ICE! Is finally back at Gaylord Palms! After a two-year hiatus, the resort’s biggest holiday show is returning to the Kissimmee, Florida hotel. This popular resort and convention center attracts millions of families every year with its on-site entertainment and year-round seasonal events. Yet as their biggest draw every year, everyone is especially excited about ICE!’s big return. And this time around, it’ll take you to the wonderful world of Dr. Seuss as you see the story of the How The Grinch Stole Christmas play out from start to finish.
ICE! At Gaylord Resorts
While carved ice angels can be quite beautiful, Gaylord Resorts ICE! wouldn’t be such a big draw if it had your typical fancy ice sculptures. Every year, 40 artists come all the way from Harbin, China — also known as Ice City — to carve and cut away at two million pounds of ice. While working carefully in a nine-degree environment, they create stunning life-like renditions of everything from Christmas trees and presents to full-on wintery towns. They then color in each sculpture using special food coloring made by a chemist, making them look even more life-like. And with each display themed after a beloved holiday story, from Rudolph to Charlie Brown, you truly feel as if you’ve been transported somewhere spectacular.
If you're looking for a full-on winter wonderland right in the middle of sunny Florida, Gaylord Palms is truly the place to be!
The Grinch That Stole Christmas… and Brought It to Florida
This year, How the Grinch Stole Christmas comes to life at Gaylord Palms Resort. After donning their signature blue parka, you’ll step right into Whoville in all its colorful and festive glory. But it won’t be long before you encounter the Grinch as he plots to steal Christmas. As you walk through each display, you’ll look on as the Grinch climbs down chimneys and goes through homes taking whatever he can find. All while his trusty dog Max reluctantly goes along, playing reindeer to his Santa Claus. And towards the end, the Whos gather around and sing happily, showing you — and the Grinch — what Christmas is truly all about.
Along with all the colorful displays, you can also ride down two-story slides, go through ice tunnels, and visit Carver’s Showcase for live demonstrations. And like every show before, it concludes with a lovely, crystal-clear Nativity scene in a separate space.
Gaylord Resort isn’t Just for Christmas
Now owned by Marriott International, Gaylord Hotels are known for their large size, substantial guest rooms, and attached convention centers. . There are currently five different locations across the country – Texas, Florida, Washington DC, Tennessee, Colorado – and a planned sixth hotel coming to Chula Vista, California. Yet, despite having the fewest guestrooms, Gaylord Palms is one of the more popular locations. Here, you’ll find two on-site water parks, four-and-a-half acres of indoor garden atriums, and nine fabulous restaurants. You can hold your own events in the expanded convention center and take some time to enjoy the spa and fitness center. And with lots of events every Halloween and Christmas, it’s the perfect place to celebrate the holidays. Of course, the free shuttle rides to Disney World and easy access to Universal Studios don’t hurt either.
Celebrate A Sunny Christmas In Florida At Gaylord Palms
In addition to ICE!, there are plenty of other Christmas activities to help celebrate the holiday season. Gaylord Palms features Snow Tubing, A grinch-themed scavenger hunt, Gingerbread Decorating Classes, Photos with Santa, interactive snowball games, and much more. Special holiday dining spots and larger-than-life Christmas decorations can also be found throughout the massive family resort. Gaylord Palms also features three separate stage shows - a 35-minute Cirque-Style aerial Christmas show titled Cirque: Spirit of Christmas, a 25-minute production of the birth of Jesus titled The Greatest Story, and a chance to have milk and cookies with Mrs. Claus as she recites Christmas stories in Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions.
ICE! at Gaylord Palms runs from November 18th to January 1st, and tickets are already on sale. They don’t do on-site sales, so be sure to get yours online ahead of time. The Elf Squad wouldn’t miss this for the world, and we can’t wait to see you all in Whoville (aka Kissimmee, Florida) this Christmas season!
Photos courtesy Gaylord Resorts / Marriott
