Today’s travel tip sheet includes information on Orlando’s unique holiday photo spots, Florida’s first-ever MICHELIN Guide, Bowl Games for football fans and a spotlight on the destination’s most immersive holiday events. For interviews and media info: media@visitorlando.com.
In this Issue:
-
The First-Ever MICHELIN Guide for Florida coming to Orlando
-
Unique Holiday Snaps
-
Orlando’s Immersive Holiday Events
-
Orlando to Host Four College Bowl Games
-
What’s New This Month
-
DYK? Orlando has the largest collection of James Bond movie cars
Coming in 2022: The First-Ever MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa
For the first time ever, The MICHELIN Guide will discover and celebrate culinary gems across Florida, starting in 2022 in the inaugural edition of The MICHELIN Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa. Florida will be only the fifth U.S. destination Michelin has ever rated. Orlando’s dining scene grows stronger every year with nationally recognized chefs, new restaurants from celebrity chefs and diverse cuisines for every budget and taste. Overall, Orlando is home to over 6,000 restaurants representing 40 different international cuisines.
Unique Holiday Snaps
From mind-twisting holiday exhibits to immersive Santa interactions, visitors seeking unique photos for their holiday cards or highlight reel will not want to miss these Instagram-worthy hot spots.
-
Museum of Illusions Orlando’s holiday transformation offers “unbelievable” backdrops to capture holiday memories ranging from a depiction of the inside of Santa’s workshop to inserting your head as focal point of a dinner table decorated in Christmas décor and desserts.
-
The Santa Workshop Experience allows families to partake in the classic tradition of taking elaborate holiday photos with Santa. As a bonus, every child who participates will receive a free ticket to ride The Wheel and guests accompanying the children will receive 50% off their tickets.
-
Wall Crawl Orlando, the downtown Orlando photo studio experience, offers a one-hour semi-private experience with Santa, featuring stories, songs and photos on a wide selection of colorful walls, holiday backdrops and props. Guests can capture as many photos as they like or have the option to upgrade to a professional photographer.
More Holiday Fun: Orlando’s Immersive Holiday Events
From wandering down an impressive holiday tree trail to enjoying millions of synchronized lights from the comfort of your car, Orlando offers immersive experiences throughout the destination that put guests right in the middle of the festivities:
-
Dazzling Nights (now through Jan. 9), an outdoor holiday event at Harry P. Leu Gardens, features a three-quarter-mile interactive holiday experience, complete with a forest of hundreds of dancing lights, an extravagant holiday light maze, a magical area with 185 hanging Moroccan lanterns, a stunning Rose Garden with beautiful balls of light, as well as themed photo moments, live entertainment and more.
-
Night of a Million Lights at Give Kids the World Village’s (now through Jan. 2) festive holiday spectacular offers unique behind-the-scenes experiences, including a sparkling tree trail; larger-than-life holiday displays; photo opportunities at one-of-a-kind step-in frames and backdrops; and a guided storytelling tour of 100 magnificently lit villas from the comfort of a tram -- all putting visitors right in the middle of the holiday wonder.
-
Christmas in Color at Island H20 is the ultimate drive-thru holiday lights experience in Orlando. The animated light show – taking place through Jan. 2 – allows visitors to safely socially distance all while immersing themselves in the Christmas magic. With millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music, giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more, this lighting extravaganza is a can’t-miss.
Touchdown in Orlando with a Football Weekend Getaway
Orlando is hosting four of the nation’s biggest college Bowl Games over the next few months. Stay tuned for team announcements.
-
The Cure Bowl will be held at Camping World Stadium on December 17. The annual NCAA college football bowl game helps raise funds for cancer research.
-
The 2021 Cheez-It Bowl, held on December 29 at Camping World Stadium, will feature top teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12.
-
The 2022 Vrbo Citrus Bowl on January 1 at Exploria Stadium will mark the 75th anniversary of the inaugural Tangerine Bowl game on Jan. 1, 1947. The matchup will pit the Southeastern Conference against the Big Ten Conference.
-
The 76th annual Hula Bowl, historically played in Hawaii, will be held at the University of Central Florida’s Bounce House Stadium on January 15. This year, the game will include NCAA college football players from all divisions, along with international players from Japan, Canada, Australia, and the UK.
-
The SPIRAL Tropical Bowl, a premier FBS Division I level College Football All Star Game, will be held at Camping World Stadium on January 15. Showcasing the top college football seniors to NFL scouts and GM’s who travel from around the country to the event, the weekend will focus on scouting, teaching and football.
What’s New in Orlando this Month?
Stay up to date on Orlando's most recent announcements and openings - from accommodations and attractions to restaurants and events - available here.
Did You Know?
Orlando has the largest collection of James Bond movie cars, aircraft, and memorabilia, all part of the Bond Museum located in Dezerland Action Park, Orlando's largest indoor entertainment, events museum complex. The venue also offers the Orlando Auto Museum, featuring over 100 TV cars, a variety of family activities, including glow-in-the-dark mini golf, an indoor trampoline park, a bowling alley, an indoor karting track, axe-throwing games and more.