Florida Festival at Gaylord Palms

For those who are in Orlando during the summer, it may be worth checking this out.
I havent spoken to anyone who has been yet but at $10 a carload its not too exhorbitant to go and have a look. We cant make it till the last day of the event so it may be winding down by then.
If anybody goes before hand please get back to us and let us know if it is worth a visit,
Gaylord Palms Salutes Florida With Summer-Long Festival



This summer, visitors to Orlando can celebrate the best of the Sunshine State ; under one roof ; by visiting the Best of Florida Festival; at Gaylord Palms Resort.

The new indoor festival features special weekend entertainment and events, including a new indoor laser show finale. The festival runs weekends July 10-Aug. 1, and Aug. 14-Sept. 5. Festival hours are Saturdays from noon until 10 p.m. and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m.

Best of Florida Festival celebrates all that makes Florida great; its legends, festivals, events, foods, landscapes and creatures.

The festival is staged around the resort;s 4.5-acre glass-covered atriums, making it one of the only indoor festivals in the state. Best of Florida Festival will include several themed areas:

Everglades Village: Visit a Florida backwaters village, complete with character actors, crafters, live alligators, artisans, storytellers, and music.

KeyWestFest: The energy of fun-filled Key West, featuring artists, tightrope walkers, performers, live music, steel drums, and even a live mermaid.

Legacy Corner: Celebrate Florida;s history and heritage with medieval characters, pirates and treasures.

Best of Florida Central: Listen to live music, explore a kids; zone, and visit artist booths. At Festival U, discover gardening tips, participate in a wine and food seminar, learn about spa treatments you can create at home, and attend travelogues from Florida destinations.

;This festival will have something for everybody,; said John Caparella, general manager. ;We've created a family activity that gives families a reason to spend time together in the air-conditioned comfort of our atriums.;

Best of Florida Festival will feature activities around every corner, including:


Summer SUN-sations! an end-of-night laser show finale held inside the resort atrium, featuring amazing lasers and upbeat music (Held Saturday evenings only)


Live Entertainment ; enjoy talented Florida musicians


Artisan Displays ; Visit artisans as they create their magic in front of your eyes

Gatorland;s Camp Gator -- learn more about alligators from the experts at Gatorland

Storytellers and Ghost Stories ; Gather together to hear legends of Florida, from members of the Florida Storytellers Association

Nightly Sunset Celebration ; A Key West tradition, featuring entertainers, artisans, and performers

Sand sculpture displays ; See amazing sand sculptures created by award-winning artists, including an amazing three-side sculpture that depicts Florida scenes

The Gaylord Gardener seminars -- free seminars and tours from the gardening experts at Gaylord Palms

Gaylord Gourmet seminars ; a food and wine-tasting event (additional fee)

Florida Travelogues ; learn more about the many things to do in Florida

Antique car displays ; See the best automobiles of yesteryear

Admission to the festival is $10 per carload, and includes parking and most events. Guests who dine at the resorts restaurant will have the entry fee validated.

For more reservations or more information, please call Gaylord Palms at 407-586-2000, or visit the Best of Florida Festival Web site Complete weekend schedules are now posted on the Web site.

Must be one of the most inexpensive events in the area, looks really good too.

Oh that's a shame! finishes 5th Sept. We're not there til Sept 30th. Always wanted to have a look inside the Gaylord since it was built and the festival would have been a great excuse.
Perhaps they might extend the time if it goes down well!![msnsad]

Kevin

Thanks for the heads-up. I will take a look when I am over there.

BB,

That is a great post! We shall have a look in a couple of weeks as I am interested in going there to at Christmas for the ice festival.

Kevin,
You can still go and have a wander round, we did it a few years ago and it was quite relaxing. If you're planning on eating in one of the restaurants there, make sure you take plenty of wonga:D

Jacqui

Hi Jacqui,
We probably will still have a look round. Our relatives who live in Orlando keep
promising to take us there (and to the Renaissance Sunday Buffet - I'm in training for that!!)
Looking at the size of the Gaylord I would imagine eating there is not a "budget" job,
more a "second mortgage" :D:D[msntongue]
Kevin

We will check it out when we are over at end of August. Do you have the website address?

Jane

This may be it; http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordpalms/index.cfm

We will be there in august so were def going only one thing where is it [msneek]

Be sure to report back on wot it's like. A nice long trip report would be good.

Hi Dave.Parks,
The Gaylord Palms is on the Osceola Parkway very close to the intersection with the I-4. You can't miss it, it's mega!! (You can also get to it from the US192 if you take the
International Drive South turnoff and follow that road for a short distance , it's on your left
at the Osceola Parkway intersection).[msnsmile]

Kevin.

Thanks kev; 192 not far from us we are at cressent lakes so it should not be hard at all and reading your email its not far we are going in aug for three weeks and it does not finnish till sept so bags of time to go more than once. Give you infor when come back.[msncool][msncool][msnsad]

Cheers Dave,
If you are at Crescent Lakes come up Poinciana Blvd. & turn left onto 192.
Go past "big orange" store on right hand side and watch for Travelodge on right (Old Town is on your left). Shortly after Travelodge watch for right turn onto International Dr.South.
G/Palms is about half mile along on left. Have a great time.

Kevin

What a brilliant posting Steph,will have to check it out when we are there.
P.s. check out there website, even more info.!

Thanks Kev for infor
we will def be going wife talking about it and which day to put it in. Its lucky we are stoping for three weeks we would not behave to put it all in [msnsmile]