LONGWOOD, Fla. — Just in time for the frigid temperatures in Florida is an honest-to-goodness Winter Wonderland.
- Wekiva Island is celebrating its ninth year of a Christmastime transformation.
- All December long, the Longwood destination has “snow” flurries, a Christmas tree forest, a 30-ft tall tree, and it receives visits from the Grinch and Santa Claus.
- “Every year, I stand on the balcony, and I kinda cry, because we did that,” said Carrie Vanderhoef, a Wekiva Island manager. “Because we brought that Christmas magic to those families and these children here.”
- Santa’s workshop is a flurry of activity as guests can watch his elves making toys. You can even step inside Santa's office, packed with letters from local children and those from far away.
- Wekiva Island’s Winter Wonderland is open to the public. Admission is $5 on most nights.