The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort is the most magical time of the year as the Vacation Kingdom transforms itself into a winter wonderland.

A spectacle of festive events and beloved Disney traditions continues this year with the return of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at Disney - MGM Studios and the extraordinary popular Mickey's Very Merrry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. Quite simply, there's never been a better time to visit Walt Disney World Resort when - in the midst of the most magical time of the year - it transforms itself into a winter wonderland.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights

Back by popular demand at Disney-MGM Studios is one of Disney's biggest holiday spectacles -- The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights. This Disney holiday tradition returns to Disney-MGM Studios bigger and better than ever before. After eight years of holiday cheer on Residential Street, Disney-MGM Studios took a short break from the tradition last year to begin construction in the area on the new "Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show" (opening 2005). Now the lights will once again brighten the Streets of America backlot inside the theme park.

Illuminating everything from trees to spinning carousels, some of Jennings Osborne's original creations include 3-D and motion-based displays, a giant holiday-light Mickey Mouse, dozens of flying angels and several giant Santa Claus light creations. Plus, "Florida snow" and other surprises are in store for guests.

The holiday light display on the theme park backlot features millions and millions of sparkling holiday bulbs designed by Osborne, an Arkansas businessman and philanthropist. The Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights display started at the Osborne home 18 years ago when Jennings strung 1,000 red lights as a Christmas gift to his daughter Breezy. Soon their 22,000-square-foot home was covered in millions of lights. By 1995, the display had made its way to the guests of Walt Disney World Resort when it made its first appearance at Disney-MGM Studios.

Dates for the sparkling spectacle are Nov. 24, 2004, through Jan. 2, 2005. Included in Disney-MGM Studios admission.

<strong>Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party</strong>

A winter wonderland of holiday fun awaits guests on 12 nights in 2004 -- Nov. 28 and 30, Dec. 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17. Separate admission to the event is required.

Each date will feature "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade," holiday storytelling, live music, unique merchandise and exclusive Disney character shows including "Mickey's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and "Celebrate the Season." Every night, the sky above Cinderella Castle will sparkle with the dazzling fireworks spectacular "Wishes."

Plus, families can receive a complimentary photo and enjoy cookies and cocoa plus unlimited admission to popular attractions such as "Mickey's PhilharMagic," Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan's Flight, Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Cinderella's Golden Carrousel and many more. Guests can also be among the first to experience the new E-ticket attraction Stitch's Great Escape! in Tomorrowland.

But that's not all: The weather forecast calls for snow to fall on Main Street, U.S.A. and guests may even get a greeting from Santa Goofy!

Advance tickets for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are $36.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $26.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9. (Children under 3 are admitted at no charge.) Tickets on the day of each party are $42.95 plus tax for guests ages 10 and above, $32.95 plus tax for guests ages 3-9.

For more information, <strong>call 407/W-DISNEY</strong>
<strong>Special Parades at Magic Kingdom</strong>

Guests visiting Magic Kingdom can get a full dose of holiday glee by strolling along Main Street, U.S.A. where Disney has decked the halls with towering Christmas trees, colorful lights and garland. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, toy soldiers, giant gingerbread men and more greet guests during special daytime runs of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parade." Included in regular park admission, guests can experience the holiday parade Dec. 18, 2004-Jan.1, 2005 (parade dates subject to change).

<strong>Holidays Around the World</strong>

World Showcase at Epcot presents international holiday lore and legends during the Holidays Around the World celebration, from Nov. 26-Dec. 30. Not only do guests get reacquainted with Old Saint Nick in the American Adventure showcase, but they also have the opportunity to hear storytellers detail the adventures of Pierre Noel in France, LaBefana in Italy and other legends from around the world. The fun also includes a nightly tree lighting ceremony with Mickey Mouse and friends in World Showcase Plaza at 6 p.m., plus a luminous light bridge that snuggles the breezeway to World Showcase Plaza. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah observances are also featured.

<strong>Candlelight Processional</strong>

As part of Holidays Around the World, Epcot presents its famed Candlelight Processional from Nov. 26 through Dec. 30. Staged each evening at 5, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. at America Gardens Theatre, Candlelight Processional treats guests to a massed choir and a 50-piece orchestra joined by celebrity narrators who retell the Christmas story. (Dates and celebrity narrators subject to change without notice.)

The celebrity lineup:

Nov. 26-28 - Rita Moreno
Nov. 29-Dec. 1 - Heather Headley
Dec. 2-4 - Kirk Franklin
Dec. 5-7 - Jim Caviezel
Dec. 8-10 - Marlee Matlin/Jack Jason
Dec. 11-13 - Joshua Morrow
Dec. 14-16 - Eartha Kitt
Dec. 17-19 - Steven Curtis Chapman
Dec. 20-22 - Edward James Olmos
Dec. 23-28 - Gary Sinise
Dec. 29-30 - LeVar Burton

Special Candlelight Processional dinner packages are also available to guests, which include a dinner at an Epcot restaurant plus preferred seating for the nightly choral performance. For more information, contact 407/WDW-DINE.

<strong>A Holiday Parade and More at Disney's Animal Kingdom.</strong>

Disney's Animal Kingdom welcomes the holiday season with "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade." The parade blends the spirit of Disney's Animal Kingdom with the spirit of the holidays. Included in regular park admission, the holiday parade kicks off Nov. 30 and continues through Jan. 2, 2005 (parade dates subject to change).

Gathered around a towering 65-foot Christmas tree at the park's entrance, carolers will greet guests to Disney's Animal Kingdom with renditions of favorite seasonal classics.

At Camp Minnie-Mickey, guests may meet Santa Goofy and other Disney characters dressed in their holiday garb at Santa Goofy's Holiday Village featuring festively dressed holiday trees, live entertainers and photo opportunities. The songs of the season resonate as carolers round out the scene.

Fine holiday décor dresses up DinoLand U.S.A., and Donald Duck lends a hand to create a special holiday version of Donald's Breakfastosaurus, the daily character breakfast presented at Restaurantosaurus. For more information or priority seating, guests may call 407/WDW-DINE.

<strong>Sensational Shopping and Photos (Including Pets!) with Santa</strong>

Festival of the Seasons is Downtown Disney's answer to where to shop for the holidays. Guests can stroll the bustling sidewalks of Downtown Disney and fill their holiday stockings with treats and treasures from some of the 50 unique stores and merchandise locations in the shopping, dining and entertainment district.

Guests can enjoy the holiday celebration complete with festive window displays and décor, The Dickens Carolers, nightly tree lightings, concerts by visiting Magic Music Days musicians at the Dock Stage at Downtown Disney Marketplace, a strolling brass quintet, toy soldier stilt walkers and more. Taking a break from his busy work in the North Pole, Santa Claus will be in front of World of Disney at Santa's Village for special photo opportunities from 5-10 p.m. daily, Nov. 20-25 and from noon to 10 p.m. daily, Nov. 26-Dec. 24.

Good little boys and girls aren't the only ones who can expect a visit from Santa. Guests can bring their pet cats and dogs to Santa's Village for a photo with Old Saint Nick Dec. 4-12 from noon-10 p.m. daily.

<strong>Disney's Delicious Décor</strong>

Disney pastry chefs have once again been very busy in their kitchens whipping up jaw-dropping confectionary creations for display at Disney resort hotels throughout the holiday season. Though all are edible, guests will have to make it a feast for the eyes as they marvel at a life-size carousel, a miniature chocolate African village, and a giant gingerbread house boasting more than 1,000 pounds of honey.

<strong>Universal Studios: Holiday Celebrations</strong>

WHEN:December 10, 2004 through January 8, 2005.

WHERE: Universal Orlando Resort.

Universal Orlando celebrates the holiday season with resort-wide festivities and events throughout its theme parks and hotels--offering holiday excitement that even the Grinch would love.

The merriment of Macy's world-famous Thanksgiving Day Parade comes to life in Macy's Holiday Parade at Universal Studios theme park. The parade kicks off at dusk each evening and features authentic Macy's balloons and floats, many of which are new for 2004. And this year, Santa Claus and his reindeer, straight from their appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, will add a festive flair to the grand finale.

At Islands of Adventure theme park, guests can meet the usually reclusive Grinch and his loveable dog Max in the Grinch's lair, frolic with whimsical Whos in Dr. Seuss' "Whoville," and enjoy the nightly Whoville Whobilation Show during the Grinchmas celebration.

Both May's Holiday Parade and Grinchmas celebrations are included in the price of admission.

The holiday celebration continues at Universal Orlando's three world-class on-site hotels, which will glisten with festive decor. Guests will be captivated by joyful carolers, tree-lighting ceremonies, holiday cookie decorating sessions, holiday movies, and more.

And an old-fashioned holiday is in store at City Walk, the 30-acre entertainment complex with glittering decorations, horse-drawn carriage rides, live musical performances, intermittent "snow" flurries, and the chance to meet Santa and his elves.

<strong>SeaWorld</strong>

Christmas at SeaWorld will be celebrated Nov. 26 through Jan. 2 with festive decorations, live holiday music from classical musicians and carolers, nightly snowfalls, a holiday fountain show and a special yuletide Shamu night show titled Shamu's Christmas: A Child's Wish. A live holiday choir joins killer whales and SeaWorld Orlando trainers to create a special Shamu experience. Events are included with regular park admission of $53.95 for guests ages 10 and above, $44.95 for ages 3-9 and free for those under three. Guests can visit seaworld.com for online discounts and information about other holiday events at SeaWorld Orlando such as the Makahiki Christmas Luau celebrating ancient holiday traditions and Breakfast with Shamu & Crew who don their festive best as they take you and your family on a musical journey.