gaylord palms

[traceya89]

have read a few mentions of gaylord palms but cant find where it is. can an expert help me with directions, thanks.[msncool]

[Nostromo]

Are you kidding? It is one of the biggest landmarks in Orlando and unobscured by anything else. It is at the junction of Osceola Parkway and I-Drive, roughly 3 miles east of WDW.

If you are coming from the villas, get on to the Osceola Parkway going east and GP will be there right in front of you. You cannot miss it if you tried.

[Ray&Sarah]

Here are the directions:

North Florida I-95 South (Jacksonville)
I-95 South / I-4 West / Exit 65 Osceola Parkway East / Gaylord Palms on Right


North Florida I-75 South (Tallahassee)
I-75 South / Florida Turnpike South / I-4 West / Exit 65 Osceola Parkway East / Gaylord Palms on Right


West Florida I-4 East (Tampa/St. Petersburg)
I-4 East / Exit 65 Osceola Parkway East / Gaylord Palms on Right


East Florida I-4 West (Daytona)
I-4 West / Exit 65 Osceola Parkway East / Gaylord Palms on Right


South Florida I-95 North (Ft. Lauderdale/Miami)
I-95 North / Florida Turnpike North / Osceola Parkway West / Gaylord Palms on Left

[traceya89]

i think i must be thick!!!! i just cannot picture it. i must admit i dont think i have ever drove on the osceola parkway though and tend to go the long way round to things as i know where i am if i am on the i4 or the 192. is GP a hotel or convention centre???? does anyone have a picture of it from outside so i know what i am looking for[msnsmile2]

[Nostromo]

It is a huge resort set in some 65 acres of land. I'll try to DM you a link.

[markburwood]

Tracey try the web site

[website link edited]

[Nostromo]

That's the same link that I just sent Tracey. I did not dare send it openly and face the Boss Lady's wrath! [msnscared][msnscared][msnwink][msnwink]

[traceya89]

i will definitely be visiting now. i just have to look a long sleeved cardigan to wear for ice, which will take up valuable space in my suitcase
:)

[blott]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
That's the same link that I just sent Tracey. I did not dare send it openly and face the Boss Lady's wrath! [msnscared][msnscared][msnwink][msnwink][/quote]How'd you guess Nostromo? [msnwink]

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

Here's a picture:

http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/Data/floridadreamvilla.co.uk/20041112231228_gaylord.jpg

[Nostromo]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by blott
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Nostromo
That's the same link that I just sent Tracey. I did not dare send it openly and face the Boss Lady's wrath! [msnscared][msnscared][msnwink][msnwink]

[/quote]How'd you guess Nostromo? [msnwink]
[/quote]

I still have the scars from that last whipping session! Ouch! ;)

[LiesaAnna]

that looks an impressive place!!!
so this is where the ice sculptures are?


(then we know what landmarks to look for):)

[orlandobabe]

There's a big sun on the roof which you can't miss.

They do beautiful buffet meals in the villa de flora-well recommended.

[traceya89]

thanks for picture. dont know where i have been when i have been to florida the last 15 times but have certainly not seen this.

[benfilo]

if you're heading west on the 192 just before marker 8 you'll see a flyover, just before that there is an eckard, turn right up South International Drive, it can't be more than a mile up there.

benfilo

[flyrr100]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by orlandobabe
There's a big sun on the roof which you can't miss.




[/quote]
The big sun's gone. Courtesy of the three hurricanes! But I agree with all, it's an impressive place!

[amy]

The ice sculptures opened tonight, we are planning on visiting later in the week, hopefully will will get some good pics to post.

[LiesaAnna]

thanks Amy, will be keeping an eye open for them!
looking forward to that!:)

[dbrook]

Thanks for that Amy. I just e-mailed them to ask about it as I couldn't see anything about it on their website.

Anyone any idea about the cost as I have some December guests who have asked me about it. I am sure it was all on their website last year[?]

[LiesaAnna]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by dbrook
Thanks for that Amy. I just e-mailed them to ask about it as I couldn't see anything about it on their website.

Anyone any idea about the cost as I have some December guests who have asked me about it. I am sure it was all on their website last year[?]
[/quote]

go to the "christmas postings"
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_15406.asp
think this is it, lots of info there but some of it are last years dates[msnwink]

[Liam_Sandie]

I know this might sound like a stupid questions!![msnembarrased]bust can you just walk in, you don't have to be staying there? I just looked at the site and it says it a resort and convention centre.. and if you can just visit, what is the best time to go and which restuarant would you recommend? Thanks[msnsmile2]

[floridadreamvilla.co.uk]

You can just walk in for a look around. The Villa De Flora in the early evening is well recommended - absolutely beautiful food and a great setting.

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Liam_Sandie
I know this might sound like a stupid questions!![msnembarrased]bust can you just walk in, you don't have to be staying there? I just looked at the site and it says it a resort and convention centre.. and if you can just visit, what is the best time to go and which restuarant would you recommend? Thanks[msnsmile2]
[/quote]

[Liam_Sandie]

Thanks John, will add this to my "must visit" list for March! We passed it quite a few times but assumed it was hotel for guests only, its amazimg what you learn here![msnwink]

[Lisa and Scott Parker]

We have booked tickets online for the Ice spectacular. If you go onto the gaylord palms website there is a section for forthcoming events and if you click on that there is an online booking service where you can even print out your tickets. I think it was $20 per adult and $10 per child.

[Liam_Sandie]

Thanks guys...that sounds lovely, I will go look around the site![msnsmile]

[TINAPETERS]

Thankyou, I have just printed off my tickets for Christmas Eve.
Although we have driven past Gaylords Resort many times I had no idea about the ice sculptures, it looks amazing, cant wait to go.
Something different to see and do

[chunkichik]

We saw this being built on our first visit in 2000 and when we went back, we just laughed at the name and no more, didn't know anything about restaurants or ice sculptures? will they be there 20 oct - 3 nov next year?

[chunkichik]

Boo Hoo [msncry][msncry][msncry] it doesnt start until Nov 25th, oh well it'll have to wait until we buy our own villa

[Joolz]

If you go to the website it has a search box top left - type in Ice and youll go stright to it! The prices are listed, as are opening times... I am really looking forward to going to ICe in a few weeks....:D
I was wondering about doing ICE on Christmas eve and going to Gaylord restaurant for meal - but I guess I ll need to book pretty soon??

[tezz7628]

clicking on the ice advert worked for me :)

[Deb]

Tracey

We were the same as several others and kept wondering what Gaylord Center was, until a friend told us.When we were over in the summer, they had a festival on, and there were all sorts of sand sculptures - just amazing.

I can definitely recommend Villa de Flora - 'all in' evening dinner buffet that varies during the week:
Mon/Fri - Italian
Tue/Sat - Spanish
Wed/Sun - French
Thu - Greek (lunchtime - Moroccan)

Adults $24 Children $12 - soft drinks included, only alcoholic drinks extra. Dinner from 5.10pm

Good for a special occasion and best to book ahead.
Its one of those restaurants when you wished you had an extra stomach!!
Our friend had his birthday one evening and they produced the biggest dessert with candles on, you have ever seen! [msntongue][msntongue]

Breakfast from 6.30 - 10.30am
Sunday breakfast 6.30 - 11.00am
Sunday Brunch 12.00 - 3.00pm
Lunch from 11.30 - 2.30pm

I'm hoping to try them all. Hickory Steak House is good too - you can get buffalo and alligator for a change. There is entertainment in the evening over in Key West. If you go for a drink before your meal, you'll see stiltwalkers, a female fireeater and usually a singer & guitarist. For afterwards, there is a bar where the dualling piano players will do requests (songs). A fantastic way to spend an evening.

When you arrive to park, tell the security guard that you are eating in one of the restaurants. They will give you a ticket which you can have stamped by the restaurant, and you get the parking free.

Debra

[amy]

We went to 'ICE' this morning, it was great.

When we arrived it was around 10.30 am and around 80 degrees and it felt it aswell. There was a small $7 dollar charge for car parking(if you park on the hotel and walk the 100 yrds its free but didn't realise and just followed the signs[msnsad])

The admission is $16.95 and if you pick up the coupon books you can save $2 per person.when we first entered there where photos and diagrams showing the construction of the exhibition.the you where issued with an ankle length blue parka(they recommend long trousers and full toe shoes).Then we had our photo taken, with the blue backgound and the photographer telling you to,"look cold" that is easier said than done when wearing a thermal parka in Florida.

As we walked down the corridor to the exhibition you could feel it getting cooler and cooler then when though the final door a very cold 9 degrees, you soon appreciated the parka and before too long I even tested the hood.

The sculputers where fantasic and if the cold air had not already taken your breath away they did, a lot of inticate work had gone into creating them,with lots of small detail.
There where also 4 slide you could ride on(I have icluded an action shot of me and amy testing them out).

When you exited the exhibition into the corridor that felt cool as you where entering now felt positivly hot and you came out of the deep freeze and began to thaw you had the chance to see your photo you posed for on the way in, the reason for them telling you to look cold was that they had superimposed you into the exhibition.the photos where reasonable priced, we went for them on CD and aswell as your photos you get a video of all the preparation and a slide show of the exhibits, it looks really good.

Here is a link to the photo section where I have posted a few pics we took as we went round.
http://www.orlando-guide.info/forums/topic_15836.asp

If you are to visit Florida between now and Jan 2nd 2005, I would most certainly recommend a visit here.

[msnsmile]

[LiesaAnna]

thanks Paul Jen and Amy!!!!!
definately going there next week!!!![msnwink]

[Trina]

Hi, have to agree with Amy 'Ice' was great. We went on Sat eve. the opening day. It cost $16.95 per adult and we booked on-line before we went and collected the tickets from the reservation office a few days before.
It is recommended that you wear trousers, socks and shoes and you are given an insulated parka jacket with a hood to wear - its -9!!!! Its good fun for all ages - no age or size restrictions on the ice slides!!!!!!!!!!!!
As we left an elf gave us two vouchers which we took around to the main atrium of the hotel - one we exchanged for a hot chocolate and watched some christmas entertainment on a stage and the other gave us 10% off the evening buffet at the Villa de Flora. It was the spanish evening. Goodness knows how many courses we had plus wine and it only came to about £40!!!!!!!!!!!
Excellent visit.

[LiesaAnna]

so got your money's worth then!! sounds lovely, especially with the hot choccy![msnwink]

[ellie]

Yes, of course you can - we often pop in just to look around, it is such an experience - even if you are not having a meal. Hope you enjoy it!

Ellie

[traceya89]

have just returned from florida [msncry] did not get time to do everything because i wanted to make sure we got our moneys worth with the flex tickets. we did not get to ice but i made sure i found gaylord palms and i passed it a few years ago when it was being built, and i am sure it was originally going to be called oophyrland hotel or something like that. you can get to it via the 192 at the back of walgreeens, which is the walgreens just before watermania. although i consider myself to be a florida expert [msnwink] did not know of gaylord palms cos we never go that far down the I4 and come off at the LBV exit to go to the villa we usually rent. roll on next year for our next florida holiday.

p.s. never got to meet Liesa!!!

[Joolz]

We've booked!! Are going on Xmas eve- followed by meal at the Gaylords Villa de Flora restaurant. I emailed them and they said they have a few sand sculptures still there to look at too.
Thought we might go to one of the bars for a cocktail before dinner... hopefully theyll do some non alcoholic ones too??

Ill report back after our trip... we go on Friday ! Yippeeeeeeeeeeee[chatter][xmas1]