THE MAKING OF A FESTIVE FOREST: SEA OF TREES STARTS SPROUTING AT SEAWARD ORLANDO #SeaWorldChristmas

November 14, 2015 By Marijean

How DOES one plant and decorate a Christmas tree in the water, much less 114 of them? Holiday designers at SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration™ have been busy creating the dazzling “Sea of Trees” — 114 giant, illuminated trees in the park’s center lake — in preparation for the holiday special event opening next week.

A returning fan favorite, the “Sea of Trees” is the dazzling centerpiece of the 200-acre park that is decked with holiday lights, décor, shows and attractions.

This video shows the behind-the-scenes creation of the festive forest.

SeaWorld’s dazzling Sea of Trees features:

1. Almost 8 miles of garland

2. 14 miles of cable that control the choreographed lights

3. It would take over 3 million household Christmas lights to create our Sea of Trees performance

4. Over 100 lighted trees

5. Heights ranging from 10 to 22 feet

6. Trees are planted in up to 14 feet of water

SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is included in park admission and takes place Nov. 21-22, 27-29, & Dec. 4-6, 11-13, 18-31.

Visit SeaWorldOrlando and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest details about SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2015 #MVMCP

November 13, 2015 By Marijean

If you are a big Disney fan like I am, one thing not to miss are the holiday parties! Each year Disney World, on select nights, has Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. This is definitely a party filled with magical fun!

For 20 special nights, guests can delight during this cheery, family-friendly event. Party-goers embrace the joys of the season while sipping cocoa, catching a “snowflake” and enjoying merry shows, fireworks, carolers and special character meet and greets at Magic Kingdom Park.

This after-hours party is a special- ticket event offered select nights between Nov. 8 and Dec. 18, 2011, and features a sleigh full of merriment:

Queen Elsa’s transformation of Cinderella Castle into a glittering ice palace
Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, complete with a special appearance by Santa Claus
An exclusive holiday fireworks extravaganza — “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season”
Live entertainment featuring Disney characters, including the “Celebrate the Season” musical stage show
Meet and greet opportunities with favorite Disney characters throughout Magic Kingdom
Complimentary cookies, apple slices and hot cocoa
A magical snow fall on Main Street, U.S.A.
Holiday performances by the acclaimed contemporary a capella group VoicePlay in Tomorrowland
Many popular Magic Kingdom attractions open for family-friendly fun

For more Information, and to purchase your tickets in advance, please click here.

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

ST. JOHNS TOWN CENTER HOSTS 10th ANNUAL HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR

November 9, 2015 By Marijean

Celebrate the joy and magic of the holiday season at the 10th Annual St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular on November 14, 2015! Holiday shoppers, families and visitors are invited to attend the action-packed day of free family fun and musical performances!

St. Johns Town Center Holiday Spectacular!

The annual holiday celebration kicks off at 2 p.m. with free festivities and family-friendly entertainment. Visitors will enjoy ice skating, magicians, holiday photo opportunities, games, giveaways, costume characters, holiday entertainment and more. Additionally, St. Johns Town Center retailers will offer holiday shopping opportunities, in-store promotions and specials throughout the weekend.

Main stage entertainment begins at 6 p.m. with dynamic holiday performances, including a show-stopping finale by headliner, Bea Miller. The Main Stage is located in the Town Green in front of Maggiano’s Little Italy on Midtown Parkway.

Bea Miller will be performing at this free event!

For Holiday Spectacular’s grand finale, Santa will lead the crowd in an official countdown to light the dazzling 32-foot tree and kick off an energetic fireworks finale at 8 p.m. Santa will then be available at the Santa House near Dick’s Sporting Goods to hear holiday wish lists.

WHERE: St. Johns Town Center
4663 River City Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32246

WHEN: Saturday, November 14

EVENT
HIGHLIGHTS:

2 p.m.- Family Activities Begin

6 p.m.- Main Stage Performances Begin

7:10 p.m.- Bea Miller Performs

8 p.m.- Santa Arrives and Lights the Tree

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Santa’s Arrival at The Avenues Mall

November 3, 2015 By Marijean

THE AVENUES SPREADS CHRISTMAS CHEER WITH SANTA’S ARRIVAL
Kids are invited to welcome Santa as he makes his helicopter landing from the North Pole to Jacksonville!

WHAT: Santa Claus is coming to town! Jacksonville-area families are invited to celebrate the joy of the holiday season and welcome jolly ol’ Saint Nick to The Avenues! Santa will make a spectacular helicopter landing at The Avenues on November 6 for all to see!

The fifth annual event will feature live entertainment by X-Hale and a holiday show by Mad Science. Additionally, attendees will enjoy bounce houses, face painting, photo booth, food, games, and a magical fireworks show.

After meeting everyone on the nice list, Santa will take his place at his winter wonderland home in Center Court, where he will pose for photos and listen to holiday wishes through Christmas Eve.

COST: Free. *Santa photo prices vary; please see Santa Set in Center Court for more details.

WHEN: 5th Annual Santa’s Arrival
Friday, November 6 from 6-8 p.m.

WHERE: The Avenues – Buffalo Wild Wings Parking Lot
10300 Southside Boulevard  Jacksonville, FL 32256

Marijean

My name is MJ. I have two wonderful children and work part time as well as volunteer at my children's school.

Zillow’s Top 20 U.S. Cities for Trick-Or-Treaters

October 15, 2015 By Marijean

With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time for Zillow’s annual trick-or-treat index! This year, Jacksonville ranks #20 on Zillow’s list of the top 20 cities for trick-or-treaters. This index represents the cities that provide the most candy, in the least amount of time, with the fewest safety risks. Here are the top five neighborhoods in Jacksonville to trick-or-treat:

1) Ortega
2) Avondale
3) San Marco
4) Miramar
5) Riverside

Wondering what the method behind Zillow’s madness is? Zillow’s trick-or-treat index was created by four equally weighted data variables: The Zillow Home Value Index, population density, Walk Score© and local crime data from Relocation Essentials. To see what cities made the index last year, click here.