the Merriest Places in Florida

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Of course I'm talking about the holiday season. I just love this time of year, the air is crisp, the snow is falling... well in some places it is. Here in Florida, the days are warm and the grass is green but you can certainly still get into the Christmas spirit by taking in the holiday happenings that are taking place at several popular theme parks, which are simply magical this time of year. By adding an overlay of holiday cheer, the parks super-size the magic and fun between Thanksgiving and New Year's. Of course, super-sized fun can also mean super sized crowds. But hustle and bustle is part of the holidays, right? Besides, the parks extend their hours, increase the capacity of attractions, and offer a bunch of special events. So, put on your Santa hat and matching red shorts while we check out the holiday fun, Florida style.

The Jolliest Place on Earth

You can't mention holiday attractions and not mention Walt Disney World. Christmas time at Disney beyond magical. I can't think of a better place to put you in the spirit because simply put, NOBODY does Christmas like Walt Disney World! Santa meets Mickey: It's a perfect partnership based on warm nostalgia and unabashed corniness. Like some idealized version that's tucked away in our collective conscious, Disney delivers a holiday wonderland of epic proportions. Dozens of impossibly perfect Christmas trees (they used to be real, but Disney replaced them with artificial ones a few years ago), miles and miles of garland, millions of twinkling lights, and other signs of the season appear overnight and transform every corner of the resort into a winter wonderland. It truly is like nothing you've ever seen. Disney magic is at it's best this time of year and can be found all over property.Take for example, the fragrant and festive gingerbread house that makes its home inside the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort and bombards the senses. By itself, it may not be much of a revelation, but this is no ordinary house of cookies. At 16 feet high, and comprised of thousands of gingerbread pieces, guests can actually walk inside the Victorian house. No nibbling is allowed however. The curiosity doubles as a mini bakery, where you can purchase edible gingerbread cookies and other goodies. Each of the resorts is decked out in their holiday finest offering a array of sights and sounds that leave you with little doubt that Christmas is near! Of course the real fun can be found in the parks themselves, as each one of the four celebrates the season in a unique way.

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

On select evenings in November and December, guests can experience the enchantment of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party" a special after-hours celebration held inside the Magic Kingdom.The jingle-jolly event features "Mickey's Once Upon Christmastime Parade" live Disney character stage shows, like "Celebrate the Season," Mickey's "Twas the Night Before Christmas" Show and Fantasyland Pavilion Cotillion.There are character greetings, cookies and cocoa, and it even "snows" on Main Street, U.S.A. Cinderella's Castle is decked out in "Castle Dream Lights" for the holidays, plus the most-popular park attractions are open to party goers. Guests finish off the night with the excitement of a holiday-themed fireworks spectacular, "Holiday Wishes-Celebrate the Spirit of the Season."

* 2009 dates: Evenings, Nov. 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 2, Dec. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18.

* Separate admission. Discounts available for advance-purchased tickets on select dates.

* More info: 407/W-DISNEY

Holidays Around the World

International holiday traditions unfold throughout Epcot's World Showcase as the pavilions present holiday traditions from across the globe.Storytellers portraying cultural icons of the season, such as France's Pere Noel, Italy's LaBefana and of course Santa Claus, spread messages of goodwill. Nighttime sparkles with a luminous light bridge adorning the breezeway to World Showcase Plaza, where guests can see a magnificent nightly tree-lighting ceremony. And to cap off the day, Epcot's kaleidoscope of lasers, lights, fireworks and music - "IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth" takes on a spirited holiday finale.

Candlelight Processional

This heartfelt holiday tradition led by a mass choir(comprised of Disney cast members) and 50-piece live orchestra showcases the reason for the season. Staged at he America Gardens Theatre at 5, 6:45 and 8 p.m., Candlelight Processional features a different celebrity narrator each night who retells the joyous Christmas story. The narration is interspersed with memorable music. Performances are included with Epcot admission but special dining packages that include preferred seating for this beloved event also are offered by calling (407) WDW - DINE.

2009 dates: Nov. 27 to Dec. 30, several performances nightly

Osborne Family's Spectacle of Lights

This megawatt light display fills the Disney's Hollywood Studios backlot. Bathed in bulbs of brilliance, New York Street glows with millions of dancing lights and animated displays in a revered Disney holiday tradition. Amidst the gently falling snow, guests will bask in the glow as twirling carousels, melodic angels, colorful wreaths, marching toy soldiers and Santa and his reindeer move to high-energy music and 3-D effects, creating a dazzling symphony for the senses. This enchanting spectacle is the result of a crew of 18 electricians working some 14 weeks using six miles of rope lights, 84 angels and 66 snow machines.Without being too sappy, the light display is awesome and is truly one of the wonders of the world. The story behind the lights is as heartwarming and endearing as the lights them self.

You'll have to take my word on this, but there was time when Universal Studios did very little to get into the spirit of the season. There were a few measly decorations and a handful of trees but over all the holiday season seemed to have alluded this theme park all together. The New York backlot area was just screaming for some tinsel. I mean there's even a "Macy's" department store, what a perfect location for a parade right? Well, they must've read my mind.because Universal has been going all out the for the past few seasons...and Macy's has figured prominently in the holiday hoopla.

Merry Grinchmas from Universal Studios

Join in the fun at Islands of Adventure where the classic Dr. Seuss story of the Grinch comes to life. Seuss Landing is once again transformed into the wintry wonderland of Grinchmas. Enjoy the hilarious and heart-warming live show "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" starring The Grinch himself and featuring music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller, along with a whole town full of singing and dancing Whos. You can also shake hands and pose for pictures with the furry green one too! Stroll around the Whoville Wonky Tree Lot and take in the whimsical Wholiday decorations. Watch the Whoville Whobilation musical show, the tree-lighting ceremony and much more.The best part is that this Grinchmas celebration is all included in the price of admission so everyone can join in on the fun!

Macy's Holiday Parade

Universals answer to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This rendition includes some of Macy's signature giant balloons, including Uncle Sam and a toy soldier, plus floats, clowns, and guest marching bands. Santa Claus and his reindeer wrap up the parade with a big ho-ho-ho (and not just any ole' Santa, but an actual, authentic, Macy's-certified one, straight from the Big Apple). And in a nod to the original, the parade even includes a Rockettes-style kick-line. You really get a sense of what it feels like to be standing on the street in NYC watching the most famous parade around pass you by!

Other holiday happenings around the park include a holiday concert series, a daily tree-lighting ceremony, and holiday shows featuring Barney and the Blues Brothers. From Dec. 26 to 31, the park will present its Universal 360-A Cinesphere Spectacular fireworks and multimedia show.

2009 dates: December 5 through January 1st

An Old-Fashioned Christmas at Cypress Gardens

Take a step back to the days of simpler Christmas joys, Cypress Gardens offers a variety of lights and displays, shows, activities, food and shopping for the season.Millions of twinkling lights and many of the park's original Christmas displays provide a brilliant backdrop for the event. One can see them throughout the park, starting at the front entrance all the way back through Adventure Grove. The shops of Jubilee Junction have donned the mantle of the season, decked out for the holiday with plenty of decorations and unique shopping. Enjoy the sounds of strolling carolers and musicians, as well as seasonal shows. Dance along to the merry melodies of the "Jingle Street Parade," a procession of lights and Christmas characters marching along to favorite holiday songs. Remember the true reason for the season with "The Miracle of Christmas," the park's living nativity performance, featuring a musical accounting of the marvelous events of that history-changing night more than two thousand years ago. Discover a heart-warming story of war-time romance in "A Holiday Homecoming." This simple story of young love separated by uncontrollable circumstances will leave you longing to hug someone you love. And the day wouldn't be complete without a visit to the jolly old elf, Santa Claus. You can discover how Santa has changed through the years as you stroll "Santa Through History," before letting him know if you've been naughty or nice. Frosty comes to life in "Frosty Follies," a 25 minute skating spectacular that promises to be a delightful display of power and grace, full of leaps and spins, set to a traditional holiday soundtrack.

There's plenty of food and shopping to be found here. Aunt Julie's Country Kitchen serves up a delicious holiday buffet, complete with all your seasonal favorites. Look for other holiday treats throughout the park, such as gingerbread men, roasted nuts, cider, hot cocoa and more.

The event is included in park admission. For more information call (863) 324-2111 .

Sea WorldSea World adds some holiday cheer to its marine park in the form of festive decorations and live holiday music from classical musicians and carolers. The Wild Arctic attraction even gets a holiday makeover into The Polar Express Experience where scenes from the holiday film are re purposed for the ride-film attraction. Request some fruitcake to go with your poi at the Makahiki Christmas Luau (extra fee). While at the Waterfront, you can see water dancing to music at the Christmastide Holiday Fountain Show. Every evening you can listen to carolers sing amongst the snow flurries or take the kiddos to meet Santa Claus. Take in the evening performance of Shamu's Christmas: A Child's Wish where singers and musicians combine with beautiful Orca whales and trainers to tell the story of a young child's Christmas wish to meet Shamu. Or check out the special Shamu's Sea-cret Santa Celebration Show which combines music and dance to highlight the importance of family during the holiday season. During the show various characters mingle with the audience stopping to pose for pictures and sign autographs. For more information visit www.SeaWorld.com* 2009 dates: Nov. 13 to Jan. 3 * Included with admissionSilver Springs

Silver Springs hosts their Annual Festival of Lights from the day after Thanksgiving on November 26 on selected nights until December 30. Millions of sparkling lights illuminate the gardens with twinkling topiaries and animated holiday scenes from dusk until 8:30pm each night. Enjoy the songs of the season that are performed nightly by local choirs. While strolling carolers and musicians move throughout the park. There's also a Lighted Boat Parade and special stage shows on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Santa Claus can be seen nightly until Christmas Eve (that is his BIG night after all!)

So as you see there are plenty of places around to help you get into the holiday spirit in the land where palm trees sway! For more information on any of the events I've mentioned please visit their website.

Happy Holidays from Sunny Florida!