Family Vacation Idea: Icy in Orlando
Wednesday August 27, 2003
Cold, slippery times are coming, at the upscale Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando: nearly two million pounds of ice are shipping into sunny Florida, to be transformed into sculptures, ice slides, ice cave and more, from Nov. 25 2003 to Jan. 4th 2004. Guests get parkas!
Ice is Nice at Gaylord Palms Resort in Florida over Holidays
(this information is provided by Gaylord Palms Resort)
GAYLORD PALMS ANNOUNCES ‘ICE!’ – A FROZEN FAMILY ATTRACTION
Sunshine State Resort to Shape Nearly Two Million Pounds of Ice Into Orlando’s Newest – and Coolest – Holiday Experience KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center announced it will build a new holiday attraction made of nearly two million pounds of ice. The frozen family experience – appropriately titled “ICE!” – will give guests an opportunity to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive displays and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures.
“While the temperatures outside will be reaching the top of the thermometer, we’re creating the one place in Orlando where families can literally have a ‘cool yule,’” said John Caparella, general manager at Gaylord Palms. “In more ways than one, this will be the coolest attraction in town.”
The attraction – which will run from Nov. 25-Jan. 4 – will combine fantastic frozen creations, thrilling ice slides, dramatic lighting and special effects. “ICE!” is the highlight of the resort’s “Christmas at The Palms” festival, which features holiday activities for the entire family.
Visitors to “ICE!” will be given oversized parkas to stay comfortable inside the attraction. The enormous structure used to house “ICE!” – dubbed “The Florida Fridge” – is cooled to a chilly 9 degrees. The “Florida Fridge” is believed to be the first temporary-structure freezer of its kind used in North America. Upon entering, guests will see the final images of sunny Florida – swaying palm trees rendered in ice – before they meet a group of impish ice elves who bid them welcome.
Inside, guests will encounter fanciful holiday figures and scenes, including pirouetting ice-carved penguins and playful polar bears, the largest of which will weigh 17 tons. Many of the carvings and sculptures are more than 25 feet in length. Three fantastic ice slides will beckon the young and young at heart to travel through a thrilling and mysterious cave. Other areas will invite visitors to “chill out” and marvel at the craftsmanship.
ATTRACTION DETAILS
“ICE!” is separated into eight breathtaking handcrafted ICE environments:
The Grand Entrance: where guests are welcomed into this unbelievable world of “ICE!”
Santa's Workshop: with elves who are busy making toys for good girls and boys.
Mrs. Claus' Kitchen: brimming with Christmas delights.
“ICE!” Slides: fun, interactive features for children and adults.
Old Man Winter's Cave: houses incredible ice wonders.
“ICE” Forest: home to playful polar bears and penguins.
Cathedral of “ICE”: evokes impressions of majestic churches of old.
The Nativity: the awesome grand finale.
“ICE!” marks Gaylord Palms’ first ticketed attraction offered inside the resort’s 400,000-square-foot convention center. The attraction is inspired by the popular “Fantasy In Ice” attraction at “A Country Christmas,” Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center’s annual holiday festival in Nashville. Following a wildly successful two-year run in Nashville, the attraction will be seen for the first time at both resorts under the Gaylord Hotels banner.
“ICE!” will be open daily during the holiday season and will be accessible on the Exhibit Hall level at Gaylord Palms, which is located at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee. Special holiday packages and room reservations are available. For more information or reservations, call toll free (407) 586-2000.
About Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center has gained the attention of the meeting and convention industry by providing world-class convention and leisure-focused amenities – all in one place. The award-winning Gaylord Palms is a Gaylord Hotels-branded property owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordpalms.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.
‘ICE!’ By The Numbers
Nearly 2,000,000 - Pounds of ice it will take to create “ICE!”
Nearly 5,000 - Blocks of ice will be carved and transformed into a winter wonderland.
25 - Approximate number of days it will take to carve the ice into an elaborate holiday attraction.
112 - Independent sculptures contained within the 11 themed areas of the attraction.
0 - Chain saws used to carve the individual sculptures. The artisans prefer wood carving hand tools to sculpt each masterpiece. Power tools are used only to cut the large blocks of ice into manageable blocks and shapes for the artisans to stack.
9° - The average temperature inside “The Florida Fridge,” the enormous structure used to contain the attraction.
1,500+ - Lights that will be frozen within the ice. In addition, there will be approximately 400 theatrical lights exterior to the ice.
3 - Different types of ICE are used in the construction of the attraction…
: clear “glass-like” crystal ice makes up 80 percent of the attraction’s sculptures; “White ice” blocks are more like compacted snow; colored ice, which is dyed brilliant colors for highlighting and accenting the remaining 5 percent of the sculptures. Snow is also used as a landscaping feature, as well as “blown” ice used to frost displays.
18,000 - The total square footage of the “Florida Fridge,” the unique structure that contains the attraction. It is believed to be the first of its kind in North America. But don’t worry, everyone is given a parka to wear while exploring this incredible attraction.
41 – Days there are to visit this famous attraction before it melts away. The attraction runs from Nov. 25-Jan. 4.
1 - The number of other destinations in the United States that are as cool as ‘ICE!’ Sister property Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville originated the concept in 2001, where “Fantasy In Ice” has enjoyed a wildly popular two-year run.
Ice is Nice at Gaylord Palms Resort in Florida over Holidays
(this information is provided by Gaylord Palms Resort)
GAYLORD PALMS ANNOUNCES ‘ICE!’ – A FROZEN FAMILY ATTRACTION
Sunshine State Resort to Shape Nearly Two Million Pounds of Ice Into Orlando’s Newest – and Coolest – Holiday Experience KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center announced it will build a new holiday attraction made of nearly two million pounds of ice. The frozen family experience – appropriately titled “ICE!” – will give guests an opportunity to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive displays and larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments and sculptures.
“While the temperatures outside will be reaching the top of the thermometer, we’re creating the one place in Orlando where families can literally have a ‘cool yule,’” said John Caparella, general manager at Gaylord Palms. “In more ways than one, this will be the coolest attraction in town.”
The attraction – which will run from Nov. 25-Jan. 4 – will combine fantastic frozen creations, thrilling ice slides, dramatic lighting and special effects. “ICE!” is the highlight of the resort’s “Christmas at The Palms” festival, which features holiday activities for the entire family.
Visitors to “ICE!” will be given oversized parkas to stay comfortable inside the attraction. The enormous structure used to house “ICE!” – dubbed “The Florida Fridge” – is cooled to a chilly 9 degrees. The “Florida Fridge” is believed to be the first temporary-structure freezer of its kind used in North America. Upon entering, guests will see the final images of sunny Florida – swaying palm trees rendered in ice – before they meet a group of impish ice elves who bid them welcome.
Inside, guests will encounter fanciful holiday figures and scenes, including pirouetting ice-carved penguins and playful polar bears, the largest of which will weigh 17 tons. Many of the carvings and sculptures are more than 25 feet in length. Three fantastic ice slides will beckon the young and young at heart to travel through a thrilling and mysterious cave. Other areas will invite visitors to “chill out” and marvel at the craftsmanship.
ATTRACTION DETAILS
“ICE!” is separated into eight breathtaking handcrafted ICE environments:
The Grand Entrance: where guests are welcomed into this unbelievable world of “ICE!”
Santa's Workshop: with elves who are busy making toys for good girls and boys.
Mrs. Claus' Kitchen: brimming with Christmas delights.
“ICE!” Slides: fun, interactive features for children and adults.
Old Man Winter's Cave: houses incredible ice wonders.
“ICE” Forest: home to playful polar bears and penguins.
Cathedral of “ICE”: evokes impressions of majestic churches of old.
The Nativity: the awesome grand finale.
“ICE!” marks Gaylord Palms’ first ticketed attraction offered inside the resort’s 400,000-square-foot convention center. The attraction is inspired by the popular “Fantasy In Ice” attraction at “A Country Christmas,” Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center’s annual holiday festival in Nashville. Following a wildly successful two-year run in Nashville, the attraction will be seen for the first time at both resorts under the Gaylord Hotels banner.
“ICE!” will be open daily during the holiday season and will be accessible on the Exhibit Hall level at Gaylord Palms, which is located at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee. Special holiday packages and room reservations are available. For more information or reservations, call toll free (407) 586-2000.
About Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center has gained the attention of the meeting and convention industry by providing world-class convention and leisure-focused amenities – all in one place. The award-winning Gaylord Palms is a Gaylord Hotels-branded property owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordpalms.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.
‘ICE!’ By The Numbers
Nearly 2,000,000 - Pounds of ice it will take to create “ICE!”
Nearly 5,000 - Blocks of ice will be carved and transformed into a winter wonderland.
25 - Approximate number of days it will take to carve the ice into an elaborate holiday attraction.
112 - Independent sculptures contained within the 11 themed areas of the attraction.
0 - Chain saws used to carve the individual sculptures. The artisans prefer wood carving hand tools to sculpt each masterpiece. Power tools are used only to cut the large blocks of ice into manageable blocks and shapes for the artisans to stack.
9° - The average temperature inside “The Florida Fridge,” the enormous structure used to contain the attraction.
1,500+ - Lights that will be frozen within the ice. In addition, there will be approximately 400 theatrical lights exterior to the ice.
3 - Different types of ICE are used in the construction of the attraction…
: clear “glass-like” crystal ice makes up 80 percent of the attraction’s sculptures; “White ice” blocks are more like compacted snow; colored ice, which is dyed brilliant colors for highlighting and accenting the remaining 5 percent of the sculptures. Snow is also used as a landscaping feature, as well as “blown” ice used to frost displays.
18,000 - The total square footage of the “Florida Fridge,” the unique structure that contains the attraction. It is believed to be the first of its kind in North America. But don’t worry, everyone is given a parka to wear while exploring this incredible attraction.
41 – Days there are to visit this famous attraction before it melts away. The attraction runs from Nov. 25-Jan. 4.
1 - The number of other destinations in the United States that are as cool as ‘ICE!’ Sister property Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville originated the concept in 2001, where “Fantasy In Ice” has enjoyed a wildly popular two-year run.
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