A FAIRY FUN TIME: To celebrate the animated film “Tinker Bell,” Disney’s most famous fairy and four of her best friends are featured in a meet-and-greet experience in Mickey’s Toontown Fair at Magic Kingdom. To meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, guests enter a magical forest called “Pixie Hollow,” a special place deep in the heart of Never Land. Tinker Bell (center), made famous in the 1953 Disney animated classic “Peter Pan,” for her “hostess” role in Disney television specials and for “flying” above the Disney theme parks, is joined inside Pixie Hollow by four fairy friends: Iridessa (left), a light fairy; Fawn (second from left), an animal fairy; Rosetta (second from right), a garden fairy; and Silvermist (right), a water fairy. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

PIXIE DUST: To celebrate the animated film “Tinker Bell,” Disney’s most famous fairy and four of her best friends are featured in a meet-and-greet experience in Mickey’s Toontown Fair at Magic Kingdom. To meet Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, guests enter a magical forest called “Pixie Hollow,” a special place deep in the heart of Never Land. Tinker Bell, made famous in the 1953 Disney animated classic “Peter Pan,” for her “hostess” role in Disney television specials and for “flying” above the Disney theme parks, is joined inside Pixie Hollow by four fairy friends: Fawn, an animal fairy; Iridessa (pictured), a light fairy; Rosetta, a garden fairy; and Silvermist, a water fairy. (Diana Zalucky, photographer)

 CAJUN COUNTRY: Guests enjoy the fast tempos of Cajun zydeco performed by southern Louisiana’s own “Zydecane” during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival at Walt Disney World Resort. The rich heritage and uniqueness of the state is represented in regional fare, entertainment, art, and storytelling throughout the six-week fest. Louisiana serves up a musical gumbo with the following bands slated to perform: Oct. 23-26 Professor Porkchop, New Orleans jazz and keyboardist; Oct. 27-Nov. 1 Pine Leaf Boys, Cajun band; Nov. 2-5 Bagasse Boyz, bluegrass band; and Nov. 6-9 Judy Davis and Kenny Acosta Band, blues/jazz and New Orleans street beat. The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival continues through Nov. 9 with food and wine tastings, seminars, concerts and more. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

CAN I HAVE THIS DANCE?: Singer and actor Lance Bass (right) and his “Dancing with the Stars” professional dance partner Lacey Schwimmer (left) get into the Halloween spirit and kick up their heels Oct. 23, 2008 in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. As of Oct. 23, 2008, the pair was one of seven couples remaining on the current season of the popular ABC-TV dance competition show. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

Best of Florida Christmas at Gaylord Palms
Featuring ICE!, our frozen family attraction made from 2 million pounds of ice

November 17, 2008 – January 4, 2009  As the Orlando host to the Christmas holiday season, Gaylord Palms Resort offers a slate of activities sure to make you “merry and bright” as part of our Best of Florida Christmas celebration! Our 4.5-acre atrium is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland, filled with elegant and sometimes whimsical décor, a majestic 54-foot Christmas tree, and a variety of fun-filled activities and entertainment for the entire family. This year’s program features 49 days of holiday revelry, including:
ICE!

Who says the holidays in Florida are all about sunshine and palm trees? Prepare for the coolest winter on record as Gaylord Palms presents ICE!, a walk-through attraction hand-carved from nearly TWO MILLION pounds of ice.

Explore a whimsical winter wonderland of larger-than-life, three-dimensional hand-carved ice monuments and sculptures, including fantastic frozen creations, slippery ice slides, and memorable holiday scenes. As for the chill, visitors are given oversized parkas to stay comfortable inside the attraction, which is kept at a blustery 9 degrees. In its sixth season, ICE! will reflect the theme “Santa’s Arctic Blast,” featuring several scenes that star “Jolly Cold Saint Nicholas” himself. One such scene is an oversized “Santa’s knee” photo opportunity that’s likely to be the most photographed element inside the attraction. Another guest favorite, the ICE! slides, have been re-designed to celebrate Santa’s Christmas Eve flight… reindeer and all.

The attraction’s signature scene, a life-size Nativity carved completely of crystal-clear ice, has been described as one of the most breathtaking depictions of the birth of Christ. Dramatic lighting and a stirring narrative track give guests an opportunity to pause and reflect on the story behind the season.

The attraction is carved by a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China. The talented artisans spend more than a month in Kissimmee creating this one-of-a-kind attraction. Harbin is best known for its annual International Ice and Snow Festival, where more than 2,000 sculptors annually carve a 100-acre walk-through Ice Park from ice taken from the Songhua River.

NOTE: ICE! is kept at a frigid 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to dress appropriately: closed-toe shoes and long pants are required.

The Majestic Christmas Tree, perched atop the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, towering more than 70 feet above Emerald Plaza.Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, a festive family hunt throughout the atriums of Gaylord Palms to spot cleverly hidden gnomes.Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection, an exhibition of wreaths decorated to celebrate Florida’s diverse destinations, from coast to coast.Live stage entertainment, on select dates.Santa visits, where you can see Jolly Old St. Nick himself. Or, if you’re shy, you can send him your wish list by email! Holiday brunch with Mrs. Claus on select weekends at Villa de Flora. (Reservations recommended) Lights, Lights, Lights, enjoy elegant, and sometimes whimsical décor and holiday lights throughout each of the resort’s three atriums.

• 2,000,000 pounds of ice will be used to create ICE!
   
• 5,000 blocks of ice will be hand carved and transformed into a winter wonderland.
   
• 9 degrees Fahrenheit is the average temperature inside “The Florida Fridge,” the home of the ICE! attraction.
   
• 1500+ fluorescent and fiber optic lights will be frozen within the ice, creating a magical holiday experience.
   
• More than 18,000 total square feet of space is covered by the ICE! attraction. Kept at a brisk 9 degrees, the unique structure housing ICE! is also known as the “Florida Fridge.” It is believed to be the first of its kind in North America.

Disney World Vacation Packages
When you’re thinking of a vacation consider the most popular vacation destination in the world; Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida. A vacation package to Walt Disney World can include your resort accommodations, tickets to all of the parks including the water parks, and even a dining plan for your whole family.

A vacation package to Disney World is something that will become a lasting memory for your entire family. There is so much to see and do that seven days will fly by magically before you realize it. There is the Magic Kingdom with Cinderella’s Castle, where all of the little princesses want to pose with Cinderella and the other famous Disney characters. Go past the castle and onto Main Street U.S.A. where the memories of yesterday come alive. Here you can watch a parade or better yet become a part of it. Then on to the Pirates of the Caribbean for a thrill for everyone, board a steamboat and ride the rivers of America. There are numerous attractions such as it’s a small world, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the magic teacups. After your time in the past it’s on to Tomorowland where we get a glimpse of the future. And finish your day off with a great fireworks display that will rival any you see celebrating the fourth of July.

In addition to the Magic Kingdom there is Epcot, Disney Studios, Animal Kingdom, and two water parks. With your park hopper pass you and your family can visit all of the parks whenever you wish.

When you arrive at Walt Disney World all of the transportation is provided by Disney World. There is the monorail that whisks you quietly to the destination of your choice, motor coaches that carry you in air conditioned comfort, and water ferries that let you take in the beautiful scenery without the hassle of traffic. And best of all this is included in your vacation package at no additional cost to you.

Disney World vacation packages are a terrific value. When you consider the amount of entertainment you get for the price it is the best value in the marketplace, no contest. There’s something to do and see twelve hours per day, deluxe accommodations, fantastic dining possibilities all for one low price with no surprises at the end.

Call the vacation planners at Kingdom Magic Travel to help you plan your Walt Disney World Vacation package. These folks are expert planners who know and love Walt Disney World.

Epcot
Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida offers fantastic entertainment for all ages; from toddlers through seniors. The Epcot theme park is no exception. Epcot was to be Walt Disney’s city of the future. In a lot of ways it has reached that goal and more. Epcot has the ability to open your mind and causes you to think about the possibilities and the changes we should make to protect our world for future generations.

Begin your mind opening journey through Epcot in The Land pavilion where you can enjoy some of California’s greatest natural wonders as you soar over rushing rivers, the great Pacific Ocean, the Golden Gate Bridge, and countless other wonders that will take your breath and have you picking up your feet as you head over the surf breaking on the rocks. This attraction is called Soarin for obvious reasons and is a great ride for all ages.

Also in The Land pavilion you can take a boat tour through some of the most promising experiments in growing food in different ways. Hydroponics’ and trestles produce a cleaner, more abundant harvest on less land than conventional methods. Here you can witness experiments in aquaculture where fish and reptiles such as alligators are grown in tanks for a controlled environment. Some of the fish you have for dinner in Walt Disney World may be grown here.

One of the most enjoyable features of Epcot is the World Showcase where different countries showcase their cultures for your pleasure. Countries such as Canada, Japan, Germany and Mexico have pavilions that showcase their culture. Canada has a great 360 degree theatre showing the different areas of the country and some of these will leave you breathless with their beauty.

From September 26th through November 9th 2008 Epcot will host an International Food and Wine Festival with different cities and countries showcasing their food and wine. Here you can stroll along the mile of lakefront and sample food and beverages from around the world while listening to great entertainment such as Sheena Easton, Jon Secada, En Vogue, and David Cassidy among others.

Epcot’s other attractions include The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Mission Space, Test Track, and many more that you and your family will enjoy visiting over and over. Along with the other attractions in Walt Disney World; Epcot is constantly changing and improving so you the visitor always have the opportunity to see new and exciting sights.

ICE-ASAURUS:  A replica Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil greets diners in the Ice Cave dining area of “T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop and Discover” at Downtown Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.  The 600-seat restaurant, operated by Landry’s Restaurants, combines table-service dining and retail in an interactive prehistoric environment built around water, fire and ice.  Guests at “T-Rex” can enjoy life-size animatronic dinosaurs, cascading waterfalls and bubbling geysers while choosing from a menu including appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches and desserts. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

UNDER THE SEA:  Larger-than-life replicas of prehistoric sea creatures combine with giant aquariums of exotic fish in the lounge area of “T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop and Discover” at Downtown Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.  The 600-seat restaurant, operated by Landry’s Restaurants, combines table-service dining and retail in an interactive prehistoric environment built around water, fire and ice.  Guests at “T-Rex” can enjoy life-size animatronic dinosaurs, cascading waterfalls and bubbling geysers while choosing from a menu including appetizers, salads, pastas, sandwiches and desserts. (Gene Duncan, photographer)

ALOHA!: Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo (right) shared plans for its future resort Oct. 16, 2008, in Hawaii with Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann (left). Scheduled to open in 2011, the expansive family resort will be located in the Ko Olina area on the western side of Oahu and will include 350 hotel rooms and 480 villas for Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s growing timeshare business. (David Roark, photographer)