Christmas came early this year at the Gaylord Palms Resort as they recently announced their holiday theme for the upcoming year! This year, for the first time ever, the beloved holiday film “A Christmas Story” will be recreated as a frozen, immersive attraction inside ICE!–the signature experience during Christmas at Gaylord Palms.

Taking place November 16, 2018 through January 6, 2019 with 52 days of fun, you can relive favorite scenes such as The Old Man’s Major Award, Aunt Clara’s pink nightmare and the ultimate triple dog dare at the school’s flagpole, and more!

What’s New for Christmas at Gaylord Palms

Santa’s official scout elves join guests for breakfast at Villa de Flora this year as part of The Elf on the Shelf® Character Breakfast. This character breakfast features a massive breakfast buffet and fun with elves greeting families each morning. (Come hungry – this buffet is one of my favorites in all of Central Florida.)

The new, dazzling light show Dreams of Christmas will make its debut this year featuring a new musical score and millions of dancing, choreographed lights surrounding the resort’s six-story Christmas tree during nightly shows.

If your room doesn’t overlook the atrium – don’t worry – you can still watch the show and have a great view, from anywhere inside the atrium. It is a beautiful way to celebrate the season.

More Christmas at Gaylord Palms Activities

You’ll also be able to enjoy many of the holiday favorites at this year’s Christmas at Gaylord Palms festivities.

The Cirque Dreams Unwrapped show is a huge hit with my family – featuring acrobatics and skilled performers bringing magic and Christmas fun to the stage throughout the holiday season. This is typically performed twice a day… and I won’t lie in telling you that my family loves it so much that we usually watch both performances. Acts rotate between performances, so each show is different — and fun!

The Reindeer Express Post Office returns this year allowing everyone to write their wishes on a postcard and sending it off to Santa via an interactive, immersive facility.

Over in the Everglades atrium, spend time admiring this year’s nine trees featured on the Christmas Tree Trail. Providing by Balsam Hill, the trees are decorated by Sparkle the Elf, Santa’s chief Christmas Tree Decorator with each tree representing one of Sparkle’s favorite things about Christmas – with one even honoring the Florida-themed resort.

Over in the festive Alpine Village, you can enjoy photos with Santa, great seasonal food and beverage options and plenty of shopping including the Build-A-Bear Workshop® and an amazing shop filled with Christmas decor, ICE! souvenirs and you can get some Christmas shopping done too.

The Gingerbread Decorating Corner returns, now located inside the brand-new Alpine Village Sweet Shop! Guests may select a gingerbread house or a themed cookie kit to enjoy a sticky and fun interactive experience, creating sweet souvenirs to take home. Be on the lookout for the fun gingerbread pair, Cinnamon and Nutmeg for toasty hugs and holiday photos.

Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions brings the First Lady of the North Pole back to Gaylord Palms as she leads a half-hour interactive show. Guests enjoy classic holiday stories and a sing-a-long, plus a delicious finale as the holiday hostess presents everyone with warm cookies and a glass of cold milk.

Santa’s Snow Throw puts real snow in the hands of guests as they show off their pitching prowess by tossing snowballs at a variety of interactive targets created by Santa’s Elves. Bragging rights go to those with the best aim!

And yes, there will plenty of Snow Tubing! My girls can’t get enough of snow tubing each year. They LOVE zooming down an eight-lane tubing hill covered in real snow.

Book Your Stay at the Gaylord Palms

Whether you decide to book an overnight package at the resort or visit for the day — there are some great savings for families.

One-night packages start at $250 plus tax, resort fee and parking. Packages include ICE! tickets for two (with the option to add additional adults or children) plus a souvenir family photo.

Overnight guests may also schedule a visit to ICE! during the daily hotel guest-exclusive Extra Cool Hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.  Visit ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com to book resort packages and secure tickets too.

For the Latest Gaylord Palms Christmas News

The ICE festivities take place at Gaylord Palms beginning November 16, 2018 through January 6, 2019. Learn more about the activities and fun, including resort packages and tickets at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com. 

For the latest news and information, be sure to like Gaylord Palms on Facebook and follow along on Twitter at @GaylordPalms.

** I am sharing this with you because I think it is newsworthy– and fun, that’s it! Thoughts and opinions here are my own. **