Frequently Asked Questions

With a sub-tropical climate and seasonally warm temperatures, central Florida is the perfect escape from the snow and cold. Even on a Christmas vacation, families can swim in heated pools, golf, shop, go sight seeing, or visit one of the exceptional parks that make Orlando the theme park capital of the world.

December temperatures in Orlando are spectacular, averaging a near perfect high of 73°F and a comfortable low of 50°F. December is also considered the “dry season” in central Florida so rain chances are much lower than during the summer months.

For most people, the go-to options are the theme parks! They are open all holiday season, including Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day! The theme parks include many holiday performances and celebrations, opportunities to meet Santa Claus and your favorite characters, and dine at fun and themed restaurants. But if you are looking for even more options consider the many attractions on International Drive. Places such as Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf, Fun Spot Orlando, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, WonderWorks, the giant ICON Orlando wheel, and more are all open on Christmas Day.

Your best bet for finding restaurant options open on Christmas Day is to visit places such as Disney Springs or Universal Orlando’s CityWalk. These popular shopping/dining/entertainment areas offer a wide range of quick serve and sit-down dining options that will surely make your Christmas Day extra special! In Disney Springs, you will find restaurants such as The Boathouse, Morimoto Asia, Paddlefish, Planet Hollywood Observatory, STK Orlando, Frontera Cocina, and the list goes on and on. At Universal’s CityWalk you’ll find options such as Hard Rock Café Orlando, VIVO Italian Kitchen, The Cowfish Sushi Burger, Antojitos Authentic Mexican Food, Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savory Feast Kitchen, and many more.

Short answer, yes! We do recommend checking with Disney World for specific park hours but you can bet that all four Disney theme parks are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Other major theme parks such as Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando and Legoland Florida are also open on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and December 25 (Christmas Day). Please note that these holidays are some of the busiest days of the year in Orlando’s theme parks so try to arrive early.

In almost every corner of Orlando, FL you will find a street or area that is covered in Christmas Lights! Still we recommend checking out one of the following light extravaganzas: Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Disney Springs, Disney Very Merriest After Hours at Magic Kingdom, the Sea of Trees at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, downtown Orlando’s gigantic Christmas tree, or explore the town of Celebration, FL (near Disney World) that also features a nightly soap bubble “snowfall.”