This guide contains affiliate links to Booking.com. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Christmas at Gaylord Palms runs from November 13, 2026 to January 3, 2027 at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, about 3 miles by road from Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The headline attraction is ICE! featuring The Polar Express, a hall of colored ice sculptures and ice slides kept at 9°F. The resort also sells ice tubing, a cirque show, gingerbread decorating and photos with Santa, and it runs free light shows in its glass-roofed atrium.
You do not need to stay at the resort to visit. This guide covers the 2026 activities, ICE! prices by date from the official ticket site on October 26, 2026, parking, overnight perks and four nearby hotels. Prices change with demand, so confirm them before you buy.
Quick answer: Book ICE! online before you go: there is no box office, and each ICE! ticket is for a set date and time. At the time of writing, adult tickets (ages 12 and up) cost about $31 to $46 with fees, children 4 to 11 pay $8 to $10 less, and children 3 and under are free. Day visitors pay $38 plus tax a day to self-park, or $30 if they prepay online. Overnight guests get the free Chill Pass for front-of-line ICE! entry, but they still need tickets.
Compare Orlando resorts for your dates
On this page
Christmas at Gaylord Palms 2026 at a glance
| What | 2026 details | Price at last check |
|---|---|---|
| Season | Nov 13, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Tickets sold online only |
| ICE! featuring The Polar Express | Timed entry every 15 minutes | $31.22–$46.22 adults |
| POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance | 35-minute show, 11:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. | $26.22–$43.22 by seat |
| Snow Flow Mountain | Ice tubing, 42-inch minimum | $28.22 |
| #LIT Light Show | Nightly, 7:50 and 9:15 p.m. | Free |
| The Greatest Story | Stage show, 5 and 8 p.m. | Free; reserved seats $13.99 |
| Day-visitor self-parking | Charged per entry, plus tax | $38 ($30 prepaid) |
Ticket prices on the official site include ticketing fees, but the ICE! ticket page says parking and taxes are not included. Tickets arrive by email, and the resort is cashless.
The photo above shows the atrium’s Christmas lights in December 2013. The 2026 decorations will differ, but the setting is the same: a 4.5-acre glass-roofed atrium. Gaylord says it hangs more than 3 million lights around the resort.
ICE! featuring The Polar Express: what to expect
ICE! shows 11 scenes from The Polar Express, carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice in a 19,000-square-foot hall kept at 9°F. Gaylord says 40 artisans from Harbin, China, carve it over six weeks. Inside, you can sit in an ice passenger car for the Hot Chocolate scene, ride one of five ice slides (one is kid-sized) through Glacier Gulch and end at the North Pole, where an 11-foot Santa holds up the first gift of Christmas.
- Parka: every guest gets a free hooded parka, in sizes from infant to adult 4XL.
- What to wear: closed-toe shoes are required on the ice slides. Long pants, hats and gloves are recommended.
- How long: most guests spend 20 to 40 minutes inside. There is no time limit, but tickets are single-entry.
- Children: guests under 18 must come with a paid adult admission.
- Accessibility: the slides require climbing steps unassisted and meeting height requirements, but the FAQ says many other parts are fully accessible.
ICE! ticket prices and time slots for 2026
Prices change by date and time. These sample prices come from the official ticket site on October 26, 2026. They are per adult (12 and up) and include ticketing fees. Child tickets (ages 4 to 11) were $8 to $10 less in the 50 time slots we checked.
| Sample date | Adult ticket | First and last slots |
|---|---|---|
| Mon–Thu, Nov 16–19 | $32.22 | 10 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. |
| Fri, Nov 27 | $41.22–$43.22 | 10 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. |
| Tue–Thu, Dec 1–3 | $34.22 | 10 a.m. – 7:45 p.m. |
| Sat, Dec 12 | $43.22–$45.22 | 9 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. |
| Sat, Dec 19 | $44.22–$46.22 | 9 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec 25 | $35.22–$37.22 | 10 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. |
| Sat, Jan 2 | $37.22–$39.22 | 9 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. |
Across the season, adult prices ran from $31.22 (some slots on November 29) to $46.22 (some slots on December 19 and 20). Saturday slots and most days from December 19 to 27 start at 9 a.m.; other days start at 10 a.m. Seven slots, four of them on December 4, already showed as sold out when we checked.
- Arrival: arrive at least 15 minutes early. The FAQ says entry is not guaranteed if you are more than five minutes late, and the ticket page says late admission is not permitted.
- Changes: day-guest tickets are non-refundable, but you may be able to switch dates by replying to your confirmation email before your slot.
- Overnight guests: they can change or cancel attraction tickets for free up to five days before arrival if they enter their room confirmation number at checkout.
Other Christmas activities and what they cost
Most activities are in Alpine Village, a Bavarian-style holiday village inside the resort. These are the paid ones, with fees included, at the time of writing:
| Activity | Price | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance | $26.22 / $33.22 / $43.22 | Standard, Premium or Elite seats |
| Snow Flow Mountain | $28.22 | Unlimited ice-tubing rides that day |
| Gingerbread Decorating Corner | From $13.99 per kit | One kit can serve several people |
| Snowball Build & Blast | $14.99 per bucket | Real snow; a bucket can be shared |
| Snowman Scramble Scavenger Hunt | $14.99 | Booklet plus a prize |
| Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions | $14.99–$18.99 | Stories, songs, milk and a cookie |
| Elf Training Academy | $18.99–$21.99 per kit | 30-minute craft session |
| Christmas Carousel | $7.99 per ride | New for 2026 |
| Naughty or Nice Escape Room | $120 for up to 4 | Recommended for ages 10 and up |
| Photos with Santa | $44.99–$99.99 | Photo packages, Nov 13 – Dec 24 |
POMP, SNOW & CIRQUEumstance is a 35-minute musical, magic and circus show by Broadway director Neil Goldberg, with a cast of 24 artists. It plays daily at 11:45 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., with an extra 2:30 p.m. show on 14 dates. Children 3 and under are free if they share a paid adult’s seat, but the show page says they still need a ticket.
Snow Flow Mountain has six lanes of ice slides for tubing, in an area kept at 60°F. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall and carry their own tube, and parents cannot hold children on their laps. Hours vary by activity and day, so check the ticket site for your date.
Free things to see: lights, trees and shows
Part of Christmas at Gaylord Palms is free, although day visitors still pay for parking.
- #LIT Light Show: lights and a custom score that end with a tree lighting, nightly at 7:50 and 9:15 p.m. in the St. Augustine Atrium.
- Christmas Tree Trail: decorated trees throughout the atrium, at any time.
- The Greatest Story: a musical retelling of the birth of Jesus at 5 and 8 p.m. in Emerald Bay Plaza. Seating is first come, first served, or you can buy guaranteed seats for $13.99.
- Shops and snacks: Market Square, which Gaylord calls one of the largest Christmas stores in Florida, plus Build-A-Bear Workshop, Snowy’s Snack Shack and Snow Bar.
The resort also lists a 60-foot Christmas tree in the main atrium.
Activity passes and discounts
The official passes bundle ICE! with other activities. You add one ticket per person for each activity to get pass pricing.
- Silver Pass (save up to 20%): ICE!, Snow Flow Mountain and the scavenger hunt.
- Gold Pass (save up to 30%): adds Gingerbread Decorating Corner and Snowball Build & Blast.
- Ultimate Holi-Day Pass (save up to 40%): adds the cirque show, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions and Elf Training Academy. The pass page also lists the Christmas Carousel, but the site’s comparison chart marks it as optional.
- Weekday Pass (save up to 50%): ICE!, the cirque show and 20% off food and drinks at the resort that day. It is valid Monday to Thursday, November 16 to 19 and November 30 to December 17.
Coupon codes do not work on passes. For single ICE! tickets, the offers page lists online codes worth up to 25% off for Marriott Bonvoy members, military personnel, seniors 62 and older, teachers and first responders, with ID or a member number shown at the entrance.
Parking and getting to Gaylord Palms
The resort is at 6000 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee. By road it is about 3 miles from Hollywood Studios’ parking, about 5 miles from Disney Springs and about 19 miles from Orlando International Airport (MCO).
- Day visitors: the Christmas FAQ lists self-parking at $38 a day and valet at $55, plus tax, charged per entry. Only overnight guests get in-and-out privileges.
- Prepaid parking: the ticket site sells day-visitor self-parking for $30 instead of $38, valid once on the date you choose.
- Timing: allow at least 30 minutes to park and check in for your activity.
Overnight guests should note a conflict: Marriott’s hotel page (July 2026 copy) and the Booking.com listing show self-parking at $40 a day, while the Christmas FAQ says $38. Ask which rate applies to your stay.
Staying at Gaylord Palms for Christmas
Staying overnight puts ICE!, the shows and the light show a short walk from your room. The Christmas site lists three benefits for overnight guests:
- Chill Pass: front-of-line access and shorter waits at ICE! (free and not for sale). You still need ICE! tickets.
- Flexible tickets: free changes or cancellations of attraction tickets up to five days before arrival.
- Dining: on select peak dates, table-service restaurant reservations are only for overnight guests. Day guests are seated first come, first served.
Gaylord’s own Christmas packages, such as the Overnight ICE! Experience Package or a premium package with a high-floor Main Atrium View room and two to four ICE! tickets, are booked through Marriott, not Booking.com. So are the Marriott Bonvoy member offers. If you book on Booking.com, buy ICE! tickets separately and confirm Chill Pass access at check-in.
The resort fee is $45 a day plus tax on Marriott’s page at the time of writing. It covers a shuttle to the four Disney theme parks and Disney Springs (bookable up to five days ahead), Cypress Springs Water Park for up to four guests, internet and a daily yoga class for two. For a December 9, 2026 sample night, Booking.com showed the $45 fee plus 13.5% tax and a 1% city tax. Check-in is at 4 p.m. Rates vary by season, availability and how far ahead you book.
Check your Christmas dates at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center on Booking.com
Is Cypress Springs Water Park open in winter?
Marriott says both Cypress Springs pools are heated, “even during the winter months,” and the Christmas site calls them temperature-controlled pools and water rides. Marriott does not publish water park hours, so ask at check-in.
For rooms, restaurants and the Disney shuttle in detail, read our Gaylord Palms Resort review, or see how Gaylord Palms compares with its nearest big Marriott neighbor.
Nearby hotels if Gaylord Palms is full or too pricey
These hotels on US-192 and in Celebration are a short drive from the resort’s entrance on Gaylord Way. None is an easy walk, so plan to drive or take a rideshare.
| Hotel | To Gaylord Palms | Nightly fee | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Kissimmee/Celebration | About 1.5 mi | None shown | Free |
| Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW – Celebration Area | About 1.5 mi | $15 + tax | Free |
| Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration | About 2 mi | $25 + tax | $24 a day |
| Meliá Orlando Celebration | About 2 mi | $32 + tax | Conflicting; confirm |
Distances are OSRM routes on public roads (October 2026), about 4 to 7 minutes by car. Fees and parking come from each hotel’s Booking.com listing and price breakdown for a December 9, 2026 sample night, plus 13.5% Osceola County tax. Compare more options in our guides to the best hotels in Kissimmee and the best hotels in Celebration, Florida.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Kissimmee/Celebration
This Fairfield at 6073 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway is about 1.5 miles from Gaylord’s entrance by International Drive South. Booking.com listed free parking and no resort fee for our sample night, and its rates for that night included breakfast. The minimum check-in age is 21.
See prices and availability at Fairfield Inn & Suites Orlando Kissimmee/Celebration
Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW – Celebration Area
This tower hotel at 5711 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway is also about 1.5 miles away. Booking.com listed free parking, but its price breakdown added a $15 nightly resort fee plus tax, so look at the total before you pay. The minimum check-in age is 21.
Compare rates for Holiday Inn & Suites Orlando SW – Celebration Area
Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration
This Marriott resort on Parkway Boulevard is about 2 miles from Gaylord Palms, and its pool area has a waterfall grotto and a children’s water slide. Our Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration review covers the rooms and park shuttle. Booking.com showed a $25 nightly resort fee plus tax and lists parking at $24 a day.
Check your dates for Delta Hotels Orlando Celebration on Booking.com
Meliá Orlando Celebration
About 2 miles away on Celebration Place, Meliá is mostly one- and two-bedroom suites, many with a kitchen; see our Meliá Orlando Celebration review. Booking.com added a $32 nightly property service charge plus tax. Parking details conflict: Meliá’s own site says one space is included, subject to availability, and some Booking.com rates include one parking spot, but Booking.com’s parking section quotes $70 a day. Confirm with the hotel.
See available rooms at Meliá Orlando Celebration
Combine Gaylord Palms with other Orlando holiday events
- Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party: select nights from November 8 to December 22, 2026 at Magic Kingdom, with a separate ticket. See our Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party guide.
- Holidays at Universal Orlando: daily from November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027, included with park admission. See our Holidays at Universal Orlando guide.
- Now Snowing in Celebration: free snowfall in Celebration Town Center nightly from November 28 to December 31, 2026, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., about 3 miles from Gaylord Palms.
For every holiday date in one place, read our Christmas in Orlando guide, and for weather and school breaks, see Orlando in December.
Tips for a smooth visit
- Book ICE! first: pick your slot, then plan the evening around it. A slot around 6:30 or 7 p.m. leaves time for the 7:50 p.m. #LIT Light Show.
- Go on a weekday: Monday to Thursday slots were usually cheaper than Saturday slots in the same week.
Frequently asked questions
How much are ICE! tickets at Gaylord Palms in 2026?
On October 26, 2026, the official ticket site priced adult tickets (12 and up) from $31.22 to $46.22, including ticketing fees, depending on the date and time. Children 4 to 11 paid $8 to $10 less, and children 3 and under were free. The ticket page says taxes and parking are extra. December 19 and 20 had the highest prices.
Do you have to stay at Gaylord Palms to see ICE!?
No. Most Christmas events are open to day guests and overnight guests, and everyone buys tickets online in advance. Staying overnight adds the free Chill Pass for front-of-line ICE! access, free ticket changes up to five days before arrival and priority for table-service dining on peak dates. Overnight guests still need ICE! tickets.
How much is parking at Gaylord Palms for Christmas?
The Christmas FAQ lists self-parking at $38 a day and valet at $55 a day, plus tax, and day guests are charged per entry. Day visitors can prepay self-parking online for $30. Marriott’s hotel page and Booking.com list $40 a day for self-parking, so overnight guests should confirm the rate when they book.
What can you do for free at Christmas at Gaylord Palms?
You can watch the #LIT Light Show, nightly at 7:50 and 9:15 p.m. in the St. Augustine Atrium, walk the Christmas Tree Trail and see The Greatest Story stage show at 5 and 8 p.m. You can also browse Market Square and Alpine Village. Day visitors still pay for parking.
How cold is ICE!, and how long does it take?
ICE! is kept at 9°F. Every guest gets a free hooded parka, closed-toe shoes are required on the slides, and hats and gloves are strongly recommended. Most guests spend 20 to 40 minutes inside. There is no time limit, but tickets are single-entry, so you cannot go back in after you leave.
Is the Gaylord Palms water park open in winter?
Marriott says both Cypress Springs pools are heated so they can be used in the winter months, and the Christmas site describes temperature-controlled pools and water rides. Overnight guests get four wristbands through the resort fee. Marriott does not publish water park hours, so ask at check-in about hours on cool days.
Bottom line
Christmas at Gaylord Palms is easy to visit for an evening: book an ICE! slot online, add the free #LIT Light Show and prepay your parking. Stay overnight if you want the Chill Pass, a walk back to your room and priority for restaurant reservations on peak dates. If the resort is full or too expensive, the hotels on US-192 and in Celebration are about 1.5 to 2 miles away.
Compare rates for Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center for your holiday dates
Sources checked in October 2026: Christmas at Gaylord Palms FAQs, ICE! featuring The Polar Express tickets, Christmas at Gaylord Palms offers and passes, Gaylord Palms: What to Expect (Marriott), Cypress Springs Water Park (Marriott).