The holiday season officially begins the moment you step into ICE! Featuring The Polar Express™ at Gaylord National Resort, an immersive winter attraction that blends artistry, nostalgia, and family-friendly wonder on an impressive scale. As the latest iteration of the long-running ICE! tradition — a concept inspired by the world-famous Harbin Ice Festival — this year’s event transforms Warner Bros.’ beloved Christmas classic The Polar Express into more than 20,000 square feet of hand-carved ice landscapes, character sculptures, and cinematic recreations kept at a frosty nine degrees. For anyone searching for a holiday experience that blends spectacle with heart, ICE! delivers exactly that.
A Hand-Carved Journey Through The Polar Express
The signature experience, ICE! Featuring The Polar Express™, opens with a towering, meticulously carved locomotive that instantly sets the tone. Lit with sharp LED accents that dance across its icy structure, the train feels monumental — a centerpiece that signals how much craftsmanship went into this year’s showcase. From there, guests walk through nine sculpted rooms that capture iconic moments from the film: the Hot Chocolate car, the snowy forests, the famous “Believe” scenes, and the final steps toward the North Pole.
Two rooms stand out as the most visually striking.
The Christmas Tree Room, bursting with color and intricate detail, feels alive from corner to corner. The glow of the lighting creates a warmth that contradicts the freezing temperature, and younger visitors respond to it immediately. At the end of the exhibit, everything quiets as you enter The Nativity of Jesus, a room carved entirely from clear ice. Without color or added light effects, it’s a surprisingly emotional moment — reverent, pristine, and powerful in its simplicity.
Along the way, guests can watch a master ice artisan actively sculpting new pieces. It’s an impressive reminder that every sculpture inside ICE! is carved by hand using techniques passed through generations, guided by a 300-page design blueprint and created by a team of over 240 artisans who travel from Harbin, China each year.
Despite the scale of the artistry, the walkthrough portion of ICE! typically takes 15–20 minutes at a comfortable pace. The exhibit is self-guided and has no time limit, but the 9°F temperature naturally keeps guests moving.
Beyond the Ice: A Full Holiday Playground
Once you exit the frozen landscapes of The Polar Express™, the resort opens up into a full holiday festival, with activities and experiences spilling across the atrium, Christmas Village, and surrounding spaces. And while the ICE! exhibit is the star attraction, the additional activities make Gaylord National a full-day outing for families, date nights, and anyone craving a little winter magic.
The 5-Activity ICE! Package: A Well-Rounded Holiday Experience
Guests who purchase the Gold (5-activity) Bundle get access to:
- ICE! Featuring The Polar Express™
- Mistletoe Mile Scavenger Hunt
- Snow Flow Mountain Tubing
- Gingerbread Decorating Corner
- Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions
Each one offers a different style of holiday fun. The scavenger hunt takes families through the resort as they search for Santa’s missing toy blueprints. Snow Flow Mountain gives kids an adrenaline burst on real ice tubing lanes (adults may feel a bit out of place since it’s very kid-centric). Gingerbread Decorating Corner is a hands-on creative break, complete with a meet-and-greet with Nutmeg the Gingerbread Man. Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions warms things up with cookies, carols, and a spirited reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Additional Festivities and Free Attractions
One of the biggest surprises is how much there is to explore without spending another dollar. Gaylord National has gone all in on the holiday transformation, and the full photos, giant trees, themed scents, garlands, and festive displays throughout the atrium feel like stepping inside a giant Christmas pop-up book.
Free attractions include:
- Here We Glow A-Caroling Laser Light Show — a nightly musical spectacle with animated lights and a sing-along finale
- Wildlife Rescue AR Safari — a self-guided augmented reality hunt with endangered animals
- Build-A-Bear Holiday Workshop — while not free to purchase, exploring the setup is included
Families also naturally gather around the central atrium where the holiday soundtrack, towering decorations, sweet treats, and winter-inspired cocktails at Harbor Social complete the experience.
Cirque: Spirit of Christmas — A Must-See Live Show
If ICE! is the main event, then Cirque: Spirit of Christmas is the unexpected showstopper. This full theatrical production is filled with acrobatics, emotional storytelling, Broadway-caliber performers, and breathtaking set pieces that turn the atrium into a holiday stage. The story follows Noel, a young girl rediscovering the meaning of Christmas through dreamlike encounters and Cirque-style sequences. Performers tumble, flip, glide, and soar with precision — making this show one of the most impressive holiday productions in the region. While you can watch from around the hotel, a front-row ticketed seat is absolutely worth it.
Tickets, Packages, and Bundles
Gaylord National offers Silver (3-activity) and Gold (5-activity) bundles, plus standalone tickets for individual attractions. Pricing varies by date, but the bundles deliver the strongest value, especially when paired with the Chill Pass — an add-on that grants priority access to ICE!.
Parking options are flexible. Although prepaid parking is available, you can save money by using nearby garages in the Harbor.
Final Verdict
ICE! Featuring The Polar Express™ delivers a visually spectacular, nostalgia-driven holiday outing filled with craftsmanship, color, and Christmas magic. While some activities appeal more to children than adults, the overall experience is rich, warm, and memorable — especially when paired with the resort’s Cirque show and free attractions. If you’re looking for a festive day trip or building a holiday tradition with family or a partner, Gaylord National’s ICE! experience remains one of the season’s most joyful offerings.
For more information visit Gaylord National Activities or Christmas at Gaylord National
Editor-in-Chief | Owner
I’m a dedicated aficionado of all things movies, pop culture, and entertainment. With a passion for storytelling and a love for the silver screen, I’m constantly immersed in the world of cinema, exploring new releases, classics, and hidden gems alike. As a fervent advocate for the power of film to inspire, entertain, and provoke thought, I enjoy sharing my insights, reviews, and recommendations with fellow enthusiasts.