There’s just one time of year where “snow” fills the streets of Walt Disney World (WDW), Mickey Mouse parades through Magic Kingdom with a troop of toy soldiers, and singers fill EPCOT with holiday carols recited by candlelight. The holidays and Christmas at WDW are truly among the merriest times to visit, but there’s a lot of extra festive details for parents to know about.

Whatever way your family celebrates during the holiday season, visiting Walt Disney World for some holiday cheer is a special perk of Orlando.

Read on for everything you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays and Christmas.

While their reputations are dwarfed by theme parks like Magic Kingdom and Epcot, the Disney World water parks are among the best places in Orlando to splash and cool off. Typhoon Lagoon, a tropical paradise-themed water park on the resort's sprawling property, is definitely worth visiting on a long Disney World vacation. Along with its attractions and wave pool, Typhoon Lagoon is home to solid food and beverage options and a fun late-night dance party. Plus, Mount Mayday and its teetering ship is one of the coolest park icons Disney has ever created.

The first time I visited Walt Disney World (WDW) with my kids, they were just 3 and 5, eager to meet their favorite characters and get some Mickey-shaped ice cream bars. A decade later, I visit with teenagers who will still oblige me with a character photo, but care more about which restaurant has the best cheeseburger and how many thrill rides we can pack into one theme park day. Still, through many trips to WDW and Disneyland, I’ve perfected my checklist of items to pack in my bag for a day at a Disney park — many of which haven’t changed as my kids have gotten older.

I've held an annual pass at Disney World for the last seven years and visit several times a month with friends, family, and sometimes even solo.

No matter how often I visit the parks, I never feel like I'm experiencing the same thing repeatedly, probably because I'm constantly stumbling upon events and experiences I never knew existed. One such unique experience, Sangria University, takes place at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort.

Whether you’re a local or visiting, Orlando is full of places to cool off. No matter the time of year there are plenty of places for swimming in Orlando, especially with kids. From whimsical water parks to natural springs and everything in between, there are many ways to make a splash. And with our guide to the best places to take your kids to go swimming, you might just impress your kids.

If you are coming to Orlando, or you’re a local looking for a staycation, scope out these Orlando Hotels with Water Parks, Orlando Water Parks, and other swimming destinations in Orlando.

If Shula's is pricer than you'd like to have on your Swan and Dolphin crawl, then consider Rosa Mexicano. With appetizers like guacamole made tableside and Camarones Diablos — crispy, spicy shrimp cooled down with avocado ranch — and a bar menu made up of beer, wine and 101 different types of tequila, mezcal and sotol (another distilled spirit made from the agave plant), Rosa is a great spot to grab a bar seat and share some snacks and cocktails.