Christmas is the one time of year I try not to do much traveling. My family is all near by and we have traditions that have been taking place since I moved home. But I am thinking of adding a new Christmas tradition to our family : ICE at a Gaylord Resort.

4 Gaylord Properties, 4 Unique Celebrations

Each of the 4 Gaylord Hotels hosts its own Christmas celebration; A Country Christmas at the Opryland in Nashville, Christmas on the Potomac in Washington DC, Lone Star Christmas at the Texan near Dallas and Christmas at Gaylord Palms in Orlando. Each has it’s own flavor with a couple of common themes: lots of ice and the DreamWorks® Experience.

ICE at Gaylord Palms

As this is the first year of the Gaylord Hotels/ DreamWorks® alliance I was invited to experience ICE Shrek the Halls in Orlando with my daughters. What we experienced was nothing short of magical. The Gaylord Palms is a gorgeous property filled with staff that make you feel welcome. Our atrium view room was spacious and comfortable for 4 people. The girls were thrilled with their DreamWorks® Experience bags and the events on our itinerary promised a memorable visit.

2 Million Pounds of Ice

Huge Shrek

The central event of ICE Shrek the Halls was 4 ½ acres of frozen wonderland telling the story of Shrek and Fiona’s first Christmas with their children. Two million pounds of ice had been hand carved and dyed, each room filled with characters from the tiniest blind mouse to the massive dragon winding around a room. Throughout the halls entertaining narrative plays through speakers.

At the center of ICE are the ice slides; five slides of varying lengths beckoning you back to youthful winter games.

But it was really the finale of ICE that left me breathless. A life size creche in pure ice.

Breathtaking Manger Scene

Tips for ICE:

• ICE is kept at 9ºF
• Wear jeans, warm socks, close toed shoes and a sweatshirt.
• Bring gloves or mittens.
• A coat is not required as the resort provides heavy parkas- which you must wear if you want to use the slides.
• Photos are allowed in ICE, though your camera may take a while to thaw out afterward.
• A souvenir photo is taken as you enter ICE; option to purchase.

Other DreamWorks® Experience Events

If snow isn’t a natural occurrence where you live your kids will love Kung Fu Panda’s Awesome Snow. 130 tons of fresh made snow in a playground setting, complete with slides, snow tunnels and evil henchman to attack with snowballs.

Tips for Snow:

• This event is best done after ICE as the room is kept at a “crisp” 55ºF.
• Wear water resistant or water proof shoes.
• Po, the Kung Fu Panda, is available for photos (purchase optional).

Gingerbread Decorating with Gingy

Gingerbread decorating is something my girls have little interest in at home, but add Gingy to the party and it’s a fun, if sticky, activity. Three options for decorating are available- a small gingerbread house ornament, a 6 piece gingerbread family or a full size gingerbread house. We had a great time engaging our inner food artists and left with some beautiful- and tasty- creations. Gingy made an appearance and posed for photos that can be taken with your own camera or by the roving photographer (option to purchase).

Tips for Gingerbread Decorating:

• Bring your camera.
• Baby wipes are available for clean up.
• If you are flying choose a small option. Though we did make it home with the large gingerbread house mostly intact, it took some strategic packing.

The Puss in Boots 3D movie may have been our biggest surprise. More than a movie, this is your chance to experience the red carpet, complete with celebrity sightings, red carpet interviews and a souvenir photo with the star himself (included with ticket price). The snack bar is filled with gourmet treats including foot long hot dogs, mac & cheese bites, chocolate drizzled popcorn and homemade ice cream sandwiches. Each person can choose 2 treats plus a drink.

Movie Snacks

Tip :

• Don’t eat before coming to the movie.
• After the movie go on Quest for the Magic Bean, hunting clues around the Gaylord Palms.

For one-on-one time with Shrek, Fiona and Puss, be sure to gain entry to ShrekFeast. You’ll be welcomed by the Town Crier and given a lesson in how to be an ogre. After becoming an honorary ogre you’ll receive your ogre ears and earn a visit from the characters.

Shrek and Fiona

You can practice your new ogre talent of gluttony at the fabulous buffet. You’ll find every option imaginable in a multitude of varieties; fruit, yogurt, pastries, meats, egg dishes and even ogre waffles. Wash it down with some swamp juice and you’ll be ready to take on the day!

Tip:

Don’t forget your camera!

Christmas at Gaylord Palms also has other fun events outside of the DreamWorks® Experience. Live musical events take place often on the atrium stage, with a tree lighting at 6:30pm. The Coca Cola Polar Bears have hidden themselves in some very interesting places; find them to win a Gaylord Palms getaway. Or visit Santa to share your Christmas wishes.

A New Tradition is Born

After all the fun we had at the Gaylord Palms with ICE and the DreamWorks® Experience I am instituting a new tradition- a different ICE experience every year!

ICE at Gaylord Hotels kicks off before Thanksgiving and runs through the beginning of January. Have you visited ICE at a Gaylord Hotel? If you had your choice, which would you visit?

Thanks to the Gaylord Palms for hosting our visit to ICE Shrek the Halls. You can see more of my ICE photos on Flickr or take a video trip through ICE.