Steph, B and I took a little-kid-mini-vaca on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. We removed all 6 children from school and pointed the SUVs toward Orlando. We had a mission and that mission was ICE!
Here in Florida, where our December lows barely graze 50 degrees, we have no choice but to artificially create a Winter Wonderland. The Gaylord Palms thoughtfully set up such a place for us to visit. A place carved from over 2 million pounds of ice. Thank goodness the kiddies brought their mittens (thanks to the Target $1 bin) because it was COLD! Like 9 degrees cold. We Floridians have thin blood, you know.
The sexy blue parkas that were provided did help to keep us quite toasty though.
Most of the ice sculptures were illuminated by colorful lights. We entered into an Alaska-themed Eskimo fishing pond first. Gorgeous!
There were many warning signs along the way.
Wildman, being Wildman, did not take heed when we came to the ice carousel.
I wonder how many other kids have licked that same deer’s ear… The kids were allowed to sit on the carousel animals because they had plastic saddles. Don’t think we were breaking all of the rules…
There was this scary Santa carving that we made 5 out of the 6 kids climb up to and strike a pose. Only the little girl in our group refused. Smart girl! Talk about dead-behind-the-eyes!
We came to ice slides at the end of our tour. They were a huge hit with the children and adults alike. We stayed in the slide room for half an hour freezing our tails off watching the kids take turn after turn zooming down the chutes. It was so awesome! Although I lost feeling in my hand and feet by this point. I should have bought some mittens…
I think it is safe to say that my boys had a wonderful time!
Adventures of Four 
angela
Dec 19, 2009 @ 12:39:24
We have something up here like that, even though we northerner’s have plenty of ice and snow (we are getting blasted right now, with up to 20 inches expected) of our own. We have never been though, but have been contemplating going this year…I doubt we’ll make it, but I’ll have to put it on next years to do list; it looks pretty neat!
hairyshoefairy
Dec 19, 2009 @ 14:16:21
That place looks so awesome. If you don’t live someplace that gets cold it’s cool to have someplace like that to go. Unfortunately we look like the parka photo all winter long here and it’s no fun with kids. It makes them hard to carry when we’re all wearing coats. The Santa is kind of creepy. I love all the ice things, especially the carousel but ew about the licking. Hee hee. Kids.
onescrappygal
Dec 21, 2009 @ 13:36:07
OMG! Zombie Santa totally looks dead behind the eyes!!
Is this place new? I have been to Orlando infinte times when we lived near there and I don’t remember ever hearing about that place. Very cool though!!
adventuresoffour
Dec 21, 2009 @ 16:10:00
Zombie Santa freaked me out! It didn’t seem to bother the boys though…
The Gaylord Palms hotel has been in Orlando for a while. Not sure how old it is. The ICE exhibit is a special thing they do in December and January. It’s awesome!