The Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center's holiday celebration, Christmas at Gaylord Palms, is always one of the biggest draws at one of Central Florida's largest hotels.
The atrium in the middle of the hotel is illuminated with more than 15 Christmas trees and is home to a Cirque du Soleil show, a laser-light spectacle and the main attraction, ICE! At Gaylord Palms, an "indoor winter wonderland" that features themed sculptures made from more than two million pounds of ice.
This year, the festivities at the 1,416-room property in Kissimmee continues through Jan. 6, so the holiday magic doesn't stop when the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Day. Here's a rundown of all the holiday fun planned at Gaylord Palms in the coming weeks.
ICE! At Gaylord Palms: Locals and visitors alike are consistently drawn to this attraction, which is likely the coldest you'll be while in Florida. This year, the ice sculptures are themed after "A Christmas Story," the classic Christmas film. Guests will see re-creations of memorable scenes and items from the film, like the Triple Dog Dare, Ralphie's pink bunny pajamas and the "Major Award." It's 9 degrees inside the attraction, so guests are fitted with loaner parkas before entering. At the end of the attraction, guests are invited to slide down one of five two-story ice slides. Online advance ticket purchases are suggested. ($14.99 child/$28.99 adult)
Cirque Dreams Unwrapped: The 25-minute show, themed for the holidays, takes place in the hotel's atrium, and admission is free. If guests would like guaranteed seats, they can purchase them for $18.99 for adults, $13.99 for kids under 12. It's a fun and energetic show, featuring trapeze artists, a rollerskating stunt couple, an aerialist and a balancing acrobat. Some audience members are even invited to participate in the show in a musical number with the cast.
Snow Tubing: You really can have it all -- warm Florida winter and the fun of snow sports. In the Alpine Village area of the hotel, guests can tube down eight lanes covered in actual (manufactured) snow ($19 per person for unlimited runs). There are height requirements for the attraction, but the little kids can still go down the hill on a double tube with a parent. At the adjacent Santa's Snow Throw ($10), guests are given a bucket of snowballs to throw at targets.
Dreams of Christmas Lights Show: The five-story Christmas tree in the atrium flashes, twinkles, glows and projects laser lights in a free holiday show every night. The lights are choreographed to a holiday-themed score, and the show is best seen from the same area as the Cirque du Soleil performance, though the effects are so bright, you'll be able to see some of it while sipping your Holiday Mule seasonal cocktail from the Old Hickory Steakhouse in the atrium.
Gingerbread Decorating Corner: The little ones are turned loose on a bevy of gingerbread cookies, candies and icing for them to create and eat their own gingerbread village. Kids can choose their design from a selection of options to create individual Christmas cookies or a structure of their own. Cinnamon and Nutmeg, a cute couple of costumed characters, will pose for snapshots with each kid. Tickets are priced at $28.99 per child.
Additional holiday-themed events at the Gaylord Palms include a Sugary Sweet Storytime ($15.99) led by the Sugar-Plum Fairy that transports kids into the world of "The Nutcracker" and comes with hot chocolate and souvenir mug. The Secret Santa Scavenger Hunt ($9.99) promises family fun, as parents and kids are given Secret Santa decoder rings to decipher clues leading all around the common areas of the resort to earn a Santa's Secret Service badge. Mrs. Claus also leads a 30-minute Christmas Traditions caroling and story-reading show ($10). Milk and cookies are provided to whet singers' whistles.
For more details on the Christmas at Gaylord Palms celebration, visit
https://www.marriott.com/gaylord-hotels/christmas-at-gaylord-palms-kissimmee-orlando.mi#Experiences.