KISSIMMEE — Gaylord Palms Resort is going “ice!” I’m getting old again.
Work is underway on an elaborate Christmas ice carving event in which artisans in Harbin, China will carve large blocks of ice into 11 colorful scenes from the TV show “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” They used chainsaws, scrapers and various sharp objects, all of which were revealed during Friday’s media preview.
This is the first time “Rudolph” will be performed at the annual Central Florida event. The exhibit has been seen at other Gaylord Hotel properties, but it has been completely redesigned and is making its debut this year, said Nico Nicolau, senior director of special events and experiences at Gaylord Resorts.
“We really invested in taking the design and elevating it to something completely different,” says Nicolau. “People want to be immersed in something. This is really immersive. It’s interactive. There are some great photo moments.”
One photoshoot even includes an appearance between an icy version of Rudolph and Hermey, an aspiring dentist elf. The walk-through exhibit begins with a scene depicting Storm of the Century, as seen in the 1964 TV special, and also includes figurines illustrating the “Reindeer Game” and the Island of Misfit Toys.
This is a work in progress. The sculptors spent about a week on a job that was expected to take 33 days. For now, some characters lack facial expressions or look like they’ve wandered into the wrong setting.
Chinese artisans making the annual ice cream! The resort welcomes you to the event on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans at work at the annual “Ice!” media preview. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
A Chinese craftsman carves a toy airplane during the annual Ice! media preview. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Annual welcome ceremony for Chinese ice cream makers! Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans carve elves and dogs during annual ice cream media preview! Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Annual welcome ceremony for Chinese ice cream makers! Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Members of the Wurm Kung Fu Temple demo team perform a Chinese lion dance as part of the annual welcome ceremony for Chinese ice cream artisans. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Media preview for the annual Ice! event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans sculpted Hermey the elf during Ice’s annual media preview. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans at work at the annual “Ice!” media preview. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Members of the Wurm Kung Fu Temple demo team perform a Chinese lion dance as part of the annual welcome ceremony for Chinese ice cream artisans. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Unfinished Rudolph during the annual media preview of the Ice! event on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans carve elves and dogs during annual ice cream media preview! Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese craftsmen at work during the annual “Ice!” media preview. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans and Gaylord Palms staff pose for a photo after the annual ceremony to welcome the ice cream makers! Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans at work during media preview of the annual “Ice!” event held at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center on Friday, October 17, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans work on a Nativity scene during the annual “Ice!” media preview. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
Chinese artisans work on a Nativity scene during the annual “Ice!” media preview. Event to be held on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
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Chinese artisans making the annual ice cream! The resort welcomes you to the event on Friday, October 17, 2025 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)
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On Friday, workers were leveling the edges of a tall wall surrounded by piles of ice. More than 1,000 tons of ice will be included, and more ice continues to be trucked into the resort, Gaylord officials said. Each pallet contains slabs weighing approximately 2,600 pounds.
The craftsmen work in a space maintained at a temperature of 9 degrees Celsius while Ice! is in operation.
Workers were working on the walls surrounding the five slides in one of the most popular segments of “Ice!” on friday.
“That’s our signature room. We spend most of the ice block in that room,” Nicolaou said.
Eventually, the slide room will feature a giant version of the hideous snow monster, Bumble.
“We want to make sure it connects in a different way,” Nicolau said. “But when you walk into a room, the first thing you have to do is reach into your pocket, pull out your phone, and take a photo.”
Gaylord’s holiday activities also include indoor snow tubing, which runs from November 14th to January 4th.
Another debut in Gaylord Palms’ holiday lineup is a Jack Frost-themed “Chocolate Activation,” said Megan Hash, director of special events and entertainment.
“New to Christmas at Gaylord Palms this year is our Cirque Show, Pomp, Snow and Circumstance,” she said. “It’s based on a Broadway show and a best-selling children’s book.”
“Ice!” This event is a holiday and hot weather diversion for Florida residents and visitors. Parkas are also available, but to stay longer, most people choose something more protective.
“Unite,” Hush said. “Layers are your friend. Hats are a must, as are gloves. We recommend wearing hand warmers.”
For tickets and more information, visit christmasatgaylordhotels.com.
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
First Published: October 17, 2025 2:33pm EDT
