Special from the Editor

Parkas in Orlando?

In just over an hour you can leave 80 degrees in Tampa and step into 9 degrees of icy cold fun that requires a parka, gloves, hat and a scarf.

Each year, the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando turns part of its convention center into an incredible display of carved ice. Two million pounds of festively carved ice, that is, to create the attraction known as ICE!

Part of the fun is getting all bundled up because unless you go far, far away in winter, you have no reason to break the hats and scarves out of their storage boxes. ICE! provides everyone of any size a shiny blue parka for their time inside the sealed space that contains this spectacular simulated winter environment.

This year a new waiting line system has been created to reduce time spent standing in line. Visitors are free to visit Santa Claus, watch the model trains or admire the beautiful decorations until it’s their time.

Once inside, you’re immediately surrounded by seals, walruses, Eskimos and penguins, intricately carved to detail. Kids loved the ice carousel and we stopped to take some really fun pictures and wave to the webcam that transmits to www.ChristmasinOrlando.com.

The giant Santa Claus was an interesting photo op, but the immense lighted Nativity Scene stole the show for me. At the end of our icy journey were four ice slides that made everyone laugh. The trick to gaining speed is to lean back on your tailbone and raise your feet.

Fortunately the earlier days of the attraction aren’t as crowded and so we had short lines for the slides and we stayed until we were just too cold to go on. That’s where the free hot cocoa comes in handy. We sipped it to warm up while we enjoyed a live stage show in the hotel’s atrium. Everyone could feel the spirit and it made us want to go home and put up our tree.

The hotel also offers a gnome hunt which challenges players to follow the clues to find all the hidden gnomes. Several restaurants are in the hotel to make a full day out of your visit. We were able to go there and back in a day and really enjoyed our time.

For those who want to make a bigger stay out of it, the Gaylord Palms offers some fabulous package rates including free tickets for accompanying grandparents. Go to their website to see details.

ICE! is open daily from November 14, 2009 - January 3, 2010, including holidays.
For the lowest ticket prices, purchase your tickets in advance, online! For more information, or to purchase your tickets by phone, please call (407) 586-4423.

MPORTANT: ICE! is kept at a frigid 9° Fahrenheit (-13° Celsius). Be sure to dress appropriately: closed-toe shoes and long pants are required. Hooded winter coats are provided for your warmth and comfort inside the attraction and are available in a variety of sizes, including sizes for children. Hats and gloves are strongly recommended and may be purchased on site at the ICE! House gift shop.