Winter Garden Magazine December 2018 | Page 31

ATTRACTIONS UPDATE ICE! at Gaylord Palms For the most frigid attraction in Florida, look no further than ICE! This year features an all-new theme featuring the beloved classic holiday movie A Christmas Story. Watch this hilarious family tale come to life through interactive ice sculptures and displays. Experience iconic scenes such as The Old Man’s Major Award, Aunt Clara’s pink nightmare and the ultimate triple dog dare at the school’s flagpole. Everything is hand-carved from two million pounds of ice. You can also enjoy a Christmas tree stroll through the Everglades Atrium. Enjoy the holidays at Gaylord Palms from November 16th through January 6th. The Holy Land Experience For a more traditional take on the Christmas season, The Holy Land Experience provides a living museum and park that makes some of the most well-known stories of the Bible come to life. From the Garden of Eden to the birth of Jesus, experience the sights and sounds of the biblical world in a way you can’t find anywhere else. The Holy Land Experience is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 6 pm, and is closed Sunday, Monday, New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. Town of Christmas What better place to explore than the town where it’s Christmas year-round? Just outside of Orlando, the quaint town of Christmas sees visitors flock to their post office yearly to have their cards and letters postmarked from “Christmas, FL” for a unique touch to their holiday mail. The town also features a historical park with a museum showing what life was like in the original settlement from the 1800s. Fort Chritmas Historical Park hosts Cracker Christmas on December 1st & 2nd from 10 am - 4 pm. Try BBQ pork sandwiches, chicken filets, baked goods, drinks, hotdogs, gator, sweet pickles, and more. Experience pioneer demonstrations like broom making, blacksmiths, basket weaving, rope making, spinning, quilting, lace making, wood carving, and many more. The event hosts a large craft fair with over 150 crafters with handmade items, the Christmas Post Office will also have a booth so you can get your Christmas cards hand stamped. Central Florida Ballet’s Pyrotechnic Nutcracker The Central Florida Ballet’s fire-enhanced, Cirque du Soleil- influenced take on The Nutcracker returns to the Orange County Convention Center’s Linda Chapin Theater on Dec. 15-16. Now Snowing: Hosted by the town of Celebration, just minutes from Walt Disney World and based on a concept from Walt Disney himself, this event features nightly faux snow, train and carriage rides, seasonal entertainment, and photo opportunities with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Running from November 24th through December 31st, it also offers free admission. DECEMBER 2018 | WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE |   31