Are you ready for the Holidays? If you read Real Florida Adventures’ last blog (Nobody Does Halloween Like Orlando Does), you’ll know that October was a spectacular month to be in Central Florida, with a proliferation of special events and spooky happenings.
But November in Orlando puts even that extravaganza of themed fun in the shade, when the festive spirit is unleashed and just about everywhere puts on their very best seasonal style.
It all starts on November 8, when Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom raises the Holiday flag with the start of its evening Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party event, which continues through to December 22. An extra ticket is required, but it features all the Yuletide splendor you could possibly wish for.
The rest of Walt’s vast resort joins in the festivities from November 11, with both the Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios debuting their colorful festive decor and additional attractions, like the Holiday Edition of the Tree of Life Awakenings at the former and the eye-catching Santa Claus Motorcade at the latter.
There is more to be enjoyed at Disney Springs, too, as this extravagant shopping, dining, and entertainment complex offer holiday-themed activities, including snow flurries in the Town Center area, a chance to Meet Santa, and the visual razzle-dazzle of the Christmas Tree Stroll.
The Epcot park then adds its own seasonal sparkle with its Holidays Around the World overlay from November 25, including the must-see event of The Candlelight Processional, the nativity reading and concert, which is performed three times each evening. What a way to start your holidays!
At SeaWorld, the seasonal fun starts on November 11, with the extensive Christmas Celebration lasting through January 3.
See the park be transformed into a veritable winter wonderland, with snow flurries, Rudolph’s Christmastown, Ice Skating at Bayside Stadium, the Holiday Reflections fireworks, Elmo’s Christmas Wish show, and some of the best decor anywhere in Florida, including the eye-popping Sea of Trees.
Universal Orlando kicks things into full Holiday mode on November 12 as their parks add extra luster with the spectacular daily occurrence of Universal’s Holiday Parade Featuring Macy’s at Universal Studios and the all-out Seussian excitement of Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure.
Both parks also feature Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, with the extra delights of hot Butterbeer, the superb Christmas Lights on Hogwarts, and Holiday performances of the Frog Choir and Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees, as well as even more festive decorations.
Two additional must-see events are the annual ICE! presentation and fabulously expansive array of activities that are Christmas at Gaylord Palms (Nov 18-Jan 1), and the new local tradition of Night of a Million Lights, an illuminated spectacular at Island H2O water park in Kissimmee that benefits the splendid Give Kids The World Village (Nov 11-Jan 1).
And don’t forget to take advantage of the annual Black Friday shopping bonus, as the major shopping centers – notably the big Premium Outlets complexes on International Drive – all gear up for this retail frenzy in remarkable fashion with visitors in mind, making it another highlight in the calendar, even if you’re not normally a super-keen shopper.
The big ‘secret’ of course about all this extra allure and attraction is that November actually provides all the glitter and glamor of the season without the higher level of crowds that Orlando experiences from mid-December.
It is usually the cue for the locals to take advantage of all the Holiday offerings, safe in the knowledge that the experience is just as festive but they won’t be battling the visiting hordes to the same extent.
So, if the Christmas vibe is what you’re looking for – but not the throngs of fellow devotees – then November is definitely the month to be here.
The other big bonus for setting your sights on Orlando at this time of year is the weather. Like Mary Poppins, it is practically perfect in every way. While Florida’s northern cousins are already experiencing the chill of winter – with snow and/or freezing conditions in places like Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois – this region continues to bask in blissful temperatures.
In fact, it may just be THE perfect time to be here from the weather point of view, with none of the humidity of the previous months but plenty of sunshine and warmth.
Temperatures usually remain in the low 80s (and only drop into the 50s at night towards the end of the month), while this is also typically one of the driest periods of the year, so that means you can still dine al fresco during the day, and you can still enjoy a day at the beach, even if other parts of the country have got their thermal underwear on!
Another idyllic outdoor option just now is a classic Florida airboat adventure, which provides some watery thrills at up to 40mph as well as showcasing the state’s nature in magnificent style and providing an authentic look at genuine Native American life. That’s the Boggy Creek difference, and we’re delighted to be able to offer it in RFA’s exciting range of tours.
All in all, it adds up to just one more reason why Orlando is genuinely the Vacation Capital of the World.
Be sure to ask about the Price Match Guarantee. If you find a lower qualified price for an identical tour on another site, they will match it, no questions asked.
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