ICE! at Gaylord Palms Resort

[joanne]

Featuring ICE!, our frozen family attraction made from 2 million pounds of ice
November 17, 2008 – January 4, 2009



As the Orlando host to the Christmas holiday season, Gaylord Palms Resort offers a slate of activities sure to make you "merry and bright" as part of our Best of Florida Christmascelebration! Our 4.5-acre atrium is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland, filled with elegant and sometimes whimsical décor, a majestic 54-foot Christmas tree, and a variety of fun-filled activities and entertainment for the entire family.
This year's program features 49 days of holiday revelry, including:
ICE!
Who says the holidays in Florida are all about sunshine and palm trees? Prepare for the coolest winter on record as Gaylord Palms presents ICE!, a walk-through attraction hand-carved from nearly TWO MILLION pounds of ice.
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. In its sixth season, ICE! will reflect the theme "Santa's Arctic Blast," featuring several scenes that star "Jolly Cold Saint Nicholas" himself. One such scene is an oversized "Santa's knee" photo opportunity that's likely to be the most photographed element inside the attraction. Another guest favorite, the ICE! slides, have been re-designed to celebrate Santa's Christmas Eve flight... reindeer and all.
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 attraction is carved by a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China. The talented artisans spend more than a 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 IcePark from ice taken from the SonghuaRiver.
NOTE: ICE! is kept at a frigid 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to dress appropriately: closed-toe shoes and long pants are required.

The Majestic Christmas Tree, perched atop the Castillo de San Marcos Fort, towering more than 70 feet above EmeraldPlaza.

Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, a festive family hunt throughout the atriums of Gaylord Palms to spot cleverly hidden gnomes.

Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection, an exhibition of wreaths decorated to celebrate Florida's diverse destinations, from coast to coast.

Live stage entertainment, on select dates.

Santa visits, where you can see Jolly Old St. Nick himself. Or, if you're shy, you can send him your wish list by email!

Holiday brunch with Mrs. Claus on select weekends at Villa de Flora. (Reservations recommended)

Lights, Lights, Lights, enjoy elegant, and sometimes whimsical décor and holiday lights throughout each of the resort's three atriums.



Fun Facts About ICE!
2,000,000 pounds of ice will be used to create ICE!
5,000 blocks of ice will be hand carved and transformed into a winter wonderland.
9 degrees Fahrenheit is the average temperature inside "The Florida Fridge," the home of the ICE! attraction.
1500+ fluorescent and fiber optic lights will be frozen within the ice, creating a magical holiday experience.
More than 18,000 total square feet of space is covered by the ICE! attraction. Kept at a brisk 9 degrees, the unique structure housing ICE! is also known as the "Florida Fridge." It is believed to be the first of its kind in North America.

Just Chillin’ ICE! promotion starts at $139.00/nt* and includes 2 tickets to ICE! ICE runs from November 17th – January 4, 2009

To book your JUST CHILLIN’ ICE! stay at Gaylord Palms Resort, click here.

[ThinkTink]

They have this show in Nashville as well. This year's theme is 'The Grinch Who Stole Christmas'. I'm so . We're taking DD9 next weekend for her birthday.

I have seen the show once before where it was more of a Christian theme with angels and the last supper, etc. I suggest anyone who can go, go....it's a really cool show.

[joanne]

Gaylord Palms' holiday attraction Ice! will be the site of the inaugural plunge of Orlando's new Polar Bear Club. "Polar bears" usually take the plunge by jumping into winter waters of much colder climes, but Orlando's chapter will don their bathing suits and brave the 9-degree air temperatures of the Ice! Exhibits. The club event is slated for Nov. 28 at 8:30 a.m.

The hotel is also offering an expanded version of Parrandas Night -- an after-hours event on Dec. 6 that will celebrate Puerto Rican holiday traditions. Other special-ticket options include the "Cold Feet" marriage-proposal package and free children's admission for theme-park pass holders. Standard admission for the attraction ranges from $9.99 to $24.99 a person.

[joanne]

THEME PARK PASSHOLDERS ARE OFFERED FREE AND DISCOUNTED ADMISSIONS TO ICE! AT GAYLORD PALMS


Orlando Attraction Combats Christmas Blackout Periods with Special Offer

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Dec. 19, 2008) – For theme park passholders, the Christmas season quickly changes from green to black… as in “holiday black-out periods” when some Orlando passes are not valid at the turnstiles.

To combat the problem, season passholders for select Florida theme parks are invited to receive a choice of a free child’s admission to ICE! or a half-price adult admission to ICE!, with the purchase of a regularly-priced adult admission.

This offer is available by showing a current season pass at the ICE! Box Office during the dates of Dec. 19, 2008 through Jan. 4, 2009.

This promotion is valid for season passholders of the following theme parks: all Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks, all Universal Orlando theme parks, SeaWorld Adventure Park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Aquatica, and Wet ‘n Wild.

The fine print: Only one complimentary or discounted ticket will be issued per season passholder, with purchase of a regularly priced adult ICE! ticket. Season passholder must be present, and will be required to show valid theme park season pass. Child tickets valid for children ages 4 through 12 only.

For more information, please click here.

About ICE!
At ICE!, guests can 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.
In its sixth season, ICE! reflects the theme “Santa’s Arctic Blast,” featuring several scenes that star “Jolly Cold Saint Nicholas” himself.
One such scene is an oversized photo opportunity featuring a 13.5-foot-tall Santa Claus. Visitors can sit on the knee of this colossal Santa, providing an interesting perspective – and a fun photo! Another guest favorite, the ICE! castle and slides, have been re-designed to celebrate Santa’s Christmas Eve flight… reindeer and all!
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.
This year’s attraction is presented by Coca-Cola and Walgreen’s and sponsored by Nissan.