If you’re looking at getting away from the cold but can’t imagine the Christmas holidays without snow, Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida might be your ideal destination. Unlike the frigid cold of the north, Florida offers a nice reprieve from the wind chill and icy sidewalks. But step inside the Gaylord Palms and you’re transported to a winter wonderland.
The highlight of Christmas at Gaylord Palms, ICE! is open daily (Nov. 16-Jan. 2, 2012), including holidays. With more than 16,000 square-feet of frosty 9-degree bliss played out in a winter wonderland of exciting hand-carved sculptures, ICE! This year it features five 30-foot ice slides and an all-new, tribute to the unforgettable DreamWorks’ Animation TV classic Shrek the Halls. The attraction is carved by a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China, an area best known for its annual International Ice and Snow Festival.
ICE! is kept at a frigid 9° Fahrenheit (-13° Celsius). Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately: closed-toe shoes and long pants are required. Hooded winter parkas are provided for warmth and comfort inside the attraction and are available in a variety of sizes, including sizes for children (which means you don’t have to pack your own). Hats and gloves are strongly recommended.
Continue the celebration of the Winter Festival with Po and the Furious Five in Kung Fu Panda Awesome SNOW! Explore the village courtyard inside the Valley of Peace by crawling though underground snow tunnels, spanning bridges high above the snow below and sliding down rolling hills on the all-new 64-foot pagoda slide.
Kids will be able to throw snowballs at the fierce Snow Leopard Tai Lung (Kung Fu Panda) and the cunning Lord Shen (Kung Fu Panda 2) as well as some of their evil henchmen. Look for Po himself doing a little Kung Fu Fighting.
More than 130-tons of snow is freshly made daily to allow kids of all ages to build snowmen and forts while playing in over 3-feet of the cold stuff. The atmosphere is kept at a crisp 55 degrees.
A little bit of sun. A little bit of snow. Gaylord Palms offers you both this Christmas season.