The Country's 'Coolest' Holiday Attraction Returns to Gaylord Hotels

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For those seeking out the "coolest" ways to kick the Christmas season into high gear, Gaylord Hotels' signature holiday attraction is sure to impress.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131023/PH02724 )

ICE!, which anchors the holiday festivities at Gaylord Hotels' four massive resorts, is back and bigger than ever in 2013 with more than 2 million pounds of ice carvings at each location and new themes depicting scenes straight out of classic holiday tales.

"ICE! is kept at 9 degrees with 10-inch-thick walls, and visitors are given warm parkas to wear as they walk through," said Warren Lyng, director of special events for Gaylord Hotels. "We've made it our goal to be among the country's 'coolest' holiday attractions, and it's fun to see families identifying us that way."

Visitors to Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas in Nashville, Tenn., and Christmas at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla., near Orlando, can join everyone's favorite snowman and his friends on their quest to the North Pole in a colorfully frozen retelling of Frosty the Snowman™.

At Gaylord Texan's Lone Star Christmas in Grapevine, Texas, near Dallas, favorite scenes from The Nutcracker will come to life, accompanied by the original Tchaikovsky score, in a magical adventure with Clara and her Nutcracker Prince. In addition, the resort will feature a giant 8-lane indoor snow tubing hill made with real snow.

At Gaylord National's Christmas on the Potomac in National Harbor, Md., near Washington, D.C., guests will see Ma in her kerchief, Pa in his cap and Saint Nick with his eight reindeer in scenes from the classic holiday poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

A series of inter-connected rooms features breathtaking larger-than-life, 3-D sculpted ice pieces, including fantastic recreations of beloved characters, two-story tall ice slides and memorable holiday scenes. The awe-inspiring experience concludes with the wonder of the Nativity of crystal clear ice.

Forty Chinese artisans arrive at each location in mid-October and will spend approximately 40 days creating extraordinary works of ice, enhanced with lights and natural dyes to create a series of brilliantly colored panoramas. Many of the artisans also work to build displays at the world-famous Harbin Ice and Snow Festival. 

ICE! opens mid-November and runs through early January. Group outings and holiday parties at ICE! also are available and guaranteed to give "chills." There is no cooler place to "pop the question" than with a wedding proposal package inside ICE!

Tickets and holiday getaway packages are on sale now. For more information, visit www.ChristmasAtGaylordHotels.com.

About Gaylord Hotels®
Gaylord Hotels® is a collection of hotels and upscale resorts that affords endless opportunities for leisure travelers and conventioneers. The brand's hallmark—"everything in one place"—provides guests with diverse dining options, quality spa and fitness center services, top-notch entertainment, on-site shopping and endless activities. Gaylord Hotels is a pioneer in the hotel and convention industry with properties in the nation's most desirable destinations. Gaylord Hotels include Gaylord Opryland® in Nashville, Tenn.; Gaylord Palms® in Kissimmee, Fla., near Orlando; Gaylord Texan® on Lake Grapevine, Texas; Gaylord National® on the Potomac in National Harbor, Md.; and The Inn at Opryland® in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.GaylordHotels.com.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a leading lodging company based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, with more than 3,800 properties in 74 countries and territories and reported revenues of nearly $12 billion in fiscal year 2012. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 18 brands. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com.

™ & © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. & Classic Media, LLC.  Based upon the musical composition FROSTY THE SNOWMAN © Warner/Chappell.

SOURCE Gaylord Hotels