Ice Sculptures Shrek Puss in Boots Gaylord Palms Fun

Going to Gaylord Palms is like visiting a small town split into different areas Key West, Everglades, St. Augustine, and Emerald Bay. Variety of  shops, and dining throughout the property. The theme areas are fun to photograph and walk through while discovering the beauty of Gaylord Palms. My visit was to discover their annual presentation of ICE and to see the other Holiday activities around the Hotel. I loved walking around the areas finding a boat in Key West for dining. I was not staying on property but a day visitor.

Sunset Sams Key West Atrium Gaylord Palms Photo by Eileen Ludwig

A stage for performance are schedule in the afternoon and later in the evening stage shows. The stage shows include acrobats suspended from the sky while holiday songs are played and sung. Large Christmas trees and huge ornaments hang from the Atrium of St. Augustine’s.  Although the shows are less than half hour, they were worth the time to enjoy them in such a wonderful environment.

St. Augustine Stage Gaylord Palms Christmas Photo by Eileen Ludwig

Throughout the Atrium’s are scenes of the holidays and lots of Poinsettia to brighten the decor with Holiday Red. Love the Carolers, ice skaters, Santa Mailbox, and varieties of trees throughout the different theme Atrium’s. There are several areas with waterfalls. Benches throughout to just sit and enjoy the surroundings made for a very pleasurable walk.

Christmas decorations Gaylord Palms Carolers amongst poinsettia photo by Eileen Ludwig

Christmas decorations Gaylord Palms ice skaters in village photo by Eileen Ludwig

After spending a large amount of time wandering, I finally made my way over to ICE. Bringing gloves, hat, several layers of clothes and long pants was necessary before going into nine degrees. I would suggest waiting to pile it on since you have two sections before entering the COLD area. They do hand out coats which snap close (mine wasn’t staying snapped).

Puss in boots in ICE colored for effect Photo by Eileen Ludwig

As you walk through there are a wonderful collection of Shrek and his friends from the movies to delight your eyes. Because I arrived late in the day it was full of families taking lots of pictures of each other in front of every sculpture. If I may suggest, for those without an entourage to go earlier in the day.. Seeing the Ice sculptures makes me want to go to the ICE festival in Quebec where they have great outdoor ice sculptures lite up with lights.

Love the Dragon!

Dragon Shrek the halls ice sculpture Photo by Eileen Ludwig

Shrek and his kids ice sculpture Photo by Eileen Ludwig

Definitely do the ice Slide. The view of the whole room is eye catching. The slide is fun no matter what your age. Try it.

Special Event

Treasure hunt with clues to find Bears throughout the property. I did not actively participate but saw two of the bears. When I first spotted the one floating out on the small pond, I thought it was a decoration. Met one family hunting down the bears and they had found most of them when I spotted the one in the Salon window to fill out another on their card.

Teddy Bear part of the Treasure Hunt at Gaylord Palms Photo by Eileen Ludwig

Never made it to Snow which is another room, much warmer, and wetter. They suggest you do Shrek ICE first so you are not entering the nine degrees wet. My time was running out quickly. Hard to believe it was closing at 8pm. While I got there at 3pm, my time was engrossed in the many splendors of the resort since I had never been inside before.

They had the movie Puss in Boots in 3D. The theater was not fancy. There were no tables to put your food or drink and it became a balancing act for many of us ( my expectations were much higher for the theater) The gourmet foods they advertise were foot long hot dogs and other things dipped in chocolate or some other toppings.  The saving grace on the price was the photo with Puss in Boots. My own camera was fogged because I had just come from ICE. My suggestion is to do this before ICE if you are going to partake and want pictures.

Finishing the day back in the St. Augustine Atrium to music, songs, and acrobats was a perfect ending to a wonderful day.

For some it might be better to stay on property where the packages include the ticket to ICE and other benefits. I could see staying at the Hotel as fun getaway self-contained in one expansive inner sanctum. Have fun if you go and plan your time to include everything.

My ticket for ICE and parking was provided while I purchased my movie ticket.

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