The tree, which towers above Emerald Plaza, has been decked with new LED lights, providing a brighter shine and greater energy efficiency. 

This picture was taken shortly after the crew began testing the lights.

 For more information about November and December events in Orlando, including Christmas events at Orlando theme parks, visit ChristmasInOrlando.com.

THEME PARK PASSHOLDERS ARE OFFERED
FREE CHILD ADMISSION TO
ICE! AT GAYLORD PALMS
 

Web Cam One: The Crystal Carousel

 The Crystal Carousel is currently under construction inside the ICE! attraction at Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando. This show-stopping scene will feature a full-sized "Christmas Carousel" made completely from ice. When complete, ICE! visitors will be able to step onto the carousel, and take advantage of several photo opportunities.

Artisans from China are currently at work inside the 9-degree attraction.   To see the progress, click on the web cam link at ChristmasinOrlando.com, found on the left-hand column of the page.

Web Cam Two: Santa's Magic Flight

Santa's Magic Flight is also under construction inside the ICE! attraction. This newly-engineered scene is created from nearly 1 million pounds of ice, and features ice slides for children and adults.

When it opens on Nov. 14, the web cam will catch visitors to the attraction as they slide down the scene's four slides.

To see the progress, click on the web cam link at ChristmasinOrlando.com, found on the right-hand column of the page. 

Last year, Orlando Sentinel posted a gallery of photos from Orlando's theme parks, including the shot above of The Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney's Hollywood Studios.  It includes images that have run in the print editions throughout the years.  You can find the gallery here.

They also posted a second gallery that includes photos of ICE!, taken by Orlando Sentinel photographers over the past six years.  It even includes some shots of last year's Orlando Polar Bear Club trek through the 9-degree attraction!  You can find the gallery here.

For more information about November and December events in Orlando, including Christmas events at Orlando theme parks, visit ChristmasInOrlando.com.

The artisans are in town to dazzle Floridians again with their amazing artistry, as showcased at ICE!, a you-gotta-see-it-to-believe-it holiday attraction, just five minutes from Disney.

The attraction opens on Nov. 14, and it will take the artisans about 30 days to complete the elaborate walk-through "ice village."

Take a look at this year's list of celebrity narrators:

Nov. 27-29: Isabella Rossellini (Model and star of films "Blue Velvet" and "Death Becomes Her")
Nov. 30-Dec. 2: John O'Hurley (best known for portraying J. Peterman of "Seinfeld")
Dec. 3-5: Steven Curtis Chapman (Christian music's most decorated star)
Dec. 6-8: – Anika Noni Rose, (Voice of Princess Tiana in "Disney's The Princess and the Frog")
Dec. 9-11: Andy Garcia (star of films "The Godfather III," "The Untouchables" and "When a Man Loves a Woman")
Dec. 12-14: Vanessa Williams (of ABC-TV's "Ugly Betty")
Dec. 15-17: Abigail Breslin (star of film "Little Miss Sunshine")
Dec. 18-20: Whoopi Goldberg (of ABC-TV's "The View")
Dec. 21-23: Brian Dennehy (star of film "First Blood" and "Presumed Innocent")
Dec. 24-26: Edward James Olmos (starred in TV's "Miami Vice" and "Stand and Deliver")
Dec. 27-30: Angela Bassett ("How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "What's Love Got to Do With It") and Courtney Vance (TV's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent")

For more information about November and December events in Orlando, including Christmas events at Orlando theme parks, visit ChristmasInOrlando.com.

WHAT:

 
BIRTHDAY FUN FOR FREE: Crowning the celebration is a Disney Parks first: Guests can receive free admission to one of the Walt Disney World or Disneyland theme parks on their birthday in 2009. All it takes is a valid ID including proof of birth date. (Guests who already hold a multi-day ticket or an annual pass that they will use on their birthday can choose an alternate birthday treat instead, but will not be entitled to a cash refund or credit.) Guests can get more details and start the process by registering their birthdays at www.disneyparks.com.

HOW DO I CELEBRATE? MAGICAL EXPERIENCES APLENTY:  At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can add on to the fun, choosing from more than 200 experiences ranging from breathtaking (fireworks cruises, sunrise safaris, diving the depths among sea life) to mirth-making (Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, character dining, kids’ pirate adventures).  

 
PLANNING NOW EASIER THAN EVER: New Web planning tools will make it easier than ever for guests to create celebrations large and small, with opportunities to customize and personalize their experiences.

  
PUTTING ‘SPECIAL’ IN SPECIAL OCCASION: Disney advance planners can custom-order cakes, flowers, balloons and more. The fun even extends to table-service restaurants where celebrants can make special dining arrangements. 

 
IT’S A PARTY IN THE PARK!: A celebration street party invites guests of all ages into the heart of the castle parks to join Disney characters and dozens of performers in a celebratory song and dance party at the Magic Kingdom.

Orlando Sentinel's Theme Park Rangers point us to a "sneak peek" of Disney's televised Christmas Parade, here and here.  And Universal Studios' MACY'S holiday parade balloons here.