A the heart of every family tradition is a meaning experience. The holidays are wrapped in traditions that I hope live with kids in their memory for years to come and might even be taken into the next generation. I feel like many of our traditions began once we had our son. Memories of “the first time” we did things as a family always make me smile. Now that our kids are older, I know which experiences they look forward to each year. They get so excited once they find out the date and start to reminisce of last years experience. Christmas at Gaylord Palms has become one of our most cherished traditions and we look forward to it each year.
This is not just one experience. There are so many things to do and see while you are there for a night or even a weekend! Here’s what you’ll need to know if you plan on attending for an evening of holiday magic! We love this tradidtion each year as new experiences are added and we cherrish our memories of years past too!
Tip: Before you go, purchase your tickets for ICE! as they can sell out nightly.
So Much Christmas at Gaylord Palms has been a family tradition for 8 years!
3:00pm: Arrive! Check in! Welcome to Christmas at the Gaylord Palms Resort!
I recommend arriving early to enjoy the resort. Explore the resort. Each year they have a scavenger hunt that takes place in the main atrium. This year, have your eyes peeled for the Elf on the Shelf elves placed throughout! Find them and submit your form for a special prize! This is always on of the kids’ favorite activities!
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas at Gaylord Palms, discover a brand-new experience this year as the Merry Snoopy Scavenger Hunt debuts! Set inside the Everglades & St.Augustine Atriums, this fun experience will have you exploring the beautifully decorated resort. Guests can explore at their leisure, admiring the décor while learning about international holiday celebrations.
Tip: If you are staying the weekend with a Christmas package, arrive early to swim (their pool is awesome and one of the best in Orlando – and yes it should be warm enough) or check into your amazing room- maybe overlooking the atrium with the Christmas tree!!
Cost: Purchase the Christmas at Gaylord Palms Package and save money as it includes tickets to ICE! and a photo with Santa for the family! Details are here:
CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD PALMS PACKAGE
Valid from November 21, 2023 through January 3 2023
Package Price varies based on occupancy and duration.
Tip: Ask about AAA membership discounts or Marriott Rewards discounts.
Marriott Rewards Exclusive Offers
Marriott Rewards Member Offer — Discount on ICE! Tickets
Click here for more information on the Marriott Rewards Member Offer.
Tip: For the evening events, bring the whole family dressed in holiday clothes and use the amazing props for a beautiful family picture! So many scenes to choose from in the hotel, one is bound to be a perfect family photo opportunity for the Christmas card. Santa is also available daily for pictures in Alpine Village if you’d like to get that checked off your holiday traditions list too!
Cost: No sitting fee to tell Santa you’ve been good this year. Picture packages start at $30 for two 5×7 pictures.
Additionally, in Alpine Village, which opens typically opens 9am to 6pm daily (but times vary by day through out the season) stop by and decorate Gingerbread House or a cookie family (additional costs do apply)! Decorate away and don’t forget to get your picture taken with the Gingerbread Man or Jack Frost too!
Cost: Cookie Family Kit $22.99 or Gingerbread House $29.99
Tip: Save money if you are staying overnight be booking a package! Or ear at Wreckers and have them validate your self-parking ticket with a receipt of over $25 (for self-park).
6:00pm: #LIT Light Show and Cirque: Spirit of Christmas Shows
Arrive early and you’ll marvel at the decor, especially the most Majestic Christmas tree in the middle of the St. Augustine Atrium. Standing 54 feet tall, it’s a magnificent sight to see and totally gets is in the Christmas spirit as soon as we see it. Nightly, you’ll want to be in the Atrium for the lighting of the tree and take in the #LIT Light Show and also the Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show (make reservations for seating here)! With lights galore, you’ll instantly be in the spirit! Gaylord Palms’ dazzling atrium becomes even more merry and bright during #LIT, will feature an exclusive holiday musical score along with millions of dancing, choreographed lights during the 12-minute nightly shows that illuminate the resort’s atrium.
Cost: RESERVED seating is recommended.
Tip: Come just for an evening by only paying for self- parking or valet. Cone early to get a sweet holiday treat from the coffee shop before you sit down, or have dinner at the hotel before the festivities begin. Don’t forget to get a picture with Santa!
Gaylord Palms & Santa
6:30pm: Cirque Dreams UnWrapped Stage Show
Gaylord Palms welcomes back an exciting, new season of Cirque: Spirit of Christmas reimagined by Broadway director and renowned Cirque Dreams founder Neil Goldberg. Never-before-seen acts, artistry and costumes set in a magical and timeless wonderland bring this new high-flying adventure for the entire family onto the atrium stage. This latest Cirque: Spirit of Christmas spectacle is a thrilling 25-minute, action-packed experience of amazement, theatricality and imagination that will have guests on the edge of their seats. Reserved seats will be available on a first come-first purchased basis, and recommended to be purchased in advance. There will also be a matinee preformance during some days (see hotel schedule upon arrival.)
Cost: 4.99+ based on day and time.
Tip: Arrive EARLY (or purchase a reserved seat).
7:00pm ICE! Featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” & Snow Flow Mountain Snow Tubing at Alpine Village
I had to see it to believe it. Think Christmas morning in Alaska. 9 degrees. A little chilly, right?! What exactly is it? The ICE! experience is two million pounds of hand-carved ice on display for all to see. A new theme is chosen for ICE! each year. This year, the theme is ” A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Beautiful ice sculptures are inside this winter wonderland where you’ll walk through admiring their beauty. Four two-story ice slides are also inside! Typically, people walk through for 30-60 minutes. Lots of photo opportunities. My favorite scene is the last one: the Nativity scene carved from crystal clear ice. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Attire: Blue Parkas for all ages, including children and infants, are provided. Bring hats, scarfs and mittens. Boots aren’t necessary, but close toed shoes are required.
Upon your exit out of the ICE! experience, you’ll see the Snow Flow Mountain fun! This is a separate price (and up grading is available- see below.) This was my kids’ favorite part! Grab a tube, walk up the slide and slide down until your heart is content. It feels just like snow tubing down a real hill up north! Double check the height requirement before purchasing!
Tip: If you, the adult, won’t be riding the snow tube, just buy that ticket for your child. You can still go in and take pictures. But it is fun, so be a kid again and buy that ticket for yourself. Your kids will love it!
Don’t leave without a keepsake!
The all-new Build-A-Bear Workshop® allows guests choose from all kinds of furry friends to bring home. Find them in the Alpine Village right after you exit ICE!
Is it worth it? What’s my option for best pricing?
Yes, yes, YES! We LOVE this event and you will too! Sometimes Groupons or Living Social will have a deal and as it gets later in the season, new deals pop up for BOGO tickets to ICE! too!. For those that have gone before, they will swipe up the offer immediately because it does save money.
Consider staying a night! Take advantage of a one night stay that would include tickets to ICE! + the hotel’s amenities and pool are so much fun, that this would be a special weekend! Even for one night, with the whole family, we feel what we experience is well worth the cost of this tradition.
We love our tradition of Gaylord Palms and we look forward to it each year!
Then… 10 years ago… our first trip. Abby couldn’t even walk!
Then…
Now:
So Much Christmas at Gaylord Palms
Read my full reviews on the Gaylord Palms on Trekaroo! Or my Tampa Mama Loves post too!
Disclosure: I was hosted with tickets for the ICE event by Gaylord Palms for 2023 for my family. All opinions are my own. However, I will be visiting again…every year… from here until eternity. It has truly become a family tradition in our house.