Gaylord Palms: ICE exhibit to have global holiday theme

“Think globally, freeze locally” could be the motto of the 2017 edition of ICE at Gaylord Palms Resort.

Because the theme of its next holiday ice exhibit will be “Christmas Around the World.”

The frozen sculptures will be designed to reflect diverse holiday traditions — representing the United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany and beyond, the Kissimmee resort announced Friday morning.

“We’re excited to bring this theme to Central Florida, especially since the Orlando area hosts millions of visitors from around the world each year,” said Johann Krieger, the general manager for Gaylord Palms.

“We feel this year’s ICE theme and our other holiday events embrace cultural diversity and our unifying similarities, celebrating love and peace during this special time of year,” he added.

Also inside ICE will be twostory ice slides — which will be surrounded by sculptures and international greetings — a scene of Santa’s toy workshop, a live ice-carving showcase and the traditional Nativity scene created with clear ice.

International flair has long been an element of the holiday event.

Artisans from Harbin, China, come to Florida each year to sculpt figures for scenes in the exhibit, which is kept well below freezing.

Visitors are outfitted with ponchos while they wander the attraction.

The ICE show is a large chunk of Gaylord’s holiday promotion, which this year goes by the “Everything Christmas in One Extraordinary Place” tagline.

The holiday festivities for Gaylord Palms are scheduled to open daily from Nov. 21 through Jan. 7.