A very shiny nose is a focal point of this year’s Gaylord Palms ice sculpture display, which opened to the public Friday.
Scenes from “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” have been re-created inside the Kissimmee resort, a section of which is kept at the bone-chilling temperature of 9 degrees Fahrenheit for the duration of “Ice.”
Designers work in a few surprises to the presentations, no easy feat, as the storyline of the beloved 1964 television special is well-trod territory. So, without getting too Grinchy with spoilers — oops, slipped into another holiday classic — here are a few cold, hard facts to know about the 2025 edition of “Ice.”
Red alert
Sure, the title character, famous by 1949 thanks to the catchy Johnny Marks song inspired by a 1939 poem, dominates the scenes. Although “Ice” is made up almost completely of ice, there are exceptions. One example is Rudolph’s nose, so bright. In some scenes, it flashes on and off thanks to batteries or concealed wiring.
A Bumble rap
A big moment inside the exhibit is the crowd-pleasing slide room, where participants can glide down an icy carving. (Yes, it’s freakishly cold.) This year, the design features a chase scene with the ginormous Bumble, the toothy abominable snow monster, with arms outstretched across the room, in hot pursuit of Yukon Cornelius and Hermy.
Bumble has other exhibit scenes ripe with photo possibilities as his story arc travels from abominable to adorable.
Who’s who
“Rudolph” is stocked with a slew of characters, many of which appear in icy form at Gaylord. You may have forgotten about the skinny version of Santa (Mrs. Claus is trying to fatten him up for the season) or Clarice, the young love interest of Rudolph. Visitors also see uptight Donner, Rudolph’s dad, and Coach Comet, plus assorted reindeer and other animals. The exhibit begins with Sam the Snowman, narrator of the TV tale.
There’s a whole room of misfit toys, including the striking King Moonracer, a winged lion, front and center.
In the picture
The design of this year’s “Ice” encourages interaction, including crawl-through moments and photo ops. In one case, a tunnel leads to a spot where visitors stand to pop up right next to Hermey. It’s an instant Instagrammable moment.
“We really want our guests to go in and immerse themselves into the movie and the scenes themselves as their experience … you know, Rudolph’s journey in finding true friendship,” Meghan Hash, director of entertainment and special events, said during a media preview.
There are also low-tech reindeer games in one stretch, including a projected hopscotch path on the carpet and a stand-up Tic-Tac-Toe station.
ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. The display also includes interactive slides and activities for visitors, in a space kept at a frigid 9 degrees. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. The display also includes interactive slides and activities for visitors, in a space kept at a frigid 9 degrees. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Bumble, the abominable snowman, looms over the slides at “Ice” at Gaylord Palms. The seasonal attraction is available to the public through Jan. 7. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. The display also includes interactive slides and activities for visitors, in a space kept at a frigid 9 degrees. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. The display also includes interactive slides and activities for visitors, in a space kept at a frigid 9 degrees. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
The Abominable Snowman looms over the slides at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
The Abominable Snowman looms over the slides at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Elves in Santa’s workshop at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Rudolph guides Yukon Cornelius’ dog sleigh above the slides at ‘Ice’ at Gaylord Palms, The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Sam the Snowman greets visitors at the entrance of ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. The display also includes interactive slides and activities for visitors, in a space kept at a frigid 9 degrees. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
King Moonracer presides in the throne room of the Island of Misfit Toys in the Gaylord exhibit. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Santa and Coach Comet see if Rudolph has what it takes to join the ranks to pull the sleigh at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Rudolph lights the way for Santa’s sleigh at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
The Abominable Snowman guides the way down a small slide at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
The Abominable Snowman looms over the slides at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
The Abominable Snowman adds the finishing touch to a Christmas tree at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. The display also includes interactive slides and activities for visitors, in a space kept at a frigid 9 degrees. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
Rudolph guides Yukon Cornelius’ dog sleigh above the slides at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
The Nativity scene caps off the displays at ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025. The holiday attraction features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
The Nativity scene caps off the displays at the Gaylord Palms’ “Ice” exhibit featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
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ICE! Featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Gaylord Palms, pictured on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, features 11 colorful scenes from the holiday animated classic, all sculpted from ice. The display also includes interactive slides and activities for visitors, in a space kept at a frigid 9 degrees. (Rich Pope/Orlando Sentinel)
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Ice scream
Bonus points for a fact placard presented in a font awfully similar to the one used in the opening credits of the TV show. Among its fun, frigid facts: The exhibit used 7,000 ice blocks that each weighed 300 pounds. Gaylord says if you stacked those blocks, they would be taller than 17 Empire State Buildings. (You’re going to need thick gloves.)
As usual, “Ice” was carved by ice-sculpting artisans from Harbin, China, a process that takes them 33 days.
Although heavy-duty ponchos are provided by Gaylord, visitors should bring their own warm layers of clothing, so dig out those scarves and gloves and cover up as much flesh as possible. And, mercy, Floridians, no flip-flops.
You’re allowed to stay inside as long as you like.
Wrapping up
Fear not, Gaylord Palms’ crystal-clear nativity scene is the final room, separate from all the brightly colored “Rudolph” action.
The resort, located in Kissimmee yet visible from Interstate 4, has a flurry of additional holiday activities, including a stage show called “Pomp, Snow & Cirqueumstance,” indoor ice tubing, gingerbread decorating, snowball blasting and storytime with Mrs. Claus. “Ice” continues through Jan. 7. Ticket prices vary with date; they range between $35 and $44 per person.
For more information and tickets, go to christmasatgaylordpalms.com.
dbevil@orlandosentinel.com
