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Parks Unwrap Holiday Events

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By TED JACKOVICS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 7, 2007

West Central Florida may not have the best climate for a traditional Christmas, but the region's amusement parks don't hesitate to go all out with a celebration of festive lights, ice shows and other themed events.

Tampa's Busch Gardens, with figure skaters, holiday songs and plenty of chances for photos with St. Nick, points out that it really has two seasons within a season. That's because vacationers from beyond the Tampa Bay area generally begin their trek to Busch Gardens on Christmas Day, giving local folks - especially those with year-round passes - a better chance to enjoy the attractions in the weeks leading up to Christmas, said Gerard Hoeppner, senior director of communications for Busch Entertainment's Florida Parks.

"Our local patrons in Tampa are familiar with the tradition of Christmas at the park, and they can visit when lines might be a little shorter than what builds up later this month," Hoeppner said.

This year, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay created an ice show with 13 figure skaters at its Stanleyville Theater stage, a "Christmas From The Heart" song and dance show at the Marrakesh Theater and the "Christmas Celebration" at the Desert Grill where children can meet Santa Claus for a photo after each performance.
Busch Entertainment also has created its biggest holiday attraction in SeaWorld history this year in Orlando with "The Polar Express Experience" to transport guests to the North Pole.

"We were able to take SeaWorld's Wild Arctic experience and utilize the motion projection system and the animal habitat to create a holiday experience there," Hoeppner said.

Among the other holiday themes at West Central Florida amusement parks:

•Walt Disney World in Orlando offers Christmas and winter holiday themed events at each of its four major Lake Buena Vista attractions - including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom, Holidays Around The World at Epcot, The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios and Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom.

"The holiday season traditionally is one of our busiest times, and we expect the same this year," said Jacob DiPietre, spokesman for Walt Disney World.

•Beginning today, Universal Studios in Orlando puts on its version of Macy's Holiday Parade, including the "actual, authentic" Santa from the Big Apple's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Universal also offers entertainment from Barney's Christmas Show to the Blues Brothers Christmas Show, plus a new stage show at Islands of Adventure, called Grinchmas, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

•Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven offers "An Old Fashioned Christmas," with traditional carolers, music and shows. Cypress Gardens also puts on a 25-minute ice skating performance themed to holiday music.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817 and tjackovics @tampatrib.com.

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