From Orlando to Tampa, we've celebrated the holidays in just about every theme park in Central Florida. While we've had a holly, jolly time during every park's celebration, certain elements of each absolutely wowed us. Which park has the best holiday treats? The best lights? The best entertainment? We're breaking down the parks by seasonal traditions to showcase the best of what every holiday celebration has to offer. Without further ado, let's award the first Golden Leap. (Is that a thing ... can we make it a thing?)
The Winners of Best Theme Park by Holiday Tradition
Best Holiday Food: EPCOT
EPCOT is known for its frogtastic festivals and global cuisine. There was no way any other park was going to beat it. This year's Festival of the Holidays has a delicious array of foods celebrating cultures and customs from all over the world. From the sweet Pastelón (Nochebuena Cocina) to the spicy Sushi Tree (Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen), and from the rich Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini (Le Marché de Noël Holiday Kitchen) to the fragrant Holiday Fig Cocktail (Tangerine Café), almost everything we tasted was a winner in our book. There's so much to try here that you very well may not be able to cover all of your must-dos in one visit!
Runner-Up: SeaWorld Orlando
We were pleasantly surprised at SeaWorld's wonderful variety of sweets and treats for its Christmas Celebration! The Kris Kringle's Biscuit Pot Pie at Treat Yo Elf was a rich combination of flavors, and the Santa's Mini Apple Pie at Christmas Comforts was incredibly sweet. As for drinks, the new Bourbon Cranberry Old Fashion at Donut Open Till Christmas was a fast froggy favorite, and the Holiday Peppermint Eggnog was a delicious take on a holiday classic. We can't wait to see what SeaWorld will cook up next year!
Best Light Display: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Journey to the back of the park past Stanleyville or Pantopia (depending on which direction you're coming from) after sunset, and you'll find the best holiday light display we've seen in any theme park. As a highlight of Christmas Town, Luminosity Lane is a tunnel of dancing lights set to a merry playlist of holiday music. And while dancing lights can also be found in SeaWorld Orlando's Sea of Trees, something about being completely surrounded by lights in every direction is utterly magical. Plus it makes for great Insta photos or TikTok videos! We honestly just stayed there for a solid 10 minutes watching the tunnel illuminate in festive colors and patterns.
Runner-Up: EPCOT
Spaceship Earth is rightfully so, an icon of the Disney parks. And, if it's possible, it becomes even prettier during the festive season! During the Festival of the Holidays, you can expect to see Spaceship Earth lit up in different colors. Sometimes it may even look like a giant peppermint!
The coolest thing about EPCOT during the holidays is that the light shows are constantly changing — and always amazing! Seriously, is there anything more memorable than taking one last look at Spaceship Earth at night? A true beauty! Plus, with the new Gingerbread Spaceship Earth lit up, there are double lights to appreciate! Learn more in our Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays.
Best Christmas Tree: SeaWorld Orlando
While each park has its own unique, thematic spin on its main Christmas tree, SeaWorld stands above the rest due to one singular feature: It's interactive. The amount of joy we got as Lily continually pressed the "Wish Upon a Seastar" button at the base of the tree and watched the conifer shimmer and sparkle was completely unmatched. Did we mention there are also sound effects? Animal Kingdom and Busch Gardens' trees are wonderfully wild and Magic Kingdom and EPCOT's are beautifully classic, but SeaWorld's added element makes it take the (fruit)cake.
Runner-Up: Themed Trees at Disney Springs
While in the past this slot belonged to Universal Orlando's Holiday Tree Hunt, its retirement has made way for the Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs to take its place! This year, 21 beautifully designed, themed trees are stationed all throughout Disney Springs. Check out the Moana tree filled with vibrant ornaments, tropical flowers, and Moana's wayfinding boat! Or, visit the Coco tree, which is bursting with the prettiest shades of orange and marigold!
Best Decor: Universal's Islands of Adventure
Seuss Landing goes all out every year for Grinchmas, and we wouldn't want it any other way. Everywhere you look, there are ornaments, lights, tinsel and garlands galore. Even the grumpy Lorax is decked out in his holiday best! If there's one group of people who know how to celebrate the holidays, it's the citizens of Whoville. And we're thankful they take their tree-trimming talents to Islands of Adventure every who-liday season!
Of course, I can't froget to mention The Wizarding World of Harry Potter — Hogsmeade! With its year-round snow-filled rooftops, this area becomes even more magical during the holiday season. There's nothing like strolling through those garland-lined streets with a warm mug of Hot Butterbeer in hand.
Runner-Up: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
While every theme park has beautiful decor in various spots throughout the property, Busch Gardens stands out because there almost every inch of the park is perfectly decorated. From the Cookie Monster and Elmo nutcrackers in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun to the multi-color lights all around Stanleyville and Nairobi and from the festive projections at the park's entrance to the fairy lights illuminating Christmas Town Village, every area is uniquely decked out for the holiday season. It was so much fun making our way around the park and discovering what new decorations were around every corner. (You can also buy some gorgeous decor for your own home in Santa's Workshop in Marrakesh Market!)
Best Scheduled Entertainment: EPCOT
When you see both Ariel herself, Jodi Benson and the voice of Olaf, Josh Gad recite the story of Christmas accompanied by the angelic Voices of Liberty, a massive cast member choir and a 50-piece live orchestra, nothing really tops it. The EPCOT Candlelight Processional is a cherished annual tradition for a very good reason. There's a different celebrity narrator every few days. Take your pick and get lost in the festive and holy sounds of the season.
We also have to give a huge shout-out to the holiday storytellers who share their holiday traditions from around the world at the World Showcase. It is nearly impossible to see them all in one day without hopping all over the place but we were lucky enough to catch Père Noël in France, La Befana in Italy, the Daruma doll seller in Japan and rotating Hanukkah storytellers during our first visit this year!
Runner-Up: Universal's Islands of Adventure
Nothing makes our hearts grow three sizes like the Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular in Seuss Landing. This beloved holiday tale about the true meaning of Christmas has been gracing the stages of Universal Orlando for more than a decade. With music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller, a terrifically talented cast and the cutest little mutt you ever did see, this show is a must-do to kickstart the holiday season!
We also have to give a special shout-out to our croaking cohorts in the Hogwarts Frog Choir over in Hogsmeade. Settle down for a delightful concert filled with holiday classics from both the wizarding and muggle worlds.
Best Special Entertainment: What's This? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along at Disney Jollywood Nights
Jollywood Nights debuted in 2023 and has quickly cemented itself to be one of the best special entertainment offerings at Disney World. One of those special offerings is "What's This? Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing-Along" at the Hyperion Theater. You'll sing along with Jack Skellington at this event-specific stage show that also features Oogie Boogie. This frightfully festive show captures the wonder of the film. Best of all, it gives Disney World guests a little bit of that Haunted Mansion overlay craving from Disneyland!
Runner-Up: Disney's Animal Kingdom
The Merry Menagerie at Discovery Island is truly a sight to behold. These beautifully life-like puppets of polar bears, penguins, foxes, seals and more debuted in 2019, and we couldn't be hoppier that they're back this year. Watching Lily and Tad interact with these adorable "animals" warmed our hearts to no end — especially when both Mom and Baby Penguin rolled on up to them for some hugs. The puppeteers do a phenomenal job of making every movement and motion seem incredibly realistic. It's easy to forget these creatures are made out of fabric and natural materials.
Best Nighttime Spectacular: Magic Kingdom
We were lucky enough to hop over to The Most Magical Place on Earth for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. If you're attending the after-hours event, you get to be treated to Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks. This 15-minute show filled with dazzling fireworks and festive castle projections (and narrated by Minnie herself!) is truly magnificent. The entire show is set to instrumental versions of classic Christmas carols — except for the very end which is choreographed to an epic cover of "When We're Together" from "Olaf's Frozen Adventure." What's especially cool about this show is that sometimes the projections on the castle mimic dancing lights — specifically during the "Carol of the Bells" section — and you know how we feel about those (see: the second category).
If you're visiting Magic Kingdom during normal park hours from Dec. 21 to 31, you're in luck! Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime will usually be available for guests each night.
Runner-Up: SeaWorld Orlando
We were debating awarding the Silver Leap to The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle (which projects stunning and magical images onto the famed School of Witchcraft and Wizardry) ... but because Holiday Reflections: Fireworks Finale beautifully integrates fireworks, fountains and the illuminated Sea of Trees on the water, we had to name it our runner-up. This show is visible from any area around the lake but we recommend attending the second showing of Winter Wonderland on Ice at the Bayside Stadium so you'll be in prime position to watch the dancing fountains directly behind the ice skating rink.
Best Parade: Universal Studios Florida
If you couldn't make it to New York City for Thanksgiving, the Universal Holiday Parade featuring Macy's is truly the next best thing. Featuring larger-than-life balloons, festive floats and, of course, Santa on his sleigh, this parade is a great place to spot favorite characters from the "Shrek," "Despicable Me" and "Madagascar" franchises as they make their way down the streets of Hollywood, Production Central and New York. We also love the combination of classic Christmas tunes and the beautiful soundtracks from the beloved DreamWorks and Illumination films. If you can score a spot in front of the Tribute Store, you also can watch Saint Nick light the gigantic Christmas tree at the end of the parade!
Runner-Up: Magic Kingdom
Another enchanting part of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party is Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas Parade. This procession has been a part of Magic Kingdom history since 2007. And oh boy, is it still as merry and cheerful as ever! We absolutely loved ringing in the holidays with Mickey and Minnie, Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz, Goofy and Clarabelle Cow, Olaf and Elsa, a few of the fair Disney Princesses, our favorite toys and, once again, jolly ol' Saint Nick — all while enjoying a blissful snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. This parade occurs twice every event night. However, you don't need to buy an After Hours ticket to see it! Just like the fireworks, parade performances will usually occur twice a day during normal park hours at Magic Kingdom from Dec. 21 to Dec. 31.
Best Holiday Dining Experience: Disney's Hollywood Studios
Minnie's Seasonal Dining is a year-round experience at Hollywood & Vine. At Christmas, Minnie and her friends deck the halls at Minnie's Holiday Dine. This yuletide gathering takes place during lunch and dinner during the holiday season. We think it's an absolute must-do during a Christmas trip to Hollywood Studios! Lily and Tad loved interacting with their favorite Disney characters in their festive Christmas best.
Mommy Frog and I gobbled down the perfectly filling Macaroni and Cheese with Shrimp and Bacon. We also loved the Slow-roasted Crispy Pork Belly. (Keep in mind menu items are always changing and the macaroni and cheese has sadly disappeared). Regardless of the changing menu, it's always a jolly time! (Valid park admission, a park reservation and a confirmed dining reservation for the toadal number of guests are all required.)
Runner-Up: SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld has two equally frogtastic dining experiences as part of its Christmas Celebration. Start the day with a fun-filled holiday feast at the Sesame Street Christmas Breakfast. While you indulge in chef-carved, brown sugar-glazed ham served with bacon and turkey sausage links and traditional breakfast offerings, your festive friends will dance, sing and make their way to your table for furry hugs and photos! At night, the wonders of Christmas come to life during Dinner with Santa! This warm-hearted experience features an all-you-care-to-eat menu of holiday favorites. Don't froget to share your holiday wishes with the big guy himself!
This was such a fun list to put together! We're frogcited to see which parks we think take home the Golden Leaps next year! How did we do? Are there parks you think were snubbed? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: ~Hoppin'~ Good Guide to EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
Keep hopping!
