🧊 ICE! at Gaylord Palms: Watch 360° cam footage & Slide into Rudolph-themed winter wonderland

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Each holiday season, Gaylord Palms transforms thousands of pounds of frozen water into an immersive walk-through exhibition — and this year’s ICE! is bigger, brighter and more interactive than ever.

Now through Jan. 7 the resort will showcase a brand-new Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer show that has been fully redesigned for visitors to enjoy.

“We bring in over 2 million pounds of ice and carve it into iconic scenes from the classic Christmas movie,” said Megan Hash, director of special events and entertainment for Gaylord Palms. “This year’s show at Gaylord Palms is new — even guests who’ve visited before will see scenes they haven’t seen here.”

The scale of the installation is impressive: more than 7,000 blocks of ice arrive from partner facilities across the country.

Expert artisans begin carving at the end of September and spend roughly 30–40 days sculpting every detail by hand. The exhibit space is kept at about nine degrees to preserve the sculptures, and Gaylord works with chemists who prepare custom color mixes so each scene stays vivid and bright through the season.

Lighting and design play a major role in bringing the story to life. Some effects are embedded inside the ice, while others illuminate scenes from outside the sculptures, creating depth and motion — like chasing light effects that mimic on-screen action.

While most figures are carved from colored or clear ice (including many of the Rudolph figures), selective non-ice props are used to enhance storytelling and guest interaction.

Interactivity is a highlight of the experience. Thrill-seekers can zoom down pure-ice slides that reach approximately 20 feet high — some near two stories — for a fast, family-friendly rush of winter fun right in the heart of Florida.

In addition, several interactive photo stations are scattered throughout the exhibit, offering perfect backdrops for playful poses with life-size ice characters, and social-media-ready snaps.

Tickets and more information are available at ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com . Whether you go for the craftsmanship, the thrills or the perfect holiday photo, ICE! at Gaylord Palms promises a cool escape and a warm dose of seasonal cheer.