Starting a Holiday Tradition
The holidays are a time for celebration. This year, when the family is in town, consider starting a new tradition or expanding on some old ones with some of the many holiday-themed area attractions. That’s right, Orlando has plenty of inexpensive holiday festivals for you and yours to enjoy, and many of them are right in our backyard here in East Orlando.
One holiday option, located just outside the University of Central Florida Arena, is Light Up UCF. The holiday extravaganza runs from November 20 through January 8 and features a holiday film festival, nightly light show and the largest outdoors ice skating rink in Orlando. New to the event this year are attractions and rides including a Ferris wheel, carousel, ice slide and Santa’s Workshop complete with a nightly visit from Mr. Claus himself for kids of all ages.
Light Up UCF features a nightly light show, rides, an ice rink and more creating the perfect atmosphere for a new holiday tradition.
“I went last year and really had a lot of fun,” says Daniel Young, an East Orlando resident. “This year, I’m going to bring as much of the family along as I can for the ice skating.”
In Avalon Park, residents can look forward to their annual holiday festival, the 9th Annual Avalon Aglow, on December 5. The day kicks off with a parade presided over by Santa Claus himself and features live holiday music, amusement rides, food, fireworks and, something you’ll rarely see in Florida, a “snow” covered hill for kids to sled down.
This year, Waterford Lakes also becomes an East Orlando holiday destination with Santa’s Winter Wonderland Village from December 4 through January 3, 2010. Activities include a light display, ice skating rink, live music, rides and more. For complete details on the Waterford Lakes area event, see page 10.
If those ideas weren’t enough to keep you and family busy and if you’re willing to drive a bit farther, be sure to check out ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee. The award-winning attraction features dozens of scenes, carved out of 2,000,000 pounds of ice, centered around a trip to the North Pole. You and your family will be able to explore an ICE! Castle, slides, unique photo opportunities and so much more all at a chilling 9° Fahrenheit. Don’t worry - jackets are provided.
This year, be sure to bundle up as Orlando becomes your instant dose of winter fun with the entire family.
Article by Corey Gehrold
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