ICE! at Gaylord Palms 2013 to feature Frosty the Snowman

[UPDATE 11/24: See video of ICE! 2013 here]

Frosty the Snowman makes his way to Orlando

This year, ICE! at the Gaylord Palms will feature a classic theme that I’m really excited about. Frosty the Snowman, with his button nose and eyes made out of coal, will take center stage at the 2013 ICE! display.

 I first experienced ICE! in 2011 when Shrek and his friends were there. Last year Madagascar characters were part of the fun. While both of those themes were unique, cheerful and vibrantly colored, I am definitely most excited to see a more classic holiday theme. Though any age could enjoy the displays, Shrek and Madagascar felt aimed toward a younger audience. Frosty the Snowman seems freezing-ly perfect for all ages. My mom grew up knowing and singing about Frosty and so did I. It will be fun for families to experience such a traditional story together, each having their own connection to it. Though featuring this snow-colored character, ICE! still promises a ‘colorfully frozen retelling’ of the classic Christmas tale through more ‘than 2 million pounds of hand-carved vibrant ice sculptures’. Frosty will feel right at home in the 9 degree atmosphere! For everyone else, oversized parkas are provided. As always the exhibit ends with the Reason for the Season: a traditional nativity scene in ice

New to ICE! in 2013 is the Frostbite Factory which will feature Artisans in Action, a live ice-carving zone. One of the artists behind the exhibit, an ice carver from Harbin, China, home of the International Ice and Snow Festival, will create sculptures right before guests’ eyes. The whole team behind ICE! is made up of 40 artists from Harbin who carve for over a month to make the exhibit as we see it. A total of 6,000, 400 pound blocks of colored and clear ice are shaved and sliced!

At an additional cost, guests can decorate gingerbread cookies and snap a photo with Gingy from Shrek. I fangirled over the gumdrop button guy last year. When I head to ICE! I also like to walk around the resort to see the big Christmas tree and all the pretty decorations. Special Christmas packages are available with unlimited access to ICE!.

More Info on ICE! at the Gaylord Palms

ICE! is open daily from Nov. 23, 2013 to Jan. 5, 2014, including holidays. Ticket prices start at $16.99. For more information and to purchase tickets, go to ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com.

In the past, there has been a discounted day when proceeds benefit Give Kids the World. Hopefully there will be one again this year.

Gaylord Palms Resort is located five minutes from the gates of Walt Disney World at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee, FL 34746.

This video is from the Madagascar themed ICE! exhibit of 2012.