Christmas at Gaylord Palms – A Whole Season of Wintery Family Fun in 2023!
While it might not receive the same publicity as Disney or Universal’s holiday events, Gaylord Palms has made a name for itself as one of the best Christmas events in Orlando. From twinkling lights to hours of family fun, the resort becomes a winter playground from mid-November until New Year. IF you’re looking to further enhance your holiday traditions, taking part in the Gaylor Palms Christmas celebrations is an excellent way to do that.
Let’s slide into a sampling of the amazing events you’ll want to add to your holiday agenda!
Setting the Christmas Scene at Gaylord Palms
The Gaylord Palms Christmas 2023 festivities will begin on November 17th and continue on through January 3rd, 2023. During that time, the Gaylord Palms Resort will resemble the North Pole more than sunny Florida!
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The first thing you’ll notice when you arrive at Gaylord Palms is the breathtaking decorations scattered throughout the property. More than 2 million Christmas lights will be twinkling across several acres of property, illuminating the night with shining, shimmering beauty.
Meander down the show-stopping Christmas Tree Trail, featuring elaborately decorated holiday trees in a massive 4.5-acre atrium. Chat with your family, pick your favorites, and be sure to stop for a selfie or two! Before you head on your way, be sure to admire the staggeringly tall 60-foot Christmas tree!
The best part? This Christmas event is complimentary, so you can just show up and enjoy whenever you like!
Snow Tubing Down Snow Flow Mountain
Enter the Snow Factory (inspired by Santa’s workshop), a mechanized snowy play place full of adventures sure to get your heart racing. The factory’s conveyor belts have been frozen solid, making them the perfect place to slide along on an inner tube. Careen down a thrilling plummet slide and try not to scream with glee! Then head to the hilly ice coaster. You won’t be able to stop yourself from smiling as you zip through the air.
Snowball Build & Blast
The Snow Factory needs your help to stay up and running! Craft real snowballs right inside the Snow Factory, then pelt them at the snow-making machines to boost their power and earn points. It’s not often you get such a perfect opportunity for target practice, so take this chance to work on your aim in preparation for your next snowball fight. Your opponents won’t know what hit ‘em!
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
Ever wished you could meet a real-life gingerbread man? Stop by the Gingerbread Decorating Center for a sweet meet-and-greet with Nutmeg, a life-sized gingerbread man!
While you’re there, stop and make some edible art in the form of your very own gingerbread house or gingerbread Christmas cookie. Let your creativity run wild with the Christmas spirit as you make it your own. The best part of any gingerbread creation is that each one is unique, just like you!
Photos with Santa
Writing a letter to Santa and mailing it to the North Pole is great, but there’s nothing like meeting your hero in the flesh. Step right up and say hello to the big man in charge, then hop on his lap so you can capture the moment with a keepsake photo.
We know photos with Santa are normally reserved for the kiddos, but we think adults deserve to get in on the fun (and get in touch with their inner child), too! Don’t be shy. Step right up and ask Santa for whatever your heart desires, whether it’s a new toy or a shiny new Range Rover. (We still suggest mailing a letter to the North Pole, too. It can’t hurt!)
Elf Training Academy
Santa’s elves have the perfect job. They get to make toys for children, eat sweet treats whenever they want, and have the best boss in the world. Learn about your dream gig at the Elf Workshop, where Santa’s top toymaker will let you in on all the secrets of becoming one of Santa’s elves.
While you’re there, you’ll be coached through creating a keepsake gift or craft to give to someone special. Think of it as a practice run for when you start your job at the North Pole.
Further toy making can take place at the on-site Build-a-Bear workshop, where you can adopt and stuff your very own cat, dog, or Pokemon!
Ice, Ice, Baby!
Of course, the biggest draw to Gaylord Palms’ Christmas Event is ICE! Kept at a frigid 9 degrees Fahrenheit and carved from 2 million pounds of ice, you can experience A Charlie Brown Christmas like never before! Each life-sized ice sculpture is brightly colored, just like Charles Schulz’s original illustrations. Even more impressive is knowing each character, from Woodstock to Snoopy, was carved by hand!
Catch a Show to Get You in the Holiday Spirit
The Gaylord Palms resort is the perfect place to catch a once-in-a-lifetime holiday show that you’ll never forget.
Cirque: The Spirit of Christmas
Cirque du Soleil’s trademark splendor now has a holiday twist. Watch the world’s most talented dancers and performers twist and turn on stage, paying homage to the greatest season of the year.
#LIT Light Show
The #LIT Light Show is bringing some major pep to the holiday season! Watch as thousands of dazzling lights dance along to an energetic seasonal soundtrack, culminating in the lighting of a Christmas tree that magically transforms into a glowing, gleaming holiday spectacle. This is going to be lit!
The Greatest Story Stage Show
Watch as six international storytellers recount the miraculous birth and life of Jesus Christ in a musical stage show, sharing the greatest story ever told about hope, faith, redemption, and love.
First-come, first-served seating for The Greatest Story Stage Show is complimentary, but guaranteed seating can be purchased in advance.
Naughty or Nice Escape Room
Jack Frost is a notorious trickster, and this year, he’s added your name to the naughty list. (His idea of a funny joke, apparently.) However, if you can sneak in and out of St. Nick’s office without being caught, you can put your name back where it belongs! Solve puzzles and riddles to set things right in this festive escape room!
Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions
You’ll feel like one of Santa’s nearest and dearest as you listen to Mrs. Claus’ retelling of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas. Join her in singing along to classic holiday songs as you savor a warm Christmas cookie fresh from the oven and wash it down with a cold glass of milk.
Merry Snoopy Christmas Scavenger Hunt
New to the activity lineup this year is a stupendous Snoopy scavenger hunt! Help Snoopy find decorations for his dog house as you explore 4.5-acre garden atrium. Follow the clues, and with a keen eye, you’ll be able to find everything he needs – and earn yourself a seasonal souvenir!
Gaylord Palms is always an ideal destination for family fun around the holidays, and this year they’re certainly kicking it up a notch. We recommend making a night of it – book a show, grab tickets to a handful of essential Christmas activities, and arrive early enough to wander the resort grounds and enjoy the opulent Christmas decorations. We can’t think of a better place to get into the Christmas spirit!
What winter activity are you looking forward to this year? Let us know in the comments below!
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Featured photo: Jared via Flickr
