Gaylord Palms ICE! 2015 Opens With Twas’ the Night Before Christmas Theme: Photos & Video

Hi everyone!

ICE! featuring ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort has kicked off for 2015, part of Christmas at Gaylord Palms. We will be posting in the next couple of days about what else guests can experience at the resort – and there is quite a bit included, from the unique Cirque Dreams Unwrapped show to the Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt.

ICE! can be found down at the convention center at Gaylord Palms Resort.

When I first visited ICE! at Gaylord Palms back in 2004, there wasn’t nearly as much to see and do as there is now. We do recommend “carving out” at least a few hours to enjoy much of what the resort has to offer – tickets can be purchased here.

The Alpine Village has been a big hit since it debuted last year.

Guests can enjoy ICE!, Alpine Rush Snow Tubing and more through these doors (Alpine Rush Snow Tubing is ticketed separately).

‘Twas the Night Before Christmas features 6 rooms telling the story in 9 degrees! Guests do receive a parka to wear in the exhibit, but we recommend gloves, double socks, a scarf and hat.

Here is our video of ICE, and then keep reading the article for more information and photos!

2 million pounds of ice are carved over a month by over 40 artisans from Harbin, China! We were able to preview ICE! several times before it opened, and it was pretty incredible how fast everything comes together.

The colors in the ice seem to be more vivid each year!

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

Peppermints carved out of ice sit nearby.

An icy box of matches sits in the same room.

In the next room, the stockings are hung by the chimney while the kids were snuggled in their beds.

Cookies were left out for Santa. The lamp looks so real, though it is ice as well!

Stockings hung on the fireplace.

A cat sleeps.

Phrases from ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” are in each room.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds.

Pa at the window.

The On the Blocks Ice Bar is now towards the beginning of the ICE! exhibit. Guests can upgrade their experience for $15.95 inclusive of gratuity. Guests can sample two drinks, including one in a souvenir cup that lights up.

The sign always makes us laugh.

This is a look at the souvenir cup.

Back to the story of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.

Snowmen.

Santa Claus – or St. Nick – appears.

Santa and his sleigh are pulled by the reindeer.

The slide room is always a favorite of ours, we enjoy going down the ice slides!

A Christmas tree made of ice sits in between the slides.

Santa Claus is back in this room.

And sometimes when you turn around, you’ll see another scene. In this case, Santa is going down the chimney.

There are 4 ice slides.

Jeff enjoys one of them.

Pa with a candle.

Ma with the cat.

Santa rises back up the chimney.

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

The next room is the Frostbite Factory, where artisans are stationed to showcase their work.

There is information on how the ice is created.

A soldier in ice looks on.

ICE! in ice.

Artisans create works of art out of the ice.

This artisan holds a ring they created.

And in the last room, the traditional nativity in clear ice with an angel nearby is a guest favorite. It is here ever year.

Crystal clear ice takes several days to make, and is the hardest to create.

Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus.

Outside of ICE!, guests can enjoy a shopping experience. Gaylord Palms has always offered unique items for sale, but this year they added a Build-A-Bear pop-up shop. It offers much of the Build-A-Bear collection.

Mike’s Italian Ice is a local favorite, and Gigi’s Cupcakes is also here for guests to purchase from.

The ICE! merchandise is very reasonable. I purchased a long-sleeve shirt for $20.00.

Next to ICE!, guests can purchase tickets for Alpine Rush Snow Tubing. This is the second year for it.

Jeff enjoys a turn down the slide.

Gaylord Palms offers 2 million lights as well to enjoy throughout the resort! Take a walk outside in the evening and this is the gorgeous view you will get.

We always look forward to Gaylord Palms ICE! each year, and plan to visit again this season.

Gaylord Palms invited us for a one night stay to preview and enjoy ICE! and other aspects of Christmas at Gaylord Palms. All views are ours. We attended ICE! before being invited for media events and will continue to do so in the future – it is a favorite part of our holiday season!