Getting Your Act Together - Walt Disney World with Kids 2015 - page 72

Ashoora. In Japan , the Daruma Seller talks about how Japanese celebrate the New
Year. ( Daruma dolls are symbols of the New Year and are said to bring good luck.)
At the American Adventure Rotunda , you can visit Santa's Bakeshop, a life-
size gingerbread house made with real gingerbread, candies, and icing. Santa himself
is also on hand to tell Christmas stories. Special programs are held for Kwanzaa and
Hanukkah as well. (To learn more about Kwanzaa, an African American celebration
of family, community, and culture, visit kwanzaaguide.com . The History Channel
offers a nice description of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, at history.com/
topics/hanukkah .)
In Italy , meet La Befana, the good witch who brings gifts to children on
Epiphany. (For more information on La Befana, check out en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
befana .) Germany honors St. Nicholas on December 6, and he welcomes visitors
throughout the afternoon. Visitors can also hear the story of the nutcracker's origin.
Visit China and listen to the funny stories of the Monkey King. In Norway , meet
the Christmas elf Julenissen, who represents simplicity and peace (to learn more, visit
tinyurl.com/norwaysanta ). In Mexico , the Three Sage Kings (Los Tres Reyes Ma-
gos) make appearances throughout the afternoon telling the story of Epiphany. (Dis-
cover the story at mexonline.com/history-lostresreyes.htm . )
At Disney's Hollywood Studios , the park is also dressed for the season, but the
big attraction is the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights . Millions—yes,
millions—of lights decorate the buildings on the Streets of America, and snow ma-
chines provide the perfect atmosphere. There is no additional fee to see the display,
but be prepared for huge crowds. A little background: Jennings Osborne of Little
Rock, Arkansas, began putting up Christmas lights on his house in 1986 and expan-
dedhisdisplaybybuyingthetwohousesnexttohis.Ashiscollection grew,sodidthe
displeasure of his neighbors. Eventually the matter was brought to court, and in 1994
the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled that his houses, with their 3 million lights, were
a public nuisance. The Walt Disney Company brought Osborne's Christmas lights to
Disney's Hollywood Studios in 1995 and has a special agreement with him to keep
the display. For a review by Liliane featuring lots of pictures, check out tinyurl.com/
osbornelights .
Disney's Animal Kingdom hasfestiveholidaydecorations andagiganticChrist-
mas tree with carolers performing throughout the day. Kids can meet Santa Goofy and