KISSIMMEE, Fla – Just as tickets for Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort went on sale, officials gave new details about this year’s programming.
The annual event draws in hundreds of visitors and locals from Central Florida each holiday season.
This year’s event includes shimmering light shows, live performances, snowball tosses, meet-and-greets with the Grinch and Santa Clause and a new immersive-pop experience called “I Love Christmas Movies.”
The fully immersive exhibit, which was collaborated with Warner Bros. consumer products, will transport guests into 15 scenes from holiday films such as “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Year Without Santa Clause.”
Officials said each exhibit will feature film props, audio clips and more.
Another brand new experience is the Snow Factory. This interactive snow play-place will let families slide down the snow flow mountain on tubes and even build and toss real snowballs to help boost the power of snowmaking machines.
Also on tap for this year’s event, guests will get to meet Santa Clause in a new redesigned space, hear Christmas traditions and songs with Mrs. Clause, decorate gingerbread houses, go on a Grinch-themed scavenger hunt and learn how to be one of Santa’s top helpers at the elf training academy.
After months of renovations, the resort is also welcoming back its popular restaurant Villa de Flora.
Officials said the new unique theming is designed to make guests feel as though they are walking through modern coastal Mediterranean countries, including Italy, Spain, France and more.
The restaurant will serve holiday buffets for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The resort restaurant is also offering a character breakfast with the Grinch.
In accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program, Villa de Flora is an attended buffet and will feature fresh and seasonal food stations.
Gaylord palms will also have a handful of entertainment options including:
The Greatest Story: Holiday spirits will soar during a multicultural, musical journey celebrating the story of Christ.
Cirque Dreams Unwrapped: Live performances on the St. Augustine Stage featuring stunning feats of showmanship performed on stage and in the air.
Sugary Sweet Storytime: The show will immerse guests into the world of The Nutcracker led by the Sugarplum Fairy herself in this interactive, super sweet, super sugary musical spectacular.
The Journey of Los Tres Reyes Magos: A live show where guests will join the Three Kings in a musical celebration as they retell the Christmas story and the celebrations surrounding it, including Las Posadas and el Día de los Reyes. Running Dec. 27 to Jan. 3.
A spokeswoman said due to current restrictions on international travel, ICE! will not be offered during this year’s holiday season.
“The holidays are the perfect time of year to make memories with friends and family, and we know that this year more than ever, guests will be looking for places where they can celebrate the magic of the season in a safe environment,” general manager Johann Krieger said.
Overnight Christmas packages that include admission into the “I Love Christmas Movies” immersive pop-up experience are available to book now.
This year’s celebration begins Nov. 13 and runs through Jan. 3.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Gaylord Palms Resort has put special health and safety protocols in place, including the use of face coverings, during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.