I know we don’t go to Florida for snow but during December and early January it “snows” nightly in Celebration whatever the weather.
Market Street closes during the afternoon and in early evening preparations start as workers lay a white foam on the road as a base for the “snow” that will fall later. At 6 o’clock and on the hour ever hour until 9 o’clock, Christmas Carols will be played from the loud speakers and snow will fall in Market Street. It sound corny but it is actually great fun, particularly for the local children who have never experienced real snow. The atmosphere is wonderful as everyone enters into the spirit of the experience. Early in the evening when the “snow” that has been laid is still quite thick a lot of the children will be playing “snowballs” so beware!
This year (2009) there is also an artificial ice rink provided just in front of Starbucks. For $10 for half an hour, including boot hire you can slide around on the artificial ice while your friends and family watch from the sidelines.
For the younger children there is the chance to visit Father Christmas in his grotto by the lake close to the “ice rink”.
In pride of place at the bottom of market street is the large decorated Christmas tree and this is the area where any live entertainment will be based.
To see more of Celebration during your visit there are two choices. You can either take a trip on the small train, or you can have a ride in one of the elegant horse drawn carriages. The “station” and the starting point for the carriage rides are by the lake.
The shops all stay open late so you can even do some Christmas shopping between the other activities.
With the range of restaurants that are available in Celebration you can really make a long evening of activities. If you get there about 5 o' clock you can park up, have a look around, perhaps book a table for dinner later and then go for a walk around the lakes. It really is worth looking at the wonderful homes around the second lake approached over the wooden bridge. You can then get back for the first batch of carols and “snow”, do a bit of shopping and then enjoy your evening meal. If the wine has loosened your inhibitions you could have a go at the skating.
Celebration is worth a visit at any time of the year but it is great at Christmas time.
Market Street closes during the afternoon and in early evening preparations start as workers lay a white foam on the road as a base for the “snow” that will fall later. At 6 o’clock and on the hour ever hour until 9 o’clock, Christmas Carols will be played from the loud speakers and snow will fall in Market Street. It sound corny but it is actually great fun, particularly for the local children who have never experienced real snow. The atmosphere is wonderful as everyone enters into the spirit of the experience. Early in the evening when the “snow” that has been laid is still quite thick a lot of the children will be playing “snowballs” so beware!
This year (2009) there is also an artificial ice rink provided just in front of Starbucks. For $10 for half an hour, including boot hire you can slide around on the artificial ice while your friends and family watch from the sidelines.
For the younger children there is the chance to visit Father Christmas in his grotto by the lake close to the “ice rink”.
In pride of place at the bottom of market street is the large decorated Christmas tree and this is the area where any live entertainment will be based.
To see more of Celebration during your visit there are two choices. You can either take a trip on the small train, or you can have a ride in one of the elegant horse drawn carriages. The “station” and the starting point for the carriage rides are by the lake.
The shops all stay open late so you can even do some Christmas shopping between the other activities.
With the range of restaurants that are available in Celebration you can really make a long evening of activities. If you get there about 5 o' clock you can park up, have a look around, perhaps book a table for dinner later and then go for a walk around the lakes. It really is worth looking at the wonderful homes around the second lake approached over the wooden bridge. You can then get back for the first batch of carols and “snow”, do a bit of shopping and then enjoy your evening meal. If the wine has loosened your inhibitions you could have a go at the skating.
Celebration is worth a visit at any time of the year but it is great at Christmas time.