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Florida is an excellent destination to spend your Christmas holiday, and Orlando in particular is loaded with festive activities this time of year. Christmas in Orlando is a magical and enchanting experience that combines the warmth of the holiday season with the magic of the city’s world-famous theme parks and attractions. From beautiful decorations to fun holiday events, Orlando is a fantastic destination for families and visitors looking to celebrate the season in a festive and memorable way. Here are some tips on the best things to do in Orlando over the Christmas holiday. And if you haven’t secured your Orlando vacation rental yet, feel free to browse our properties below!

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Christmas Dinner

When it comes to Christmas dinner, Orlando offers tons of options for a festive holiday meal. Here are a few recommendations:

Walt Disney World Resort: Several Disney restaurants within the resort offer Christmas-themed dining experiences. Be sure to make reservations well in advance for character dining or holiday buffets.

Universal Orlando Resort: Universal’s dining locations often feature special holiday menus and events during the Christmas season, especially at Universal CityWalk and in the hotels.

Gaylord Palms Resort: This resort hosts a spectacular ICE! exhibit and offers Christmas dining options, including buffets and themed restaurants.

Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse: This upscale steakhouse offers a special Christmas menu with a fine selection of prime steaks and seafood.

Seasons 52: Known for its fresh and seasonal menu, Seasons 52 often offers a special Christmas menu featuring holiday-inspired dishes.

The Capital Grille: This renowned steakhouse offers a special holiday menu with an elegant and festive ambiance.

Most of these restaurants require advanced reservations and book up early, so we recommend planning ahead when possible!

Disney over the Christmas Holiday

The theme parks that call Orlando home seem to put on a show for every holiday and season. Main Street, USA in the Magic Kingdom goes all-out for Christmas starting in early November, and each of the Disney parks puts their own spin on the celebration. You’ll experience traditions from around the world at Epcot, and you’ll find Mickey and all his friends decked out in their holiday best throughout the parks. This time of year, you’ll be able to enjoy special fireworks, parades, meet and greets with Santa, light shows, and more, for a Christmas vacation to Disney that you and your family will remember forever!

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Night of a Million Lights

The season of giving is strong at the Night of a Million Lights at the Give Kids the World Village. Watch lights dance and shine in a fairytale neighborhood, walk the path of the sparkling tree trail, and enjoy the festivities of holiday music, treats, and more. Take a tram ride through the storybook village, visit the holiday marketplace for gifts, and make a day full of memories to last a lifetime, while supporting a great cause. The Give Kids the World Village is an 89-acre non-profit resort park full of storybook whimsy that provides critically ill children from all around the world a magical, weeklong ‘wish’ vacation at no cost to them.

Other Orlando Theme Parks

While Disney is known for going all-out for the holidays, other Orlando parks like Sea World, Universal Studios, and more will be putting a Christmas spin on things. Enjoy the SeaWorld Sesame Street Christmas Parade, its Winter Wonderland on Ice, and more. Celebrate with your favorite Harry Potter, Minion, Shrek, and Madagascar movie characters, or spend some time with the Whos of Whoville at the Grinchmas performance. There’s also the LEGOLand Bricktacular, including a 30-foot-tall Christmas tree made with LEGO and DUPLO bricks complete with dancing lights and music.

Outdoor Fun

The weather is likely part of the reason you chose Orlando for your Christmas celebration, as the mild weather is a nice break for those from colder winter climates. Getting outside and enjoying the outdoors is a great way to spend some time with those you love over the holidays. Resorts, hotels, and vacation rentals alike all have quick access to outdoor spaces like pools, hot tubs, playgrounds, and other provided outdoor spaces. Grab some water and your sun gear and hit the local trails for a hike or rent a bike and explore the area that way. The best part: you’ll be able to spend more time outdoors since the scorching sun will be taking a little winter break itself.

Orlando Downtown for the Holidays

Christmas holiday fun can be found outside of the theme parks as well. Just head downtown any time during the month of December for plenty of festivities. The area offers all sorts of free holiday events that are fun for all ages. Be amazed by extravagant holiday décor and lights around places like Lake Eola Park, enjoy holiday movies, and make sure to get in some last-minute holiday gift shopping!

Christmas Fun in Orlando

From a cozy studio or one-bedroom couples of a small family, to spacious homes and villas perfect for a Christmas getaway with the whole family, Global Resort Homes of Orlando is sure to have a vacation rental that fits your needs and style. Our rentals have kitchens that come fully equipped with everything you’ll need to prepare and serve a traditional Christmas home-cooked meal, or any other meal or snack you crave. Stretch out with dessert and your favorite holiday show or movie in an open living space, or retreat to a private bedroom for some relaxation after the meal. Choose a premium unit for upgrades like flat screen TVs, stainless steel appliances, movie and TV character themed rooms, home theaters, game rooms, and more for the vacation of a lifetime!

Start planning your Orlando Christmas vacation and check out our winter vacation rentals below!

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