ICE!, Ice baby
Up north, it’s already cold outside and attractions would have a hard time enticing people to visit a frozen ice sculpture exhibit indoors. Here in
Orlando, it’s in the 70s during December. So heading into a ninedegree freezer doesn’t seem nearly as ridiculous here.
ICE! is back again at Kissimmee resort Gaylord Palms, this year featuring scenes from the classic 1983 film, “A Christmas Story.” It’s a Connolly family favorite at the holidays, one that we watch year after year. You can see Ralphie don his pink bunny costume, view the famous “Fragile” leg lamp and witness the famous tongue vs. pole scene – all made of ice. An advance adult ticket costs around $28.99. Read more about it in a recent Sentinel article from theme park connoisseur Dewayne Bevil.
Outdoor Christmas movies
How many places can say they host outdoor movies in November and December? Most outdoor movie events stopped happening in my hometown, Pittsburgh, by September.
Winter weather is generally a non-issue here in Florida, so several places have taken to hosting outdoor Christmas films.
■ At Lake Eola’s Walt Disney Amphitheater, you can catch the “Polar Express” on Dec. 7, “The Santa Clause” on Dec. 15 and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” on Dec. 21. That one is also a Connolly family favorite, so I definitely plan on getting out for that.
■ Light Up UCF has already shown three Christmas movies and will screen eight more throughout December.
Winter on the water
The only winter event on the water in Pittsburgh was a New Year’s Day polar plunge into the Monongahela River. I’ve never done it, but boy, does it look cold.
Florida has a different way of enjoying December weekends on the water: boat parades. I’ve never witnessed such a spectacle in person, but I can see from photos – some people go all out in decorating their yachts and pontoons with lights, garland, tinsel and the occasional inflatable Santa.
Boat parades are definitely on my list for holiday enjoyment this December.
■ Wekiva Island’s Annual Boat Parade is returning on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. It’s a part of their “Winter Wonderland,” which also includes a snow slide, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, train rides, outdoor movies, snow flurries and more. A list of events can be found at wekivaisland.com.
■ Winter Park will be holding its 11th Christmas Boat Parade and Water Ski Show on Saturday, Dec. 15. The ski show will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on the beach at Rollins College. The boat parade begins at 6 p.m. with the main viewing area behind the Cornell Fine Arts Museum.
■ The Merritt Island Christmas Boat Parade is on Dec. 15 at 6:30 p.m. Smyrna Yacht Club’s 31st Annual Holiday Boat Parade in New Smyrna Beach on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.
Take a train ride
In October, I took a train ride aboard the Royal Palm Railway for their wine tasting experience. In December, the train is transformed into The Polar Express, and I already have my ticket.
Friends and families can step into the winter wonderland created by the now iconic Christmas movie. Riders are treated to hot chocolate and dancing chefs on board, plus visits with characters from the movie. Tickets range from around $35 up to $90 for first class.
Theme park holiday magic
The theme parks are, obviously, unique to Central Florida. I have fond memories of going to the Pittsburgh amusement park Kennywood for their holiday lights. That was great, but Orlando’s parks take holiday celebrations to the next level.
Theme park expert Dewayne Bevil looked into upgrades to Universal’s “Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular,” as well as concerts by Mannheim Steamroller, Universal’s Holiday Parade and Christmas at Hogwarts.
At Disney Springs, you can find movie-themed holiday trees on the Christmas Tree Trail. Holiday decorations abound at the new Toy Story Land section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Reporter Matt Palm spent some time with a capella group The Edge Effect and explored holiday magic at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Dewayne gave his own thoughts on holiday happenings throughout Walt Disney World. I also plan on heading over to Disney’s Grand Floridian to find a larger-than-life Christmas tree and gingerbread house.
All the holiday lights
Growing up, I remember taking car rides through “professional” holiday light displays, such as those at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Here, I was surprised to find that many holiday light displays are put on by motivated homeowners who are simply eager to spread Christmas cheer. After seeing past photos and videos, I definitely want to check some of these out.
■ In Lake Nona’s East Park Subdivision, one family lights up their house each year with lights synced to music. Called “Lake Nona Lights,” you can find the annual marvel at 9800 Old Patina Way. Lights will be flashing Sunday through Thursday from 6-10 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 6- 11 p.m. up through the New Year.
■ Celebration features several homes on one street (Jeater Bend) with lights synchronized to music. The creators of “The Lights on Jeater Bend” have incorporated projection, water and fire into their shows as well. Donations are given to the St. Vincent de Paul ministry.
■ If you head to 1642 Sunburst Way in Kissimmee, you can find “Christmas Wonders” at the home of Ron Lister, another privately owned light-up wonderland.
■ In Winter Springs at 1601 N. Wind Ct., see the “Bivona Christmas Light Show” on display. This Christmas tradition started in 1983 with the work of Charlie Bivona. Now featuring 75,000 lights and nearly a dozen blowups, the display is carried on by Bivona’s oldest son.
■ The Johnson Family Holiday Light Extravaganza kicks off in Saint Cloud (at 5119 Moore St.) on Dec. 10. The family aims to display 100,000 lights and donates money to Nemours Children’s Hospital each year.
A boozy Christmas
I’ve never really kicked off the holidays with alcohol, but I do really enjoy drinking. Thankfully, downtown Orlando is known for its bar crawls. They occur often with or without reason to celebrate. With Christmas approaching, those seeking to have a boozy start to their holiday season have a few options.
■ If you’re itching to do it all again the following weekend, the “12 Bars of Christmas” pub crawl is coming to Wall Street Plaza on Dec. 7 from 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
■ One Orlando novelty, Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge, is open year-round for holiday-themed enjoyment. Although some might argue that Frosty’s is better for celebrating Christmas in July, nothing screams holiday drinking more than a snowcone cocktail.
Uniquely Florida events
Like outdoor movies, there are some things you can do here in Florida that you can’t do most other places in December (at least not without freezing your tail off ). For a while this summer, my bike stayed put in the closet. “It’s too hot out,” I told myself. Now feels like the perfect time for a ride.
■ In Sanford, Pedal Driven Co. is hosting an “It’s Lit, Sanford!” holiday ride on Dec. 14 from 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
■ Winter Garden Wheel Works is bringing their annual “Santa Ride” to cyclists on Dec. 15, featuring photos with Santa from 3 p.m.-5:30 p.m. and a two-mile ride at 6 p.m.
■ Bikes, Beans and Bordeaux Cafe is organizing their 11th Annual Holiday Lights Ride on Dec. 15 from 6 p.m.-9 p.m.
■ Retro City Cycles is hosting a Christmas ride through Invanhoe Village and College Park on Dec. 22 at 7 p.m. They are also collecting gifts for One Heart for Women and Children.
Although golf cart parades aren’t unique to Florida, we certainly didn’t have those in Pittsburgh.
■ Winter Garden is hosting its golf cart parade on Dec. 16 from 47 p.m. in Bradford Park.
■ Similarly, Windermere is having its own golf cart parade beginning at Central Park at 5 p.m. on Dec. 16.
Surfing Santas, an annual Cocoa Beach tradition, is quite possibly the Florida Christmas event I’m looking forward to the most. The annual event is riding the holiday wave into town on Dec. 24 at 8 a.m. Witness hundreds of surfers dressed as Santa and hanging 10 on Christmas Eve morning.