When you’re ready for some genuine chill-out time on your Orlando holiday, there is only one place to go – the glittering expanse of the Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, where the breathtaking spectacle that is their signature ICE! attraction has just made its 2024 debut with unique theming from the film Elf.
And we are here to tell you (from our special media “sneak peek” last week) that this year’s version – which runs until January 4 – is definitely one of their best, packed with the key scenes from the film and full of creative touches and imagination. But, before we get carried away, we should just recap for any newcomers to Orlando’s festive celebration exactly what ICE! is all about as the centrepiece of arguably Central Florida’s greatest Christmas presentation.
Dating back to 2003 (the same year Elf was released!), the Gaylord Palms has pioneered this exciting annual exhibit thanks to the work of 40 or so artisans from the Chinese city of Harbin, where they specialise in ice-carving and create their own winter wonderland each year (in temperatures reaching -30C!). These highly skilled ice carvers and sculptors take around two million pounds of ice blocks and turn them into a series of scenes and tableaus that form the essential backdrop to the whole Christmas presentation at the resort. It is amazing to see in production – and even more remarkable when you see the finished product.
It has taken them a full month to turn all that raw ice into the series of classic moments from the movie in this instance, and it is very much a first for both the ice carvers and the Gaylord Palms Resort, as no-one has tackled the Elf story in this form before. Although it seems an obvious theme to have chosen, the wacky world of Buddy the Elf and his quest to find his biological dad in New York has never been turned into an ice-cold motif – until now.
And it has all come to chilly fruition with great style and panache, not to mention a blaze of colour and humour. It starts with the North Pole setting, where the elves are busily at work for Christmas Eve, and features the likes of Mr Narwhal, Leon the Snowman and Pappa Elf, before Buddy sets off for the big city via the Lincoln Tunnel, where he discovers the delights of Gimbels department store and totally fails to impress his dad, Walter Hobbs.
The film narrative manages to include the signature ice slides that are a feature of every ICE! presentation, then continues to the big finale in Central Park, with a stunning full-size sleigh and reindeer taking off into the night sky. And all re-created in epic style by those clever Harbin partisans. As with all good Florida attractions, there is a (paid-for) photo opportunity before you set out, and a HUGE gift shop (the Alpine Village) at the end, and you should definitely save some room in your suitcases for the return flight home, as you will be severely tempted by much of what’s on offer.
And that’s not all, not by a long chalk. After you’ve chilled out with ICE! there is the opportunity to see the big stage show Cirque Spirit of Christmas, featuring some eye-popping acrobatics and other high-flying stunts several times each day. There is also the nativity-style Greatest Story Stage Show and Here We Go A-Caroling Light Show, with its signature 60ft Christmas Tree, to provide more (free) entertainment in the main atrium of the resort. For an extra fee, you can also try Snow Flow Mountain (for all the fun of indoor snow-tubing), Snowball Build & Blast, Gingerbread Decorating, the Naughty or Nice Escape Room, Mrs Claus’ Christmas Traditions (a retelling of the classic Night Before Christmas story, with cookies and milk) and, of course, Photos with Santa.
It all adds up to an astounding Christmas pageant that is choc-full of seasonal style and atmosphere, all set up under the massive roof of the resort, and with plenty of options for food and drink (hint, make sure you try a Peppermint Mocha from the Emerald Bay Café or a fancy Espresso Martini from the Socio bar/lounge.).
Just remember that ICE! is kept at a permanent -12C, WAY below any normal temperatures in Florida and, while they do provide big, heavy parkas to wear while you tour the exhibit, it’s worth bringing your own gloves and woolly hats to keep the cold at bay. You’ll definitely want to spend as much time as possible inside The Big Freezer to see all the clever detail, and there is no-one chivvying people along to move through, but you WILL feel the onset of frostbite if you’re not fully prepared!
Most people manage at least 20 minutes, and the super-hardy an impressive 40 minutes, so there is something of a challenge involved. You might well want to warm yourself up afterwards, though, and you’ll find fab hot chocolate, and other treats, at Snowy’s Snack Shack in the Alpine Village.
The bottom line, though, is that for anyone heading to Orlando for the first time this festive season, you are in for a real treat. And for those making a return visit, well, you know what to expect! For the full details of the resort’s Christmas programme, including ICE! and Cirque Spirit of Christmas, see this link. Parking is $38 for the day.
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