ICE - Family Travel Fun at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas

The nativity scene carved from ice by the ice carvers of Harbin, China for the Gaylord, Texan
Resort ICE Festival in Grapevine, Texas. 

Santa's Workshop at the
Gaylord Texan Resort

by Tannith Bata

From the moment you pull in to the Gaylord Texan Resort you know Christmas is here. Lights hang from every tree and line the roads all the way up the drive. The hotel, located in Grapevine, Texas, is a sprawling Christmas masterpiece about 25 miles from downtown Dallas and Fort Worth and 15 minutes from of the DFW airport. 

Once inside the hotel Christmas magic continues with an atrium decked out like Santa's workshop. We were lucky enough to be invited guests at the Gaylord Texan Resort and got to experience all the bells and whistles of this truly unique and wondrous exhibit. You can purchase your tickets online in advance or at the Texan. If coming on the weekends during the peak hours of 5pm-10pm it would be best to purchase them ahead of time. There is ample parking that is clearly marked and will run you $15 for your entire stay. 

Santa Claus is Coming to Town
is the theme of the 2016 ICE
Festival at the Gaylord Texan Resort

As you make your way down to ICE you can slowly feel the temperature drop and you have lots of options for short stops along the way. Whether it's at the wine bar, the toy store or the steakhouse is entirely up to you.

"Santa Claus is Coming to Town" has long been my favorite of the old Christmas classics. So I was utterly delighted with a whole evening centered on this movie. I was not disappointed. After donning our parkas and having our picture snapped against a green screen we got to journey into the winter wonderland. The 15,000 square foot cold room is kept at chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit so that the 2 million pounds of ice used to create these sculptures retains its shape and detail. The three ice factories in Ohio, Georgia and Texas begin making the ice

Santa Claus & his penguin
side-kick Topper

for the exhibit a year in advance. The ice is brought to the Gaylord Texan Resort in 48 semi-tractor-trailers. Which means they are already hard at work for next year. 

While it is chilly inside ICE, you are so caught up in the wonder all around you that you barely notice. The scenes from this beloved Christmas movie, were carved by 36 Harbin ice carvers that spent a total of 11,160 hours to complete the magical setting. it's hard to believe it's all ice. The sheer size of some of the pieces is jaw dropping. The ice climbs the walls all around you and your fingers

Santa Claus & the Winter
Warlock 

quickly wish you'd remembered gloves. (Tip: bring hats and gloves for little ones)

As you wander through all the scenes you will come across On the Blocks ICE! Bar for those 21 and over with an added coupon. For those of all ages there are 5, 2-story ice slides! My 3 year old son couldn't get enough of the very slippery slides and the adults even gave it a go.

On the Blocks ICE! Bar at the
Gaylord Texan Resort

Just when you think you're finally cold enough that you want to leave you come upon a crystal clear ice nativity scene. It is truly a breathtaking creation, not a bubble or a cloud is allowed in the ice for the nativity. 

Tubbing is an optional add on to your ICE experience or it can be purchased as separate activity.  There are multiple activity packages available on the website.

Kids & adults love the 5
2-story ice slides

When you step out make sure you stop for some hot cocoa and Gigi's cupcakes because they have some of the best frosting I've ever tasted and not to brag but I've tasted a lot. For your final stop pick up a copy of your family photo ($25) or something festive from the gift shop.

We truly enjoyed this outing and couldn't get over the splendor of the hotel at the most wonderful time of the year. Once again thank you to Gaylord Texan Resort for inviting us out to visit.


Merry Christmas
                                                                       
                                                                                     ~~~

Tony, GB and Tannith, at ICE at the
Gaylord Texan Resort

Tannith is a stay at home mum and wife who enjoys crochet, sarcasm, her family and ingesting copious amounts of coffee. She is and avid baker and enjoys sharing recipes on her blog. You can check out her blog or follow her on Twitter or Instagram @FranklyTannith

Travel Boldly was provided admissions by the Gaylord Texan for the writer and her family for the purpose of reviewing this travel attraction.  The opinions expressed are the writer's and were not influenced by this access.