Gaylord Palms Resort Host ICE!
November 22nd, 2009
Orlando, FL – The coldest spot in the South this holiday season will likely be Central Florida, where temperatures are predicted to be 9 degrees Fahrenheit, Nov. 14, 2009 – Jan. 3, 2010.
This “cold front” of winter weather is part of a flurry of holiday fun at Gaylord Palms Resort, located five minutes from Walt Disney World theme parks. At this landmark resort, visitors flock to ICE!, Orlando’s coolest holiday attraction, hand-carved from nearly TWO MILLION pounds of ice.
Inside, guests explore a whimsical winter wonderland of larger-than-life, three-dimensional hand-carved ice monuments and sculptures, including fantastic frozen creations, slippery ice slides, and memorable holiday scenes. As for the chill, visitors are given oversized parkas to stay comfortable inside the attraction, which is kept at a blustery 9 degrees.
Orlando’s ‘Coolest’ Christmas Attraction
In its seventh season, ICE! will reflect the theme “Welcome to the North Pole,” taking guests through nine dramatic holiday scenes.
One such scene is an oversized photo opportunity featuring a 13.5-foot-tall Santa Claus. Visitors will be able to sit on the knee of this colossal Santa, providing an interesting perspective – and a fun photo! Another guest favorite, the ICE! castle and slides, will feature Santa’s Christmas Eve flight… reindeer and all!
This year’s “showstopper” will be an amazing “crystal” carousel, an old-fashioned merry-go-round decked out for a Christmas carnival, hand-carved from ice! Guests will be able to pose with the carousel animals as they take in the artistry.
The attraction’s signature scene, a life-size Nativity carved completely of crystal-clear ice, has been described as one of the most breathtaking depictions of the birth of Christ. Dramatic lighting and a stirring narrative track give guests an opportunity to pause and reflect on the story behind the season.
The enormous structure used to house ICE! is cooled to a chilly 9 degrees. To stay comfortable inside the attraction, visitors are loaned oversized winter coats to wear.
“Not only is the artistry amazing to enjoy, but the brisk environment inside the attraction creates a winter holiday experience like no other in the Sunshine State – rosy cheeks and all!” said Kemp Gallineau, general manager of Gaylord Palms.
This year’s attraction is presented by Coca-Cola and sponsored by Häagen-Dazs.
ICE! at Gaylord Palms – Carvings of 40 artisans from Harbin, China
The attraction is carved by a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China. The talented artisans spend nearly an entire month in Kissimmee creating this one-of-a-kind attraction. Harbin is best known for its annual International Ice and Snow Festival, where more than 2,000 sculptors annually carve a 100-acre walk-through Ice Park with ice taken from the Songhua River.
Produced exclusively for Gaylord Hotels, the artisans’ work appeared for the first time in the United States in 2001, when a similar attraction debuted at Gaylord Opryland Resort’s “A Country Christmas” celebration in Nashville. The project expanded in 2003 to include ICE! at Gaylord Palms, and in 2005 to include ICE! at Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, located near Dallas/Fort Worth. ICE! will debut in 2009 at the new Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Maryland, near Washington DC.
In addition to ICE!, this year’s Best of Florida Christmas program includes an entire slate of holiday revelry:
While most activities are intended for both day guests and hotel guests, this year’s celebration will include special experiences created exclusively for guests who purchase the Best of Florida Christmas overnight package:
The Best of Florida Christmas overnight package, which also includes an ICE! commemorative photo, resort fee and self parking, is not yet on sale.
ICE! Tickets at Gaylord Palms Resort
ICE! admission tickets range from $9.99 – $24.99, depending on the type of ticket, and day of the week. Discounts will be available for tickets purchased online in advance at www.gaylordpalms.com/ice, beginning mid August.
For more information or reservations, call (407) 586-4423. To learn more about ICE! or Best of Florida Christmas, guests can visit www.gaylordpalms.com/ice. To learn more about other holiday events in Central Florida, visit www.ChristmasInOrlando.com.
ICE! at Gaylord Palms Location
ICE! is open daily during the holiday season and is accessible on the Exhibit Hall level at the Gaylord Palms Resort convention center, which is located at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee.
