Orlando area resort hosts Florida's premiere cold weather Holiday Attractions

Gaylord Palms Resort Creates Attraction from
Nearly Two Million Pounds of Ice

The coldest spot in the United States this holiday season will likely be Central
Florida, where temperatures are predicted to be 9 degrees Fahrenheit, Nov. 19 - Jan. 3.
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 a collection of “cold-weather” holiday activities, like ICE
skating, and ICE!, Orlando’s coolest holiday attraction, handcarved
from nearly TWO MILLION pounds of ice.
Inside, guests explore a whimsical winter wonderland of largerthan-
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.
This year’s attraction, which reflects the theme “A Holiday
Road Trip,” is presented by Coca-Cola and sponsored by
Nissan and Sara Lee Food Service.
GAYLORD PALMS FEATURES “ICE!”
In its fifth season, ICE! will feature several new or revised scenes, including a walk-through igloo and
a towering gingerbread candy house, meticulously hand-carved from enormous blocks of colored ice.
A guest favorite, the ICE! castle and slides, has been re-designed to reflect a South Pole locale with a
colony of penguins surrounding the longest ice slide in the attraction’s history. The new slide,
measuring 5 feet taller and 30 feet longer than previous years, will curve around the exterior of the
scene to provide visitors with a more exhilarating slide experience.
The signature scene, a breathtaking 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 new lighting and a stirring
narrative track will ensure guests will continue 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.
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. Each
year more than 2,000 sculptors carve a 100-acre walk-through
Ice Park from blocks of 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.

GAYLORD PALMS FEATURES “ICE!”
In addition to ICE!, this year’s Best of Florida Christmas program will include 46 days of holiday
revelry, including several new or revised activities:
• ICE! Skating: A larger outdoor skating rink offering a holiday tradition common only in northern
climates. Skate rentals are included.
• “Luminescence – A Holiday Fantasy”: A heartwarming tale
with inspired music that is as edgy as it is classic. Part rock and
roll show, part holiday tale, part aerial exhibition,
“Luminescence” will bring a sense of joy, awe and wonderment
to the holiday season.
• Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, featuring The Roaming
Gnome: Families can hunt throughout the Gaylord Palms
atriums to spot cleverly hidden gnomes (presented by
Travelocity).
• Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection: An
exhibition of wreaths decorated to reflect Florida’s diverse
destinations, from coast to coast.
• Visit Santa: Kids can take an opportunity to share their special Christmas wishes with Santa
Claus…in person, or via email.
• Brunch with Mrs. Claus: Santa’s “better half” is the
star of the show at Villa de Flora restaurant
(weekends).
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:
Priority Entry to the ICE! attraction
Multiple Visits into the ICE! attraction and ICE! Skating rink during the length of a guest’s
stay.
Family Memories Gingerbread Experience, an
opportunity for package guests to create a family
gingerbread house, with the help of a Gaylord pastry chef.
Holiday bedtime stories, broadcast every night via a
special in-room channel.
Character tuck-ins, bedtime visits by one of our holiday
characters (additional fee).
GAYLORD PALMS FEATURES “ICE!”
Christmas Concierge, featuring recommendations and assistance in booking unique holiday
experiences throughout Orlando.
Overnight Best of Florida Christmas packages start at $249 per night plus tax, based on a two-night
stay. Packages include a Florida-view guest room, 2 tickets to ICE! and ICE! Skating, a souvenir
photo, self parking, and a host of exclusive resort guest benefits. Packages and rates are available
for families of all sizes, beginning with a one-night stay.
ICE! 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.
Tickets will go on sale in September.
For more information or reservations, call (407) 586-4-ICE.

Orlando Florida