Discover snowflakes flying in Central Florida! It's a fantasy brought to life — the kind of thing we specialize in around here. Amazingly, within minutes of the Orlando attractions, you can find snow falling, ice sculptures gleaming, and skating rinks filled with laughing families. If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, but without the chill of a northern winter, we have three ways for you to find snow in sunny Florida! (Feature Photo: Flickr/Chad Sparkes) ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center: A Central Florida holiday tradition, the family fun and dazzling displays of ICE! have been bringing both locals and visitors to the soaring atrium of the Gaylord Palms for years. And it's not just ice, although the stunning ice sculptures, hand-crafted by artisans from the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin, home to the world's largest ice festival, are worth your time. There's also snow tubing, an Alpine Village where you can meet Santa Claus or sing with Mrs. Claus, gingerbread decorating, and even a Broadway-style show, Cirque Dreams. Check out this video for an overview of all the fun of ICE! Now Snowing at Celebration Town Center: A nightly snowfall dusting the streets of a Central Florida downtown — it's like something out of a fairytale! And if there was ever a perfect setting for a fairytale, it's Celebration, Florida — a town designed by Disney to evoke the charm and beauty of traditional American towns. Now Snowing is a yearly tradition bringing Christmas cheer every weekend from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Nightly snowfall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights will accompany tree lightings, live music, ice-skating, carolers, horse-drawn carriages and more — all around the waterfront downtown of Celebration, complete with unique shopping and dining. Best of all? There's free parking and free admission to Now Snowing. Find more information and directions to Celebration at the event website. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, Magic Kingdom Park: Snowfall with a sprinkling of Disney magic? At this special event occurring select nights in November and December, snowfall is just part of the fantasy as the Magic Kingdom celebrates Christmas with parades, fireworks, special holiday entertainment, and even free cookies and cocoa at “treat stations” scattered throughout the theme park. Toy soldiers parade under a flurry of magical snowfall in the Magic Kingdom at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. (Photo: Ryan Wendler, Disney) To find the flurries, stick on Main Street U.S.A. during Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and again during Holiday Wishes, the fireworks display that tugs at the heartstrings with its soundtrack of Christmas classics. You'll be glad you celebrated the holidays at The Merriest Place on Earth as Santa rides by in his sleigh and the snowflakes flutter. For dates and ticket prices, visit Disney's website. If you need the perfect home away from home to celebrate this holiday season, click our Destinations tab! There, you'll find our delightful Orlando resort, Summer Bay Orlando By Exploria Resorts, with everything from studio to three-bedroom accommodations. You'll also see our hotel, Exploria Express, located on Summer Bay Orlando's property and with full access to all of our amenities.
