I’ve been dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to know. Last Friday night, Christmas Town at Busch Gardens turned my white Christmas dream into a reality filled with real snow (not the usual soapy kind) and Santa.
Upon entering the park, cheerful carolers greeted us with glad tidings.
With joyful anticipation of everything that lay ahead, my family and I didn’t know where to start first. So, we followed the path to Jingle Bell Junction for a pint-sized, holly-jolly train ride.
After Jungle Bell Junction, the girls to a quick spin on the Gwazi Gliders and then we ventured through the Christmas Town Village to Snow World. Though there was a chill in the air, the sweet smells of the Christmas Town Village warmed us and visions of snowflakes danced in our heads as the colorful lights of the Christmas Town Park magically appeared as snowflakes with the help our 3-D glasses.
Still staring through the spectacular sights of our 3-D glasses, we almost missed the wonders of Snow World. Upon entering the icy winter wonderland, dancing snowman smiled and welcomed us.
Once inside the Snow World playground, the girls and I dashed to the snow tubing slide.
After our snow ride, we scurried through the densely packed snow to help repair a decapitated Frosty and then we pitched a few snowballs.
With our fill of snow (Is that even possible?), we wandered along Ice Wonder Way, a frozen pathway that sparkled and shimmered in the night with an electric blue snowflake shower.
As snowflakes cascaded down, a living angel statue led us to Cheetah Hunt for a no line, no waiting experience, which was the case with most of the rides that evening. (Incidentally, Cheetah Hunt rates as one of my all-time favorite roller coasters. It’s a Busch Gardens must-do.)
After Cheetah Hunt, we headed to the North Pole to Santa’s House. Happy elves entertained us with stories about cookies and Santa Claus as we waited to visit with jolly ol’ St. Nick and Mrs. Claus. Once inside their home, Mrs. Claus welcomed us with cookies and good cheer in the hopes that St. Nick soon would appear.
With a swift secret knock, our happy elf hosts led us to a hidden room behind a hall of mirrors, like something out of Wonderland. In a toasty warm room filled with toys and snow globes, the girls cuddled around Santa Claus and shared their Christmas requests.
Emmalynn asked Santa for a pony, but Santa sadly replied, “The ponies don’t travel well in the cold. The sleigh is too high for them.”
“But, I wanted a My Little Pony, Santa.”
“Now, I can deliver that!”
A big kid myself, I couldn’t resist the chance to jump of Santa’s lap and Allan couldn’t resist telling Santa that I had been naughty. I’m not sure if I made Santa’s naughty or really naughty nice list this year.
You know what be nice? If we could do the evening all over again. We had such a fabulous time at Christmas Town at Busch Gardens and now I’m dreaming of another white Christmas and a Jars of Clay concert too.
*Christmas Town runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday now through to December 23 and is a separate-ticketed night event. Regular daytime admission is not required or included. General admission for Christmas Town is $39.99 plus tax. Busch Gardens annual pass members will receive the deepest discounts with advance online priced at $24.99 for adults and $9.99 for children, and special offers are available for guests wishing to upgrade their paid daily admission to Busch Gardens. Families with children ages 3 to 9 will enjoy a special advance-purchase price of $9.99 for their youngest members.*
**The Tampa Bay Bloggers, my family and I received VIP tickets to Christmas Town in exchange for this review. The opinions shared are my own. **
I didn’t know that place existed. That would be a great place to take the Florida kids. My children did not see snow until they were grown. 🙂 Looks like a very good family outing.
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens just opened this season. It’s a brand new experience and so much fun! I can’t wait to go back!
I didn’t think I was that sheltered. I know I had never heard of it before. That is something to put on my todo list. Thanks D. 🙂
Loved this blog and Emelina read it and loved it too! We can’t wait to go next week. I’m just afraid we won’t have the time to squeeze in all of the fun stuff in one evening.
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