If you’ve already packed or are booking a last-minute Disney Orlando vacation rental home this holiday season, there’s so much you won’t want to miss once you get here!

I’m the Orlando City Host. Last week, we took our whole family to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom Park (it runs until Dec. 21). For us, the magical snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. was a big hit since we usually only get to see snow when we travel up North. The holiday décor was amazing, and the performance of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade was as entertaining as all of the popular Disney parades. The best part for our daughter though was this year’s new holiday “Castle Light Show” which decorates Cinderella Castle with thousands of shimmering white lights. It looks so beautiful, you just have to see it, but you have to buy advance tickets and they’re separate from the park admission.

Our kids are still too young, but B.C. (before children), we used to head over to the Candlelight Processional at EPCOT where a celebrity narrator—usually a famous athlete, musician or actor—accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra and a choir retell the Christmas story. The show lasts under an hour, and is really neat to hear. It’s free with EPCOT admission, but to avoid waiting in line, you might want to book the Candlelight dinner package, which includes dinner and reserved general seating at the American Gardens Theatre during the Processional. The last show this year is December 30th.

Another must-see for our family this year was the life-size gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. It’s amazing as usual! Every year, cast members use gingerbread tiles baked in the Disney kitchen to construct it. I highly recommend visiting during the evening because as you walk up to the hotel, you’ll pass by the chestnut stand where they roast chestnuts nightly. In the evenings, there’s also a pianist playing in the lobby next to the Christmas tree and the Gingerbread house.

Although we’ve lived in Orlando for more than seven years now, the holiday season here is still magical to us. I hope it is for you and your family, too!