National Expert Pete Trabucco's Top 12 Amusement Parks for the Holidays

Nationally acclaimed Roller Coaster and Amusement Park Expert has released his 2012 list of the world's top 12 amusement parks to visit during the holidays.

Pete Trabucco is a nationally acclaimed expert on the subject of Amusement Parks and Roller Coasters and is pleased to announce this annual holiday list of the best roller coaster filled attractions which includes exciting new entries from last year's list.

The 2012 Top 12 list is sure to become the go-to guide for the tips and highlights on planning trips to these exciting destinations for the holidays.

The list is topped by perennial favorites Disney World and Disneyland.

The 2012 Top 12 Amusement Parks During the Holidays

Disney World/Disneyland's Magic Kingdom Park and Hollywood Studios
Orlando Florida and Anaheim California. 'Mickey's Very Merry Christmas' Celebrate the magic of the holiday season with your family at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, a special event held select nights in November and December at Magic Kingdom and if in Orlando, Florida, don't miss the Osborne Lights show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. You will be glad you didn't.

Silver Dollar City
Branson Missouri, An Old Time Christmas Nov. 3 to Dec. 30, select day. Weather permitting; many of the park's rides are open for the event and they are one of the best around when it comes to getting you in the holiday mood. Special for the season, Silver Dollar City features 4 million lights, the Christmas on Main Street tree-lighting presentation, the Gifts of Christmas Holiday Lights parade, musical performances, and a presentation of "A Christmas Carol." New for 2012 is the musical show, "Its A Wonderful Life," based on the classic film. Santa holds court in Kringle's Krossing. Special holiday treats include hot wassail and ginger cookies. as shows such as the Mother Goose Guild and a Nativity Pageant.

Universal Studio's Islands of Adventure
Orlando, FL. It's not Christmas until you visit here? The Grinch makes personal appearances throughout the day, and you will love the show in Dr Seuss land. You can also ride 'Cat in the Hat' while you're there and you will truly have a great experience in this park especially for the holidays.

Hershey Park Christmas Candylane and Hershey Sweet Lights
Hershey, PA 2012 dates: Nov. 18 to Dec. 31, open most days. The park will scrape off the ice and open some of its rides (weather permitting) for hardy souls to enjoy. Shows include the musical, "A Rockin' Music Box Christmas." Hershey also offers a drive-through holiday light display beginning November 16. Called Hershey Sweet Lights, it features 2 miles of trails with over 1 million lights on more than 500 animated tableaux. Hershey offers hotel packages and other holiday promotions as well.

Dollywood
Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival Pigeon Forge (near Knoxville) 2012 dates: Nov. 10 to Dec. 30 on select days. . Weather permitting; many of Dollywood's rides will be operating during the festival. If they are running, you could check out the park's 3.5 million twinkling lights from the top of one of the coasters. Lights are synchronized to holiday tunes. The park will also feature an ambitious production of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" and other holiday shows" The park also presents The Polar Express 4-D Experience, a ride film based on the popular Christmas film. At Santa's Workshop, children will be able to make their own holiday craft projects.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Christmas Town Williamsburg 2012 dates: Nov. 23 to Dec. 31 for select dates. Busch Gardens will transform its European hamlets, including Ireland and England into Old World Christmas villages. New for 2012, the park will present Retro lane, an old-school Christmas light display. Always well regarded for its shows, the Christmas Town productions of "Miracles," "Gloria!," "Deck the Halls," "O Tannenbaum," and "A Sesame Street Christmas," should be top-notch. Weather permitting, the park's rides, including Mach Tower and DaVinci's Cradle, will be operating. Delicious holiday-themed food and a dining experience with Santa there as well.

Lake Compounce Bristol CT Holiday Lights
Holiday Lights Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, November 30 through December 22. Includes North Pole Railway train ride, cookie decorating, storytelling, carolers, a selection of kiddie and family rides (weather permitting), Santa (naturally!), and lots of festive lights of course!

Dutch Wonderland
Dutch Winter Wonderland, Lancaster, PA. 2012 dates: November 17, 18, 23 to 25, December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 26 to 30. Dutch Wonderland will also have several rides for the holidays. The Princess of Dutch Wonderland will be offering some Christmas stories. Santa will be on hand to see who's been naughty or nice. And the Dutch Winter Wonderland Royal Light Show will feature colorful lights synchronized to holiday music.

Kennywood
Holiday Lights West Mifflin PA(near Pittsburgh) 2012 dates: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 23 to Dec. 30, plus Dec. 26 & 27For its second holiday celebration, the park will be hanging loads of twinkling lights, offering carolers, and opening some of its rides, weather permitting. Last year, the first year that Kennywood presented Holiday Lights, it is fantastic!

Six Flags over Texas
Holiday in the Park, Arlington. TX (near Dallas) Everything you need to get into the holiday spirit can be found at Six Flags Over Texas during Holiday in the Park. From more than a million twinkling lights, holiday shows, toasty campfires, delicious hot cocoa, and roller coasters, to the nearly 60 foot Holiday Tree of Trees, Santa Land and of course Santa Claus. Special moments and thrills await you at North Texas' largest holiday festival.

Sea World San Antonio
SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration San Antonio 2012 dates: Select dates, Nov. 17 to Dec. 31. See official site for details. Shamu Claus, as well as Santa Claus, will be on hand to greet guests. Special shows will include "Clyde & Seamore's Countdown To Christmas," featuring the park's sea lions, as well as "A Sesame Street Christmas." Candy Cane Forest will be decked out with over 100,000 lights.

Sesame Place
A Very Furry Christmas Langhorne (near Philadelphia) 2012 dates: Nov. 17 to Dec. 31 on select days. The event will include a parade, shows such as "Elmo's Christmas Wish," loads of decorated trees, and some of the park's rides (if the weather cooperates).

In his book, "America's Top Roller Coasters and Amusement Parks", Pete teaches people how to overcome their fear of roller coasters and lists the best roller coasters and amusement parks around North America. He is currently on tour promoting his book and has appeared on 100's of media outlets and National TV. All profits from the book are going to selected charities.

Pete Trabucco is represented by Eclectic Media Productions. To schedule an interview, please contact Shannon Rose with Eclectic Media Productions.

Contact:
Shannon Rose
Eclectic Media Productions
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