Must-See Holiday Wonders in Kissimmee

’Tis the festive season here in Kissimmee, and our elves are hard at work to make sure your holiday vacation is one for the books — whether it’s your first Kissimmee getaway or you’re a regular on the Kissimmee nice list. If you’re ready to frolic and play the Kissimmee way, here are five must-do activities while staying in this sunny version of a “wintery” wonderland.

If you’re traveling with fans of Frozen, or are a fan yourself (and who isn’t?), then be sure to visit Cinderella Castle at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park for A Frozen Holiday Wish. This nightly show stars Queen Elsa, her sister – Anna, and their friends Kristoff and Olaf. Using her magical powers, Queen Elsa transforms Cinderella Castle into a shimmering ice palace, with a little help from over 200,000 LED lights.

Seeing the castle sparkle and shine is a very cool experience that will have both the little ones and grownups oohing and ahhing. And if you can’t make the show, you can still see the lights since Cinderella Castle stays illuminated all night long — perfect for that Instagram snapshot!

Over at Seuss Landing at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, The Grinch is up to his old tricks with The Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular. This live retelling of How the Grinch Stole Christmas is full of mirth, mischief, and merriment that’s certain to make your heart (and smile) grow three sizes. Watch a who’s who of Whoville residents teach The Grinch the true meaning of the holiday season, then get an autograph and snap a photo with The Grinch himself. Don’t worry, he’s not really a mean one, just misunderstood.

One of the best things about coming to Kissimmee during the holidays is the wonderfully warm weather. So, you might be surprised to discover there’s plenty of frozen fun waiting for you in Central Florida. We’re talking about ICE! Featuring THE POLAR EXPRESS at Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center. All aboard for this journey of the imagination as a young child embarks on a journey to the North Pole and discovers the true spirit of the holidays. But what’s the North Pole without some ice?

Luckily, Gaylord Palms Resort has you (and the ground) covered. They’ve made more than two million pounds of ice for this event, especially for sculpture carving and decorations. They also built a hill covered in snow for you to go sliding with the entire family down an eight-lane course. After your sliding session, warm up with some hot chocolate and gingerbread cookie decorating while Mrs. Claus reads the classic poem ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.

For more than 20 years, Celebration Town Center has been the place to go to let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! That’s because the nightly Now Snowing show transforms the town into a winter wonderland without any of the chilly weather. You can also go skating, listen to the Charles Dickens Carolers, and take a ride through town in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage. And in case you’re wondering how the folks in Celebration manage to make it snow daily during the season – that’s just the magic of the holidays!

If you’re looking for an experience young travelers will adore, we can tell you how to get to the Sesame Street Christmas Parade at SeaWorld Parks & Resort Orlando. This all-new celebration features fantastically colorful floats, jaw-dropping dancing, and music that will have you moving to the melody. Best of all, little ones will have a chance to see all their favorite Sesame Street residents — from Big Bird to Elmo — getting in on the fun. Even Oscar the Grouch takes part in the singing and festivities, proving the holidays really do bring out the best in everyone. Plus, after the parade there’s the opportunity to take a photo with Elmo and his friends.

During the holidays, action and adventure might not be the first things that come to mind — unless you’re a fan of Star Wars, in which case, you’re coming to the right place! This season, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is giving you a gift that will spark more joy than a thousand Baby Yodas. It’s a fantastic new ride called Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and you’ll have the chance to be among the first to experience it when you visit. Join the Resistance on an unforgettable journey full of X-wings, lightsabers, and lovable droids as you work to defeat the First Order (a task that’s sure to put you on the top of every nice list in the entire galaxy).

Still searching for a few more things to do on your upcoming vacation? Take a look around our website to see all the fun that’s waiting here for you. When you find something that catches your eye, be sure to save it using our trip planning tool.

If you’re searching for holiday-season activities, be sure to check out these jolly holiday happenings. And for a gift that keeps on giving, subscribe to our newsletter. It’s full of vacation tips and tricks you can use all year round. Happy holidays!