KISSIMMEE, Fla. – It was one of the most memorable scenes in “Elf” and, starting in November, fans can experience North Pole-like travels at Gaylord Palms Resort.
For the first time, “Elf” is the theme for the centerpiece celebration “ICE!” at Gaylord Palms Resort. The 20,000-square-foot arctic attraction features giant sculptures and scenes, hand-carved from 2 million pounds of ice.
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The beloved holiday film stars Will Ferrell as an oversized elf who, while on a mission to meet and bond with his biological father, winds up saving Christmas.
This year, more than a dozen different scenes will make up a frozen wonderland kept at a constant 9 degrees. Guests will experience Buddy the Elf’s journey from the North Pole to New York City, and along the way, they’ll encounter favorite characters, including Papa Elf, Mr. Narwhal, Jovie, Walter Hobbs and Santa! (You know him).
Guests can also see live carving demonstrations in the Carver’s Showcase. The journey ends at the crystal-clear ice Nativity scene.
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“ICE!” made its Gaylord Palms debut in 2003, coincidentally the same year “Elf” premiered in movie theaters. In 2021, the resort featured “Elf”-themed activities during the holiday season, but “ICE!” was on hiatus due to the pandemic.
Tickets start at $29.99 for adults and $17.99 for children. Guests staying at Gaylord Palms during the holidays receive special perks including front-of-line access, early entry, and the ability to book special dining experiences.
Holiday fun lineup
- Yule Be Amazed: “Cirque: Spirit of Christmas” features high-flying stunts, acrobatic feats, and an original musical score. The show features Noel, a child trying to rediscover holiday cheer. Noel is visited in dreamlike chapters by acrobats, aerial performers, and others who help rekindle the Christmas spirit.
- Storytelling Celebration, Set to Song: Guests can experience a retelling of the birth of Jesus Christ through the eyes of six storytellers in “The Greatest Story,” a musical stage show and celebration of faith and everlasting love.
- Dreaming of a Bright Christmas: The skies above Gaylord Palms’ atrium come alive in the “Here We Glow A-Caroling Light Show.” Suspended light curtains and the 60-foot-tall atrium Christmas tree come to life in this animated show, accompanied by a soundtrack of favorite Christmas carols.
- St. Nick Takes ‘Santa’ Stage: Guests can chat with the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, to make sure they’ve secured a spot on his prestigious Nice List. Santa will meet guests inside Alpine Village from Nov. 15 through Dec. 24, before he heads back to the North Pole for his annual, gift-giving journey.
- A Round of Applause for Mrs. Claus: The jolliest hostess of all stars in Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions. Mrs. Claus entertains guests in Alpine Village with a sing-along and storytelling of the Christmas tale, “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.” She also shares Santa’s favorite snack – milk and cookies – with guests.
- Mistletoe Melody Makers: Guests can enjoy the sounds of the season with the Dickens Carolers, who will be strolling and singing Christmas classics at various times and locations throughout the celebration.
- Wintertime Animal Wonders: Guests can get up close to some of Florida’s famous animals in Wintertime Animal Encounters and learn how wildlife in the Sunshine State adapts to the colder temperatures and contributes to the ecosystem during the winter months.
- Snow Much Fun: A snowy play space awaits guests in the Snow Factory. After climbing Snow Flow Mountain, guests hop in inner tubes and speed down atop real ice. (Admission allows unlimited ice tubing rides on the date on the ticket.) Guests can also head over to Snowball Build & Blast, where conveyor belts deliver tubs of real snow for guests to make snowballs and toss them at targets.
- A Holiday Escape: Guests test their wintry wits in the Naughty or Nice Escape Room. Trickster Jack Frost has added new names to Santa’s Naughty List. However, if guests can sneak into Santa’s office and solve a series of puzzles, Jack will remove their names from the Naughty List, allowing them to escape.
- Dough-licious Decorating: In the Gingerbread Decorating Corner, guests let their Christmas creativity run wild while they adorn gingerbread treats. After they’ve reached confection perfection, they can enjoy a meet-and-greet and photograph a sweet character, Nutmeg the Gingerbread Cookie.
- Have Your Elf a Merry Little Christmas: Guests can get crafty in Elf Training Academy. One of Santa’s toymakers leads the fun as guests put their creativity to work and make a special keepsake gift to take home.
- A Very Beary Christmas!: Visit Build-A-Bear to experience the fun of personalizing furry friends and taking part in our one-of-a-kind Heart Ceremony. Add adorable outfits, sweet scents, and fun sounds to make any furry friend the perfect gift or a cuddly Christmas keepsake.
- Seasonal Scavenger Hunt Fun: Families can work together to find all the clues hidden in the Gaylord Palms atrium in the TwElf Days of Christmas Scavenger Hunt. With a little elf magic, guests can find all the hidden surprises and solve the puzzles in their booklet.
- Ready, Set, Glow!: The night will light up at Gaylord Palms with more than 3 million sparkling, holiday lights. In total, more than 100 decorated Christmas trees will be on display, including the 60-foot-tall tree in the main atrium, and elaborately themed trees along the atrium’s Christmas Tree Trail.
- Rooms with a Yuletide View: There’s never a better time of year for guests to book a room with an upgraded atrium view. With balconies that overlook acres of Christmas décor, guests can immerse themselves in the festive surroundings. Select rooms even provide prime balcony viewing for atrium shows.
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Holiday dining and shopping
Overnight guests at Gaylord Palms also have exclusive opportunities to enjoy holiday dining experiences:
- Breakfast with Charlie Brown and Friends: A holiday-themed character dining experience, exclusive to overnight guests, featuring pals from the Peanuts gang including Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Snoopy.
- Thanksgiving Dinner: Scheduled for Thanksgiving Day, is a plentiful buffet at Villa de Flora, located in the heart of the garden atrium. Traditional Thanksgiving favorites will be featured for overnight resort guests, along with dishes inspired by cuisine from Spain, France, and Italy.
- One-Stop Christmas Shop: In Alpine Village, one of the largest holiday shops in the Sunshine State opens each year just for the “Christmas at Gaylord Palms” celebration. Market Square features wall-to-wall holiday gifts, collectibles, toys, plush, home décor, apparel, ornaments, ICE!-branded souvenirs, and more.
- Christmas Dinner” On Dec. 25, enjoy a dazzling holiday feast at Villa de Flora restaurant featuring chef stations, holiday traditions and modern Mediterranean cuisine.
- New Year’s Eve Buffet: Overnight resort guests can ring in the New Year in style on Dec. 31 at Villa de Flora with a bountiful buffet featuring fresh and seasonal dishes.
Holiday festivities begin Nov. 14 and will run through Jan. 4.
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