If you’re looking for a holiday experience that absolutely delivers — for kids, teens, adults, grandparents — ICE! at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando belongs on your list. This year’s theme brought classic Christmas characters to life in a way that felt part theme park, part art gallery, and part deep-freeze adventure.

But what made this trip stick wasn’t just the ice sculptures. It was watching my kids experience it together.

Walking Into a Frozen World

The moment you step inside, the temperature drops to a bone-chilling 9 degrees. They hand you those big blue parkas — which somehow make everyone look adorable and ridiculous at the same time — and then you’re transported into a glowing, colorful, life-size ice village.

Huge sculpted characters tower overhead. Lighting everywhere. Every corner pulls you in for another picture.

This is where my son and his fiancée jumped in for the perfect holiday card photo:

The details in the ice carvings are something else — from a giant lion sculpture to Rudolph, Santa, and an entire nativity scene carved completely out of crystal-clear ice. Seeing the craftsmanship up close changes your appreciation for what goes into building this show.

The Memories Are What Make It

There’s something about watching your kids — whether they’re little or full-grown adults — get excited about the holidays again. Here’s my younger son in front of the massive lion sculpture. One of my favorite shots from the whole trip:

Watching my older son and his fiancée goof off in front of the Rudolph display was one of those moments where you think: this is what the holidays are for.

Real estate is my career, but my family is my world — and this trip reminded me how important it is to slow down during the busiest time of year. These moments last a lot longer than the ice does.

And this final shot says everything:

Worth the Drive from Wellington

Orlando is about two hours from Wellington — a manageable day trip for a holiday outing like this. The Gaylord Palms ICE! show runs each December, and it works for the whole range: kids who are 6, teens who are 16, adult kids who are 26, or just adults looking for something genuinely different for the holidays.

If you’re heading to Orlando this season, put ICE! at the top of the list.