Late Nov. 2009 through Early Jan. 2010
IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS INFORMATION WAS CURRENT FOR THE 2008 HOLIDAY SEASON. WE DO NOT YET HAVE INFORMATION FOR THE 2009 HOLIDAY SEASON. PLEASE USE THIS INFORMATION AS A GENERAL GUIDELINE, HOWEVER EVENTS AND TIMEFRAMES ARE LIKELY TO CHANGE.
Prepare for the coolest winter on record as Gaylord Palms® Resort presents ICE! An instant dose of winter, this spectacle is made from two million pounds of ice!
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 a colossal Santa Claus photo opportunity. The entire scene is carved in an oversized scale, allowing adults to be dwarfed by Santa when they sit on his knee. The resulting photo is sure to be a guest favorite!
Another popular element, 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 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 lighting and a stirring narrative track ensure guests continue 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 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 each year more than 2,000 sculptors carve a 100-acre walk-through Ice Park.
Put away the flip-flops, this event is a chilly 9 degrees! But, don't worry, we've got plenty of hooded parkas to keep you warm!
Your ICE! experience continues throughout the resort, with Best of Florida Christmas at Gaylord Palms, a celebration of the holidays in the Sunshine State.
ICE! is open daily, including holidays. Event hours vary throughout "ICE! Season." For a complete calendar of events, visit the ICE! Website.
NOTE: ICE! is kept at a frigid 9 degrees. Be sure to dress appropriately; closed toe shoes and long pants are required. You may also want to bring mittens or a hat. Hooded parkas will be provided for your warmth and comfort inside the exhibit. For the sake of good fashion, we suggest leaving the leg warmers at home!
View photos from previous years' ICE! attraction
View a video of ICE! at Gaylord Palms
Fun Facts About ICE!
2,000,000 – total pounds of ice used to create ICE! The ice is created to our exact standards at a factory in Cairo, Georgia. It is shipped to Kissimmee in a semi equipped with a refrigerated trailer.
5,000+ – number of blocks of ice that are hand carved and transformed into a winter wonderland. The enormous blocks of ice arrive in nearly a dozen colors, including lavender, blue, pink, orange and yellow.
1,500+ -number of specially designed LED tube lights that are frozen within the ice, creating a magical holiday experience that “pops.”
More than 18,000 – the total square feet of space is covered by the ICE! attraction. Kept at a brisk 9 degrees Fahrenheit, 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.
9 degrees - the average temperature inside “The Florida Fridge.”
128,000 - the total weight of the ice blocks (in pounds) used to create the "Frostproof, Florida" ICE! train.
1 - the total number of gnomes cleverly frozen inside a block of ICE!, part of the resort's Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt.
8,000+ - approximate miles the team of artisans must travel from Harbin to Orlando (number varies depending on method used for mileage calculation)
Frequently Asked Questions
I understand ICE! is 9 degrees… what should I wear?
All guests are provided calf-length, hooded winter coats to keep them warm. They are not exactly the most fashionable coats, but there is safety in numbers -- nearly every visitor borrows one. Coats are available in all sizes, including children and infants. For maximum comfort guests should wear long pants and closed-toe shoes. Hats and gloves are recommended - and are available for purchase. Think Christmas morning in Alaska...and dress accordingly!
Do I have to wear a"loaner" coat?
We do request that every visitor wear some sort of coat. Even if you bring your own coat, we recommend using our parkas, as they are made from a special material that ensures a "friction-free" trip down the ICE! Slides.
Do I need boots?
All pathways through the ICE! exhibit are carpeted, and boots are not required. We do, however, recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes.
Is ICE! wheel-chair and stroller accessible?
The ICE! attraction is accessible by both wheel chairs and strollers. Although a limited number of wheel chairs are available on-site, to minimize waiting times, guests requiring a wheel chair may bring their own.
May I take photos?
Guests are welcome to bring cameras and take photos of the ICE! attraction. Many of our guests experience a "fogging" of the lens when exiting into warmer temperatures. This, however, usually goes away once the camera warms up. Please check the manufacturer information regarding the cold tolerance of your camera equipment. But let's face it, your northern cousins have been taking winter photos outdoors for decades. Gaylord Palms™ Resort is not responsible for damage to any camera equipment caused by the extreme cold temperature. For your convenience, single-use cameras are available for purchase.
Can I lick the ice?
Come on...what kind of question is that? Of course you CANNOT lick the ice.
What else is there to do at Gaylord Palms?
ICE! is just one component of our Best of Florida Christmas celebration, kicking off Nov. 17 and running through Jan. 4! Other highlights include: The Majestic Christmas Tree, perched atop Castillo de San Marcos Fort, towering more than 70 feet above Emerald Plaza.
Holiday Shows
The Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, a festive family hunt throughout the atriums to spot cleverly hidden gnomes
Christmas in Florida: The County Wreath Collection, an exhibition of wreaths decorated to reflect Florida's diverse destinations, from coast to coast.
Santa Visits, in person or via email.
Sunday Brunch with Mrs. Claus.
In addition, guests can enjoy themed decor and holiday lights throughout each of the resort's three atriums.
ChristmasInOrlando.com Tips:
ICE! is very popular with Orlando residents. Consequently, more people visit the attraction on Saturdays than any other day. Visitors who arrive in the morning or on weekdays report a more "exclusive" experience. A bonus: weekday tickets are cheaper than weekend tickets. NEW THIS YEAR -- Visitors on busier days (such as Saturdays) are required to choose a "time block" for admission, when purchasing advance tickets. This ensures an even flow of visitors throughout the day, and should reduce waiting times. To save time at the attraction, purchase your tickets online in advance. Guests who purchase online receive a discount on the purchase.
There is a fee to park in adjacent lots. To get this fee validated, dine at one of the resort's full-service restaurants. The restaurants are under the hotel's glass-covered atrium, which is beautifully decorated for the holiday season, extending your holiday experience. If you do not dine at the restaurants, the staff of ICE! gives a discount coupon for parking.
Gaylord Palms Resort is Orlando's headquarters for holiday activities. Guests who purchase a Best of Florida Christmas package receive special benefits, including:
Priority Entry to the ICE! attraction, as well as the ability to visit ICE! multiple times during a stay. - Family Memories Event, an opportunity to create a family gingerbread house with the chefs of Gaylord Palms Resort, an experience created just for overnight guests.
- Holiday Bedtime Stories, broadcast every night via a special in-room channel.
- Character Tuck-Ins, bedtime visits by one of Santa's helpers (additional fee).
- Christmas Concierge, who can recommend and help book unique holiday experiences throughout Orlando.
Gaylord Palms also features rooms starting at $129 (tax, fees and restrictions apply, see website for details)
FUN ICE-RELATED LINKS:
