Santa loves Christmas in Florida!

In fact, he enjoys our balmy weather so much, you’ll find him all over Orlando! If you’re looking for some "face time" with the jolly old elf himself, you won’t have far to look. Santa enjoys Christmas at Disney, and makes appearances at all of the other theme parks as well. He loves shopping for Christmas in Florida, and he can even be found at the Best of Florida Christmas celebration at Gaylord Palms Resort! Yep, the big guy gets around! Be sure to catch Santa for a chat, and even a photo, while he’s enjoying his Christmas in Florida. Need help finding him? Check out the listings below.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.

• Gaylord Palms Resort
• Mall at Millenia
• The Florida Mall
• Town of Celebration
• Downtown Disney
• Festival Bay Mall
• Old Town 

Gaylord Palms Resort

Best of Florida Christmas

At Orlando's "holiday headquarters," kids can visit the Jolly Ole Elf Nov. 17 through Dec. 24, 2008.
Nov. 17-21: 4-8 p.m.
Nov. 22-23: Noon - 8 p.m.
Nov. 24-26: 4-8 p.m.
Nov. 27-30: Noon - 8 p.m.
Dec. 1-5: 4-8 p.m.
Dec. 6-7: Noon - 8 p.m.
Dec. 8-12: 4-8 p.m.
Dec. 13-14: Noon - 8 p.m.
Dec. 15-16: 4-8 p.m.
Dec. 17-24: Noon - 8 p.m.

Santa Claus can be found in the convention center, in the pre-show area of ICE! (Florida F). Photos are available.

For children who are a bit shy, they can opt to send Santa an email instead! The free Santa email kiosk is near the entrance to ICE!, in Florida F.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the resort features "Brunch with Mrs. Claus" at Villa de Flora restaurant.

At Gaylord Palms Resort, families can also participate in an entire schedule of holiday activities, such as holiday entertainment, Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection, and more! Of course, Gaylord Palms is also home to ICE!, a walk-through attraction hand carved from near TWO MILLION pounds of ice. Daily schedules are available on the Gaylord Palms website.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.

Mall at Millenia

Featuring Christmas in Hollyville

Beginning Nov. 14, 2008, The Mall at Millenia sparkles with the most spectacular seasonal décor package ever presented by a retail center in Florida. The décor glitters with oversized ornaments in bright, festive colors, whimsical trees adorned in holiday splendor, sparkling stars that surprise at every turn, and the incredible Millenia tree.

Santa's Arrival celebration will begin at 6 p.m. as a DJ kicks off the holiday fun with an energetic dance party and stage show filled with lights, pyrotechnics and snowflakes cascading from the sky.  Non-stop entertainment includes stilt walkers, magicians, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and a host of whimsical Hollyville characters.  At 6:45 pm, all eyes look to the skies to catch the rooftop arrival of Santa in a magical, enlightening moment. 

Santa will be on-site for visits beginning Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and throughout the season during mall hours; candid color photos, sepia-hued black and whites and CD-Rom images are available for purchase. Each child visiting Hollyville recieves a complimentary gift.

Please be aware that you may experience long lines during weekend visiting hours. Recommended visiting times are Monday-Friday 10-11 a.m., 3-5 p.m. or 7 p.m. -Closing.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.

The Florida Mall

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.

Town of Celebration

Now Snowing, Central Florida’s original and premier ‘Snowing’ event, offers all new snow machines, new decorations and a variety of live entertainment for 2008. Now Snowing is a month long Winter Wonderland Spectacular featuring strolling Charles Dickens Carolers, Santa Claus, horse drawn carriage rides, and nightly snowfall.

Photos with Santa are available every night through Dec. 24 from 5 to 9 p.m. along with nightly snowfall at 6, 7, and 8 p.m.

The Now Snowing event ends with a one-of-a-kind New Years Eve Celebration featuring a concert by the Reflections Band Live and a fireworks spectacular and final snowfall of the year at midnight. Come enjoy the distinctive shopping and fine dining that Celebration is known for the world over.

Brought to you by Lexin Capital, and sponsored in part by the Celebration Town Tavern, and the Celebration Hotel. Now Snowing Nightly parking and admission are free. Celebration is conveniently located between Highway 192 and interstate 4 near Walt Disney World.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.

Downtown Disney

Festival of the Seasons

Enjoy the hustle, bustle and good cheer of the holiday season in the Downtown Disney® area. Great shopping, live entertainment and a fantastic photo op with Santa himself make this the perfect one-stop, holiday shop location. Check out the dazzling displays of lights and the special holiday window dressings that adorn the shops and restaurants. Feast your eyes and ears on the seasonal carolers, musical acts and holiday variety performers throughout the streets. The Downtown Disney® area is truly a winter wonderland.

Santa hours from 12 to 10 p.m. daily.
Santa previews Nov. 15 - Nov. 27 from 5 to 10 p.m. daily.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.

Festival Bay Mall

The Giving Spree
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008
Festival Bay Mall will hold “The Giving Spree” on Nov. 15, which will be hosted by Habitat for Humanity volunteers.  Shoppers can obtain exclusive mall offers by visiting www.TheGivingSpree.com  and for a $5 donation, they can download retail offers that will save them money at the participating stores on November 15.

Get Your Gift On!
Friday, Nov. 28, 2008
Festival Bay Mall will be open at 8am (Bass Pro Shops opens at 6am) on the Day After Thanksgiving.  Shoppers can text to win a notebook computer and a chance to win a 52” flat screen television and many more prizes!  Shoppers can also enjoy exclusive merchant discounts! Santa Arrives at Noon!  Photos with Santa for a nominal fee!  Parents don’t forget to stay for the Kids Crew Kids Club in association with Radio Disney from 1pm-3pm in Center Court.  Kids enjoy fun, games and prizes!

Gingerbread House Contest
Nov. 28 – Dec.10, 2008
Festival Bay Mall is holding its second annual Gingerbread House Contest benefiting Partnership In Education schools.  Shoppers are encouraged to look at the display of over 30 gingerbread houses located in a store front near the Bass Pro Shops and vote for their favorite gingerbread house at Customer Service!  Each vote cast is a $1 with 100% off the proceeds going to school’s PIE program.

St. Nick's pet pics!
Monday nights in December (1st, 8th & 15th)
6pm-9pm
Pets visitng Santa isn't a new idea, but what GGP has done with St. Nick's Pet Pics, is new!  Understanding that many shoppers LOVE to share photos of their pets during the holidays , we have added some fun costumes for the pets to wear in their Santa photo!  In addition, the number of pet photo nights has been expanded to three Monday nights in December! 

2008 Santa Photo Operational Hours:

Nov. 28 & 29- Noon to 7 p.m.
Nov. 30- Noon to 5 p.m.
Dec. 1- Noon to 9 p.m.
Dec. 6- Noon to 7 p.m.
Dec. 7- Noon to 5 p.m.
Dec. 8- Noon to 9 p.m.
Dec. 12-23- Mon-Sat. Noon to 7 p.m., Sun. Noon to 5 p.m.
Dec. 24- 9 to 6 p.m.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.

Old Town

Holiday-goers can stroll Old Town's brick-lined streets and browse through a diverse selection of merchandise at more than 75 specialty stores. A variety of "carnival-style" rides and attractions are also offered.

As for Santa, you can find him here Monday through Friday from 5-8 p.m.  As a bonus, you can receive a complimentary photo with Santa when you make a $5.00 donation to benefit the children of Devereux, Florida. The Old Town Portrait Gallery, suite 229 is an award-winning photography studio right here in Old Town. The photo is 5" by 7" and is on Kodak paper.

Photos with Santa:
Monday- Friday only
Dec. 1 - 19, 2008

For more information call (407) 870-0817.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON.  WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON.  PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.