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Photo TR: Christmas at the Gaylord Palms


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Last night TPR was invited to preview the new Christmas offerings at the Gaylord Palms hotel in Kissimmee, Florida! A strong combination of the classic experiences that have operated here for fifteen years and the introduction of new components make give this year the strongest lineup I've been able to experience. With a unifying theme of "Christmas Around the World" found across several shows and attractions, this year's event feels incredibly well thought out with something for everyone to enjoy and a definite focus on the family audience.

 

ICE! is slightly shorter this year than in previous years but the rooms it has inside are no less impressive than in past years. The Christmas Around the World theme allows for some very inventive displays, and of course, there is always the ice slide room. A tip for those that haven't been before: if you finish going through ICE! but aren't done with the attraction you are allowed to re-enter the immediately upon exiting the final scene--as long as you do not exit this holding area/transition room, you are able to go back through as many times as you want.

 

New this year is the introduction of Santa's Snow Throw, a unique shooting-gallery style experience that allows you to attempt to hit targets with actual snow balls, that may activate effects when successfully hit. Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions, a new Cirque Dreams Unwrapped show and a new light show in the atrium, Joyful all add to the year's line-up along with many other offerings available for guests throughout the resort.

 

Christmas at Gaylord Palms has been a tradition for many since it debuted with ICE! fifteen years ago, and with such a huge lineup of offerings available this year, the event has evolved to a must-visit status for locals and tourists alike. This will especially appeal to guests from warmer weather areas (like me) that don't often see snow, and for families that simply love Christmas time.

 

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Christmas at Gaylord Palms has a huge list of attractions, shows and more for guests to enjoy this year!

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The atrium of Gaylord Palms is dressed for the holidays and the stage is set for the debut of this year’s Cirque Dreams Unwrapped!

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We started with the debut of “Joyful,” a new light show in the atrium!

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The show tells the story of a grandfather explaining to his grandson how Christmas is celebrated around the world, and through light and unique takes on classic Christmas songs, the atrium evokes this message.

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Some of the lighting effects are really awesome!

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This was a really neat effect to see in person!

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Cirque Dreams Unwrapped returns to Gaylord Palms for the third year, this time with a reimagined show and a new set of acts within.

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Lots of impressive acts cross this stage throughout the show.

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Stunning!

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And of course, there's some audience participation.

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Pretty neat to see this in person!

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Jack & Jackie Frost, Snowflake, Mrs. Claus and the Peanuts Gang make an appearance at Gaylord Palms for the holidays!

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The Peanuts Gang is here!

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Time to parka up and head into ICE! (It is taking a great deal of strength for me to not break out my Batman & Robin Mr. Freeze puns...)

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This year's theme is Christmas Around the World.

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Some pretty neat ornaments sculpted in the first room.

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Some country-specific displays show off Christmas traditions from around the globe.

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Mistletoe anyone?

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There's no shortage of impressive ice sculptures here!

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Germany!

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The ICE! slide room has been rearranged this year and it looks fantastic!

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The Taj Mahal!

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The lighting in the ICE! Slide room is spot on!

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Mexico!

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Looking down from the top of the ICE! Slide!

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Some really incredible sculpts this year!

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Beautiful!

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Time to go to the North Pole!

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Sadly, I wasn't on the Nice List.

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Neat to see some fresh ice sculptures side by side with their actual inspirations.

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Just hanging out with a teddy bear made of ice... No big deal.

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More ice sculptures and their actual inspirations side by side.

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I kept going back for more!

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The classic Nativity Scene room returns as the finale of ICE!

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Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions is a new story time show for young guests to enjoy in the Alpine Village.

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Mike's Italian Ice is available for purchase in classic flavors along with cold cocoa... It is basically hot chocolate in the form of Italian Ice, complete with marshmallows!

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Santa's Snow Throw is a new addition this year!

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It serves a chance to remind me why sports were never my forte.

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The Snow Tubing area of Christmas at Gaylord Palms returns as well!

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For many Floridians, this is the most snow some have ever seen.

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There’s plenty more to see inside of the Alpine Village!

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Near the Everglades section of the hotel is a new Christmas Tree Trail with trees representing countries from around the world.

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Can you guess which country this tree represents?

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We’ve had a fantastic time at this year’s Christmas @GaylordPalms event including ICE!

Edited by jedimaster1227
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Great report Adam! I haven't been to see ICE! at the Gaylord National Harbor in several years. This year they are doing Rudolph so I'm definitely going to go. That Mike's cold cocoa looks delicious and totally up my alley! I don't recall anything like that at the DC Gaylord event.

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