Breaking Orlando News:
COLD WEATHER IN ORLANDO IS BLAMED ON GAYLORD PALMS RESORT 

 
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Oct. 28) — Central Florida residents woke up this morning to a  burst of cold air that is being blamed on, of all things, an Osceola county resort. According to news wire reports, the cause of this morning's cool weather has been traced to Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, where a new holiday attraction is currently under construction.

 
The attraction, which is called ICE!, is currently being carved from 2 million pounds of ice by a group of 40 artisans from China. The temperature began falling when the elaborate refrigeration system used to cool the 18,000-square-foot attraction to 9 degrees began to malfunction.

 
"Essentially, they've created a 9-degree winter-like environment in the middle of sunny  Florida," said an Osceola county official who asked not to be identified. "What they didn't count on was the accidental cooling of the entire region to 40-some  degrees."

 
The attraction, which is nearly complete, will debut Nov. 17. The attraction will be open to the public through Jan. 4.

 
In its sixth season, ICE! will reflect the theme "Santa's Arctic Blast," featuring several scenes that star "Jolly Cold Saint Nicholas" himself. One such scene is a colossal Santa Claus photo opportunity, carved in an oversized scale.  Visitors who sit on his knee will be dwarfed in the photo.  Other scenese include Candy Land, a magical destination reminiscent of America’s favorite children’s board game.  The ICE! castle and slides have been re-designed to celebrate Santa's Christmas Eve flight… reindeer and all. 

According to Gaylord Palms spokesman Keith Salwoski, the situation is under control.

 
"Our attraction is still 9 degrees, and by afternoon, Orlando temperatures will be back near 70 degrees," he said. "So, in the mean time, we welcome local residents to, um, chill out!"

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For further updates on Orlando Christmas, ICE! at Gaylord Palms, or Christmas at Orlando theme parks, visit ChristmasInOrlando.com