Probably the most greatest off-site motels that’s not up to a mile from Walt Disney International is a conspicuous omission in our protection right here. Regardless of being completely huge and housing 1,718 visitor rooms, we’ve by no means in reality coated Gaylord Hands Hotel.
This could also be in spite of visiting Gaylord Hands incessantly. Smartly, extra like “visiting” (with air quotes) because it’s in reality simply an additional prevent on Mears Attach en path to Walt Disney International. However each time we “seek advice from” the Gaylord Hands, I’m reminded of ways massive and wonderful it seems to be, and assume that we will have to after all ebook a keep there and evaluation it.
Accordingly, this put up serves the twin objective of sharing announcement information about the expanded Ice! program on the Gaylord Resorts, and gauging reader passion within the massive hotel a stone’s throw from Walt Disney International to look if it’s price a Christmas-time seek advice from (no air quotes). Anyway, on with the click release-style main points together with pictures and thought artwork all by the use of Gaylord Resorts prior to turning to our statement…
Ice!, the signature frozen Christmas appeal created via Gaylord Resorts, is increasing to 8 vacation spot inns throughout the USA, debuting at Gaylord Pacific Hotel in Chula Vista, California and JW Marriott Phoenix Desolate tract Ridge Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona.
Ice! could also be returning to JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Nation Hotel in San Antonio, Texas and Gaylord Resorts national. The signature Ice! revel in may also introduce 3 brand-new topics; Harry Potter, House On my own and Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Sooner than Christmas.
“We’re excited to convey our signature Christmas appeal, Ice!, to Arizona and California,” mentioned Johann Krieger, regional vp of Marriott Global. “Having welcomed tens of tens of millions of visitors over time, this cherished vacation custom continues to seize the spirit of the season, and we’re proud to introduce our greatest footprint so far, giving much more households the chance to revel in how our inns create strange vacation recollections.”
The tale-driven Christmas revel in options greater than two million kilos of hand-carved ice sculptures delivered to lifestyles as brilliant, floor-to-ceiling scenes starring fan-favorite characters from loved vacation classics. Impressed via the world-renowned Harbin Ice Pageant in China, Ice! is created via greater than 300 knowledgeable artisans from Harbin, who spend roughly 40 days the use of tactics handed down via generations handy carve 60,000 ice blocks.
Each and every unique theme unfolds throughout greater than 10 immersive scenes, that includes two-story ice slides, awe-inspiring passageways and photo-worthy moments all the circle of relatives can revel in. Stored at a brisk 9 levels Fahrenheit to maintain the intricate element, the appeal guarantees visitors keep heat in its signature blue parkas.
Beginning in November 2026, 8 cherished vacation tales will probably be presented at inns national:
Debut Places
- Ice! that includes “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Gaylord Pacific Hotel in Chula Vista, California from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Ice! that includes Elf at JW Marriott Phoenix Desolate tract Ridge Hotel in Phoenix, Ariz. from November 18, 2026 to January 3, 2027
New Subject matters
- Ice! that includes House On my own at Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. from November 6, 2026 to January 2, 2027
- Ice! that includes Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Sooner than Christmas at Gaylord Rockies Hotel in Aurora, Colorado from November 20, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Ice! that includes Harry Potter at Gaylord Texan Hotel on Lake Grapevine, Texas from November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Returning Places and Subject matters
- Ice! that includes Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at Gaylord Nationwide Hotel in Nationwide Harbor, Md. from November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Ice! that includes The Polar Specific at Gaylord Hands Hotel in Kissimmee, Florida from November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Ice! that includes Rudolph the Pink-Nosed Reindeer at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Nation Hotel in San Antonio, Texas from November 23, 2026 to January 3, 2027
Past the marquee appeal, Ice!, visitors too can revel in So A lot Christmas with an over-the-top lineup of vintage and unique reviews designed to create without equal vacation getaway.
Each and every hotel transforms into a real iciness wonderland with tens of millions of twinkling lighting fixtures, towering Christmas bushes and elaborate festive décor. Highlights come with themed persona eating, ice tubing adventures, interactive scavenger hunts, reside degree performances, pop-up Christmas villages and loved photograph alternatives with Santa.
To discover the total lineup of vacation reviews, ebook in a single day programs and buy tickets, seek advice from SoMuchChristmas.com. Choices range via hotel. Phrases, prerequisites and blackout dates follow.
Polar Specific Ice! at Gaylord Hands Close to Disney
Visitors will probably be shouting “All Aboard!” as The Polar Specific comes chugging into the highlight this yr at “Ice!,” the 20,000-square-foot, Christmas revel in at Gaylord Hands Hotel.
Ice! options 2 million kilos of ice, carved into colourful sculptures, and an enormous two-story ice slide. The arctic appeal serves as the center piece of the much-loved Central Florida annual “Christmas at Gaylord Hands” birthday celebration, which takes position around the 65-acre hotel from November 13, 2026 via January 3, 2027.
The Ice! appeal, which made its Gaylord Hands debut in 2003, will function roughly one dozen larger-than-life scenes from the vintage animated function movie. The Polar Specific used to be remaining featured in Ice! at Gaylord Hands in 2019, and its recognition amongst visitors is a key reason why for its go back all the way through Christmas 2026.
As vacation visitors input Ice! that includes The Polar Specific, they apply the paranormal journey of a doubting kid who takes an strange teach journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. Alongside the best way, he learns about friendship, bravery and the actual spirit of Christmas.
The appeal options scenes from the heartwarming story in hand-carved sculptures fabricated from forged ice, together with The Polar Specific teach arriving on the boy’s space, the well-known scorching chocolate scene aboard the Polar Specific, the large teach dashing down the aspect of an icy mountain and the grand arrival on the North Pole. Coloured ice, transparent ice, degree lights and LED lighting fixtures are all used to create the breathtaking show.
A favourite function every yr is the Ice! slide room, that includes 5 two-story-tall slides fabricated from forged ice. This yr, the slides will ship visitors zipping around the movie’s Glacier Gulch. Some other common house within Ice! is Carver’s Show off, a wintry workshop the place grasp ice artisans paintings during the day to exhibit the original craft to visitors.
“We’ve heard from many visitors who wish to revisit the magic of The Polar Specific and introduce new buddies and members of the family to its spell binding and galvanizing tale,” mentioned Ross Barker, Gaylord Hands normal supervisor.
“From a full-size teach locomotive engine carved totally from forged ice to the various interactive moments and cherished scenes, it’s a one-of-a-kind appeal that gives a exhibit of memory-making reviews for our visitors in a 9-degree surroundings. We will be able to’t look forward to our workforce and the proficient ice carvers to convey this magical tale to lifestyles in a in point of fact memorable manner.”
When they input, visitors can keep throughout the Ice! appeal for so long as they would love. Since all the appeal is fabricated from forged ice and the freezing temperature is a gradual 9 levels (the optimal temperature to handle the ice sculptures for the entire vacation season), visitors are supplied a Gaylord Hands blue iciness parka to lend a hand stay them heat. Visitors liable to chilly temperatures are inspired to convey further iciness clothes, reminiscent of hats, gloves, scarves and iciness socks.
Along with Ice! that includes The Polar Specific, a sleigh-full of occasions and actions is deliberate throughout Gaylord Hands Hotel. Christmas presentations and actions are introduced within the atrium, whilst any other house of the hotel transforms into Alpine Village, a bustling vacation hamlet with Bavarian-style storefronts, immersive actions and certainly one of Florida’s greatest Christmas stores. Snow Manufacturing unit, adjoining to Alpine Village, options cold thrills with snowball throwing, ice tubing, the Snow Bar, a Christmas Carousel and extra.
Different highlights of Christmas 2026 at Gaylord Hands Hotel come with the award-winning “POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance,” mixing Broadway genre performances with cirque artistry. Visitors too can revel in the LIT multimedia atrium mild display, seek advice from Santa Claus, sign up for in “Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions” for singalongs and storytelling, watch “The Biggest Tale” musical degree display, and get up-close with Florida flora and fauna all the way through Wintertime Animal Encounters. Households too can play in Snow Manufacturing unit that includes actual snow, check their wits within the Naughty or Great Break out Room, Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt, Elf Coaching Academy, and a lot more.
Christmas decorations remove darkness from the Gaylord Hands Hotel with 3 million vacation lighting fixtures, together with greater than 250,000 within the atrium on my own. In overall, greater than 100 embellished Christmas bushes will probably be on show, together with the 60-foot-tall tree in the primary atrium and a bunch of themed bushes alongside the atrium’s Christmas Tree Path.
There are a large number of different main points within the press launch I’m glossing over. Tickets and particular room and price tag programs for this vacation spotlight are actually on sale at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com. You’ll additionally to find complete main points there in regards to the 2026 vacation season slate.
Our Remark
A couple of relatively fast ideas. At first, we’re in reality curious as to how a lot passion there may be in Ice!
Past that, it’s fascinating that Gaylord Hands in Orlando will get “caught” with Polar Specific whilst the highbrow houses which are owned, managed or another way featured via Walt Disney International and Common Orlando are in Colorado, Nashville, Maryland, and Texas.
Possibly I’m simply underestimating the recognition of Polar Specific (the film, now not the undying tale itself), however I’d assume actually any of the opposite topics could be higher. And clearly, those with crossover enchantment for Walt Disney International and Common Orlando visitors could be the preferred.
Possibly that’s a part of the licensing offers–that Gaylord can use the ones houses, however now not inside of X miles of Disney or Common theme parks. It’s conceivable that this can be a smaller-scale, seasonal model of the Wonder contract that handcuffs which characters Walt Disney International can use, and the way Disneyland markets its Avengers Campus.
It may also be the case that Ice! at Gaylord Hands Hotel in Orlando is solely this type of runaway good fortune that it doesn’t want the most efficient IP to be triumphant. Or possibly visitors in reality do love the Polar Specific, and its go back for the primary time since 2019 is a put up COVID good fortune tale that’ll be trumpeted in Gaylord fan communities very similar to how we have been hyped about Airport Baggage Switch returning.
Suffice to mention, Ice! at Gaylord Hands Hotel, and in reality the lodge as a complete, is a blind spot for us. I truthfully couldn’t in reality let you know whether or not it’s vastly common or now not. We don’t know any common individuals who have ever finished it, and even if it seems to be in reality cool and bold, a large number of issues glance nice in advertising and marketing.
Regardless, we’re intrigued via Ice! at Gaylord Hands Hotel. There are a number of issues within the press launch that stuck my eye as issues that our daughter would in reality revel in. Ice! seems to be extremely bold, with sufficient to try this the lodge’s Christmas choices on my own may just fill an afternoon or weekend getaway.
Given the non-public perspective, the obvious ambition of the choices, and the truth that Walt Disney International continues to do much less for Christmas every yr (or worth extra other people out of its events), we’re questioning if it will make sense to hide Ice! at Gaylord Hands in Orlando this yr.
There’s additionally the truth that Walt Disney International occupancy charges proceed to upward thrust, particularly in November and December. We obtain a large number of reader questions on this, maximum just lately when the remaining spherical of offers used to be launched. Lovers are involved that there’s restricted (or no) availability for plenty of dates, together with the ones we’ve known as having decrease crowd ranges and being extra fascinating occasions to seek advice from.
Level being, even apart from pricing pushing extra visitors off-site, the loss of availability can have the similar impact. That makes protection of the most important 3rd birthday celebration motels which are on-site or within reach extra treasured from a making plans point of view. (See additionally Why Walt Disney International Hotel Resorts Nonetheless Promote Out Regardless of Decrease Crowds.)
Then again, if there’s now not reader passion in Ice! at Gaylord Hands in Orlando, we may simply dip our toe within the water via doing Ice! that includes “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Gaylord Pacific Hotel in Chula Vista, California. That’s very on the subject of house, and may just make for a amusing Christmas-time staycation.
Making plans a Walt Disney International commute? Know about motels on our Walt Disney International Resorts Critiques web page. For the place to devour, learn our Walt Disney International Eating place Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney International Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel have a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney International Trip Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to begin is our Walt Disney International Commute Making plans Information for the entirety you want to grasp!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you curious about studying extra in regards to the Gaylord or Ice close to Walt Disney International? Have you ever ever stayed on the Gaylord Hands Hotel in Orlando? Carried out Ice! and Christmas-time there or at any of the Gaylord Resorts? Ideas at the hotel itself or the Ice! revel in? Some other ideas or comments? Questions we will allow you to resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
