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Those of you who read this blog regularly will know I am a huge fan of Epcot and I can’t think of a nicer introduction to the festive season than Holidays Around the World at Epcot.  It runs 1 – 30 December, at Epcot, Disney World and features a candlelight processional, dining experiences, the obligatory firework spectacular and treats and traditions from around the world.

For the little ones, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas party runs on selected dates throughout December (1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 18) at Magic Kingdom, Disney World.  It does require a separate admission ticket as well as your normal park ticket through, which is worth booking in advance – as always, you can book tickets through Ellis Exclusive Villas.

For something completely different, but totally awe-inspiring and totally Florida, how about witnessing a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral?  There are two this month: Atlas V- Orb-4 Rocket launch on 3 December and Falcon 9 – SpaceX CRS 9 Rocket Launch on 9 December. The Kennedy Space Centre also has a ‘Holidays in Space’ exhibit running from 19 December until 3 January.

On 4 December downtown Orlando begins its holiday celebrations as the lights get turned on.  The Holiday Lights celebration takes place at Lake Eola Amphitheatre, Orlando.

I’m really excited about one of the latest launches at Disney Springs: on 15 December a new Disney Chocolatier or ‘Ganachery’ opens.  Designed to celebrate the most beautiful product in the world, it’s the perfect excuse to stock up with some mouth-watering chocolate treats just in time for Christmas!

That’s assuming you didn’t pick up enough chocolate at the Lakeridge Winery’s Wine & Chocolate Festival the previous weekend, 12 & 13 December, at the Lakeridge Winery, Clermont.  As well as tours and tastings over the weekend, there will be performances by local bands and local crafters displaying their wares.

After all that chocolate why not head on over to this year’s Light up UCF?   It’s running throughout the month, Florida University’s CFE Arena, Orlando.  There’s lots going on besides the ice rink, so you really need to check out the online calendar for details of all the events that are running over the 50 nights of wintery wonderland magic.

Talking about a little bit of magic, The Nutcracker returns to Orlando Ballet 17 – 20 December.  You can purchase tickets for the performances at Orlando Ballet, Dr Phillips Centre for the Performing Arts, Orlando through Ellis Exclusive Villas’ ticket service.

My final pre-Christmas tip to really get you in the mood for Christmas is to make a visit to Celebration.  This town is picture perfect all year round, but throughout December it is just a little bit more special with nightly snowfalls at 6, 7, 8 and 9pm, photos with Santa, strolling Holiday carollers, and an Ice Rink.  The perfect warm-up (or should that be cool-up?) to Christmas.

At the end of the month, there’s just time to squeeze in one more unmissable event: the Orlando Citrus Parade on 30th December.

You can find additional details of events listed on our new events page on our website.

Has this whetted your appetite for a Florida Christmas 2016?  We are already taking bookings for the 2016 Holiday period – so now’s a great time to beat the post-Christmas rush and book yourself somewhere lovely for 2016.  Call me on  (from the USA): 321 710 8779 or (from the UK): 0333 332 1411

I can’t quite believe it is February already!  Just where did January go?  For me, it disappeared under a flurry of bookings.

Having just come out of a busy festive period, we are now almost fully booked for Christmas and New Year 2015.

So I hope this post works as a rallying cry for all my regular guests – please, if you want to spend the holidays in Florida in 2015, please get in touch to book soon!

Especially if you are a returning guest and you have a specific property in mind, it’s worth making that call to me today.

I know some property managers in Orlando will hold properties back until the festive period is nearly upon us and then release them at the last minute, when they know they can command astronomical rates from late bookers.

I’m personally not comfortable with that approach and that’s why Ellis Exclusive Villas don’t hold villas back.

At least, I’ve never done it before.  But after what happened this Christmas I am seriously considering holding a couple of villas back just for a personal insurance policy.  Not to command the astronomical rates; just to save myself paying them!

We had a – rare – last minute problem this year and I had to move a guest.  If you know me, you’ll know I will never let down a guest.  I think this makes me a bit of a rarity in the Florida rentals market.  I’ve taken so many last minute reservations over the years – even from people who were travelling with the big tour operators!

And if there is ever an issue with a property I’ve taken a booking for, I’ll always find a property of better spec for my guests in order to make up for the inconvenience of a last-minute change.

This Christmas – when something did happen – finding that other property turned out to be not only expensive, but almost impossible!

The trials and tribulations of a property manager, I suppose.  I did eventually locate a beautiful villa on the Champions Gate resort in the end.  But it did make me think about having an insurance policy this year… let’s hope that I won’t need it, but if I do, at least I will have planned ahead!

And I guess that’s what I’d like all my guests to do too: please start planning those 2015 Christmas and New Year breaks now and hopefully we can all avoid any festive disappointments!

With thanks & best wishes,

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