Fast Facts
- Location: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee, Florida
- The Paperwork: Official 2026 Seasonal Announcement
- Status: Scheduled for November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027
- Verified By: Managing Editor
OPEN Brief: The iconic 2026 return of ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center brings Warner Bros. The Polar Express to Central Florida from November 13, 2026 through January 3, 2027. Guests can experience a frozen 20,000-square-foot walkthrough created from two million pounds of ice alongside an expansive matrix of interactive holiday add-on attractions.
Behind the Frozen Blueprints and Insider Touring Hacks
Central Florida winter entertainment hits a sub-freezing benchmark with the official return of ICE! featuring Warner Bros. The Polar Express at Gaylord Palms Resort. Sculpted from more than 6,000 massive blocks of clear, white, and custom-dyed colored ice, the attraction requires 40 master artisans traveling over 6,000 miles from Harbin, China. Having personally experienced ICE! across multiple seasons, I can tell you that the sheer talent of these sculptors is mind-blowing. Seeing scenes like the two-story locomotive teetering on Glacier Gulch and the animated Hot Chocolate car carved out of solid ice is something every theme park enthusiast and family should experience at least once.
Surviving the 9 degrees Fahrenheit microclimate requires strict personal preparation. While Gaylord Palms provides every guest with a calf-length blue parka upon entry, it is nowhere near enough to keep you warm on its own. Long pants, heavy socks, closed-toe shoes, insulated gloves, and a winter hat are absolute mandatory gear. Your nose and ears will freeze first in the sub-zero air. Fortunately, the exit path empties directly near Snowy’s Snack Shack, where you can grab a steaming cup of hot cocoa to thaw out immediately after exiting the ice cavern.
To help you navigate every experience across the Alpine Village ecosystem, we have mapped out the full breakdown of individual ticket pricing and specialized add-ons available via the official ticketing portal.
| Attraction / Add-On Activity | Operational Dates | Starting Price (USD) | Key Experience Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICE! featuring The Polar Express™ | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Varies by Date / Tier | Walkthrough 9°F ice exhibit, 5 ice slides, Nativity scene |
| Snow Flow Mountain Ice Tubing | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $28.22 (Costco: $0.00) | High-speed indoor snow tubing on real frozen ice lanes |
| POMP, SNOW, and CIRQUEumstance | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Elite $27.22 | Prem $19.22 | Std $15.22 | Broadway-style holiday cirque show with aerial acrobatics |
| Gingerbread Decorating Corner | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $32.99 | Edible gingerbread craft station with Nutmeg mascot meet and greet |
| Elf Training Academy | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $19.99 | Interactive hands-on holiday craft workshop for children |
| Christmas Carousel (New for 2026) | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $17.22 | Classic holiday carousel featuring hand-painted seasonal figures |
| Snowball Build and Blast | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $14.99 | Real snow snowball crafting and interactive target launching |
| Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $14.99 (Costco: $0.00) | Resort-wide interactive atrium exploration challenge |
| Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $14.99 | Storytelling, holiday caroling, and fresh milk and cookies |
| The Greatest Story Stage Show | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | $13.99 (Guaranteed Seating) | Multicultural musical stage retelling of the nativity story |
| Photos with Santa | Nov 13, 2026 – Dec 24, 2026 | $99.99 (Photo Package) | Professional keepsake photo encounter with St. Nick |
| Naughty or Nice Escape Room | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Varies by Group Size | Interactive puzzle challenge set inside Santa’s North Pole office |
Maximizing Your Alpine Village Experience: Add-Ons and Resort Stay Strategy
Because Gaylord Palms packs dozens of distinct experiences across its 4.5-acre atrium and Alpine Village, single ticket purchases can stack up quickly. The smart play for day visitors is utilizing the resort’s Play and Save Pass tiers. Bundling your preferred attractions together unlocks direct savings of up to 40 percent compared to a la carte pricing.
| Bundle Pass Tier | Total Activities Included | Specific Included Experience Package | Value Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Pass | 3 Major Activities | ICE! Admission, Snow Flow Mountain Tubing, Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt | Save up to 20% |
| Gold Pass | 5 Major Activities | ICE!, Snow Tubing, Scavenger Hunt, Gingerbread Decorating, Mrs. Claus’ Traditions | Save up to 30% |
| Ultimate Pass | 8 Major Activities | ICE!, Snow Tubing, Scavenger Hunt, Snowball Blast, Gingerbread, Cirque Show, Mrs. Claus, Christmas Carousel | Save up to 40% |
If you genuinely want to experience everything Christmas at Gaylord Palms has to offer without feeling rushed, booking an overnight resort stay is a game-changer. Gaylord Palms is not your typical Central Florida resort, featuring massive glass enclosed indoor gardens, exclusive dining, and the complimentary nightly #LIT Light Show. Reviewing the available Gaylord Palms hotel packages and offers unlocks bundled stay options that include guaranteed ICE! tickets, atrium-view balcony upgrades, and Marriott Bonvoy member discounts of up to 15 percent.
Most importantly, overnight hotel guests receive crucial operational perks: the Chill Pass for expedited front-of-the-line queue access at ICE!, alongside Extra Cool Hour access, granting hotel guests early entry into Alpine Village attractions one full hour before general public day-pass holders arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What winter clothing should I bring for ICE at Gaylord Palms?
Gaylord Palms Resort provides a signature parka, but guests must bring long pants, closed-toe shoes, hats, and warm gloves to comfortably endure the 9 degrees Fahrenheit temperature.
How can I save money on tickets for Gaylord Palms holiday add-ons?
Gaylord Palms offers Play and Save Activity Bundles (Silver, Gold, and Ultimate Passes) that reduce overall attraction costs by up to 40 percent when purchased together online.
Looking Ahead
Advance digital reservations for ICE! featuring The Polar Express and all Alpine Village add-ons are live, with prime peak weekend dates and Thanksgiving through Christmas week slots expected to sell out rapidly. Travelers planning to stay on property should lock in their resort reservations early to secure VIP Chill Pass privileges and atrium-view rooms overlooking the holiday light displays.
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