The holidays are just around the corner and Disney’s major theme parks will soon be decked out for a seasonal celebration.  Highlights include Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Disney’s Magic Kingdom where you’ll enjoy a special Christmas parade and the fireworks spectacular, Holiday Wishes…not to mention a little bit of snow on Main Street.  Disney-MGM Studios offers up The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, where you’ll literally be dazzled by millions of lights, dancing with synchronized splendor to a symphony for the senses. At EPCOT, you can celebrate the season with Holidays Around the World, where you’ll enjoy festive legends and lore from around the world. Revel in the joy of the holidays with a nightly candlelight procession and listen in to an unforgettable telling of the Christmas story as narrated by a celebrity guest and accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and mass choir. Meanwhile, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure are gearing up for their own holiday celebrations.  At Universal, you can enjoy Macy’s Holiday Parade which features balloons direct from New York’s famed Thanksgiving Day parade.  Meanwhile, over at Islands of Adventure, Grinchmas provides a chance to get up close and personal with the green Grinch himself, as well as Cindy Lou and the good citizens of Whooville.

With all the theme parks and attractions, it’s virtually impossible to run out of things to do in Orlando.  Yet, there’s plenty to do just a short drive from Orlando, as well.  Florida’s fabulous beaches are less than an hour away.  So if you’re looking for a great escape from the theme parks pack your sunscreen and head for Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, or any of the other convenient Atlantic coast beaches.  Or, for those more interested in rocket science, Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center offer a full day of fun for space enthusiasts.  Check the NASA launch schedule and who knows, you may even be able to witness a rocket or space shuttle launch in person.  Of course, on a clear day, chances are you can see a launch rising into the sky even from Orlando.

Orlando visitors can join the monthly rock n’ roll cocktail party at Hard Rock Hotel’s Velvet Sessions held the last Thursday of each month. Each “session” combines creative cocktails with live music from some of the hottest rock bands. Past Velvet Sessions performers have included Cheap Trick, Loverboy, the Fixx, Joan Jett, and Eddie Money.   Velvet Sessions is a 21 and older event.

Wine and dine yourself at Epcot! From now thru November 11, 2007, Epcot will host its 12th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. A glorious showcase of culinary delights from around the world, you can explore marketplaces featuring regional foods and wines, learn from renowned chefs and winemakers at special programs and demonstrations, and sample the finest cuisine from around the globe.In addition to food and wine, this annual festival features exceptional music through the “Eat to the Beat” concert series. Check the daily lineup of popular musical acts waiting to entertain you!

Stroll down New York Street at Disney-MGM Studios as the streetlights fade and snowflakes begin to fall during The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Suddenly you’re dazzled by millions of lights, dancing in synchronized splendor to a symphony for the senses with twirling carousels, heavenly angels — even Santa and his reindeer — amidst electrifying holiday music! This enchanting spectacle is a Walt Disney World® tradition that makes the holidays extra special in Orlando. This special event runs nightly from November 12, 2007 thru January 6, 2008.

The “Year of a Million Dreams” is proving to be a dream promotion for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.  The success of the program has spurred Disney to extend the promotion through the end of 2008. The program features the random distribution of prizes to selected guests and visitors to Disney’s various parks each day.  Prizes range from FASTPASS tickets or seats on a parade float to grand giveaways like an around-the-world Disney vacation or spending the night in a special suite within Cinderella’s Castle.

Check out celebrities like Susan Lucci and over 30 other luminaries from your favorite ABC Daytime dramas as they step off of your TV screen and into Disney-MGM Studios for a star-studded Super Soap Weekend, November 10-11. Experience Celebrity Motorcades and Star Conversations or join in the fun of SOAPnet’s “I Wanna Be A Soap Star” where selected contestants will compete for their showbiz break to perform in an on-stage scene with one of ABC’s hottest hunks. Then, take advantage of “On Location” Autographs and check out all the daytime stars of ABC.

Getting ready for a Disney vacation?  For those interested in the best deal, Disney has made one thing very clear: the longer you stay, the cheaper it will be to play.  With Disney’s Magic Your Way ticket pricing, the more days you add to your ticket, the less expensive the per-day rate. For example, while the gate price for a one-day base ticket is $71 (plus tax), the cost of a similar 7-day base ticket is $219 – or approximately $31 per day.

Not only do Universal Orlando Resort and Walt Disney World Resort offer you plenty of theme park options, they also offer exceptional nighttime entertainment and dining alternatives.  At Downtown Disney, located just minutes from any of the Disney parks, you’ll find the AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatres, House of Blues, Cirque du Soleil La Nouba, Planet Hollywood, Rainforest Café, Wolfgang Puck Café, DisneyQuest and a wide variety of shopping choices.  Although the nightclubs are only accessible to adults, parents with children may walk across Pleasure Island to get a flavor of the entertainment and excitement of the island. The same extraordinary options can be found at Universal CityWalk, conveniently located between the entrances to Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.  CityWalk provides options like AMC Universal Cineplex 20, Hard Rock Live, Hard Rock Café, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, Emeril’s Restaurant, Pat O’Briens, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., NBA City, NASCAR Café and more. Regardless of which destination you choose, you’ll find something that pleases every taste in the family.

The school year is in full swing and for those interested in avoiding the peak season crowds at Orlando’s famed theme parks, the time is now! After the summer rush ends, the fall generally means slower times around Disney, Universal and SeaWorld. In other words, there’s no better time to find shorter lines in the theme parks and enjoy a unique opportunity to see and “do the parks” like never before. You’ll also likely enjoy cheaper accommodations during this “value” season.