The Ultimate HoliDAY At The Gaylord Palms
Disclosure: I was invited by the Gaylord Palms Resort to experience all that they have to offer this holiday season, and all opinions (with extreme enthusiasm and joy) are my own.
The Gaylord Palms Resort is Kissimmee is one of our favorite places to visit and stay in Orlando, and during the holiday season the resort is a winter wonderland of activity with shows, experiences, and food you won’t want to miss!
Here’s how to have the ultimate holiDAY celebrating Christmas at the Gaylord Palms!
Breakfast with Charlie Brown & Friends
Enjoy a character breakfast buffet with Peanuts-themed dishes that include Charlie Brown’s Build-Your-Own-French-Toast Station with Snoopy’s Maple Syrup, Pig Pen’s Dirty Hash Browns, Lucy’s Flap Jacks and Woodstock’s Granola. As you eat Charlie Brown and Lucy make their way around the dining room greeting their guests, and there’s a special photo stop with Snoopy near the entrance to Villa de Flora.
- Location: Villa de Flora Restaurant
- Price: Adults $32.99 | Child $21.99
- Times and Dates: 8:00am – 10:30am
November 18–23, 25-27
December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 21-31
January 1 - For Reservations: call 407-586-1114
Breakfast also serves a dual purpose, because it allows you to start your day in a super fun way AND allows you to get valet parking validated (on meals over $50)! It’s a win-win!
Take a Photo with Santa
After breakfast head over to the Alpine Village to take a photo with the big guy himself in his workshop. I suggest doing this before going into ICE! so you don’t have to worry about ‘parka hair’!
- Location: Alpine Village
- Price: Photo Packages start at $34.99 (no sitting fee)
- Times and Dates:*
- 10am – 7pm | Sunday – Thursday
- 10am – 9pm | Friday – Saturday & Dec. 20-22
- 10am – 5pm | Dec. 24
*Subject to sales tax. Santa will take a break every day from 4pm – 5pm to feed the reindeer (excluding Dec. 24).
ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas
The star of Christmas at the Gaylord Palms is the annual ICE! exhibit where over 2 million pounds of ice is carved to create the ultimate winter experience with beautiful ice sculptures, ice slides, and fun photo ops.
ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz. Watch Charlie Brown rediscover the true meaning of Christmas as the beloved classic story unfolds through interactive ice sculptures and displays. Experience the Peanuts gang in iconic scenes such as their holiday play rehearsal, Snoopy’s decorated doghouse and Charlie Brown choosing the perfect Christmas tree.
There are SEVERAL ticket options and discounts available (check them out here), but if you are planning on doing the ultimate holiDAY I suggest checking out the ‘Play All Day GOLD Pass’ that includes one time entry to: ICE! featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas, The Elf on the Shelf® Scavenger Hunt, Alpine Rush Snow Tubing, Santa’s Snow Throw ($51.99 adults | $41.99 children ages 4 – 12)
- Location: Alpine Village
- Price: Varies depending on experiences
- Times and Dates: 10:00am – varies by date
November 18, 2016 – January 1, 2017 - For Reservations: call 407-586-4423
Build-A-Bear Workshop
The Alpine Village is home to a Build-A-Bear Workshop with exclusive ICE! and resort merchandise! This year you can take home a Gaylord Palms Polar Bear, buy a blue ICE! parka for your furry friend, or create a new friend when you add lots of stuffing and wish on a heart.
- Location: Alpine Village
- Price: Price of purchase may vary depending on item selected.
- Times and Dates:
- Daily: 10am – 10pm
- 10am – 8pm | November 27 – December 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-20; January 1
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
Warm up at the Gingerbread Decorating Corner where you can choose from two different design options to create either a delectable holiday-themed gingerbread cookie kit or a complete gingerbread house and meet the gingerbread man for a heartwarming hug you can capture with your own camera.
- Location: Alpine Village
- Price: Holiday Cookie Kit (4 cookies) $22.99 | Gingerbread House Kit $29.99
- Times and Dates:
- 12pm – 6pm | Monday – Thursday
- 10am – 6pm | Sunday
- 10am – 7pm | Friday & Saturday
- For Reservations: stop by the Alpine Village or book in advance online
For a good giggle, check out Betsy & I creating our Gingerbread masterpiece…it’s an oldie, but goodie!
httpv://youtu.be/siRw0NQDSTw
Elf of the Shelf Scavenger Hunt
The Elf on the Shelf® scout elves are back at the Gaylord Palms Resort! Purchase a clue booklet and help find the scout elves hiding around the resort by solving puzzles for a special prize.
- Location: Around the Gaylord Palms Resort
- Price: $9.99 (you can even purchase them online in advance)
- Times and Dates: Ongoing
Grab a light bite to eat
So by now you are going to be hungry, why not grab a bite to eat at one of the many locations around the resort!
Alpine Rush Snow Tubing
Race down an eight-lane tubing hill that’s fun for all ages and covered in REAL SNOW! Double riding tubes are available for parents with small children, and in the evenings you can groove down giant snow covered hills while jamming to different decades of music.
- Location: Alpine Village
- Price: $19.99 for unlimited runs
- Times & Dates:
- 10am – 9pm | November 18-26; December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 21-31
- 10am – 7pm | November 27- December 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-20; January 1
- For Reservations: call 407-586-4423 or purchase online in advance
Santa’s Snow Throw
Step right up and throw real snowballs at a series of targets that is fun for the entire family. Make sure to take aim at the special targets that trigger effects around the area!
- Location: Alpine Village
- Price: $9.99
- Times & Dates:
- 10am – 9pm | November 18-26; December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 21-31
- 10am – 7pm | November 27- December 1, 4-8, 11-15, 18-20; January 1
- For Reservations: call 407-586-4423 or purchase online in advance
Mrs. Claus Christmas Traditions and Story Time Sing-A-Long
Join Mrs. Claus for a reading of holiday classics, a sing-a-long of Christmas carols, and reindeer games during this 30 minute show. While you are relaxing in the comfy bean bag chairs, you can enjoy a batch of Mrs. Claus’ world-famous cookies and a glass of ice cold milk.
- Location: Alpine Village
- Price: $14.99
- Times and Dates:
- 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm, 7:30pm | Nov. 18-26; Dec. 3, 10, 17, 21-24, 28-31
- 4:30pm, 5:30pm, 6:30pm | Nov. 27, Dec. 4, 11, 18-20, 25-27; Jan. 1
- 6:30pm, 7:30pm | Dec. 2, 9, 16
- Reservations: Can be made in person in the Alpine Village or online in advance here
A Christmas Wish Light Show
New this year, the resort’s stunning atrium comes to life during A Christmas Wish, a new six-minute light show where narration, classic holiday music, and dazzling visual effects converge to create a spirited seasonal celebration centered around the new, incredible 60-foot LED-lit Christmas tree towering above Emerald Plaza. It is FANTASTIC!!!
- Location: St. Augustine Atrium
- Price: FREE
- Times and Dates:
- Sunday – Thursday at 6:15pm, 8:15pm, 8:45pm and 9:15pm
- Friday and Saturday at 6:15pm, 8:45pm and 9:15pm
Cirque Dreams Unwrapped
The Gaylord Palms Resort hosts an exclusive, limited-time stage 25 minute show called Cirque Dreams Unwrapped that features an array of seasonal characters brought to life in a dreamscape of imaginative costumes and creativity, while stunning feats of showmanship are unwrapped, performed on stage and in the air.
- Location: Emerald Bay Plaza Stage, St. Augustine Atrium
- Price: FREE (Complimentary) seats are first come, first served basis.
- VIP Seating:
- Evening $17.99 (adults and seniors) | $12.99 (children)
- Matinee $14.99 (adults and seniors) | $10.99 (children)
- Tickets subject to tax and service fee.
- Times and Dates:
- 1:00pm and 6:30pm | Sunday – Thursday
- 6:30pm and 8:00pm | Friday
- 1pm, 6:30pm and 8pm | Saturday
- No shows Thanksgiving Day 11/24
And if you want to take your Christmas at the Gaylord Palms to the next level, why not book a stay with these great packages!
We always look forward to experiencing Christmas at the Gaylord Palms, and I cannot recommend visiting the resort highly enough! You definitely will have a fantastic experience!!!
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