The famous Disney Parks near Orlando in Florida are a lure to children and their parents at all times of the year, but at Christmas they take on an added attraction as the magic of the festive season provides a reason for the parks to put on extra special events.

One of the first special events to open its doors was Disney's Hollywood Studios' Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights which launched on 10th November and remains open until 4th January 2010. A whole area of buildings, trees and figures are dressed in millions of lights which sequence in time with music during a choreographed 40 minute performance. This has nothing to do with the more recent fame of the Osbourne family (different spelling) but a celebration of the actions of a businessman Jennings Osborne who decorated his large home at the request of his only daughter, Breezy, back in 1986. It is thought that this was the origin of a worldwide tradition that has now spread to British shores and sees many people decorating their homes with lights and displays at Christmas. In just seven years, Jennings' original display of 100 lights had grown to over 3 million lights.

Eventually the size of the installation started to upset his neighbours and a court ruling eventually banned the display. That's when Disney stepped in and offered to move the display to a permanent home in their Hollywood Studios theme park. Now, with commercial sponsorship, the display has grown to even more lights, 33 snow machines, several miles of rope light and uses almost a million watts of electricity.

Other Christmas events in Orlando include Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party which takes place at 7pm on 19 specific days during the run up to Christmas in Disney's Magic Kingdom. Also Epcot organises a Candlelight Processional that includes the narration of Christmas stories by celebrity narrators accompanied by a massed choir and 50 piece orchestra.