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Guest article by Amity Hook-Sopko

Remember the pure joy of the holidays when you were a child?

You can experience that joy again – no matter your age – with the seasonal festivities of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

All four of Disney’s parks – the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom – undergo magical transformations to celebrate the yuletide season. You might just feel like your Fairy Godmother waved her magic wand and turned you into a kid again…

Start your visit at the Magic Kingdom, where the sight of a Cinderella’s castle aglow takes your breath away. More than 200,000 twinkling lights transform the iconic castle into a glistening ice palace.

Moving about Main Street U.S.A., snowflakes swirl about the glowing lights and giant Christmas tree in Town Square. And what Christmas party would be complete without hot chocolate and cookies? Be sure to help yourself to a rare “freebie” from Disney.

On select evenings at the Magic Kingdom, “kids from 1 to 92” are cordially invited to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You’ll be treated to holiday themed shows featuring Disney characters, “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade,” and “Holiday Wishes” fireworks spectacular.

Castle Dreamlights

On to Epcot, where the Lights of Winter, a breathtaking arch of twinkling lights, welcomes you to “Holidays Around the World” at World Showcase. Here the young and “young at heart” can learn about holiday traditions and the many ways Santa (or his counterparts) visit children all over the world.

To celebrate the “reason for the season,” Epcot’s Candlelight Processional features the traditional Christmas story read by a celebrity narrator, and the memorable music of a mass choir and 50-piece live orchestra. You may find the upbeat “Rejoice with Exceeding Great Joy” has replaced the theme from “It’s a Small World” as that tune you just can’t get out of your head.

A few of this year’s narrators include Marlee Matlin, Abigail Breslin, Edward James Olmos, and Monique Coleman.

The star attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, where the Streets of America glow with millions of dancing lights, animated displays and falling snow. Most of the featured 3-D displays and nearly 4 million dazzling lights are from the home of the Jennings Osborne family from Arkansas. Their display includes twirling carousels, marching toy soldiers, musical angels and Santa and his reindeer moving to the music.

Other not-to-be-missed spots are Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring “Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade” and Downtown Disney, where your dog can have a photo opportunity with Santa!

You won’t just find holiday fare in the parks. Each Disney resort has its own unique holiday appeal. Celebrating its 10th anniversary is the life-sized gingerbread house in the lobby of the Grand Floridian hotel.

December is a great time of year to stay on property. In addition to the mild weather and moderate crowds, Disney offers its lowest rates for on-site rooms during the first three weeks of December.

So if you’re considering a destination holiday, Walt Disney World has something for everyone.

However you celebrate your holidays – at home or away – a little pixie dust is bound to make them that much sweeter.

Amity Hook-Sopko is a freelance writer and long time Disney enthusiast. She just returned home after celebrating the holidays at Walt Disney World with a group of “kids from 3 to 57” – her parents, husband, and two sons.