When I heard I would have the chance to attend a media event for ICE! I was super excited. I had seen ICE! a couple years ago and loved it. In a state where one never really gets to see snow and ice, it is nice see the beauty of it sometimes. Seeing ICE! gives all of us a chance to marvel at the creations of world famous ice artists from China. The award-winning ICE! attraction is carved by a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China. The talented artisans spend more than a month in Kissimmee/Orlando creating this one-of-a-kind attraction. Harbin is best known for its annual International Ice and Snow Festival.
The first thing you notice when you walk into Gaylord Palm Resort is that is fully dressed for Christmas. Beautifully decorated trees are every where you look. I checked in for the event and then was directed to the St. Augustine Atrium where I would be watching Luminescence. Luminescence is an amazing variety concert. Think Osborne Lights with aerial acrobats set to the tune of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. It was amazing!!
After the show I was directed to the ICE! preview. I was able to learn a bit about the Harbin Ice festival and how they made ICE! possible for Gaylord Palms. The resort provides you with a parka to wear if you don’t want to drag out yours. YOU WILL NEED a coat as it is 9 degrees in the ICE! exhibit. I am “Pooh-Sized” and fit in the coats provided wonderfully, so you don’t need to worry about them not having a coat that would fit you. After we picked up our coats, the fun began!!
When you first enter you take your picture in front of a green screen. When you exit the exhibit you have chance of buying the picture with the Frosty the Snowman ICE! scene in the picture background. After the picture you go through a tunnel, there are 2 tunnels to choose from. One is for kids and one is for adults. My kid-like hubby crawled through the kids for fun! At this point you begin walking through the story of Frosty the Snowman! The ice sculpted characters come to life. They move, they talk, and act out the story.
Part of the fun of ICE! is the ice slide. The tallest slide is over 2 stories tall. My husband went down the slide, he is “Pooh-sized” too, so it is made for all ages. You can go down the slide as many times as you want!
After you walk through Frosty the Snowman, you are brought into a room with a beautifully sculpted nativity scene. It is pretty breathtaking! My pictures don’t really do it justice. You have to see it for yourself. It is like looking at a crystal nativity set. The ice is so clear and the detail is amazing!! The side opposite the nativity scene is a beautiful tall angel.
All throughout the exhibit, the staff are around to help answer your questions and assist with family photos!
This year they added a whole new section to ICE! After seeing the nativity scene you are taken tot he workshop!! You are able to see the ice artists in action. I could of watched them all night, but at 9 degrees my fingers were a wee bit frozen and I was getting chilly. Don’t worry too much about getting cold. When you exit the exhibit there are tissues for you to use, plus you get some hot cocoa to enjoy courtesy of Dunkin’ Donuts!
Some fun ICE! facts:
Gaylord ice shows tart freezing 1 year in advance.
Design: 3 offices, 10 designers, 1500 hours, 6,000 sketches that didn’t make it
Total Carving time: 11,160 hours
36 Harbin Ice Carvers: 10 detail carvers, 24 builders, 2 electricians
2 million pounds of ice is used to create ICE!
On Site Gear: 1500 coats, 1,000 boxes of Kleenex
ICE! is definitely worth the price that it is. Here is a run down of prices and a coupon code for Florida residents. When I saw ICE! a couple years ago, I went because a Groupon was offered. I will be looking out for a Groupon and if one becomes available I will let you all know about it. Follow me on Facebook so you will know when it is posted, if it is.Children 3 and under are free. Prices don’t include sales tax. Order your tickets HERE. You will also need to pay parking.
ICE! runs November 23rd, 2013 until January 5th, 2014!!
General Admission
Advance Online Adult
$28.99
Advance Online Senior (ages 55+)
$26.99
Advance Online Child (ages 4 – 12)
$14.99
**Florida Residents – Save up to $4 per ticket. Enter Promotional Code FLR13 to save!**
(Florida Resident discount cannot be combined with any other offer or discount)
Disclaimer: I receive free promotional passes in exchange for promotion of this event. Regardless, all opinions are my own and truthful.