Season Begins with Exclusive San Antonio Debut and Hand-Carved Ice Scenes of Elf and Frosty the Snowman

Written By: Ricky Acharjee

Ricky Acharjee

I am travel writer at Travel And Tour World with 3 years of experience covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination news. Dedicated to accurate reporting and compelling storytelling, Ricky explores the trends, innovations, and developments shaping the international travel industry while delivering engaging insights for travellers and industry professionals.

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July 25, 2024 6:13 PM

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The country’s premier frozen holiday attraction, ICE!, is excited to announce its 2024 Christmas season lineup and its debut in San Antonio, Texas. Starting this November, the 24-year-old holiday tradition, which has been showcased at all five Gaylord Hotels, will also be hosted at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa. Each venue will feature 2 million pounds of meticulously hand-carved ice scenes and beloved characters from classic Christmas favorites. This year’s lineup includes two iconic holiday classics: Elf™ and the highly anticipated return of Frosty the Snowman™. Tickets for all ICE! locations are now available, including an exclusive limited-time offer at ICE.marriott.com.

Visitors staying overnight or arriving for local day trips at each destination will be transported into a magical winter wonderland, featuring over 10 captivating walk-through scenes, exhilarating two-story ice slides, breathtaking passageways, and countless photo opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.

The dazzling ICE! holiday spectacle is expertly crafted by a team of 240 artisans from Harbin, crenowned for the Harbin Ice Festival. These talented craftsmen dedicate approximately 40 days across six locations to create a stunning icy display that spans nearly 120,000 square feet. Guests will be immersed in vibrant, floor-to-ceiling scenes made from 12 million pounds of ice, preserved at a frosty 9 degrees Fahrenheit to maintain the intricate details. To keep warm, visitors will wear the attraction’s signature blue parkas.

This year, ICE! will feature reimagined versions of six beloved classics across locations nationwide:

• ICE! featuring Frosty the Snowman at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN – Delight in the magic of the snowman who comes to life in this enchanting frozen wonderland.
• ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” at Gaylord National on the Potomac in National Harbor, MD – Join the endearing Charlie Brown as he discovers the true meaning of Christmas.
• ICE! featuring New Line Cinema’s Elf™ at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, FL – Experience the humorous tale of Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly ends up on Santa’s sleigh and is raised as an elf at the North Pole before journeying to New York City to find his real identity.
• ICE! featuring Warner Bros.’ The Polar Express™ at Gaylord Rockies in Aurora, CO – Embark on a magical train ride to the North Pole inspired by the beloved Warner Bros. film, celebrating the wonder of life for those who believe.
• ICE! featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ at Gaylord Texan on Lake Grapevine, TX – Relive your favorite moments from the story of Rudolph, the young reindeer who uses his glowing nose to save Christmas.
• ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort in San Antonio, TX – Experience the transformation of the Grinch in this classic 1957 tale as he fails to steal the Whos’ holiday cheer.

ICE! is the highlight of each destination’s extensive holiday lineup, which includes live shows, festive dining, and family-friendly activities. This season’s new highlights include the Cirque: Frost live show at Gaylord Rockies and a Christmas dinner show at Gaylord Opryland. For more information and to book exclusive packages, visit ICE.marriott.com.

Overnight guests will enjoy special perks such as the Extra Cool Hour and Chill Pass, providing early access to ICE! and the Christmas Village, along with front-of-the-line privileges. Benefits vary by resort. Book early to take advantage of special discounts and packages at ICE.marriott.com. Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply.

ICE! will be available on the following dates:

• Gaylord Opryland: Nov. 8, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025, featuring Frosty the Snowman™
• Gaylord National: Nov. 15, 2024 – Dec. 28, 2024, featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
• Gaylord Palms: Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025, featuring New Line Cinema’s Elf™
• Gaylord Rockies: Nov. 22, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2025, featuring Warner Bros.’ The Polar Express™
• Gaylord Texan: Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025, featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™
• JW Marriott San Antonio: Nov. 23, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025, featuring Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!