There’s only one thing that any good 80’s kid wants for Christmas and that’s an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle! You know, the one with the compass in the stock and this thing that tells time. Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando is going to give it to you this holiday season as they bring the classic tale, A Christmas Story to life in this year’s ICE!
“We’re thrilled to see this Christmas classic brought to life inside ICE! for the first time ever,” said Johann Krieger, General Manager for Gaylord Palms Resort. “We know that ‘A Christmas Story’ has been a holiday tradition for so many people over the years, and we hope that guests can join us to make ICE! a part of their tradition as well.”
The new exhibit will feature scenes from the classic movie, including iconic scenes like the house, the triple dog dare, and Aunt Clara’s Pink Nightmare.
It wouldn’t be A Christmas Story without a visit to Santa…ho, ho, ho. You’ll get to slide down slides, just like in the movie, only these slides will be made of Ice and santa won’t step on your head.
ICE! is crafted by artisans from Harbin, China, home to the world’s largest ice and snow festival. They come to Gaylord Palms every year to bring 2 million pounds of colored and clear ice to life. The fun only begins with A Christmas Story. You also get to walk through the Frostbite Factory, and see a stunning nativity scene.
The display is the centerpiece of Christmas at Gaylord Palms this year, which includes a resort wide celebration. It also features a massive show, Cirque Fantasy Unwrapped which takes place in the St. Augustine area of the hotels massive atrium.
The show lasts 25 minutes and features unique performances revolving around the magic of Christmas.
New this year is an all new show featuring the hotels massive six story Christmas tree. Lights and music bring the new Dreams of Christmas. This multisensory experience will feature a new musical score accompanied with millions of dancing, choreographed lights.
Award-winning buffet restaurant Villa de Flora will welcome special Christmastime friends during The Elf on the Shelf® Character Breakfast, where guests can join Santa’s Official Scout Elves for a fun and festive character breakfast. Kids and adults will enjoy a delicious buffet spread complete with classic breakfast favorites and live cooking stations, enjoying special visits from Santa’s Official Scout Elves as they dine.
In addition to the fun new experiences, returning favorites will be making a comeback at the hotel as well. Guests exploring the meandering paths inside the resort’s Everglades atrium will find the Christmas Tree Trail, a display of nine magnificent trees provided by Balsam HillTM. Sparkle the Elf, Santa’s chief Christmas Tree Decorator, has personally prepared these for display at Gaylord Palms. From snowmen and candy canes to reindeer and nutcrackers, each tree represents one of Sparkle’s favorite things about Christmas, with one even honoring the Florida-themed resort!
The immersive, interactive Reindeer Express Post Office returns this year, where everyone is invited to jot down their top Christmas wishes on a postcard before entering this special facility to launch their wishes off on a journey to Santa.
Also returning is the Alpine Village, where you can find the Build-A-Bear workshop, Santa, snow throwing and tubing and of course Mrs. Claus’s Holiday traditions. You’ll be able to sit around the fire with Mrs. Claus, eat cookies and listen to her favorite holiday traditions.
Gaylord Palms Resort is more than a hotel, it’s also a full day experience, with changing activities throughout the year. Christmas at Gaylord Palms is a family tradition that our family loves, and a must every holiday season.
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For more information about Holidays at Gaylord Palms, including reservations, visit the official site by clicking here!
