Gaylord National ICE! 2019 Display at National Harbor

The holiday season is upon us! If you’re trying to figure out fun ways to fill your time with holiday cheer, Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center’s ICE! has become a beloved Washington, DC holiday tradition for many families. I realized that this is my own family’s 9th year going to ICE! It’s always exciting to explore the 9-degree enclosed winter wonderland hand-carved from 2 million pounds of ice by master artisans.

If you’ve never been to a Gaylord Hotel ICE! attraction or are wondering if it is worthwhile to attend this year, I have put together this guide to help share the highlights of Gaylord ICE! and what to expect.

Here’s what you need to know about Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center’s ICE! attraction and Christmas On The Potomac Events for 2019:

A “mean” theme featuring How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

Every year the ICE! display changes as Gaylord National brings in 35 artisans from Harbin, China to sculpt the icy spectacle by hand. It takes them 6,000 ice blocks and about 30 days to construct! This year the ICE! attraction in National Harbor, Maryland features Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas. You will find scenes from the heart-warming holiday story first published in 1957, including your favorite characters like the Grinch, Sam, and Cindy Lou. You will get to relive the classic tale of how the Grinch attempts to steal Christmas from the Whos of Who-ville and experience favorite scenes such as the Grinch lurking through the chimneys of the Who-ville homes, the wondrous moment the Grinch’s heart grows three sizes after realizing Christmas means more, and sitting down at the Whos’ feast where the Grinch carves the roast beast. The artistic ice sculptures and displays include bright and bold colors, over a thousand special light tubes, and moving elements.

It’s only 9 degrees – dress warmly.

The ICE! attraction itself is chilly, in fact, it’s kept at a temperature of 9°F in order to keep the ice carvings in peak condition. Gaylord National provides a long, hooded blue parka that is calf-length. You should definitely bring along your own warm hat and gloves. I typically also wear double-layer socks (my toes always get so cold!) and a scarf as well as my normal, warm winter coat underneath the blue parka. Comfortable shoes, such as regular tennis shoes or boots, work for the cold and slippery surface although all pathways throughout the attraction are carpeted. High heels, sandals, or open toe shoes are not allowed.

On wheels? Stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible.

I love that this year the ICE! attraction at Gaylord National is extremely accessible. I remember years ago seeing a sign in ICE that strollers were not allowed. However, this year the attraction is open for families and guests who have young children in strollers or have a family member in a wheelchair. There are carpeted pathways throughout the attraction, and you are welcome to bring strollers and wheelchairs into the event. However, please note there is one section that is not wheelchair or stroller accessible: the slides.

Ice slides for guests of all ages, plus smaller slides for toddlers

Most of the ICE! attraction involves walking into different rooms and viewing the beautiful sculpted ice displays depicting scenes from How The Grinch Stole Christmas. You are not supposed to touch the majority of the carvings, in order for them to retain their shape and look. However, the ICE! slides are a fun and interactive section that allows you to embrace your inner child and slide down a two-story high slide constructed out of ice. You’ll need to give yourself a good push to get some momentum, as the blue parka against the ice slide is not quite as slick and slippery as you may think. Smaller children under 4 years of age or under 40 inches tall are only allowed on the designated Children’s Slide.

How much time should you expect to spend in ICE?

You can stay in ICE! for as long as you can stand the cold! This year my family lasted about 25 minutes inside the ICE attraction. The walk-through experience lasts approximately 15 – 30 minutes depending on how much time you take to view each section and play on the slides. Most people spend about 20 – 60 minutes inside, depending on how long you can stand the cold. One year we spent almost two hours in ICE! but that is longer than normal and really depends on your comfort-level and how much fun you’re having in the frigid temperatures.

ICE! has two endings.

As you finish the tale of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, you notice a sign inside a wreath with red letters stating “The End.” If you’ve attended ICE! before you probably remember their trademark finale is actually something different. Once you make your way toward “The End” sign, you leave the final scene with the Grinch, and make your way around another corner to enter a hidden area. The final section of ICE! includes a beautiful, crystal-clear nativity scene and enormous angel. The true ending of ICE! culminates the experience with the history of Christmas and the reason for the season.

What’s new this year at Gaylord National’s ICE!

There are many new offerings and exciting activities happening at Gaylord National for Christmas On The Potomac! If you’ve attended ICE! before, you’ll be interested to learn that the following are brand new in 2019.

*Please note the following are not included in ICE! admission and are for additional fees*

Reindeer Rush Ice Tubing – Unlimited tubing down a two-stories tall slope with the speed of ice!

Winter Square Ice Skating – an enclosed ice skating rink located behind Gaylord National surrounded by fire pits and an outdoor bar.

Tinsel Tavern – An over-the-top ugly sweater themed bar serving adult beverages for mom and dad and hot chocolate for the kiddos around outdoor fire pits.

The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt – an interactive, indoor scavenger hunt with clues and puzzles, solve all the clues and win a prize (plush Grinch keychain).

Workshop Wednesdays – On select Wednesdays in Dec. from 4-8 pm guests can expect fun, festive craft nights and special family friendly events, like Ooey Gooey Grinch Slime, Winter Mint Body Scrub, and even a Medieval Times Knight performance and “knighting” ceremony for the kids.

Feast with The Grinch in Pienza Marketplace – a breakfast buffet with The Grinch and his faithful companion Sam.

Cirque Dreams Unwrapped – An all-new 25 minute musical act featuring spectacular aerial and acrobatic feats

Sounds of the Season Concert Series – A new concert series kicks off select Monday evenings at 7:30 pm featuring DC and East Coast vocal groups set on the resort’s spectacular atrium stage.

Ways to save money at Gaylord National ICE! & Christmas On The Potomac

Here’s how to get the most bang for your buck at Gaylord ICE! You can get discounted Gaylord ICE! admission or save money on ICE! tickets using the following Gaylord National ICE ticket codes and discount deals.

Wait for their Cyber Monday deal

Historically, Gaylord National has offered the lowest price of the season on ICE! tickets during their Gaylord Hotels Cyber Monday deal (40% off ICE! admission on select dates). I’m guessing the code will be “CYBER19” (in the past it has been CYBER plus the last two digits of the year) and it should be valid for 72 hours when purchasing tickets starting Monday, November 25, 2019 on the Gaylord National website.

Buy more & save

Combine ICE! with 3 or more events and save 20, 25, or 30% on your visit by bundling with the “Silver Play and Save Pass,” “Gold Play and Save Pass” or “Platinum Play and Save Pass.” You can also bundle ICE! with Cirque Dreams Unwrapped.

Wait for a Groupon or CertifiKID deal

Look out for discount offers on daily deal sites like Groupon and CertifiKID.

Visit On A Value Day

On select “Value Days” admission is $33 for ages 12 and up and $25 for children aged 4 – 11 years. Children 3 and under are always free. Check the ticket calendar to see a list of eligible dates (most weekdays through Dec. 19).

Please note that outside of “value days” the normal general admission is $39 for guests 12 and up, and $32 for children aged 4 – 11 (prices on weekends through Dec. 15). Tickets purchased during “peak” dates are the most expensive (Dec. 20 – 30) and cost $40 for guests 12+, and $33 for children 4 – 11.

Enjoy Gaylord ICE! Military Discounts

Gaylord National offers military discounts of up to 20% off for active and retired military personnel and their families. Military tickets can be purchased online, on the phone, or at the box office. Valid military ID must be presented upon entry. Ticket prices start at $18 for kids (4-11) and $28 for ages 12+.

AAA Members Save

Use code “AAA19” for mid-week ICE! ticket savings of 10%. Be sure to present your AAA member card upon entry.

Marriott Bonvoy Members Save

Marriott Bonvoy Exclusive Offers: Members receive exclusive discounts on ICE! You can save 25% on ICE! admission Monday – Thursday by using code “MBICE19” when you book online.

Additional Gaylord National ICE! Discount Codes

Use code “COTP19” to save up to 30% off tickets. Prices start at $23.10 on select dates.
Use promo code “Influencer19” to save $3 off tickets any day.

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If you plan to attend Gaylord National’s ICE! or Christmas On The Potomac events, be prepared to create wonderful holiday memories with your family. Don’t be a grinch, it’s a cinch to get in the holiday spirit by snagging tickets to ICE! at Gaylord National with friends and loved ones. This has been one of my children’s favorite Christmas-time activities over the years and it’s something I look forward to each year.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. My family was invited to attend ICE! and experience other Gaylord National holiday attractions along with other influencers and bloggers on the opening day of ICE. This included complimentary admission to the ICE! exhibit and other activities. Please know the opinions shared in this post are my own. To learn more, please read my disclosure policy.