BY DONNA BALANCIA The holiday season at the theme parks is filled with new and not-so-new attractions aimed at bringing in big high-season crowds. The period from Thanksgiving week through New Year's Day is critical to the success of the theme parks, as attendance gets a boost, officials said. "It's an important time of the year," Disney spokesman Dave Herbst said. "Because so many of these events and activities have already begun, people can enjoy the Disney Christmas experience, and have their own Christmas experience at home." Universal Orlando's parent company noted the seasonal aspect of the theme-park business in its latest quarterly report, which anticipates "an attendance spike around Thanksgiving week." "Attendance falls again after Thanksgiving weekend, and does not pick up until the third week of December, when the peak Christmas and New Year's holiday period begins." Universal City Development Partners said in its filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rick Munarriz, senior analyst with The Motley Fool, said theme parks make strategic moves to capitalize on the influx of visitors to the parks during the holiday season. Take, for example, two popular Walt Disney World seasonal attractions -- Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom and the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, held from 7 p.m. to midnight on selected evenings from now to Dec. 21, requires a separate admission. "With 'Very Merry Christmas,' they shut the park early, but they tend to do it on the weekdays," Munarriz said. "But what I think is brilliant is, by closing the park early and staying later, you're cramming two days of turnstile clicks into one." The Candlelight Processional is a limited-seating event that includes a musical performance featuring a mass choir and a full orchestra, accompanied by a celebrity narrator who retells the story of Christmas. Among the narrators this year are Dennis Franz, Marlee Matlin, Rita Moreno, John O'Hurley and Gary Sinese. There is no added admission charge. But many Epcot guests who want to see the Candlelight Processional choose to purchase a dinner package that guarantees them preferred seating to the performance, "because it can get pretty crowded," Munarriz said. "If they can milk more than the $70 by trying to get you to shell out for dinner and the very special T-shirt and limited-edition mouse, it's not only the cost of admission," Munarriz said, referring to Disney's basic ticket price of $71. "And they have these events where you feel, if you're not going, you're missing out." Here are some of the things the Big Three Orlando-area theme parks -- Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld -- are doing to attract customers (and their dollars) during the Christmas season: Walt Disney World Resort • ; Castle lights: At The Magic Kingdom, a new lighting spectacle transforms the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort into a glimmering ice palace at holiday time. Bathed in more than 200,000 tiny white lights, the castle glows as "Cinderella's Holiday Wish" for Magic Kingdom guests each night. • ; Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party: For 25 years, Walt Disney World guests have been entertained by this time-honored tradition. Admission to the party requires a separate ticket. Tickets are $47.95 plus tax for ages 10 and up; and $40.95 plus tax for ages 3 to 9. (With advance purchase, guests can save $7 per ticket for select dates.) Many party nights are sold out in advance. To purchase tickets, guests can call 407-W-DISNEY or go to disneyworld.com/holidays. At the lighting of the Cinderella Castle, Cinderella joins Fairy Godmother, Mickey, Minnie and other characters on stage for a special ceremony. Guests also can see Disney characters in holiday garb for meet-and-greets; and enjoy the "Holiday Wishes: Celebrate the Spirit of the Season," a fireworks spectacle orchestrated to classic holiday melodies. "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade" celebrates the holiday season, showcasing a series of holiday themes, including a Friends and Family Christmastime Party; a sleigh ride through a Winter Wonderland; a romantic Fairy Tale Christmastime; a display of Christmastime sweets; and Santa and Mrs. Claus in a grand finale. For longtime Disney Christmas parade fans, the traditional soldiers, snowflakes and dancing deer are still in the parade. • ; Epcot Presents Holidays Around the World: With one extra event date this year, Epcot's World Showcase transforms into a splendor of international holiday traditions and storytelling from Friday through Dec. 30. Holiday icons such as France's Pere Noel and Italy's La Befana make special appearances in their respective countries, while Santa Claus visits to The American Adventure. Guests can see holiday traditions and legends as they are observed around the world, with Hanukkah and Kwanzaa customs also showcased. • ; World Showcase light shows: At nightfall, Mickey's Tree Lighting Treat -- complete with music and storytelling -- takes place in Epcot's World Showcase Plaza. A synchronized light show -- "The Lights of Winter" -- illuminates a canopy adorning the World Showcase breezeway bridge. The laser, lights and fireworks spectacular, "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth," complete with a holiday finale, caps the celebration. • ; Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney-MGM Studios: The Streets of America back lot again will sparkle brightly, as millions of twinkling lights dancing to music illuminate the area, through Jan. 6, during the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. • ; Harlem Gospel Choir: The Harlem Gospel Choir brings soulful spirit to Disney-MGM Studios this holiday season with performances from Nov. 30 to Dec. 25. The inspirational choir presents singers and musicians from Harlem's black churches with songs of joy and peace. The 12-member group will perform at Theater of the Stars at Disney-MGM Studios at 5, 6 and 7:30 p.m. nightly. • ; Hollywood Holly-Day Parade: There will be a daily "Hollywood Holly-Day Parade," with favorite Disney characters in their holiday best, parading down Hollywood Boulevard at Disney-MGM Studios. • ; Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade: Disney's Animal Kingdom will feature "Mickey's Jingle Jungle Parade," from now to Jan. 6. • ; Camp Minnie-Mickey: At Camp Minnie-Mickey in Animal Kingdom, guests can meet Disney characters dressed in their holiday best or enjoy carolers performing seasonal classics at Santa Goofy's Holiday Village. The village is decorated with Christmas trees and features live entertainers and holiday photo opportunities.
