By Peter Covino
Lifestyles Editor

If the heat has got you down, you can always dream about Ice!

Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee offered a sneak peak of what Ice! 2012 will look like.

The special event last week included an appearance by Vanilla Ice.

Ice! returns to the Gaylord Palms Nov. 10 (and continues through Jan.1) with an all-new theme Merry Madagascar, a tribute to the animated film.

Ice! is an annual event at the resort hotel. Each year, Chinese artisans carve millions of pounds of ice into colorful ice-sculptures and slides,  and this year it will feature the characters from Madagascar.

This year’s event will also feature  many activities throughout the hotel including a Christmas show, lots of holiday lights and the opportunity to build your own gingerbread house.

A daily feature will be the 54-foot Christmas tree with thousands of twinkling lights.

Other events include live stage shows, visits from Santa Claus (Nov. 10-Dec. 24); and the Polar Bear Club’s annual Plunge, Dec. 1, where members of the Orlando Polar Bear Club take a walk through the frigid temperatures of ice is nothing but a swimsuit.

There also are character meals with the characters from Shrek and meet and greets.

Holiday getaway packages at Gaylord Palms are on sale now starting from $189. Ice! tickets start at $22.99 for adults. For more information go to ChristmasatGaylordPalms.com or call 407-586-2000.