One of the things we love most about coming to Florida is the sunshine and the warm weather, but if you visit during the winter period it is possible that you may occassionally experience a few colder days, and in the summer there are likely to be tropical rainstorms in the afternoons. But thankfully these showers don' t last long.
We like to spend Christmas and New Year in our villa, and have, on a couple of occasions, found ourselves in the middle of a cold snap. These low temperatures are usually short lived but it is a good idea to think of places to go to when it is cold or wet. For example, going to the water parks is not the best idea when temperatures outside are below 50 degrees F. So, forget the water parks and take yourself to the main parks where there is plenty to do.
First, there are lots of wonderful indoor shows where you won’t freeze. My personal favourite is the ‘Finding Nemo’ show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Located in the ‘Theater in the Wild’ between Dinoland and Asia, this is a wonderful musical performance you won’t want to miss. The theatre has been enclosed and updated and seats 1500 people. The show tells the story of Nemo, who, through his own curiosity, is accidentally caught and put in a fish tank in a dentist’s surgery. His poor unfortunate father, Merlin, makes a desperate journey through shark and jellyfish infested waters to rescue his beloved son, aided and abetted by the forgetful Dory, who like most fish, has an attention span that is counted in seconds. The costumes and puppets are fantastic, as is the music, and it is highly entertaining and amusing.
Another ‘inside’ show well worth going to is the amazing ‘Festival of the Lion King, ’ also at Animal Kingdom. No matter how many times I see this I always get goose bumps. It is really spectacular with, of course, the wonderful original music, plus huge audio-animatronic animals to enchant you. It is fast and furious with acrobatics, trampolining monkeys, stilt walkers, and my favourite part, a beautiful high wire act with the performers dressed as birds. The costumes are amazing, the music is brilliant, and the talented singers make this one not to miss. I still find the finale, which includes the heart-stirring ‘Circle of Life’ one of the most moving experiences at the parks.
‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic, ’ at Magic Kingdom, which is not really a musical, but a 3-D attraction with music provides another great place to go when it is cold. It took three years to make and it takes you on a magical trip through many favourite Disney films, including ‘Beauty and the Beast, ’ ‘Peter Pan, ’ ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Aladdin, ’ with, of course, Mickey and Donald to stealing the show. It’s a wonderful animation and a great place to get out of the chill.
‘The Little Mermaid’ at Hollywood Studios is one of my favourite chilly weather destinations. I even managed to drag my 20 year old son to see it last time! This is a musical stage production which uses live characters, puppets, special effects, music and clips from the movie to tell the story of the Little Mermaid. It features one of my favourite Disney songs – ‘Under the Sea’ – and the special effects and lightning techniques draw you in to the story. Enchanting for young and old alike.
So don’t worry if the weather is inclement – it won' t last long and there are still lots of places to go and things to do!
See Part 2 for more ideas on what to do if it is chilly or raining.
We like to spend Christmas and New Year in our villa, and have, on a couple of occasions, found ourselves in the middle of a cold snap. These low temperatures are usually short lived but it is a good idea to think of places to go to when it is cold or wet. For example, going to the water parks is not the best idea when temperatures outside are below 50 degrees F. So, forget the water parks and take yourself to the main parks where there is plenty to do.
First, there are lots of wonderful indoor shows where you won’t freeze. My personal favourite is the ‘Finding Nemo’ show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Located in the ‘Theater in the Wild’ between Dinoland and Asia, this is a wonderful musical performance you won’t want to miss. The theatre has been enclosed and updated and seats 1500 people. The show tells the story of Nemo, who, through his own curiosity, is accidentally caught and put in a fish tank in a dentist’s surgery. His poor unfortunate father, Merlin, makes a desperate journey through shark and jellyfish infested waters to rescue his beloved son, aided and abetted by the forgetful Dory, who like most fish, has an attention span that is counted in seconds. The costumes and puppets are fantastic, as is the music, and it is highly entertaining and amusing.
Another ‘inside’ show well worth going to is the amazing ‘Festival of the Lion King, ’ also at Animal Kingdom. No matter how many times I see this I always get goose bumps. It is really spectacular with, of course, the wonderful original music, plus huge audio-animatronic animals to enchant you. It is fast and furious with acrobatics, trampolining monkeys, stilt walkers, and my favourite part, a beautiful high wire act with the performers dressed as birds. The costumes are amazing, the music is brilliant, and the talented singers make this one not to miss. I still find the finale, which includes the heart-stirring ‘Circle of Life’ one of the most moving experiences at the parks.
‘Mickey’s PhilharMagic, ’ at Magic Kingdom, which is not really a musical, but a 3-D attraction with music provides another great place to go when it is cold. It took three years to make and it takes you on a magical trip through many favourite Disney films, including ‘Beauty and the Beast, ’ ‘Peter Pan, ’ ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Aladdin, ’ with, of course, Mickey and Donald to stealing the show. It’s a wonderful animation and a great place to get out of the chill.
‘The Little Mermaid’ at Hollywood Studios is one of my favourite chilly weather destinations. I even managed to drag my 20 year old son to see it last time! This is a musical stage production which uses live characters, puppets, special effects, music and clips from the movie to tell the story of the Little Mermaid. It features one of my favourite Disney songs – ‘Under the Sea’ – and the special effects and lightning techniques draw you in to the story. Enchanting for young and old alike.
So don’t worry if the weather is inclement – it won' t last long and there are still lots of places to go and things to do!
See Part 2 for more ideas on what to do if it is chilly or raining.