Central Florida’s theme parks festivities in the forefront to entertain visitors, lure locals and keep themselves in public eye.
The countdown hits zero, the big ball drops, Baby New Year appears and that puts a bow on the holiday season in most places.
But Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions keep the festivities in the forefront in an effort to entertain extended-holiday visitors, lure locals and keep themselves in the public eye.
SeaWorld Orlando, which typically has wrapped up Christmas celebrations by the end of December, is keeping some of its holiday offerings going in January and adding features to create its Three Kings Celebration, running Jan. 1-6.
“It’s really its own separate event,” said Matthew Ashman, entertainment production manager at SeaWorld. Staying in the lineup are the park’s glimmering Sea of Trees display and “O Wondrous Night,” a live stage show that Ashman said dovetails with the Three Kings event.
“At certain times throughout the day, we’ll have a parade of animals come out that are featured in the show,” he said. Also on hand will be three wise men — later on hand for a photo op — and a storyteller who explains the significance of the Three Kings holiday, which is popular in Latin cultures.
Also on tap that week will be seasonal cuisine, perrandas-style music and themed crafts for kids, including decorating boxes, a Three Kings Day tradition.
“People are encouraged to come there and have a good time — dance, listen to the music and socialize,” Ashman said.
Some area school districts won’t be in session, so Central Floridians may be a part of the mix for the Three Kings Celebration.
“It was sort of a happy accident,” Ashman said.
Orlando-area theme parks have long celebrated beyond Dec. 25. Universal Orlando will continue its new Christmas programming for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and its revamped holiday parade through Jan. 6. The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, including Candlelight Processional, ends Dec. 30, as the park shifts into New Year’s Eve mode. The Sunset Seasons Greetings activities, which debuted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in November, also finishes Dec. 30. Disney Springs’ holiday offerings, including the Christmas Tree Trail, will be in place through Jan. 7.
The first week of January usually is slow for business travel and convention hotels, said Christopher Brumbaugh, director of public relations and marketing at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee.
“A lot of the giant hotels don’t have convention travel starting up again until mid-January. So we’re all wanting those leisure travelers to come stay with us,” he said.
This year, the resort is extending its holiday programming, including the elaborate ICE display and stage show, through Jan. 7. Santa and Mrs. Claus are given the week off, so the characters of Jack and Jackie Frost fill in with a new “Warm Up the Winter” show.
“We want to keep entertainment going, so when the Claus family leaves us, we have brought in extra entertainment to continue through Jan. 7,” Brumbaugh said.
Other Gaylord hotels end Christmas promotions in December, he said.
“We’re hoping that because kids are out of school, people are going to be looking for things to do with their kids,” Brumbaugh said.
“We said we should keep our attraction open just to give people more opportunity,” he said. “The attraction is built.… We’re already there, why not keep it open?”
Peak travel periods have been abbreviated by changing school calendars, especially in summer, said Dennis Speigel, president of International Theme Park Services.
“The parks need to look for ways to continue to spread their attendance into a more rolling curve through the rest of the year,” he said.
After Christmas, “I think what they are doing is absolutely capitalizing on the hangover families whose schools have not started and are still in the marketplace,” Speigel said.
“It’s what the parks have to do, really,” he said. “If it gives them a little blip or bump, that’s great.”
