Snow Tube Indoors, Then Stay in a Christmas-Themed Hotel for a Holly Jolly Florida Adventure

Florida can be quite overlooked in the wintertime, except for those trying to escape winter elsewhere. Just because we don't get buckets of freshly fallen snow to wake up to on Christmas morning doesn't mean we don't get into the holiday spirit in the Sunshine State. The only difference? We take our holly jolly adventure indoors instead. Every year, Gaylord Palms Resort and Water Park near Orlando turns into a winter wonderland of fun, and this year is no different. 

When it comes to the best holiday resorts in Florida, this festive destination is obviously a top choice. Not only can you go snow tubing indoors, but you'll also be able to spend the night inside the Christmas-themed hotel in Florida and enjoy all the fun and festivities the next day, too. If you’re ready to create lasting memories and take your holiday celebrations to the next level, add this family-friendly resort to your list this year. You’ll discover tons of surprises for everyone to enjoy!

Every year, the Gaylord Palms Resort and Water Park in Florida transforms into a magical holiday wonderland. We’re talking more than three million holiday lights, and that’s just on the outside. This hotel is world-renowned for the Christmas magic it introduces every year, bringing back some old holiday favorites while also incorporating new and exciting festivities. Guests have the opportunity to reserve a room and stay the night. Our recommendation? Try an Atrium-view room so you can fall asleep and wake up to the magic!

First things first, head on over to the Snow Factory to kick off the indoor winter magic. Guests can race down the snow tubing mountain dubbed Snow Flow Mountain to see who makes it down the fastest. The little ones will especially have a blast as their laughters echo throughout the wonderland. After they've played enough on the slides, stop and toss snowballs at targets at Snowball Build and Blast. Fun fact: Did you know this tubing slide is made entirely of ice? Of course, that's only the beginning of this holly, jolly adventure.

Speaking of ice, this year marks the return of ICE!, a themed tradition that incorporates two million pounds (the equivalent of 250 African elephants, wow!) of man-made ice sculptures that are as spectacular as you can imagine. Master artisans work for weeks in advance, expertly sculpting countless blocks of ice to create a veritable winter wonderland. It's an immersive experience, and if you've never spent the holidays at Gaylord Palms, you'll want to put this at the very top of your bucket list.

Each year, the resort elevates the themed exhibits to the next level. Recently, the popular character that we love to hate, the Grinch, made its debut, as well as other fun-loving personalities. This year, ICE! features Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with mind-blowing artisan ice sculptures throughout. Expect approximately "one dozen larger-than-life scenes” from the classic animated series. It's something that simply must be seen to be believed. The ice masterpieces are carved with precision and feature brightly colored ice telling the story of this famed holiday classic.

Of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there waiting to meet the enthusiastic little girls and boys. They can listen to heartwarming stories, make their last-minute Christmas wishes, eat yummy treats (milk and cookies, of course!), and take pictures with our favorite Christmas characters. In addition to Santa's magic, the resort hosts a complimentary holiday light show every night. Guests of the hotel will be greeted with thousands of glowing lights and a festive finale of holiday songs. Be sure to carve out time to see this enchanting show. I promise, this memorable sing-along is the only way to close out your fun-filled day.

Make sure you make it to the market, too, in case you need to finish up some last-minute holiday shopping. You can reserve your spot today until Jan. 7 to get in on all of the fun. So, if you're looking for the best Christmas celebration in Florida, you've found it! Enjoy indoor snow tubing, a themed ice wonderland, and a resort hotel stay all at the Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando. I love that the festivities are open to the public as well, so everyone (locals and visitors alike) can have a blast at these holly jolly adventures in Florida.

Have you ever stayed at this Christmas-themed hotel in Florida before? Did you go snow tubing? Share your experience with us on our nomination page! Or, if you are looking for more information about how to spend the night here, including availability and nightly rates, then visit the Gaylord Palms Resort and Water Park website or the Gaylord Palms Resort and Water Park Facebook page.

Winter in Florida is a truly underrated experience. But as you can tell, there's so much to enjoy, from Christmas resorts to dazzling light shows and endless activities for the entire family. If you'd like to dive into even more Florida fun, be sure to take a look at our list of fun winter activities and adventures in Florida.

Meanwhile, check out Only In Your State’s itinerary planner to discover more holiday events and keep the festivities going!