Hosted: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center "SO. MUCH. CHRISTMAS." Holiday Event
Are you looking for Christmas magic your entire family can enjoy this holiday season? Well, look no further than Christmas at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida! They have cranked up the Christmas magic to unimaginable levels that will leave your jaw dropped! The best part? The return of ICE! for the first time since 2019! Below you can find information on the holiday event as including all ticketed and complimentary holiday activities offered during it!
We were beyond appreciative of our #hosted two night stay on property and honestly, could have spent another two days to fully enjoy every bit of the event! The amount of thought, care and DETAIL put into each and every activity we participated in was truly mind-blowing! The event is highly interactive and immaculately displayed. If you are a fan of the movie “Elf",” you will likely LOVE that event in particular!
Honestly though, no matter the age, Gaylord Palms has created a magical experience guaranteed to please everyone in your family! From interactive experiences, shopping, & the most incredible shows! There is truly something magical for everyone to enjoy!
Ready to check out the event activities? Let’s go! [All event descriptions below have been taken directly from the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center website]
Of course you have to participate in the Grinch-themed scavenger hunt on property!
ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!™: ICE! is back! This year, our signature holiday attraction features your favorite scenes from the beloved story How The Grinch Stole Christmas!™, brought to life in magnificent sculptures hand-carved from more than two million pounds of ice. Presented by Pepsi.
My little one went down the ice slide about 20 times! She LOVED it!
Mrs. Claus' Christmas Traditions: Join the jolliest hostess of all for a fun-filled celebration of Christmas traditions. Delight in the retelling of the Christmas classic, 'Twas The Night Before Christmas, sing along to favorite holiday songs, and share a batch of Santa's favorite snack - warm, freshly-baked Christmas cookies and ice cold milk. Milk provided by T.G. Lee.
At the end you are given a cookie and milk! Too sweet!
Cirque: Spirit Of Christmas: This Cirque-styled Christmas show features dazzling acrobatics, feats of flexibility, and high-flying stunts. This Broadway-style spectacle centers around Noel, a child dismayed and distressed by the hustle and bustle of the holidays. Trying to recapture her lost love of the season, she is visited by spirits who bring back the true meaning of the season in energetic, dreamlike chapters.
The Greatest Story Stage Show: The birth of Jesus Christ has been called "the greatest story ever told." Experience it through the eyes of six international storytellers in a musical stage show and multicultural celebration of everlasting faith, hope, and love. Complimentary seating is available on a first come, first served basis. Guaranteed seating available for purchase.
Daily | times vary
Journey of Los Tres Reyes Magos: Experience the Three Kings Festival, a global celebration that honors the date Jesus was visited by the Three Wise Men following his birth. Told through story and song, the traditional festival is commemorated by many Christians in Latin America, Spain, and throughout the world. Tickets are available for purchase for guaranteed seating.
Daily | 3:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:15pm
Feast With The Grinch Character Breakfast: Join everyone's favorite green and grouchy Grinch from the famous Dr. Seuss book and animated featurette, How The Grinch Stole Christmas!™️, for a special character dining experience at Villa de Flora. And while the Grinch usually avoids the residents of Who-ville, he'll make a very special appearance at the breakfast, accompanied by his canine companion, Max.
This breakfast is daily from 8:00AM- 11:00AM, not on Thanksgiving Day.
Gingerbread Decorating Corner: Don't wait -- make a date to decorate! Let your Christmas creativity run wild when you adorn tasty gingerbread. After you've reached confection perfection with your edible art, head over for a sweet meet-and-greet with Nutmeg, our very own gingerbread man.
Daily | 10am-8pm | 30 minute time slots. (9am to 10am for resort guest packages only.)
Of course we needed a photo with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man!
We had a blast decorating our pre-built Gingerbread houses!
Photos With Santa: Mailing a letter to the North Pole is great, but nothing can beat a personal visit with Santa Claus to let him know what you want for Christmas and make sure you're on his nice list. Capture the moment with a keepsake photo. Presented by DEI.
Daily, through Christmas | Times Vary | Performances every 15 minutes
Elf Training Academy: We all envy Santa's elves: they have a great boss, eat tasty treats and sweets whenever they want, and can make their own Christmas gifts! Your opportunity to join Santa's staff awaits at the Elf Workshop. You will learn the secrets of becoming one of Santa's helpers from his top toy-maker and create a keepsake gift or craft for someone special.
Daily | 10am-8pm | 30 minute time slots. (9am to 10am for resort guest packages only)
My little one LOVED meeting “Dolly The Elf”
We very much enjoyed painting our toys and then having Santa’s Helpers apply glitter & hair to them at the end!
Naughty Or Nice Escape Room: Yuletide trickster Jack Frost is back with icy antics and has added your name to Santa's Naughty List, but he has a deal for you: Sneak into Santa's office and solve the riddles and you'll be able to erase your names from the Naughty List. You'll need to solve all the puzzles and dash away before St. Nick returns, or you might end up with a lump of coal in your stocking.
Winter Wellness at Relâche Spa: Drift into a state of tranquility while enjoying Winter Wonderland massage, facial, and pedicure treatments with the benefits of Eucalyptus, known to be high in antioxidants to promote relaxation and reduce pain.
Prices vary based on services.
Shine Light Show: Shine Light Show dazzles with thousands of dancing lights, synchronized to a high-energy, seasonal soundtrack. Animated light curtains glow with Christmas imagery around a centerpiece tree that magically transforms into a gleaming and glowing holiday spectacle.
This light show is complimentary and runs Daily | 7:30pm, 8:45pm, 9:15pm
The view from our atrium-view balcony suite. Just astonishing and PERFECT for watching the nightly light show!
Christmas Tree Trail: Take a stroll along Christmas Tree Trail and discover eight elaborately decorated holiday trees throughout the 4.5-acre atrium. While there, be sure to take an "elfie" to post and share! This is complimentary throughout the resort property.
The trees are so detailed and gorgeous! You must walk around the property and check them out!
Acres Of Festive Decorations: Discover acres of magificent holiday decor and one-of-a-kind photo opportunities across our 64-acre resort. You'll see more than three million sparkling lights, over 100 Christmas trees and 20,000 ornaments, and our centerpiece, 60-foot-tall Christmas tree that comes alive each night in a magical, musical show. Guests in select atrium-view rooms are in a front-row seat to see the giant tree and multi-media show from the comfort of their balcony!
Snow Factory: This mechanized snowy play space features multiple attractions, including a snowfall plaza, ice tubing down Snow Flow Mountain, Snowball Build and Blast, and the Snow Bar.
Daily | 10am to 8pm
My kiddo had a blast dancing in the “snow!”
SnowBall Build and Blast is a MUST! My girl LOVED throwing snowballs at the targets!
Snow Bar: Enjoy a holiday cocktail or mocktail, created especially for the occasion by our Gaylord Palms mixologists. Soft drinks and other beverages are also available.
so many delicious holiday-themed drinks are at the Snow Bar!
Snowy’s Snack Shack: Enjoy a hand-baked pretzel from Auntie Anne's, a cup of Mike's Italian Ice or a Cinnabon along with a cup of hot cocoa.
Daily | 10am-8pm
Market Square Retail: Step into one of the largest Christmas stores in the state of Florida, shop to your heart's content, and find enough Christmas décor, apparel, ornaments, seasonal toys, plush, and holiday collectibles to fill Santa's sleigh!
Daily | 10am-8pm
Definitely a must if you’re searching for great holiday decor to bring home!
Holiday Dining: Discover a world of gourmet options and holiday dining events at our resort's restaurants during this holiday season.
Thanksgiving Dinner at Villa de Flora: Exclusive to overnight resort guests. Let us serve you this Thanksgiving at our newly renovated Villa de Flora. Experience the luxury of a home-cooked meal under a 4.5-acre glass-enclosed atrium adorned with more than two million twinkling lights. Enjoy traditional holiday fare along with our modern Mediterranean buffet featuring fresh and seasonal food stations inspired by cuisine from Spain, Italy, France, and more.
Christmas Dinner at Villa de Flora: Exclusive to overnight resort guests.Experience a dazzling holiday feast on Christmas Day in our glass-enclosed atrium adorned with more than two million twinkling lights at the newly renovated Villa de Flora! Enjoy traditional holiday favorites at chef-attended stations for a delicious and modern Mediterranean buffet inspired by cuisine from Spain, Italy, France, and more.
December 25, 2022 from 12:00-7:00pm | Seating every 30 minutes
New Year’s Eve Buffet at Villa de Flora: Exclusive to overnight resort guests. Let our Mediterranean-inspired buffet add culinary delight to your New Year's Eve. Located in our comfortable, glass-enclosed atrium, Villa de Flora features chef-attended stations with fresh and seasonal food inspired by cuisine from Spain, Italy, France and more.
December 31, 2022 from 5:00-10:00pm | Seating every 30 minutes
The events for SO.MUCH.CHRISTMAS at Gaylord Palms Resort November 18, 2022 - January 1, 2023
A BIG thank you to Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center for hosting my little family for this amazing holiday event! We had an absolute blast! Every activity was wonderful and the decor was stunning down to every tiny little detail. This event was the most magical way to kick off the holiday season! I look forward to returning to this incredible property in the near future! Having experienced the Christmas, Easter and Halloween events on property, not a single one disappoints, but Christmas is hands-down THE BEST and most magical!
Until next time!
XO, Nikki
