All three suggestions are handicap accessible as well as family friendly.

Each year the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando, Florida brings in at least 40 ice sculptors from Harbin, China to hand-carve a life size village with a Christmas theme using approximately 2,000,000 pounds of ice. The signature scene is a life-size Nativity carved completely of ice and includes everything including life sized camels. They always include slides made completely from ice for young and young at heart to enjoy to their heart’s content as well as an outdoor skating rink to enjoy. The first year we attended it also included a full sized sleigh that the kids could climb on to have their pictures taken and which I suspect will be back this year for their North Pole theme, I can’t wait to see what all is included. The tour takes about an hour and wait times can be about a half hour so be prepared. 

The Official "ICE" Website will give you the details but pay close attention to the note at the bottom of the page – coats and gloves are distributed to everyone and you are required to wear closed toes shoes and long pants. Trust me, the first year we attended I thought it wouldn’t be too difficult to endure as it was inside, there wouldn’t be any wind – right? NO! Not only is it kept at a chilly 9 degrees inside, but fans blow to ensure the air circulates around the sculptures.

This spectacular fantasy evening set up by Callaway Gardens in beautiful, picturesque Pine Mountain, Georgia is a must see at least once in your life. To design “"Fantasy In Lights" they basically took a wooded forest across the street from the main property, put a winding but drivable 6 and 1/2 mile road through it and then decorated the woods with all types of Christmas scenes, fantasy artworks and music that is designed to leave you breathless at the end of the ride. This year – their 18^th year in production – includes over 8 million (yes, I said million) lights and 12 specific scenes although every nook and cranny is filled with music and lights that will be sure to put even the most hardened scrooge among you in the Christmas mood. A visitor has the option of driving their own car or taking the trolley ride for the hour long trip but beware, the schedules don’t start until after dark and this is a rather unpopulated area of Georgia so you might want to make reservations to stay overnight. Another great treat for earlier in the day is the Christmas Village that is set up with displays of nutcrackers, decorated trees, unusual ornaments and a Georgia Crafter’s area, it’s 22,000 sq ft of warm, comfy feelings and memories. Most of what is on display in the village is for sale at the adjoining gift shop. Truly, the "Fantasy In Lights" is well worth an effort to make the pilgrimage. If you happen to be there on Christmas day, I also highly recommend their Christmas buffet – it’s the best I’ve found anywhere in the south.

St. Augustine, Florida is a great place for a family vacation and around Christmas is a very special time. You can pack the days with history, architecture, beaches, shopping and the like but by night the fantasy becomes of your own making. The town lights up for “"Nights of Lights" (this year will be it’s 16^th year in operation) with the whole town getting in on the idea. You can walk the downtown area, take a romantic carriage ride or just party with everyone else. There’s even a special helicopter ride available at the airport if you want to see the lights from the air. Then if you are in town on the right weekend the Grand Illumination parade will be going on and visitors are encouraged to participate. Many of the townspeople dress up in period costume and thousands turn out to walk the city streets with candles and lanterns singing Christmas carols. Beyond doubt, a place where hometown traditions are at their best.