Make Global Winter Wonderland your new holiday tradition!

Need a new holiday tradition? Want to visit an attraction with light shows, amusement rides, and live entertainment for a single price? Global Winter Wonderland is the perfect event for you! Global Winter Wonderland has something fun to do for every member of the family with family-friendly prices. With well over one million visitors at the past two locations in Atlanta, GA and Santa Clara, CA, this is an event that will make memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s why you should make Global Winter Wonderland a part of your next holiday season!

One of the main features of Global Winter Wonderland is the dazzling lanterns. The lanterns at Global Winter Wonderland are constructed by Chinese engineers and are then built on-site at the Global Winter Wonderland location. Some of the lanterns are over 50 feet high! While most of the lanterns represent landmarks from around the world, such as the White House, Temple of Heaven,  and Big Ben, there is also a section of holiday lanterns AND a dinosaur maze! Many guests have commented that the landmark lanterns are as close to the real thing as you can get.

The Christmas Holiday Village at Global Winter Wonderland is a great place to get photos of the family for the Christmas card. Wander about the Christmas Castle, Candy House, and Holiday Channel while “snow” falls and you will feel as if you are in your own Winter Wonderland Park! Global Winter Wonderland also has a Santa on-site from opening night through Christmas Day, so children will have the opportunity to pass their gift ideas along to the jolly old man.

The daily live entertainment at Global Winter Wonderland is included in the admission price! Global Winter Wonderland is a proud supporter of local and up-and-coming artists, but also has big performing acts as well. Coco Jones, Keri Hilson, and the UniverSoul Circus were three of the big name performers at the Atlanta location in 2013. The staff at Global Winter Wonderland works to ensure that almost every genre of music is covered at the event, so again, there is something for everyone! The list of performers is provided on the Global Winter Wonderland website, so guests may preview artists and plan their visit accordingly.

Global Winter Wonderland offers several ticketing options within a holiday budget. Guests may purchase a single daily show ticket if they wish to attend for just one evening, but will also have the option to upgrade to a season pass if they wish to return again. Season passes allow guests to visit Global Winter Wonderland as many times as they like! Families also have the option to purchase a Family Fun Pack, which includes four tickets of any age for a significantly discounted price. Global Winter Wonderland also offers a discounted rate for groups. All Global Winter Wonderland tickets have the same perks, such unlimited carnival rides, and may be used any day up until the closing of the event.

Keep an eye out for an announcement with the location of Global Winter Wonderland 2014!

Theme Park Safety Tips

Theme parks provide a full day of fun for people of all ages, but sometimes it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement and forget about staying safe. Safety should remain the top priority for visitors at any theme park in order to avoid accidents and injuries. Follow the safety tips below to get the most out of your next visit to a theme park.

1. Always wear sunscreen – Sunscreen is a must regardless of the season. Being outdoors all day without sunscreen can lead to serious, painful burns, especially during the summertime. Apply sunscreen to all areas of exposed skin and reapply several times throughout the day, especially at a water park. 

2. Avoid dehydration – Walking around a theme park all day and standing in lines for extended periods of time can wear more on your body than you realize. Rehydrating is not only vital to keeping energy levels up, but also in avoiding fatigue. Never use the cost of refreshments as an excuse for not taking care of your body’s needs. Take frequent breaks throughout the day and get the recommended water intake (6-8 glasses) during your visit.

3. Know your health – Accidents can happen at any time at theme parks, so know your medical history. Know what you are allergic to and bring any medication that is needed to treat allergies or illnesses. When purchasing food items, always ask the vendor what ingredients are used in the preparation to avoid reactions to food.

4. Dress appropriately – Dressing appropriately is an often overlooked method of staying safe at a theme park. Loose clothing, such as scarves and long skirts, should not be worn at theme parks, as they may become entangled in the mechanics of amusement rides. It is also imperative to dress appropriately for the warmer months of the year. Amusement rides absorb heat from the sun for long hours during the spring and summer, which can lead guests wearing shorts and tank tops to get burned. To avoid any incidents regarding clothing, wear a fitted pair of jeans and a T-shirt or long sleeved shirt.

5. Follow all park rules and regulations – Rules are set in place to prevent accidents and should never be disregarded. Parents should advise their children of the rules of the park and keep a close eye on their behavior. Always listen to the instruction of park employees and immediately notify staff if another guest is putting others at risk.

Our Favorite Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta Highlights

Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta was a whirlwind adventure that brought families and friends together for a one-of-a-kind and magical experience that will surely leave an impact on their 2013 holiday season. The event was a magnificent success with over 95% positive customer satisfaction surveys! Thank you to the City of Atlanta for welcoming this event with open arms. Here is a look back at some of the highlights of Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta 2013:

• Keri Hilson’s Grand Opening Performance -  Award winning  R & B superstar Keri Hilson, a native of Decatur, Georgia, put on a crowd-pleasing performance on November 21. Keri kicked off the festival in a magnificent way!

• UniverSoul Circus –The UniverSoul Circus performances were in strong demand at Global Winter Wonderland. Crowds and capacity audiences lined up throughout the event to catch UniverSoul,
  one of the country’s top entertainment attractions. The High Wire and Motorcycle Daredevil acts left guests gasping in astonishment and wondering just how these troupes pulled their spectacular stunts off.

• Hi-RiZ Music Video shoot – Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta served as the gorgeous back drop for two holiday music videos, “Very Merry Christmas” and “I Love Christmas” for the up and coming girl group Hi-RiZ, who also performed at Global Winter Wonderland.  The “Very Merry Christmas” video was even featured on BET’s “106 & Park” and brought even more exposure to Global Winter Wonderland and the talented girls of Hi-RiZ.

• Carnival Rides – With over 20 carnival rides at the event, there was something for everyone! Rides were included in the price of admission, so there was no limit to how many times guests could ride the Family and Thrill rides. The Expo Wheel provided a full view of the festival from above, which is probably why it was a crowd favorite!

• The Lanterns – Of course our “main attraction” had crowds oohing and aahing every day at these magnificent replicas of celebrated landmarks from around the world, including the Eiffel Tower, Mt. Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, the Taj Majal and many more. 

• Best Atlanta Event EVER! – We got so much overwhelming positive feedback from our guests! Some of the greatest compliments Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta received were from Paul Milliken, the Emmy Award winning meteorologist at Atlanta’s Fox5 TV station. Among a series of tweets from his visit to the event, he noted that he had “never seen anything like this” and also told us that Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta was “the best holiday event ever in Atlanta!”

Thank You Atlanta!

The debut year of Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta has wrapped up, and the positive feedback has been flowing in! The staff at Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta is very grateful for the overwhelmingly kind words that were expressed by so many. Guests and media agreed that Global Winter Wonderland was a unique event that provided an extraordinary holiday experience.

Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta was covered heavily by local and regional print, broadcast TV and radio, and online press up until its very last day, and even received national coverage with opening day photos featured in the Washington Post. Global Atlanta reported that “Global Winter Wonderland is a spectacular lantern festival and multicultural theme park that celebrates Atlanta’s diverse population with a series of cultural themed days.” Dozens of bloggers also gave the event rave reviews.

The goal of Global Winter Wonderland was to have something for everyone young and old, and our guests’ glowing testimonials show that the event met this goal! Tiffany Davis wrote: “My family and I loved everything about this place! My 7 year old son does not comment much on places we go or things we do, but as soon as we arrived to Global Winter Wonderland, my son said “Whoa, what is this place?!” There was plenty to see, do, and eat!” Angela Gary with Main Street Newspaper also reported “In one evening, we were able to see the larger-than-life lantern designs of landmarks from countries all over the globe. It’s a great place to get some wonderful holiday photos.” Global Winter Wonderland guest Diane Nasalga commented on one of our social media channels that Global Winter Wonderland is “like a small-scale Epcot.” What a great compliment!

Global Winter Wonderland also sparked great enthusiasm from the Atlanta community even prior to its opening on November 21. Atlanta Dunia wrote “Atlantans and all visitors to Atlanta can consider themselves very fortunate that they will be able to see a spectacular and glitzy fun-filled event very soon.”

Global Winter Wonderland did not disappoint, and even exceeded the expectations of some guests. In her review on Yelp.com, Joy W. stated “If I had to rank all the holiday light shows that I’ve been to, Global Winter Wonderland is definitely the top.”

Thank you again to those who attended Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta! If you would like to provide your opinion regarding this event, please leave a comment on our website in the Contact Us section or send an email to: info@cultureexhange.us.

STAY WARM AT GLOBAL WINTER WONDERLAND

With the average temperature in the winter months hovering in the 30s, it is very important to stay warm during your visit to Global Winter Wonderland. While dressing in layers is the most important factor, there are other ways to keep the chill from getting to your bones as well.

• Stay Hydrated! – Freezing temperatures will draw the moisture out of your body, leading to dehydration. If your body is dehydrated, it is harder to stay warm. Head over to the International Food Bazaar to refuel with water or pick up a warm drink when you arrive to the event.
• Don’t Stop Moving – There is so much to see at Global Winter Wonderland, you will want to stop and take pictures of everything! However, standing in place for too long will slow blood circulation to the extremities. Move your hands and wiggle your toes to keep blood flowing. Also, don’t be afraid to break out your best dance moves while watching the entertainment performances.
• Avoid Cotton Clothing – Cotton absorbs moisture and is a poor choice for insulation. Instead, dress in synthetic fabrics, such as wool or fleece, which dry quickly and will keep moisture away from the skin.
• Check the Weather Forecast – As excited as you may be to get to Global Winter Wonderland, don’t forget to check the weather forecast. Don’t get caught in a rain shower without an umbrella or proper foot gear! If the night is going to be colder than normal, bring extra socks, scarves, and hats for you and your party.

Don’t let cold weather interfere with fun! Follow these tips and have a blast at Global Winter Wonderland.

Food in Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta

What could be better than having the opportunity to try delicious delicacies from all over the world in one place? Global Winter Wonderland Atlanta is your destination! With a mouth-watering international food bazaar that features dishes from American, Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, Thai, Greek, Italian, and Korean cultures, you may taste to your heart’s desires.

American: Corn Dogs

When you think of traditional American foods, corn dogs come to mind. The creator of the corn dog is disputed, but it didn’t take long for corn dogs to make their way into the hearts (and stomachs) of generations of Americans. Corn dogs have become so popular amongst the American people that National Corndog Day is celebrated every March.

Mexican: Tacos

Just as with the American corn dog, the origin of the taco is unknown. However, the word “taco” got its start in the 18^th century silver mines of Mexico, when a taco was just paper wrapped around gunpowder. Don’t worry; the tacos at GWW can be consumed. Don’t forget the salsa!

Chinese: Fried Rice

Fried Rice is one of the most popular and versatile dishes of Chinese cuisine, as several ingredients, such as vegetables, eggs, and chicken can be mixed into fried rice recipes. It is believed that fried rice was invented sometime during the Sui Dynasty (589 – 618 AD) in the city of Yangzhou. Because fried rice can be served as either a side dish or a main course, it is no surprise that it appeals to the palates of people of other cultures as well.

Italian: Pizza

Where would the world be if pizza had not been created? This traditional Italian meal has expanded beyond the Italian border and into the mouths of the American people. Did you know that Americans eat approximately 350 slices of pizza per SECOND? I think we owe thanks to Raffaele Esposito of Naples for creating this lovely treat in 1889.

Thai: Tom Yum Soup

Tom Yum Soup is a spicy clear soup that originated in Laos and Thailand. This dish, usually served as an appetizer, varies between the two countries. The Laotian version of the soup contains rice, whereas the regular version does not.  

Greek: Baklava

While many think that baklava came straight from the heart of Greece, it has been argued that the food has Assyrian origin. Around 8 B.C., Assyrians baked thin layers of dough with nuts and poured honey over it. The recipe spread around the region of the Middle East, but as many civilizations came and went over time, baklava eventually found a permanent home in Greece.

Japanese: Sushi

Just as with baklava, many people automatically associate sushi with Japan. However, sushi originated in 4^th century BC in Southeast Asia. At this time, salted fish was preserved with rice. This type of sushi is called nare-zushi, and was consumed only after the rice was discarded. When this meal was introduced to Japan in 8^th century AD, the Japanese preferred to eat the fish with the rice. Sushi began expanding rapidly outside of Japan in the 1980s in the wake of increased health consciousness.

Make sure you come to Global Winter Wonderland hungry! You will want to have room in your belly for all of the fantastic morsels that will be available right at your fingertips.

A Brief History of Lanterns and Lantern Festivals

A Brief History of Lanterns and Lantern Festivals 

Origins in Ancient China

Global Winter Wonderland’s magnificent towering lanterns, some of which soar to over 50 feet high, are built by Chinese engineers with modern technology and even reflect the trendy green thinking of today, with their eco-friendly features of low voltage LEDS, fluorescent lights, and solar paneling. However modern the lanterns gracing the night skies of Global Winter Wonderland are, their history actually goes back over centuries and two thousand years to ancient China. 

Paper lanterns originated from as far back as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 AD – 220 AD) and were used as lamps, especially in entry ways of homes. The lantern shade was practical in that it protected the flame from being extinguished in windy weather. Lanterns were made with a variety of crafts such as Chinese paintings, paper-cutting, and pricking and seaming, as well as various kinds of materials such as bamboo, wood, wheat-straw and metal. Paper and silk were the major materials. The traditional Chinese lantern was one that was red in color. 

Chinese monks also used lanterns on the twelfth day of the first lunar month to worship Buddha. During the Eastern Han Dynasty, the Emperor Liu Zhuang was a Buddhist and ordered his citizenry to light lanterns to worship Buddha as the monks did. Eventually this lantern lighting became a grand festival with common people. During the Tang Dynasty (618 AD – 907 AD), people made lanterns to celebrate their peaceful life. During this time, lanterns also symbolized and celebrated the prosperity, strength, and power of China. From then on, lighting lanterns became popular in the entire country.

Lanterns as a Status Symbol 

Eventually, lanterns went on to become an object of artistic expression, ornamentation, and a major status symbol. Common to ancient Chinese society was its penchant for grand celebration, such as the Lantern Festival, aka Little New Year, named because it is the culmination of the Chinese New Year festival.

The lantern festival was also where artisans competed amongst themselves to produce the most beautifully designed, elaborate, and exquisite lantern. The most popular designs were ripped off and copied by other lantern makers. The emperor of China himself would hire the best lantern designers to work for him, a position which was considered to be a high honor. 

Lantern Festivals Today

Once used for lighting before the introduction of gas and then electricity, lanterns have now evolved to become merely decorative or more significantly used during celebrations. Although there is no practical necessity for Chinese lanterns nowadays, they are still made, used, and enjoyed by the Chinese people. They continue to be a means of artistic expression, both in terms of functionality, design, and decoration.

Now more types of lanterns appear in festivals apart from the traditional red Chinese ones. More modern technology is used on making lanterns, such as the ones at Global Winter Wonderland.  Lanterns can be made with music playing from them, with control panels to make them light up in various ways and at various times, and so forth. The shapes of the modern lanterns have changed a lot too. They can be cartoon characters, Chinese zodiac animals, and architectural landmarks such as the ones featured at Global Winter Wonderland. Lantern engineers can even involve computer games in lanterns, which give visitors a  new and fresh perspective of the entertainment value of lanterns.

The streets both in big cities and small towns all over China and various other parts of the world are decorated with red lanterns during festivals, especially Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Lantern Festival. In fact, Global Winter Wonderland, which ICEG launched in 2011, has the distinction being the largest lantern festival of its kind outside of China.