By Peter Covino

Lifestyles Editor

Need a little Christmas right now?

Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee is ready for the holidays with ICE! plus its annual Christmas at Gaylord Palms event.

ICE! is back with 20,000 square-feet of frigid fun with this year’s theme Merry Madagascar, featuring the animated Dreamworks characters all carved in ice.

Other highlights include two-story tall ice slides.

Youngsters and the young at heart will like this ice storyboard. of Alex the Lion and his friends saving Christmas after Santa and his reindeer crash onto the island of Madagascar.

ICE! is hand carved by 40 artisans from Harbin, China. The artisans apend more than a month in Osceola County transforming blocks of ice into the annual show.

ICE! is kept at a frigid 9-degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to dress appropriately: closed-toe shoes and long pants are required. Hooded winter coats are provided for your warmth and comfort inside the attraction and are available in a variety of sizes, including sizes for children. Hats and gloves are strongly recommended and may be purchased on site at the ICE! house gift shop.

ICE! is open daily from Now through January 1, 2013, including holidays.

For the best deals on tickets to ICE! purchase tickets online, at least 24 hours in advance of the date you plan to attend.

You can buy tickets at  http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-palms/christmas-in-orlando/ice-experience/index.html.

Christmas

Decorations

There is no charge (except parking) to take in the dozens of lavish holiday displays that include more than two million twinkling lights and an amazing 54-foot-tall Christmas tree

Christmas Tree Lighting

’The tree lighting ceremony, complete with singers, carols, lights, and of course, the star of the show, themassive 54-foot tall Majestic Christmas Tree is held daily.

Live stage shows at Christmas at Gaylord Palm

Gaylord Palms offers live stage entertainment throughout the Christmas season. Shows take place in the Emerald Bay Plaza, and guests are welcome to attend, free of charge

Family Traditions

Take a trip down memory lane. Sing along and enjoy your favorite Christmas tunes of yesteryear. Held throughout the day, on select dates.

Luminescence – featuring the Edge Effect

The holiday season comes alive in this high-energy concert featuring special effects, lighting and aerial choreography. A band performs uptempo seasonal favorites. Shows are held daily throughout the season.

Christmas At Gaylord Palms

The resort offers holiday packages from $219 per night/double occupancy.

Available on select dates through the season, packages include ICE!,  souvenir photo and more.

To book: Call 407-586-2000