December 24, 2015

Celebrating at ICE!

Celebrating at ICE!

*This review is based strictly on my opinion. Others may have a different opinion or experience with the product listed above. I was provided the sample free of charge by the company or PR agency and I have given my honest opinion. No other type of compensation was received for this review.*

We recently had the opportunity to celebrate at Gaylord Palms ICE! We have been once before, but it was many years ago, and the boys didn’t even remember going. We surprised our kiddos with a quick trip to Orlando full of fun and celebration, including celebrating at ICE! We were celebrating good grades, and my oldest son’s art being showcased at a large local museum. However, the entire time we were there all I could think about is, how great it would be to celebrate a birthday or other event at Gaylord Palms. The entire resort is amazing, but their holiday displays are so amazing! A trip to ICE is nearly the same cost as a birthday party or event hosted at a bounce house or arcade, especially with a group rate discount.

We went during peak times, their busiest time of the day, the busiest day of the season, so the lines were insane…but, there is an optional Chill Pass that can be purchased for $10 per person. We waited in the line. The line moves fairly fast, and there is plenty to look at while you wait. There was a face painting and hair wrap station, a photo booth area, and even an Italian Ice booth in the Alpine Village, and the cartoon movie short, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas played on loop in the line prior to getting into the exhibit.

Once you enter ICE, the fun begins! It is kept at a frosty 9*, but, if you are like my family, you will be so amazed by the ICE you won’t mind the cold too much. However, I would definitely recommend shoes and socks, gloves, and even a hat. Hats and gloves would be great (and inexpensive) party favors for a birthday or winter party too! A company party would be fun at ICE as well.

The kids were so enthralled by the artisan cutting and chiseling the ice in the exhibit. Our family favorite was the crystal clear ice Nativity scene, it was just breathtakingly beautiful!

While you’re visiting Gaylord Palms resort, be sure to take advantage of the many other activities available too. There is an Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt, Cirque Dreams – an acrobatic show, and amazing decorations all over the grounds, all for free! And for just a little more, you can build a gingerbread house, tube down an “ice” track – Alpine Rush Snow Tubing, sit for photos with Santa, or even shop in the Alpine Village.

I am hoping to help my sister host my niece’s birthday party at ICE next December. And the best part, there is no after party clean up!

Many thanks to Gaylord Palms for inviting my family to enjoy ICE! and to my dear friend Kerrie for sharing some of her photos with me for this post. (My camera froze up inside ICE! and I wasn’t able to get any more photos)