Filed in
Best of Florida Christmas, Cool Stuff, Event Update, Gaylord Palms, ICE! at Gaylord Palms, Orlando News, Thanksgiving |
29 November, 2008
They came… they saw… they froze their, um, body parts!
The very first gathering of the Orlando Polar Bear Club was a success! A large crowd gathered Friday morning at Gaylord Palms Resort to run through the 9-degree ICE! attraction… in swimwear!
Why? I'm not sure one can fully explain.
For one, it was a fundraiser for Special Olympics Florida. And it was one of those things to do… just to say you did it!
For highlights there is a video posted on YouTube:
If you want to see more photos, they are available on the club's Facebook group page. There are also several in the Orlando Sentinel ICE! photo gallery.
Filed in
Christmas, Event Update, General Stuff, Orlando News, Thanksgiving |
10 November, 2008
In the 1974 classic Christmas special "The Year Without a Santa Claus," Saint Nick decides to take a year off. For the characters (and those watching), it was a blue Christmas, indeed.
For many in Central Florida, the blues have returned.
According to today's Orlando Sentinel, the historic Cypress Gardens theme park will temporarily close on Nov. 17 and reopen in March as a smaller, more focused park.
This, of course, means that the park's popular "Old-Fashioned Christmas" celebration, which once boasted the world's largest Christmas tree (a whopping 116-feet tall!), will remain dark this season.
Here's hoping that Florida's oldest theme park can use the hiatus to get their finances in order, and emerge in the spring as a more profitable endeavor.
We'll be first in line next Christmas!
Filed in
Cool Stuff, Disney news, Event Update, Gaylord Palms, ICE! at Gaylord Palms, Media, Orlando News, Thanksgiving |
6 November, 2008
Details were officially announced today for the wackiest event in Orlando this holiday season, the debut of Orlando Polar Bear Club! On Black Friday — the unofficial name for Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving — thrillseekers will be invited to visit Orlando's 9-degree ICE! attraction… in their bathing suits!
Why? Well, it's a fundraiser for Special Olympics Florida.
The press release further explains: "The short answer is simple… 'just because'," said [Gaylord Palms] resort General Manager Kemp Gallineau. "Because it's fun and memorable — something to laugh about, brag about and blog about. And not everybody can go to Pamplona to run with the bulls."
For those who have not heard of the ICE! attraction, it is a 9-degree walk-through winter wonderland hand carved from two million pounds of ice. It's one of those you've-got-to-see-it-to-believe-it attractions. This year, you can experience ICE! AND bring home wacky photos. How can you pass that up?
The Orlando Polar Bear Club debut, which should make for good television news coverage, will be held at 8:30am on Nov. 28 at the Gaylord Palms ICE! attraction. Tickets are available online.
For further updates about Orlando Christmas events, including ICE! at Gaylord Palms, visit www.christmasinorlando.com
Filed in
Christmas, ChristmasInOrlando.com, Disney news, Event Update, Orlando News, Thanksgiving |
17 September, 2008
One of the most popular Orlando Christmas events is the Candlelight Processional, which is part of Epcot's Holidays Around the World. Every year, fans rush to book reserved seats for the shows featuring the most popular celebrity narrators.
The 2008 line up looks to be pretty stellar:
Nov. 28-30 John O'Hurley (Seinfeld's J. Peterman, and "Dancing With the Stars")
Dec. 1-3 To Be Announced
Dec. 4-6 Brian Stokes Mitchell (Broadway)
Dec. 7-9 Virginia Madsen ("Dune" and "Fire with Fire")
Dec. 10-12 Marlee Matlin (TV's "The West Wing", and "Dancing With the Stars")
Dec. 13-15 Monique Coleman ("High School Musical 2")
Dec. 16-18 Chita Rivera (Broadway)
Dec. 19-21 Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine")
Dec. 22-24 Stephen Curtis Chapman (Christian music's most-decorated artist)
Dec. 25-27 Edward James Olmos (TV's "Miami Vice and "Stand And Deliver" )
Dec. 28-30 Angela Bassett ("How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and "What's Love Got to Do With It") and Courtney Vance (TV's "Law & Order: Criminal Intent")
This year's newest calendar addition is husband and wife duo Angela Bassett and Courtney Vance. We believe this might be the first time in the event's history that a team of celebrity narrators took on the official role.
Speaking of history, we've posted our exclusive historical list of celebrity narrators through the years, since the first Walt Disney World Candlelight Processional performance in 1971.
For more information about Christmas at Walt Disney World, or Orlando Christmas events, visit www.ChristmasInOrlando.com.
Filed in
Best of Florida Christmas, Christmas, Disney news, Event Update, Gaylord Palms, ICE! at Gaylord Palms, New Year's Eve, Orlando News, Thanksgiving, Universal Studios |
20 December, 2007
THEME PARK PASSHOLDERS ARE OFFERED
FREE CHILD ADMISSION TO
ICE! AT GAYLORD PALMS
Orlando Attraction Combats Christmas Blackout Periods
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (Oct. 20, 2008) – This year, season passholders for select Florida theme parks can receive a free child’s admission to ICE! for every adult admission purchased.
This offer is available by showing a current season pass at the ICE! Box Office, for use on the following dates: Nov. 17 through Dec. 5; Dec. 8 through Dec. 12 and Dec. 29 through Jan. 4.
This promotion is valid for season passholders of the following theme parks: all Walt Disney World theme parks and water parks, all Universal Orlando theme parks, SeaWorld Adventure Park, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Aquatica, Wet ‘n Wild, and Cypress Gardens.
This special offer will come as welcome news to season passholders, many which have holiday “blackout” periods when the passes are not valid.
The fine print: This offer is valid only on specified dates in 2008. Only one complimentary child ticket will be issued per adult season passholder with purchase of a regularly priced adult ICE! ticket. Season passholder must be present, and will be required to show valid theme park season pass. Child tickets valid for children ages 4 through 12 only.
For more information, please visit www.gaylordpalms.com/passholder.
For further updates about Orlando Christmas events, visit www.christmasinorlando.com
Filed in
Christmas, Event Update, Orlando News, Thanksgiving |
25 October, 2007
According to its official website, it appears that the Orlando Christmas Parade is moving from its Thanksgiving weekend home, to a new spot on the calendar – Saturday, Dec. 15.
The parade will air nationally on SUPERSTATION WGN from 9-10pm on Dec. 23.
For further updates, watch www.ChristmasInOrlando.com.
Filed in
Food, Orlando News, Thanksgiving |
25 October, 2006
We've heard from many disappointed diners that Renaissance Resort at SeaWorld will not be holding their long-running Thanksgiving Brunch and Christmas Brunch this year.
Never fear! For a similar experience, we recommend the Thanksgiving and Christmas Brunch at Villa de Flora, inside Gaylord Palms Resort. After all, these extravagant meals have won "Best Florida Brunch" year after year by readers of Florida Monthly!
Featuring a seasonal market-inspired menu of more than 100 items, Brunch at Villa de Flora has grown a cult-like following!
In addition, Gaylord Palms is featuring a brand-new Thanksgiving and Christmas brunch experience at Old Hickory Steakhouse. Although Brunch at Villa de Flora is decidely upscale, it appears that Chef Guy Reinbolt at Old Hickory is about to take it up a notch. And you can't beat the atmosphere inside the resort's Everglades atrium!
Besides turkey and other holiday standbys, Old Hickory's brunch menu includes a selection of cheeses from the restaurant's famed artisinal cheese program, authentic New Orleans jambalaya, and Maryland blue point oysters served on the half shell. This may be the only Brunch in Orlando that serves sautéed wild mushroom crusted ostrich medallion with coconut milk polenta.
Deciding on what to try first may be a challenge. Considering the time Chef Guy spent in New Orleans… we'll start with his jambalaya!
Reservations are recommended, as meals at both venues are expected to sell out quickly: 407-586-0000.
Note: Villa de Flora has a menu that is more "kid friendly," and features a "kiddie bar" as well as a special price for children.
For more details about Orlando Christmas events, including Theme Park Christmas events, Orlando Shopping, a calendar of events, and Christmas at Disney, visit ChristmasInOrlando.com.
