This post featuring Lonestar Christmas is hosted by the Gaylord Texan Hotel. I attended their media event, and all opinions are my own.
There are so many fun things to do in DFW to celebrate the holidays that we have to get started early to get them all in, AMIRIGHT? This weekend was the kickoff of one of the best, the opening of ICE! At the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine. You definitely want to put this high on your list.
The Lone Star Christmas has been a family favorite for the past 14 years and it just keeps getting better and better! This year’s theme for ICE! Is Twas the Night Before Christmas, the classic holiday poem. Can you even believe that it takes 2 million pounds of ice to put this incredible attraction together? They bring it in by semi trucks 30 days ahead of the opening and fly in master artisans from Harbin, China to hand-carve these amazing displays. They even include 5 ice slides AND ice bar! Not kidding! You can upgrade your ICE experience to enter the “On the Blocks Ice Bar” (21 and older only) and sample Santa’s Mules or Christmas Thymes. Now that’s something you don’t get to do everyday in Texas…
Now, for the kids, they aren’t so into the Ice Bar, but they are going to love the new Elf on the Shelf character breakfasts. Okay, who am I kidding. If you’ve seen anything on my website, you know I’m a HUGE EOTS fan. Even I was geeked out over getting to hug on a life sized scout elf!!!
So the hubs might have been too.
I know it’s hard to top elf snuggles, but there’s so much more to do. Try snow tubing, ice skating, photos with Santa, gingerbread houses to build, cookies with Mrs. Claus, Santa’s snow throw, Santa’s cottage escape room (I HAVE to do this!) and even a Build-A-Bear Workshop on site where you can get that cute little parka or do the BABW scavenger hunt.
Y’all, there is so much Christmasing to do at the Gaylord Texan, you might want to stay there. You can get priority access line for ICE if you do, and be sure to download the way finding app even if you’re just spending the day.
Even if you’re just going to take in all the amazing scenery, you will be wowed. The staff at the Gaylord Texas make all of their decorations, you can’t buy them anywhere! There are:
- 2 million lights
- 54 ft-tall Christmas tree
- 100 miles of Christmas light strands
- 5,600 feet of garland
- 25 ft tall nutcrackers
- 2,000 poinsettias
- 15,000 sparkling ornaments
And you thought decorating your house was hard, lol.
ICE! Runs through New Year’s Day. Below you’ll find a list of activities and prices (which vary depending on when you go), so be sure to visit ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com for information and tickets.
ICE!
Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
New Year’s Day: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Extended hours 12/17 – 21 & 12/24 – 28: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Prices vary – check website
Add-on:
On the Blocks Ice Bar: $15 per person
Activities
(You don’t have to attend ICE! for these, and they are priced separately.)
Please check the website here for specific days and available times.
Snow Tubing
12-lane, two-story tall, indoor hill covered in two million pounds of real snow!
$18.99 for 12 runs
Ice Skating
6,000 square-foot outdoor skating rink made with real ice!
$16.99 includes skate rental and unlimited skate time
Photos with Santa
Packages start at $30
Santa’s Christmas Cottage Escape Room
40 minutes to solve clues to find Santa’s golden key to his magical toy factory!
Adults $25, Children 11 and under $15
Gingerbread Decorating Corner
They have 19,500 kits for this!!! Choose from 3 different design options and then make your way to meet the Gingerbread man for photos with your own camera.
Family Kit $29.99
Train Kit $29.99
House Kit $49.99 (includes one gingerbread man)
Combo Kit $68.99 (includes one house + gingerbread family)
Elf on the Shelf Character Breakfast
Join Santa’s Scout Elves for a festive breakfast featuring activities, games, a sing-along to a new hit video and a viewing of An Elf’s Story!
Adults $37.99 plus tax and gratuity
Children 4 – 12 $19.99 plus tax
Children 3 and under FREE with a full price paid adult admission
Cookies with Mrs. Claus
Mrs Claus will read classic holiday stories and lead a sing along to Christmas carols. Enjoy cookies and milk!
Children 4 and older $19.99
Accompanying adult $5
Children 3 and under FREE with a full price paid admission of $19.99
Kids have to have an accompanying adult!
Build A Bear Workshop Scavenger Hunt
Track down all the hard working holiday bears located throughout the resort atriums
$12 – one prize per scavenger hunt purchased
Build A Bear Workshop
Make your own furry friend, complete with Gaylord Texan ICE parka! (Or choose from all kinds of furry friends)
Price varies based on items selected
Have so much fun y’all!!!
Is the escape room mostly for families with children. What about 2 sisters in their 50’s?
Do it! Why not? I totally want to go back and do it with our without kids!
Can you tell me what is the “prize” for the scavenger hunt?
I would if I knew!!! I bet if you call the Gaylord they might let you know. 😉