Orlando’s famous theme parks are filled with special high energy parades throughout the year. But when the Christmas holiday season arrives, one parade just seems bigger than all the rest.

The Macy’s Holiday Parade at Universal Studios Orlando is that parade. That’s because it features many of the same floats and giant inflatable balloon characters that are brought to life every year in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade through New York City.

Now in its 10^th year at Universal, the Macy’s parade experience begins as soon as the Thanksgiving Day parade ends when a variety of props and balloons are packed up and trucked from Manhattan to Orlando.

Upon arrival in Orlando, the balloons are re-filled with helium and stored in a Universal Studios sound stage ready to be paraded through the streets of the theme park throughout the holiday celebration that runs through Jan. 1.

The nightly parade is included with park admission and runs at 5 pm on Dec. 16 and Dec. 19-25, at 5:30 pm on Dec. 17-18, and at 8:00 pm on Dec. 26-31. In addition to the famed balloons, the parade features music, dancers, marching bands, stilt walkers, floats and, of course, Santa Claus!

Mannheim Steamroller is returning to Universal Studios for the holidays.

The Orlando theme park has announced its holiday plans and those plans include six concerts by the popular Mannheim Steamroller at Universal’s Music Plaza stage. The group, which also played at Universal last year, will host concerts on the first three Saturdays and Sundays of December - Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18.

Another holiday classic at Universal also returns and the park is set to present Macy’s Holiday Parade. This is the 10^th year that giant balloons from Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade will make appearances in Orlando. Universal’s holiday celebrations begin Friday, Dec. 3 and will run through Jan. 1, 2012. The evening parade, which begins around 5 pm, will conclude with a special tree-lighting ceremony with Santa Clause.

In addition to extensive holiday decorations, Universal Studios will also present a number of special holiday themed stage shows and offer a Holiday Village with hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts and more.

At Universal’s other major park - Islands of Adventure - the popular, live “Grinchmas” show returns, featuring the one and only Grinch and various Whos from Who-Ville. Multiple performances of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be offered daily.

With the holidays just around the corner, Universal Orlando is getting ready to break out the Christmas music and special holiday events.

The Orlando theme park is scheduled to open its official holiday celebration on Dec. 4 with the first of three live concerts by Mannheim Steamroller, along with the return of its popular ”Grinchmas” musical and the annual Macy’s Holiday Parade.

Mannheim Steamroller will perform at Universal on Dec. 4, 11 and 18, on the Music Plaza stage within Universal Studios theme park. The concerts are included with regular park admission.

2010 marks the 25^th anniversary of Mannheim Steamroller’s annual Christmas tours. The group led by Chip Davis has sold more than 27 million Christmas records, making Mannheim Steamroller the biggest selling Christmas artist in history.

Meanwhile, the Macy’s Parade, featuring balloons also seen in the famed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City, will wind through Universal Studios before culminating with a nightly tree-lighting ceremony and a special appearance by Santa Claus. 

Another staple of Universal’s holiday celebration is the musical live show, “Grinchmas,” based on the Dr. Seuss book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” The show will be staged multiple times daily at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park and features music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller.

Universal’s holiday celebration runs through Jan. 1, 2011.

Major League Baseball is back and better than ever in Central Florida. Orlando might be the theme park capital of the world, but when it comes to Spring Training baseball, there’s no better place to catch all the Grapefruit League action.

A total of 14 different major league teams call Florida their home for spring training. As a result, baseball fans visiting Florida don’t have to look far for the next game throughout the month of March.

The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros both feature training camps right in the greater Orlando area. The Braves play at Disney’s beautiful ESPN Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista while Astros’ fans can catch their team in nearby Kissimmee.

Just a short drive down I-4 from Orlando takes you to into Lakeland, spring training home of the Detroit Tigers. Meanwhile, there is a host of teams situated along the Gulf coast, including the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers, the New York Yankees in Tampa, the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, the Baltimore Orioles in Sarasota, the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte and the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater.

Back on the Atlantic coast side of Florida’s peninsula, you’ll find the spring training homes of the Florida Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter as well as the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie.

There’s no better way to see and interact with your favorite MLB stars up close than at a highly affordable spring training game. You can get spring training schedules of your favorite team, or for any of the Grapefruit League teams, by visiting www.MLB.com.  

For details on discount theme park tickets and discount Orlando vacation package specials, please visit www.OrlandoThemeParkVacations.com. For discount resort or hotel packages, go to www.WestgateReservations.com/sweepstakes.cfm.

Universal’s Holiday Experience
Grinchmas & Macy’s Holiday Parade
December 12-15, 2010

This is your chance to see Universal’s Islands of Adventure like you never have before! Your day will start with a Character breakfast. You will be eating with The Grinch, Whovillians and the Cat in the Hat! Following breakfast you will be able to enjoy all that Islands of Adventure has to offer using an Express Pass that will allow you to cut the lines at most of the major attractions. Don’t forget, it is the Holidays, so on top of the parks regular attractions, there are some Holiday surprises! You don’t want to miss this opportunity to visit Universal’s Islands of Adventure like a star!

This amazing Orlando weekend getaway package features two tickets to this Universal’s Islands of Adventure Holiday Experience, transportation to and from the park, personal concierge, Welcome Party and three-night stay in a spacious two-bedroom villa at the luxurious Westgate Lakes Resort & Spa. Ideally located just minutes from Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World Resort, Westgate Lakes is a lush tropical paradise that boasts a scenic lakefront setting, luxuriously appointed villas, full-service health spa, Smokehouse Grill, eight swimming pools and a full schedule of family activities.

As a valued Westgate owner, you have the opportunity to purchase this incredible vacation package for just $399 per couple! We will also extend this special price to any of your family and friends who might want to attend as well. This is an exclusive, limited-time offer, so call toll free 1-877-326-6003 today and prepare to enjoy your dream Orlando vacation getaway!