ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Sneak Peek

DISCLOSURE: I was an invited guest of the Gaylord Palms Resort to find out about their holiday celebrations and to step inside the ICE! tent, but all opinions and overuse of exclamation points are all my own!!!

You know that the holidays are in full swing when the Gaylord Palms Resort welcomes a team of artisans from China to Kissimmee to begin the month-long carving for ICE! featuring The Polar Express

Gaylord Palms team members gathered in the lobby to greet the artisans like celebrities with a standing ovation.

Welcoming ice artisans to Gaylord Palms 2019

The ICE! attraction is crafted each year onsite at Gaylord Palms by these artisans from Harbin, China, home of the world’s largest ice and snow sculpture festival, who travel more than 6,000 miles to Florida. They hand-carve more than two million pounds of colorful ice, creating larger-than-life sculptures.

Welcoming ice artisans to Gaylord Palms 2019

This year, as guests explore the attraction, they will discover more than ten favorite scenes from “The Polar Express,” along with the event’s two-story ice slides and the popular Frostbite Factory live ice carving showcase. The ICE! experience concludes with a separate area dedicated to a traditional Nativity created with crystal clear ice.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

And after we welcomed the artisans, it was time to put on our blue parkas and take our first steps inside the tent where ICE! is created!

It’s absolutely amazing to see how these ice artisans bring these giant blocks of ice to life, and I couldn’t think of a better holiday story to feature than the Polar Express!!!

ICE! and Christmas at Gaylord Palms opens on November 25 and runs daily until January 5, and you can find more information about the festivities here.

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Christmas at the Gaylord Palms 2019

Christmas at the Gaylord Palms 2019

The Gaylord Palms will be bursting with the magic of Christmas during the resort’s signature holiday experience from November 25 – January 5, 2019!

Christmas at the Gaylord Palms will feature new and returning holiday fun as well as “The Polar Express” is featured inside the nine degree ICE!

All Aboard for Ice!

A Christmas classic, Warner Bros.’ “The Polar Express” arrives at Gaylord Palms as an all-new theme for ICE!, presented by DEI. 

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

A truly heart-warming tale, “The Polar Express” will come alive for guests in a world made from more than two million pounds of ice, hand-carved into sculptures and interactive features to recreate iconic scenes from the film about a magical adventure to the North Pole full of lessons on friendship, bravery, and the true spirit of Christmas.

“We can’t wait to debut ‘The Polar Express’ as this larger-than-life attraction,” said Johann Krieger, General Manager for Gaylord Palms Resort. “Christmas is a truly magical time here at Gaylord Palms, and this film embodies the magic and wonder of the season. We know guests of all ages will love experiencing ICE! this year to feel that holiday joy.”

The ICE! attraction is crafted by artisans from Harbin, China, home of the world’s largest ice and snow sculpture festival, who travel more than 6,000 miles to hand-carve more than two million pounds of colorful ice, creating larger-than-life sculptures. 

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

This year, as guests explore the nine-degree attraction, they will discover more than ten favorite scenes from “The Polar Express,” along with the event’s two-story ice slides and the popular Frostbite Factory live ice carving showcase. 

The ICE! experience concludes with a separate area dedicated to a traditional Nativity created with crystal clear ice.
Brand New Interactive Experience

Gaylord Palms Three Kings Festival 2019

Families can experience a day in the life of one of Santa’s toy makers inside the new Elf Training Academy at Alpine Village where guests become honorary gift maker elves as they create the perfect Christmas present for someone special, all under the guidance of the elf supervisor.

Exciting Celebrations Of The Season

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

The Sounds of the Season Concert Series will once again fill the atrium of the Gaylord Palms Resort with the joyful music of the season as VoicePlay returns to join a line-up of other performers, who will be announced later this season.  

All performances will include a concert patron-exclusive admission to the ICE! attraction. 

Gaylord Palms Three Kings Festival 2019

Christmas at Gaylord Palms will again present the Three Kings Festival, a special commemoration of the extended holiday season celebrated by many Christians in Spain and Latin America honoring the Three Wise Men and their visit to meet baby Jesus as told in the Gospel of Matthew. 

Among the special activities planned is a musical show “The Journey of Los Tres Reyes Magos” along with special food and beverage options. 

The Three King Festival will run from December 27 through January 5.  

Christmas Classics Return

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

“Holiday thrills” take on a whole new meaning during Cirque Dreams Unwrapped, a 25-minute, action-packed experience featuring soaring acrobatics, theatricality and imagination that will have guests on the edge of their seats. Cirque Dreams Unwrapped features new acts and performers each year to bring to life a magical and timeless Christmas wonderland, all imagined by Broadway director and renowned Cirque Dreams founder Neil Goldberg. 

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

Gaylord Palms’ St. Augustine atrium will be home to an all-new, dazzling light show for the 2019 season. The multisensory experience will feature a new musical score accompanied with millions of dancing, choreographed lights all around the resort’s six-story Christmas tree during nightly shows.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

Guests exploring the meandering paths inside the resort’s Everglades atrium will find the Christmas Tree Trail, a display of nine magnificent trees provided by Balsam HillTM.  Sparkle the Elf, Santa’s chief Christmas Tree Decorator, has personally prepared these for grand display at Gaylord Palms.  From snowmen and candy canes to reindeer and nutcrackers, each tree represents one of Sparkle’s favorite things about Christmas, with one even honoring the Florida-themed resort!

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

The Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt will have families and friends enlisting in Santa’s Secret Service to decode some fun. Guests will utilize their very own Santa’s Secret Service Decoder Ring to decipher clues to become full-fledged members of Santa’s Secret Service. Only the most elite yuletide sleuths will be able to locate the unique Christmassy clues hidden throughout the resort’s atrium to break the code and earn a Santa’s Secret Service badge.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

All ages will delight in the holiday hijinks inside the Naughty or Nice Escape Room, as mischievous Jack Frost has moved the names of “Nice” Gaylord guests onto the Naughty side of Santa’s delivery list! Guests will need to work together to follow the clues and solves the puzzles to secure a spot on the better side and avoid a stocking full of coal!   

The immersive, interactive Reindeer Express Post Office returns this year, where everyone isinvited to jot down their top Christmas wishes on a postcard before entering this special facility to launch their wishes off on a journey to Santa.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

The festive Alpine Village will again be the central hub for holiday happenings. In addition to ICE!, the village is home to various attractions and shows, Photos with Santa, seasonal food and beverage options plus holiday retail locations, including a Build-A-Bear Workshop, where imaginations soar. Guests choose from all kinds of furry friends to make and bring home, including a Gaylord Hotels-exclusive bear.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

Gingerbread Decorating Corner returns, now located inside the Alpine Village Sweet Shop! Guests may select a gingerbread house or a themed cookie kit to enjoy a sticky and fun interactive experience, creating sweet souvenirs to take home. The Alpine Village Sweet Shop will offer additional candies and treats for purchase to decorate sugary masterpieces or to delight someone’s sweet tooth. The deliciously fun gingerbread pair, Cinnamon and Nutmeg, will also be available for toasty hugs and holiday photos.

Every evening, the Alpine Village Sweet Shop will present Sugary Sweet Storytime, transporting guests to the world of “The Nutcracker” during an interactive show led by the Sugarplum Fairy herself. The experience is completed with a one-of-a-kind, super sweet, super sparkly and super tasty Sugarplum Hot Chocolate in a festive souvenir mug.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions brings the First Lady of the North Pole back to Gaylord Palms as she leads a half-hour interactive show. Guests enjoy classic holiday stories and a sing-a-long, plus a delicious finale as the holiday hostess presents everyone with warm cookies and a glass of cold milk.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

Santa’s Snow Throw puts real snow in the hands of guests as they show off their pitching prowess by tossing snowballs at a variety of interactive targets created by Santa’s Elves. Bragging rights go to those with the best aim!

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

Snow Tubing sends guests zooming down an eight-lane tubing hill covered in real snow. This all-ages attraction offers both single and double tubes to accommodate children and parents. 

Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2019

During the season, the Orlando-area resort welcomes guests to make memories amongst festive décor and an endearing mix of Christmassy activities and shows, becoming “Everything Christmas in One Extraordinary Place” for Christmas at Gaylord Palms, presented by Pepsi.

To make your reservations and to find out even more information, visit their official website.

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Taking the Plunge at Gaylord Palms Ice!

Take the PLUNGE at Gaylord Palms ICE!

Gaylord Palms ICE
Be inducted into the Orlando Polar Bear Club at Polar Bear Plunge 2013 presented by Orlando Solar Bears

Sometimes there are events that happen, and you say maybe next year…well that is what is happening for me soon! I will be wearing by bathing suit to ‘Take the Plunge’ down an ICE! slide at the Gaylord Palms Resort on Sunday, December 8th for a great cause!

The Orlando Polar Bear Plunge 2013 is presented by Orlando Solar Bears takes place one day only, and $5 from every adult ticket sold for this special event will benefit Greater Orlando Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Members of famed Polar Bear Clubs around the world gather to jump into freezing-cold, winter-chilled water wearing just a swimsuit. Here in sunny Florida, residents can participate in this event – with a twist. Jaunt through the 9-degree ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman™ attraction in a bikini or board shorts and plummet down four, two-story ice slides!

The adrenaline rush officially begins at 8 a.m., but the party jumps off at 7 a.m. to welcome guests as official members of the Orlando Polar Bear Club. Take a picture and meet and greet with Shades, Orlando Solar Bears’ official mascot. Prepare those joints by dancing and participating in DJ games, be part of a group photo, and earn a commemorative certificate.

Orlando Polar Bears unite once a year for this early morning charity event, this year benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Take advantage of this offer to make history and someone’s day.

The special Orlando Polar Bear Plunge ticket is $18.99 + tax, and includes the “after-glow” warm-up reception with hot cocoa and pastries along with the commemorative certificate. Also, participants will have a chance to go through ICE! again later that morning, fully clothed, to better enjoy the artistry at a slower (and warmer) pace. Purchase tickets online in advance at www.OrlandoPolarBearClub.com.

While it sounds crazy, and I can already hear my Mom asking me that very question, where else will I be able to do something like this???

I hope that some of you will read this, and decide to join me!!!

Things to know before you ‘Plunge’ at Gaylord Palms ICE!

What to wear
To get the full Orlando Polar Bear Club experience, inductees are encouraged to walk through the ICE! attraction in their swimsuits, but summer clothing such as shorts and a T-shirt can be worn instead. Swimsuits must be in good taste, and close-toed shoes are required for entry. Along with wearing swimsuits, guests are strongly encouraged to wear hats, gloves, warm socks and other cold-weather accessories.

Safety
This is not a contest, so participants should expect to spend only a few minutes inside ICE! After all, only real polar bears are expected to hang out in 9 degrees!

Freeze the moment
Don’t leave home without a camera! Guests will want to freeze this moment for sure! It is also possible that media will be present to cover the event, so smile for the cameras! You could even end up on Facebook!

ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman is open daily now through Jan. 5, 2014, including holidays. To purchase tickets and to see a full schedule of activities and events, go to www.ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com.

For more information and to purchase tickets to an Orlando Solar Bears professional ECHL ice hockey game, visit www.orlandosolarbearshockey.com.

Gaylord Palms Resort is located five minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746.

Be sure to “Like” Gaylord Palms on Facebook and Twitter to get the most up-to-date information and special deals and promotions!

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Tips For A Visit To ICE! At The Gaylord Palms

Tips for making the most of

Ice! Featuring Frosty the Snowman

at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center

Gaylord Palms Ice!

During the holiday season, the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center is transformed into a Christmas Wonderland filled with perfect poinsettias, more than 2 million twinkling lights, lavish and gorgeous holiday displays, a breathtaking 54-foot-tall majestic Christmas tree, DreamWorks Animation characters Meet & Greet opportunities, spectacular live entertainment, and most of all ICE!

 httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaeJ_49DD40&feature=share&list=UUxhza5Nkv4ukqKmIFLE9dgA

ICE! featuresmore than 2 million pounds of hand-carved, vibrant ice sculptures bringing to life several scenes from Frosty the Snowman in a 9-degree retelling of this Christmas classic!You’ll want to make sure that you bundle up (you will also be provided with oversize parkas) to keep warm enough to take a few trips on the two-story ice slides!

Gaylord Palms Ice!

Preparing for a visit to Ice! at the Gaylord Palms Resort takes a lot of planning, and here are some of my favorite tips and tricks we have learned over the years!

  • Dress in Layers: I can’t stress this one enough! Make sure that you are prepared for the 9 degrees you will find inside of Ice! by protecting your fingers, nose, and toes! You will be given a nice a long parka to wear inside, make sure that you get one that is extra roomy I will explain in a moment, but it is definitely not sufficient to keep you warm for long periods of time. I over-do my layering, and I have never regretted it!
  • No Pockets: The parkas that you will be wearing do not have pockets, so I usually carry a small cross-body purse that is loose to wear under my parka to allow for easy access to my phone, Chapstick, and other things that I might need while I am inside.

Gaylord Palms Ice!

  • Phones: Your phones and cameras will get super cold, and even shutdown if you take them out a lot to take pictures. I like to stash my phone on the inside of my gloves to keep it warm and easily accessible. Also, if you are planning to wear gloves make sure that they are gloves that let you work your phone’s touch screen without taking them off. Gloves like this are a lifesaver!!!
  • Cameras: Going from regular room temperature to cold so quickly can make camera lenses fog up quickly. There is a short movie that you watch before entering Ice! that is a colder temperature than the room before, so use this as an opportunity to get your camera used to the cold. Like my phone, I try to have a warmer spot for my camera when it’s not in use.
  • Look around: Looking around may seem like a silly tip, but if you take an extra moment to take in the details you will find extra design features and maybe even a slightly hidden ice tunnel! Don’t rush! Take as long as you need in each room!

Gaylord Palms Ice!

  • Slides: If you are 2 or 62, take a moment to slide on the ice slides at least once! The slides are a ton of fun, and you are missing out if you don’t take a turn! Your roomy coat comes in handy here, because to ensure the best slide possible make sure that your jacket is completely underneath you and then lean back as you slide. One of the lovely slide monitors told me about leaning back this year, and it makes for a fast run down the slide!
  • Little Ones: You will quickly notice that all of the parkas provided by the Gaylord Palms are blue and it can be hard to distinguish since everyone has their hood up. One way that I make sure that I can quickly spot my daughter is by wrapping her in a brightly colored scarf and hat. Also, make sure that you are wearing something that they can easily recognize in the crowds that can form around the slides!

Gaylord Palms Ice!

  • Taking Pictures: You may notice when you first start taking photos that they seem dark. Don’t be tempted to use your flash, because it creates bright spots in pictures and can make the colors all wonky. My best advice, as I am not a master photographer, is to get close to what you are taking a picture of and to use a photo editing app or program afterwards.
  • HAVE FUN! Ice! is a lot of fun, so make sure that you enjoy it for as long as you can stand the 9 degrees!

Gaylord Palms Ice!

Make sure that you check out the 2013 bonus area, the Frostbite Factory featuring Artisans in Action. This live ice-carving zone allows you to get up close to watch a masterful ice carver from Harbin, China, home of the International Ice and Snow Festival, as he creates amazing sculptures before your eyes! He is part of a team of 40 talented artisans who travel from Harbin to work meticulously for more than a month to slice and shave 6,000 blocks of colored and clear ice, each weighing approximately 400 pounds, to carve this incredible experience. This area features great information about how the sculptures are created, too!

image

ICE! is open daily from Nov. 23, 2013 to Jan. 5, 2014, including holidays. Ticket prices start at $16.99. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com.

The Gaylord Palms Resort is located five minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746.

Disclaimer: Through a partnership with the Gaylord Palms, I received admission to Ice! and accommodations at the Resort. All opinions are my own.

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Gaylord Palms Gets Frosty for Ice! This Winter

Gaylord Palms

Do you hear what I hear? Jingle bells and caroling choirs, belly laughter and clinking mugs of hot cocoa can mean only one thing: Christmas is coming! Gaylord Palms Resort brings the icy North Pole to Central Florida starting Nov. 23. Celebrate the traditional values of Christmas with fun for the entire family.

This year, everyone’s favorite snowman comes to ICE! Frosty the Snowman, the jolly, happy soul with a corncob pipe and a button nose and two eyes made out of coal, will be featured in a colorfully frozen retelling of the original Christmas classic. More than 2 million pounds of hand-carved vibrant ice sculptures bring your favorite scenes to life in a 9-degree frosty palace, so you’ll want to bundle up (oversize parkas provided). Besides, a little extra padding will come in handy when sliding down the four, two-story ice slides in the slide room!

New in 2013, a bonus area – the Frostbite Factory featuring Artisans in Action – a live ice-carving zone – allows you to get up close to watch a masterful ice carver from Harbin, China, home of the International Ice and Snow Festival, as he creates amazing sculptures before your eyes! He is part of a team of 40 talented artisans who travel from Harbin to work meticulously for more than a month to slice and shave 6,000 blocks of colored and clear ice, each weighing approximately 400 pounds, to carve this incredible experience.

This awe-inspiring journey concludes with the wonder and grandeur of the traditional nativity scene in ice. After all that, what better way to warm up than to sip on some hot cocoa.

Guests can also purchase Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating experience. Hosted by Gingy from DreamWorks Animation’s Shrek, this traditional encounter offers several different design options. After you’ve decorated to your heart’s content, make your way to meet Gingy for a heartwarming hug that you can capture with your own camera.

Christmas at Gaylord Palms is a place where the happy get happier and the giddy get even giddier. Picture-perfect with poinsettias, more than 2 million twinkling lights and lavish holiday displays, the resort features the famous 54-foot-tall majestic Christmas tree in a magnificent tree-lighting ceremony; DreamWorks Animation characters; and spectacular live entertainment that crowds have grown to love: the spirited Luminescence show in Emerald Bay Plaza and carolers guaranteed to generate the spirit of Christmas.

Gaylord Palms Christmas Tree

The best way to benefit from all that Gaylord Palms has to offer is to book a room and become immersed in the splendor of Christmas. Guests have two Christmas packages to choose from: Christmassy DreamWorks Experience, which includesunlimited entry to ICE! with priority access, and Christmas at Gaylord Palms, which includes unlimited entry to ICE!

Let’s not forget this is Florida, folks! After all the shivering and shimmying inside with Frosty and friends, hotel guests can head outside to delight in the light of the sun! Slide into more fun at Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park and participate in a Crack-A-Lackin’ Pool Party with your friends from DreamWorks Animation’s Madagascar, and then catch a Splash ‘N’ Screen movie poolside. Get together with your favorite characters from DreamWorks Animation films for hugs, photos and fun with Character Meet & Greets throughout the resort.

Can’t get enough of the character carnival? The ever-popular ShrekFeast Interactive Character Breakfast at Villa de Flora is sure to please. Kids will love becoming an honorary Ogre and joining Shrek and friends for a fairytale feast fit for a king (additional charges apply).

Gaylord Palms is chock-full of top-notch entertainment, events and attractions. Don your magic hat and treat your family to a traditional Christmas at Gaylord Palms.

ICE! is open daily from Nov. 23, 2013 to Jan. 5, 2014, including holidays. Ticket prices start at $16.99. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to www.ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com.

Gaylord Palms Christmas

Gaylord Palms Resort is located five minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746.

Be sure to “Like” Gaylord Palms on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the most up-to-date information and special deals and promotions!

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Christmas In July At The Gaylord Palms Means Vanilla Ice And A Merry Madagascar

The Gaylord Palms hotel, located near Walt Disney World, is an amazing hotel that is transformed into a winter wonderland full of beautiful lights and decorations during Christmas and most importantly home to Ice! At Gaylord Palms!!!

At their Christmas in July event, the Gaylord Palms hotel treated guests to some great Christmas treats and entertainment in the Cypress Springs Family Fun Water Park before the big announcement and amazing surprise!

The announcements began with people around and in the pool (only in Florida!), and we found out that Ice! will feature characters from Merry Madagascar this year. Ice! at Gaylord Palms featuring Dreamworks Merry Madagascar will run from November 10th – January 1st, and I can’t wait!!! Last year was our first year going to Ice! and we are excited to see what this year’s sculptures and slides will look like!

ICE! is Florida’s favorite frigid Christmas tradition, with over 20,000 square-feet of frosty 9-degree bliss played out in a winter wonderland of exciting hand-carved sculptures. And this year it’s really all that it’s cracked up to be, featuring 30-foot ice slides carved entirely from TWO-MILLION pounds of ice and an all-new, awe inspiring tribute to the unforgettable DreamWorks’ Animation TV classic Merry Madagascar. Relive the story of how Alex the Lion and his friends saved Christmas after Santa and his reindeer crash onto the island of Madagascar. ICE! is hand carved by 40 artisans from Harbin, China and will be arriving in early Fall. And while you’re thawing out from this coolest of attractions, you can bask in the dazzling lights of the magnificent Christmas décor throughout the resort and spirited Luminescence Christmas show. You may feel a chill in the air but you’ll feel warmth in your heart as you create wonderful holiday memories that last a lifetime

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_35scTMKoI

But when we thought it was all done, we were wrong!!! Cause out from the speakers came a familiar beat…then a familiar voice…and before I could even form the words Vanilla Ice took the stage for some Ice, Ice Baby goodness. It was such a treat, because I never thought I would be able to relive that memory with my daughter.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAwYOlNPYb8

After the announcement and performance, guests were invited inside to take pictures with the characters, and to enjoy the beautiful Gaylord Palms Hotel. If you have never been inside of the Gaylord Palms hotel, you are seriously missing out on a beautiful place to spend your vacation.

We are all really excited for Ice! at Gaylord Palms featuring Dreamworks Merry Madagascar, and can’t thank them enough for hosting an amazing event that we won’t soon forget!!!

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