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Animal Kingdom
Amongst the calling of the Banshees and the wonders of nature all around visitors, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is pulling out all the stops for this holiday season. From the Tree of Life to Dinoland U.S.A., Animal Kingdom is on a mission to make the guest experience even more magical.
This holiday season, Dinoland U.S.A. is bringing the one and only Donald Duck to the holiday party with Donald’s Dino-Bash. With the help of a few of his closest friends, Donald will make guests’ holiday visit one for the photo albums.
But the festivities do not end there, the holiday decorations of Africa, Asia, Discovery Island, and Pandora: The World of Avatar all await you upon your visit to the park. Complete with glowing lanterns and holiday projections on the trunk of the Tree of Life, Animal Kingdom is a site to behold in the nighttime hours.
Universal Studios
Amongst the holiday backdrop of coasters and attractions comes the world famous Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s. We all know and love the iconic parade through the streets of New York on Thanksgiving Day, but there’s nothing quite like this. This iconic event combines together some crowd favorites along with incredible floats. Make sure to smile and wave to these memorable characters coming straight from movies such as Shrek and Madagascar.
Right around the corner, transport yourself into a completely new atmosphere with Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. This attraction will be completely decked out with festive decor and plenty of entertainment. Guests are going to be blown away with the sights, sounds, and even smells within Diagon Alley. Make sure to fill up with butterbeer and take in the lights and holiday marvels of this completely interactive land.
“It’s part of an incredible lineup of holiday festivities throughout Universal Orlando ResortTM,” Universal Orlando said. “Put a little mischief in your merry. You’ve never had a holiday like this.”
Islands of Adventure
We all know the one who is as cuddly as a cactus and as charming as an eel during the holiday season, but that never stopped him from having his very own Grinchmas. Grinchmas retells the story of a holiday classic front and center at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. Enriching audiences with his iconic sarcasm and undeniable smarts, stealing Christmas has never seemed so pleasing!
Just outside the holiday festivities of Whoville lies another adventure combining storytelling and adventure. Grab your wands and get ready to support your Hogwarts House in the ultimate projection
spectacular on none other than the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Slytherins and Gryffindors alike can enjoy this wonderful arrangement of classic moments from the Harry Potter movies while fully captivated by the holiday beauty in Hogsmeade.
“The castle is so significant, it carries so much meaning,” Nicolina Tabera, 11, said. “When something is done like that, you’re already seeing the beauty of the castle itself and then when you’re seeing something on it with the lights, dancing, people, it makes it special.’’
But for those returning to the parks this holiday season, there will be more than simply memorable shows in this land of magic. Visit with one of the tallest and most iconic characters in the Harry Potter universe in Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. Go on a high speed coaster ride through the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid as your guide to uncover some of the hardest to find magical creatures. For those returning, there is always something new and exciting to explore in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Disney Cruise Line
Feeling the seascape rather than the packed parks? Setting sail this break comes Thanksgiving
at Sea. Adventure on a voyage through the calm clear waters of the Bahamas, embarking from right here in Port Canaveral. Enjoy your Thanksgiving on this cruise filled with memories with some of your favorite characters along with some traditional Thanksgiving dishes that will last generations.
Don’t worry, they didn’t forget about the football. The Thanksgiving game is not one to be missed and Disney knows how to do it right. Using satellite broadcasts, live football will be playing on a massive screen near the pool to give a great view of every pass and touchdown. With all this fun and excitement, there is no way better to spend the holiday.
“Leave the cooking, cleaning, and decorating to us,” Disney Cruise Line said. “and enjoy more quality time together with loved ones as you sail.”
But with dinner bells comes jingle bells and no other cruise line makes the holidays quite as special as Disney. No matter the age, there is always something available for this season. From the life- sized gingerbread house to a tropical holiday party, there is always something to do to get festive and maybe even make it on to the nice list.
“These extra special sailings combine themed holiday festivities, delicious feasts, ‘snow flurries”’and decorative fanfare,” Jonathan Frontado, Public Relations Director with Disney Cruise Line, said. “[Along] with all the magic and relaxation of a tropical Disney cruise vacation.”
Photo credits: Disney Cruise Lines, Todd Anderson, Photographer; Disney Cruise Lines, Kent Phillips, Photographer; Disney Crusie Lines, David Roark, Photographer; Disney Cruise Lines, Matt Stroshane, Photographer; Universal Orlando Media
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