Guide to World Equestrian Center Ocala During Winter Wonderland Spectacular

We recently told you about Ocala, sharing with you the top things to see and do in this Old Florida town that puts horses front and center.

More than 1,200 horse farms consume the rolling landscape of Marion County. The community is home to a higher concentration of horses and ponies than any other place in the nation.

A stunning 50 national champions, 6 Kentucky Derby winners, 26 Breeders’ Cup champions and 6 Horses of the Year have come from the Ocala area.

With all of that rich equine heritage, it’s only fitting that Ocala is now home to the largest equestrian complex in the U.S.

Nestled on 4-thousand acres, World Equestrian Center currently inhabits over 400 acres, with 300 additional acres yet to be developed.

This world-class facility features multiple indoor and outdoor arenas with state of the art amenities.

The centerpiece of the sprawling campus - an elegant hotel overlooking the Grand Stadium that features 248 rooms and suites.

This place is impressive by any standard, even if you don’t spend the year attending horse shows.

In the video below, we tell you why the World Equestrian Center is a must-see when you’re in North-Central Florida, especially during the holidays.

We paid a visit to the World Equestrian Center on opening weekend of the Winter Wonderland Spectacular, a month-long celebration of the holiday season.

Open to the public, there is a $20 charge per vehicle, but general admission is free.

Transportation from the lot to the event’s main entrance is provided.

One of the most impressive photo ops is this life-sized statue of decorated war horse Staff Sergeant Reckless. The remarkable horse received two purple hearts for her service with the Marines during the Korean War.

The statue is the focal point of the Main Plaza, which is filled with park benches, playful reindeer topiaries, toy soldiers and oversized ornaments. Two trees flank a larger Christmas tree which visitors can walk through. This is a popular spot for family photos.

The stately five-story Equestrian Hotel overlooking Grand Stadium is a luxurious, yet approachable and relaxing retreat that rivals resorts down the road in Orlando.

Stepping foot into the lobby is like entering into a grand country estate you’d find in France. I was immediately struck by its elegant simplicity complimented by welcoming scents from large floral arrangements strategically placed throughout.

Dozens of commissioned paintings of the canine variety line the walls, softening the traditional neoclassical design. This is the type of public space where you could engage in good conversation for hours.

Nearly 13-thousand square feet of retail space occupies the ground floor of the hotel with two original restaurants and a bakery. There’s also an old-fashioned toy shop stocked with oversized stuffed animals and a huge selection of products from Breyer, the leader in horse-themed toys.

A lot of people have called the World Equestrian Center the Disney World for horses. But I would say its more like Disney Springs, with a healthy collection of shops, restaurants and other experiences to keep you busy both inside and out.

With its central location in Ocala not far from Interstate 75, the WEC makes for a convenient base camp if you want to explore different parts of Florida - north, south, east and west. Many of the state’s top attractions, natural and otherwise, are within a two or three hour drive.