ORLANDO, Fla. – UK holidaymakers looking to escape the frigid temperatures this festive season can plan the perfect winter getaway to sunny Orlando – the most visited destination in the U.S. With vaccinated Brits able to visit starting 8 Nov., they can take advantage of countless exciting and new happenings throughout a destination that takes safety seriously. From Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration and re-imagined Christmas and New Year's Eve experiences at the theme parks, to holiday shopping under the palm trees, visitors can celebrate the holidays in the Sunshine State – or even give their loved ones the “gift of travel” for a future trip to make up for all the missed holidays over the past few years.

“We're excited to welcome UK visitors back, just in time to experience Orlando's holiday festivities and warm, sunny winter months,” said Casandra Matej, Visit Orlando president and CEO. “New events at the theme parks, unique shopping experiences throughout the destination and exclusive travel offers make it a perfect time to plan a winter sun holiday to Orlando.” 

FESTIVE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS

Walt Disney World Resort

• Beginning 8 Nov., Disney Very Merriest After Hours will debut at Magic Kingdom Park. Running for 24 select nights through 21 Dec. from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., the separately ticketed, after-hours holiday event will bring festive food and beverage offerings, dance parties, nighttime spectaculars and “Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade.”
• The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays (26 Nov. to 30 Dec.) takes guests on a global holiday celebration with costumed performances, seasonal food throughout 11 World Showcase nations, along with wondrous sights, sounds and flavors of the season celebrated by cultures near and far.
• Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom feature festivities starting 12 Nov. including exclusive holiday character dining and festive nighttime illuminations.

Universal Orlando Resort 

• Grinchmas™ at Universal's Islands of Adventure (13 Nov. – 2 Jan.) will bring holiday charm to Seuss Landing with The Grinchmas™ Who-liday Spectacular, a live retelling of the classic tale starring the Grinch™
• Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ (13 Nov. – 2 Jan.) will bring festive decor to both Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Guests can cap off their evening in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade to enjoy “The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle” – a spectacular transformation of Hogwarts castle with a stunning projection.
• Universal's Holiday Experience featuring Macy's Balloons (13 Nov. – 2 Jan.) is a festive walk-through experience bringing Universal Studios' guests closer than ever to larger-than-life Macy's balloons and colorful Christmas floats, including characters from Shrek, Madagascar and Despicable Me, along with Santa.

SeaWorld Orlando

• During SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration (12 Nov. - 2 Jan.), over 3 million sparkling lights will shine throughout the theme park. Festivities include live performances, seasonal food and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, and entertainment like the Winter Wonderland on Ice.

Celebrate the magic of the holidays outside the theme parks with numerous opportunities to get in the Christmas spirit – from tree-lighting ceremonies to long-running holiday traditions infused with arts and culture.

• The Dazzling Nights outdoor holiday event at Harry P. Leu Gardens, running 19 Nov. – 9 Jan., features three-quarter-mile interactive holiday experience with epic lighting installations, themed photo moments, live entertainment and more.
• From 5 Nov. to 24 Dec., ICON Park will transform into a magical winter wonderland. To kick off the celebrations, ICON Park will host its first tree-lighting ceremony on 1 Dec. with an impressive 40-foot-tall Christmas tree visible from International Drive.
• The 35th annual Festival of Trees transforms the Orlando Museum of Art into a glittering wonderland, filled with sparkling trees, gingerbread houses, vignettes and stunning decor for all ages. The festival – taking place 13-21 Nov. – will also host daily musical performances and delightful programs for all ages throughout the week.

SPARKLING EVENTS TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR

New Year's celebrations in Orlando are unlike any other. From exclusive five-course dinners to exciting theme park celebrations, ringing in 2022 in Orlando will sure be worth the countdown.

• The New Year's Eve Dinner at JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa's Sear + Sea features a gourmet meal and rooftop terrace boasting nightly views of both theme park fireworks, which typically provide an extra-large NYE display.
• Downtown Orlando's Wall St. Plaza area, features multiple themed bars linked by an open-air courtyard, for an annual New Year's Eve Block Party with lightshows, dance parties and a big countdown to 2022.
• On New Year's Eve during SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration, spectacular music and a bold fireworks display will send a wave of welcome to the New Year ahead.
• On International Drive, Mango's Tropical Café and Tapa Toro are among numerous venues hosting celebrations with unique entertainment and live music.

UNIQUE HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXPERIENCES

Holiday shopping in Orlando promises not only open-air shopping centers perfect for shopping in the crisp Florida winter sunshine, but also unbeatable deals and exceptional value.

• Shopping beneath palm trees under the Florida sunshine doesn't get any easier than a trip to the outlets. With two distinct locations, the Orlando Premium Outlets is the place to snag discounted merchandise from designer- and brand-name outlet stores like Armani Exchange, Burberry, lululemon, Prada, Coach, Tory Burch and more.
• For a more luxurious shopping experience, the stylish and sophisticated Mall at Millenia offers everything from the latest Apple gadgets to international high-end retailers. With more than 150 stores, the center also offers valet parking, personal shopping services, and currency exchange services.
• Winter Park's Park Avenue offers 10 tree-lined blocks of brick streets, historic buildings and a mini-version of Manhattan's Central Park. Visitors will find everything from local boutiques to shops selling fine wines to the latest fashions.

Visitors should be sure to check out “Black Friday” shopping, which occurs the day after the American Thanksgiving holiday (26 Nov.) and offers the best shopping deals of the year.

EXCLUSIVE ORLANDO TRAVEL DEALS

Travelers can book via Visit Orlando's preferred travel partners to take advantage of some of the best Orlando travel deals for upcoming winter sun travel, including:

• 21 Nov. 2021: Orlando holiday deal from TUI Holidays
  TUI Holidays is offering rates starting at £799 per person for 7-night stays at Rosen Plaza Hotel, located right in the heart of International Drive and a short drive from area theme parks, for seven-night stays starting 21 Nov. For bookings, visit www.tui.co.uk or call 0871 231 4691.

• 30 Nov. 2021: Orlando holiday deal from Virgin Holidays
  Virgin Holidays is offering rates starting at £841 per person for 7-night stays from 30 Nov to 7 Dec at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort, located inside Universal Orlando Resort property. For bookings, visit www.virginholidays.co.uk or call 0333 305 1409.

• 1 Dec. 2021: Orlando holiday deal from Virgin Holidays
  Virgin Holidays is offering rates starting at £729 per person for a 10-night stay from 1-11 Dec at Coco Key Hotel & Water Park, located on the bustling International Drive just minutes away from theme parks and shopping malls. For bookings, visit www.virginholidays.co.uk or call 0333 305 1409.

Visit Orlando's UK website, VisitOrlando.com, offers the latest travel information and tools to make winter sun holiday planning easier.

The Orlando Destination

Home to seven of the world's top theme parks, Orlando is the country's No. 1 favorite family vacation destination with legendary theme parks, world-class water parks, outdoor thrill rides and activities in nature. With 450 hotels, visitors have choices from multi-acre resorts to themed boutique hotels. Orlando's trusted theme parks, attractions, hotels and businesses have developed comprehensive safety measures and worked closely with medical experts to create safe travel experiences.

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