Planet Hollywood offers a special dinner, tour and movie package for those who are looking for a fun holiday activity. Reservations for Christmas Day include a limousine ride around Downtown Disney, a Christmas dinner on a private floor in the restaurant and tickets for a movie at a nearby theater. This is a full-day event and lasts anywhere from eight to nine hours. As of 2011, the dinner menu includes soup, roast turkey, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, various other vegetables, mince pies and apple cobbler.
The Hard Rock Hotel offers a special Christmas Eve dinner. As of 2010, the menu includes a special holiday meal as well as options to order off of the regular menu. Christmas Eve at the Hard Rock Hotel also includes a special visit from Santa Claus and magicians performing magic tricks for children.
The Gaylord Palms Resort features the ICE Festival during the Christmas season. This festival includes ice skating for all ages, Christmas shopping, ice sculptures and games for children. Decorations typically include large walk-through ice sculptures, such as igloos and gingerbread houses. In 2010, the ICE Festival featured more than 2 million pounds of hand-carved monuments. ICE also offers select times where visitors may have a holiday brunch with Mrs. Claus at the Villa de Flora restaurant.
In Downtown Disney, the BoardWalk that offers more than 9,000 square feet of shops and eateries. Food is available across a wide spectrum, including bakeries, sports restaurants and funnel cake kiosks. Around Christmas, the BoardWalk is decked out in lights and other decorations. Disney characters walk around greeting everyone, sporting their own holiday themed outfits. While exploring the BoardWalk during Christmas time, you will also hear seasonal holiday songs and possibly catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as he makes special appearances. Transportation to the BoardWalk is available all throughout the Walt Disney World Resort via bus and boat.
If you are looking for a different and exciting way to check out Christmas lights, you can go on a zip-lining adventure hosted by Florida EcoSafaris at Forever Florida. This experience takes visitors through the Forever Florida Wildlife Conservation Area 55-feet off of the ground and features a show of colorful lights and Christmas music. The tours are hosted at night so the lights stand out from atop the treetops as you zip-line through the forest. Visitors will see a nightly light show of colorful dancing light displays. The visit lasts around four hours.
