# Elf Academy at JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes > Event for families in the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford area (FL). Times are Eastern Time. - When: Dec 20 – Jan 1 · 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM - Where: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes – Amarante (ground level), 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando, FL 32837 - Ages: Check age guidance - Price: Booking required; price on booking site - Organizer: JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes - Official page: https://www.bookeo.com/d2emarriott - Last checked: Sat, Oct 24 Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 32 metro areas as of Oct 24, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-10-24), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/elf-academy-at-jw-marriott-orlando-grande-lakes--listing-15cadea6c41fe97ed2bee54a ## About During the last stretch of the holidays, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes turns its ground-level Amarante space into an Elf Training Academy, an immersive play experience in which children take the Head Elf's tests to 'earn a flying certificate' and qualify to ride with Santa on his sleigh. It is designed for young children who enjoy role play and pretend missions, and runs daily from 11 AM to 9 PM between December 20 and New Year's Day. Booking is through the resort's Bookeo page, where session lengths and prices are listed. The resort's outdoor ice rink and Christmas Market operate the same evenings. ## Similar picks in Orlando - [5th Annual Holly Jolly Holiday Market — Sanford](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/5th-annual-holly-jolly-holiday-market-sanford--listing-07f104095776a15ab79c9975) — Sun, Dec 20 · 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM · Sanford Civic Center · Free · checked Oct 16. The 5th Annual Holly Jolly Holiday Market is an indoor holiday market at the Sanford Civic Center on Sunday, December 20, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Artisans, makers, boutique… - [Lake Eola Holiday Train](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/lake-eola-holiday-train--listing-844a420e6a258a966c008b4d) — Fri, Dec 4 (+8 more dates) · 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM · Lake Eola Park (North East Lawn) · checked Oct 24. A holiday train runs on the north-east lawn of Lake Eola Park on weekend evenings during Downtown for the Holidays, downtown Orlando's free December program. It is a simple ride… - [Movie in the Park: The Polar Express — Longwood](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/movie-in-the-park-the-polar-express-longwood--listing-26ac893b9d8ab0629f9c7ca3) — Fri, Dec 18 · 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM · Reiter Park, Longwood · checked Oct 16. Longwood's December Movie in the Park is a showing of The Polar Express on the big screen at Reiter Park. Families bring blankets, lawn chairs and friends and settle in for a… - [Breakfast with Santa — Leesburg](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/breakfast-with-santa-leesburg--listing-c9ea95faaa3cd217840492c9) — Sat, Dec 19 · 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM · Venetian Center (Harris Room), Leesburg · From $8 · checked Oct 16. Leesburg Recreation's REC'N Saturdays Breakfast with Santa is at the Venetian Center (Harris Room) on Saturday, December 19, from 9 to 11 a.m., with Santa visiting. Breakfast is… - [Sensory-Friendly Holiday Evening at Lake Eola](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/sensory-friendly-holiday-evening-at-lake-eola--listing-63169f919823fdf0d0e981f3) — Sun, Dec 13 · 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM · Lake Eola Park · Free · checked Oct 24. One evening of downtown Orlando's Downtown for the Holidays program is set up for children and adults who are sensitive to noise and crowds. Organizers turn music off or down… - [Holiday Pops in Winter Park (Orlando Philharmonic)](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/activities/holiday-pops-in-winter-park-orlando-philharmonic--listing-f32e1173568518e7f5ce7f51) — Sun, Dec 6 · 6:00 PM · Central Park in Winter Park (Main Stage) · All ages · Free · checked Oct 14. Free outdoor concert of holiday favorites by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Mauricio Céspedes conducting. Bring a blanket and a picnic. Parking is free; tents and pets are… ## More for families - [Christmas and holiday events for kids in Orlando](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/christmas) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/christmas.md) - [This weekend in Orlando](https://grassyknees.com/orlando/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando/this-weekend.md) - [Things to do with kids in Orlando](https://grassyknees.com/orlando) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/orlando.md)