Celebration’s nightly ’snowfalls’ are free winter fun for families
A Mom and The Mouse, Kristin Ford — By Kristin Ford on December 28, 2009 at 12:41 am
Children play at Celebration's 'Now Snowing' on Sunday. (Photo by Kristin Ford/Orlando Sentinel)
UPDATE: There will not be a New Year’s Eve bash at Celebration Town Center this year, but regular snowfalls and activities will be happening.
Visiting the Disney development of Celebration in December can be a lot of fun for kids — especially natives who have not grown up in cold climates. The big draw is “Now Snowing” — when soapy bubbles that resemble snow drift from machines mounted up high on Market Street, which is closed to traffic.
We have been going to the event for years, and each time we see kids delighting in the goopy stuff — dancing, playing tag and making ’snowballs’. This year, one ambitious boy even tried to make a snow angel in the mush covering the brick street. The snow falls every night in December at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. and it is free.
In addition, there are quite a few holiday activities for families. You can see some of the beautiful Christmas lights by taking a ride on the children’s train, a carriage or a hay wagon. Stroll the surrounding streets yourself to take in the decorations and shops. Before Christmas, Santa is present to greet children.
And, of course, there are wonderful restaurants, such as the Columbia. We usually opt for the Market Street Cafe, a diner that is perhaps slightly more family friendly in its menu and prices. Plus, it has a great view of the holiday train, which is pre-dining entertainment for the kids.
The forecast in Celebration calls for snow through Thursday, Dec. 31.
Tags: Celebration, Christmas, New Year's Eve, snow
Tweet This
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it
Follow Dewayne on Twitter
18 Comments
So confusing about what is free, included wiht annual passes and what is extra. We have annual passes and went to the Magic Kingdom just in time to be asked to leave because we didn’t have the Christmas Special tickets. Soooooo frustrating. I think I will just keep my money in MY pocket next year.
Everything at Celebration is free…unless of course you buy snacks or merchandise. You should have called the parks first before you went…there were only a few days when annual passholders could visit the parks for the Christmas events without having a Very Merry ticket
you could have gone to one of the other parks. the MK closes at 7pm, so you had all day to attend, but chose to go at night. You are told upfront when you buy the tickets what events aren’t included and any blackout dates. We have Seasonal passes and left the park to go to another one prior to the 7pm cutoff. I personally wouldn’t want to attend, if possible, the MK on a MVMCP date.
If I wanted to go to another park I would have gone there. And yes I WANTED to go to the magic Kingdom at night. I am so sick of the “fine print” mentality that is so prevalent and used as a constant excuse to sell me another “special” ticket. I spent a lot of money to buy these annual passes but I will be keeping my money in my pocket next year. Like, how much money is enough for this outfit? This “guest” has had enough!
According to Lexin at Celebration, there is no New Year’s Eve fireworks. Has this been changed recently?
We live in Celebration and I am under the impression that there are no New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Bob and Julie: I, too, contacted Lexin (the property management group for Celebration). They just confirmed there will be no New Year’s Eve party this year. Thanks for reading and commenting!
you eat at market street cafe? you mean the one that recently got shut down for live roach and rodent infestation!?!?!? yuck!
We repeat, NO FIREWORKS are planned IN CELEBRATION this year. Please tell your friends, post it in capital letters in the headlines! Please!
When can I expect a moving truck in your driveway? I’ll help you pack.
We recently went to Market Street Cafe for the winter snow. The service was horrible. I have never had a bad experience there and neither our server or the manager seemed to care. We completely missed two snowfalls waiting for our meals. It was so dissapointing this year, I hope this does not continue.
If you don’t like living in Celebration MOVE!!! I’m so sick and tired of residents bellyaching and complaining about the very things that attracted you to this town in the first place and have now ruined it for the MAJORITY of us residents that enjoy these perks.
If it were profitable for Lexin to put on a fireworks show, they would do so no matter what the residents want. But just like many other communities, the money just isn’t there. People will come for dinner this year anyway expecting a fireworks show, and Lexin will make their money from the restaurants without having to lay out the 60 grand for the fireworks. Last year was a traffic and parking nightmare, with vandalism and damage to property. The Disney parks can handle security and traffic control, but a homeowners’ association cannot afford to pay for security for a crushing crowd trying to get into the tiny commercial district owned by Lexin. Disney doesn’t live here anymore. Celebration is not a theme park. Lexin is not the “property manager” for residents, it is a business to make money completely outside the residents’ control.
Unfortunately the only fireworks that will be in town will be the small collection of Grinches gathered in Town Center with pitch forks and clubs keeping out the tourists. How pathetic!!!
You might want to check out Shannon’s Irish Pub, the Town Tavern’s new patio or the wine bar on Market Street. All are far better options than the Market Street Cafe. I had breakfast there recently and it was terrible…both the food and the service.
Dear Kristin, et al.,
You do realize that Disney sold its entire interest in Celebration (except for a few undeveloped commercial parcels) to Lexin in 2003, right?
I am just puzzled why a story about events–or in this case a non-event–at downtown Celebration in 2009 is still considered Disney news and placed under “The Daily Disney.”
To Kristin Ford:
While I enjoy reading your reports (and will continue to do so), I strongly urge you to check recent health inspection reports of restaurants you either plan to patronize and/or suggest to your readers. Thank you.