can experience the newest production David: The King of Jerusalem and receive 50% for the Christmas season. The second ticket must be redeemed within 60 days of the first day visit.

For more information, visit: https://holylandexperience.com/bogo50

Festival of Trees Holiday Celebration 2019

Long-running Central Florida tradition, Festival of Trees, is supplying the holiday spirit through breathtaking décor at the Orlando Museum of Art

Tickets are now on sale for the Festival of Trees at the Orlando Museum of Art. The time has come to start thinking about decking the halls and decorating cookies as the holiday season approaches. Every Central Floridian knows it is not truly the holidays without the Festival of Trees.

The Orlando Museum of Art will be transformed into a holiday spectacular for the 33rd year. The Council of 101 is proud to host a “Merry and Bright” celebration with the Central Florida community.

Visitors of the festival can admire local designers’ work through Christmas trees, a gingerbread village and custom wreaths. Each dazzling piece is available for purchase, with proceeds benefiting the Orlando Museum of Art. This event will bring the bliss and joy of the holidays through sparkling trees, elegant holiday vignettes and spectacular décor.

“The Festival of Trees not only brings the joy of the holidays to our community, but also helps support it.” said Nancy Sedacca, president of the Council of 101. “The festival is meant to bring everyone together just in time for the holiday season.”

The Council of 101 events, including the Festival of Trees have raised over $12 million for the Orlando Museum of Art’s educational programs. Festival of Trees will be benefiting the lifelong learning programs at the Orlando Museum of Art. Reaching deep into the community, these programs support many people in different walks of life, age and income groups.

General Admission:

Saturday, November 16- Sunday, November 24

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the door, through the event website at www.orlandofestivaloftrees .com, online through fot2019.eventbrite.com or by calling 407-896-4231 ext. 254. Many special events will be running throughout the week during the festival. A few of the events are the Opening Night Gala, Breakfast with Santa where the kids can dine with Santa Claus, and an Ugly Holiday Sweater Party where guests dress in their favorite holiday sweater and enjoy local craft beers and food among the gorgeous décor. Looking for something at a slower pace? Try the Festival Salutes Seniors for those 65 and older. The Latin Nights dance party is sure to heat things up. There is something for everyone this season at the Festival of Trees.

General Admission Ticket Costs:

$15 for adults
$12 for seniors (65 and older), first responders and military personnel with proper identification.
$7 for children ages 3-11

Special events at this year’s Festival of Trees include:

Friday, November 15

Opening Night Gala and Auction 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – $150, $250 and $350 per person, reserved tables are available for purchase.

Saturday, November 16

Breakfast with Santa, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – $30 for all ages
Ugly Holiday Sweater Party, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – $30 for adults

Tuesday, November 19

Festival Salutes Seniors, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – $12 for seniors

Wednesday, November 20

Rudolph’s VIP Pass, 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – $30 for all ages
Reindeer Romp Children’s Party, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. – $20 for all ages

Friday, November 22

Latin Nights, 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – $45 for adults

Saturday, November 23

Breakfast with Santa, 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. – $30 for all ages

Admission to Festival of Trees includes entry to the current Orlando Museum of Art exhibitions during the festival. Parking is available on-site for a fee. For more information please visit orlandofestivaloftrees.com.