In Florida, you don’t ever think about wearing a parka. But, there is one place you will need it, because believe me when I heard 9 degrees, I didn’t believe it until I felt it! Gaylord Palms Resort is hosting ICE, Shrek the Halls this holiday through January 2nd, and baby, it’s cold inside!
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, where more than 2,000 sculptors annually carve a 100-acre walk-through ice park, using ice from the nearby Songhua River.
After a quick video introduction of the making of the exhibit, and a story line video, you are lead to the parka area. You are more than welcome to bring your own hats, gloves, coats, and sweaters, but thankfully if you’re not prepared, the parkas come in handy! Bright blue, nearly floor-length for me, I climbed into it eagerly as the closer we got to the exhibit the air became cooler.
It’s hard to believe it was in the 70’s outside and here we are shivering and trying to keep our fingers warm enough to snap a photograph! The sculptures were spectacular, the amazing detail on Shrek and all the characters you love from the movies are brought to life in the most frozen way!
You are mesmorized by the lighting and the brilliant colors that have been dyed into the ice to create each and every sculpture. The talent is awe-inspiring and the holiday touches are heart warming to even those unfamiliar with the Shrek story (if possible!).
Probably the biggest hit for the kids (and adults alike) is the 30 foot ice slides that will get your bottom cold and possibly wet, so be prepared! Here’s one of our valiant sliders in our group, I would not do it because I think my legs were numb by this point. 
The exhibit is over 4 acres worth of magnificence. It’ll take you 20-30 minutes to see it all and by then you’ll be ready to head out and look for that cup of cocoa at the nearby cafe (free with a Foursquare check-in!).
If you’re in the Kissimmee area and want to get a real dose of winter weather and amazing artwork, bring the family to check out ICE!
Our tickets were hosted thanks to the Kissimmee CVB, opinions are my own.
Look like you guys had so much fun. I’m enjoying reading all the posts.
That looks like a fun place! I don’t like the cold, but I would go there for sure!
This looks like so much fun! My daughter would love this!!
How cute! This looks like a fun way to get into the holiday spirit even when it’s warm out!
Although I was freezing my little tush off, I really enjoyed looking at all that talent!
looks awesome!
SO FUN
That looks like such an amazing and fun exhibit! I love the ice slides too. Not sure that I would do them either but they do look fun.
How fun! I’m not sure that coming from the north I’d want to see much ice in Florida 😉 But who could stay away from such a unique place?!