ICE!

     Welcome to a new Florida Christmas tradition!  Every year Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, hosts ICE!, a collection of ice sculptures.  Under a tent, where it’s kept nine degrees, we strolled through room after room, seeing Santa, polar bears, penguins, and an ice bridge, among many other sculptures.  Gaylord Palms brings in a team of ice sculptors from Harbin, China.  The colors are vivid, the clear ice is crystal, and the atmosphere is joyous.  If you’re within a day’s drive we recommend ICE!  If you’re further, you can spend the night at Gaylord Palms or one of many other hotels in the area.  Once you’ve enjoyed the collection of sculptures, there’s a gift shop for browsing, and the resort to see.  Each visitor gets a coupon for a free hot chocolate.  Within the indoor gardens there are themed areas, such as Key West or the Everglades, and even an area with live alligators.  Each theme has its own collection of shops and restaurants.  We especially enjoy the ship in Key West where you can enjoy lunch or dinner.  A stroll through the festive gardens is a delightful way to spend some time, relax and celebrate the season.  Tickets are priced at a range from $9.99 for children (4 – 12), $16.99 to $21.99 for seniors (55+), and $19.99 to $24.99 for adults, depending on which day you go.  Parkas are provided free of charge in a wide range of sizes.  Room rates at the Gaylord Palms Resort range from $179 to $259 per night for two adults depending on the location, in early January.  Time of year will have an impact on these prices.  The more expensive rooms have balconies with views of the atrium.  They have a pool and many other amenities.  We highly recommend ICE! as a great way to spend the day.  http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/

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