For many people, the holidays are a time to enjoy long-held family traditions. That usually means a nip of cold air outside, maybe even a soft blanket of fresh snow, while sitting by a fire and sipping on hot cocoa. For others, it's the perfect opportunity to head south to Florida and get away from the biting cold. Whether it's the warmth and sunshine of Orlando or Daytona Beach, or the rural, traditional setting of the Pocono Mountains in eastern Pennsylvania, you can find exactly what you're looking for at Exploria Resorts. There are plenty of Christmas and New Year's activities at all three destinations for you to choose from and create a holiday travel experience you'll never forget. Orlando The world-famous theme parks in Central Florida offer some of the most amazing holiday celebrations you'll find! There are also some off-the-beaten-path celebrations that, although they're less known, are spectacular in their own ways. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas PartyThrough December 22, 2019 Visiting the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World resort is an amazing Christmas experience you'll remember forever! The entire park is dressed up in tinsel and sparkling lights, creating the illusion of shimmering icicles on Cinderella's Castle. Christmas carols fill the air, mingling with the aroma of hot chocolate and sugar cookies. Of course, the highlight of the evening is a holiday-themed Main Street Parade accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display! Epcot International Festival of the HolidaysNovember 29 to December 30, 2019 Formerly known as “Holidays Around The World,” this event took it's current name in 2016 and features the holiday traditions of the 11 World Showcase nations. Additionally, there will be 13 Holiday Kitchens offering a selection of holiday dishes and seasonal desserts, as well as live musical performances throughout the event. One of the most famous holiday events at Epcot is the Candlelight Processional, during which a celebrity narrator tells the story of Christmas, set to the music of a mass choir and a live orchestra. This year, the celebrity narrators include Pat Sajak, Whoopi Goldberg, Gary Sinise, and Isabella Rosselini. Universal OrlandoThrough January 5, 2020 At Universal Orlando, you can immerse yourself in fantasy during Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley are decorated during this event to provide plenty of wondrous holiday spirit, with festive light displays and traditional garland, as well as special holiday treats. The fun takes place at both Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure and includes unique characters in full costume performing special live shows. Plus, at Islands of Adventure, you can enjoy a live retelling of Dr. Seuss' classic holiday tale How The Grinch Stole Christmas,told by the Grinch himself accompanied by the recorded music of Mannheim Steamroller. Every year, Seuss Landing is transformed into Whoville for The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. A colorful cast of Whoville residents will be there to entertain you, as you enjoy the celebration. Finally, don't miss Universal's Holiday Parade Featuring Macy's, which takes place at Universal Studios Florida and features the Minions from Despicable Meand numerous characters from the classic animated films Madagascar andShrek. New Year's Eve in Orlando For a special New Year's Eve in Central Florida, spend the day and the evening at one of the world-famous theme parks! Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld Orlando all plan to light up the night sky with fireworks as the clock winds down to midnight and the New Year! For families with kids, check out the Legoland Kid's New Year's Eve Party, which in addition to fireworks, will be a fun evening with a dance party DJ with fun music and activities. New Year's Eve celebrations will also be taking place at several locations along International Drive, highlighted by the festivities at ICON Orlando 360, home of the Orlando Eye. Admission is free for this evening of fun, music, dancing, and family activities! Finally, if you love college football, Orlando is home to the VRBO Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day, which pits two of the nation's top-ranked teams. Recent games have featured LSU, Notre Dame, Florida, Georgia, and Michigan. Daytona Beach Holiday visitors to Daytona Beach can head to the Daytona International Speedway through December 31 for the Magic of Lights Holiday Display. During this celebration, you can drive through a 1½-mile route decorated with more than a million LED lights and custom digital animation. There's even an out-of-car experience featuring a S'Elfie Tunnel, as well as refreshments and snacks. To enjoy a true Florida-style holiday parade, it's got to be on the water. And on Saturday, December 7 at 6 p.m., The Daytona Beach Boat Parade takes place at the Halifax Harbor Marina. A procession of boats, spectacularly decked out in sparkling lights and colorful holiday décor will cruise the Halifax River, ending up at the Halifax Harbor Marina. It's a fun-filled event and admission is free! The Poconos If you're more interested in a traditional Christmas with cooler weather and possibly even a blanket of snow, The Poconos is the holiday vacation place for you. Depending on the weather, you might even be able to do a little skiing at one of the area ski resorts. For a traditional holiday event, the 29thAnnual Old Time Christmas takes place at the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm on Saturday and Sunday from December 7 through December 15. Visitors enjoy a celebration of family and heritage during these two consecutive weekends, which include a lantern-lit tour of this 19th-century farm that preserves the Pennsylvania German agricultural traditions of the 1800s. Another area favorite over the holidays is the Lighting of the Vineyard at the Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery in Saylorsburg. This one-night event is set for November 30 and is an opportunity to see more than 100,000 dazzling lights transform the vineyard on this 80-acre estate into a spectacular night display! This year, celebrate the holidays with Exploria Resorts! We offer stylish and spacious accommodations in many of the most desirable locations in the U.S., including Orlando, Daytona Beach, and The Poconos. From a romantic couples' retreat to a holiday family reunion, you'll find the ideal venue at Exploria Resorts.
