See Santa Swim with Sharks! 5 Theme Parks that Go Wild for Christmas
By Jennifer Ceaser
Kids are crazy about Christmas. They are also wild about theme parks. Put those two things together and you have just about the best present ever.
So bundle up the little ones and head to one of these five parks that know a thing or two about getting into the holiday spirit.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
London, UK
Warner Bros. Studio Tour
It’s a winter wonderland for Harry Potter fanatics, as the Hogwarts model castle is blanketed in snow (actually a mix of salt and glitter, but don’t spoil it for the kiddies) for “Hogwarts in the Snow” (through Feb. 1).
The Great Hall is decked out for the holiday with Christmas trees, wreaths, Christmas crackers, and actual props from “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” (which American kids know as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”) and tables are laid out with a holiday feast of turkey, ham and fruit that look good enough to eat (even if they aren’t real).
Festive touches that are new this year: faux fires and smoke in the Great Hall and Gryffindor common room fireplaces. Also on display: sweaters that Molly Weasley gave Ron and Harry as presents (in“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”), along with Harry’s Invisibility Cloak, one of the first Christmas gifts he received at Hogwarts.
Related: Magical Christmas Markets in the U.S. and Canada Even Santa Would Love
Adventure Aquarium
Camden, NJ
Adventure Aquarium
Sharks, sea turtles, stingrays and . . . Santa? “I Believe in Scuba Santa,” (through Jan. 1) features Kris Kringle — in a red suit, beard and full scuba gear — swimming alongside hammerheads, blacknose sharks and other sea creatures in a massive, 760,000-gallon tank.
It’s not possible to sit on this Santa’s lap, but he’ll come right up to the glass so you can get a shot of him and the kids (and maybe a shark in the background!).
Outside the tank, Rudolph and Bumble will be on hand to light the top of the tree in the aquarium’s rotunda — which will feature falling snow.
Related: Here Comes Santa Claus… Down a Rock: Strangest Places to See Saint Nick
Best of all — the aquarium is open on Christmas Day. Check the website for Scuba Santa show hours.
Sesame Place
Langhorne, Penn.
Sesame Place
You won’t see any of those creepy costumed panhandlers from Times Square at Sesame Place — instead all of your favorite Sesame Street characters will be celebrating “A Very Furry Christmas” (through Dec. 31).
The entire park is transformed for the season, with millions of lights, more than 300 Christmas trees, a Twiddlebugs’ Gingerbread Cookie Factory and Christmas shows galore.
They include a special holiday edition of “Elmo the Musical,” plus a huge music and light show in front of the 1-2-3 Christmas tree.
Every night, Sesame Street comes alive with the Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade, which features floats with life-size costumed characters and holiday music. And of course, kids can visit with Santa in his Furry Workshop.
Six Flags Over Texas
Arlington, Texas
Six Flags Over Texas
It’s always bigger and better in Texas, and that’s even true with its holiday celebrations.
At Six Flags’ “Holiday in the Park” (through Dec. 30), there are dozens of events — from live music to sledding to karaoke to holiday crafting and cookie-making — and that doesn’t even count all the rides that are still open during the winter season.
Here are a few: gawking at the 60-foot-tall Holiday Tree of Trees, which towers over the other 70 trees along Star Mall (all decorated with lights synced to music); singing at the kids-only holiday karaoke show, featuring the Yuletide Billboard Hot 100 hits and hosted by Santa’s daughter, Carole Kringle; checking out the “Honky-Tonk Christmas” show, with country versions of favorite holiday tunes; and tasting deep-fried Christmas cookie dough at All Fried Creations.
Walt Disney World
Orlando, Fla.
(Photo: Ryan Wendler)
The Magic Kingdom doesn’t do anything on a small scale — especially when it comes to Christmas.
This season (through Dec. 19), there are all sorts of ways to celebrate with Mickey and the gang, including Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, where you can see your favorite Disney characters — including Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf from “Frozen” — along with gingerbread men, elves and of course, Santa, in a colorful lighted procession along Main Street, USA.
“Totally Tomorrowland Christmas” — with Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski and Stitch — features singing and dancing with the stars of “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.” and “Lilo and Stitch.”
Related: Frozen Fatigue? Elsa and Anna Have Taken Over Disney World
In the light and fireworks show “Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season,” look for Tinker Bell flying over the crowds, and “Celebrate the Season Show” has Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald getting into the holiday musical spirit.
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