All About Orlando

Orlando may be tropical year round, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sensation of cold as you walk amongst giant ice creations. The Gaylord Palms Resort is helping to make the winter dreams of many children and adults come true this year with a huge display made entirely of ice.

Nealy two million pounds of ice were hand carved to create the exhibit entitled ICE! To preserve the ice, the temperature of the attraction is kept at nine degrees Fahrenheit so be sure to bring your winter coat - or borrow one for the occasion.

This is the fifth season of ICE! This year the theme is a Holiday Road Trip. Guests journey amoung terrific ice sculptures and creations perfect for the holiday season. The walk includes features such as an oversized igloo and a Castle straight from the board game, Candyland. But best of all, rather than just gazing from a distance, visitors are encouraged to explore the creations and wander the rooms of the castle

There are many other stops on the Holiday Road Trip including a Winter Wonderland, the South Pole, the North Pole and Frostproof Florida. The South Pole exhibit includes a particular favorite of guests - ice slides. The longest ice slide in the history of the ICE! exhibit is included this year, and while you are zipping along ( and after you land ) you can enjoy the colony of penguins brought in for the season.

The feature attraction of the exhibit is a life size nativity scene hand carved out of clear ice. The scene is narrated and lit with a dramatic series of lights making it a moving rendition of what the season means to Christians.

Most importantly, when you visit ICE! be prepared for the cold temperature. The resort has hooded parkas available for guests, but you will not be allowed to enter without closed toe shoes and long pants. The entire exhibit is nine degrees which might just make it the coldest place in all of Florida - colder than most freezers! So be sure to bring along a hat and mittens, if you can find some.

The ICE! exhibit is open daily from November 19 through January 3, 2008.

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Filed under: Christmas Events, special events