Story + Photography Submitted by Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center
Holiday cheer returns on November 15 when Christmas on the Potomac opens with more Christmas per square foot than any other attraction in the Washington, DC region. The nearly 2,000-room resort offers a holiday tradition that is open to both hotel guests and the public with miles and miles of activities for all ages including the incredibly popular ICE! indoor walk through exhibit fashioned from more than 2 million pounds of sculpted ice.
Exclusive to Gaylord hotels, ICE!, presented by DEI, is famous for photos of those cozy blue parkas guests don before entering the colorful wonderland of sculptures, scenes, and slides all hand carved by artisans from Harbin, China. This year’s installation is bigger than ever as the 15,000 square foot “cold room” welcomes the classic holiday story, Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! featuring scenes from the heart-warming holiday tale including The Grinch lurking through the chimneys of Who-ville homes, The Grinch’s heart growing three sizes after realizing Christmas means a little bit more, and sitting down at the Who’s feast where The Grinch carves the roast beast.
Also new in 2019, The Grinch fans will have the opportunity to meet the star of the show at the resort’s Feast with The Grinch breakfast. Diners can enjoy a buffet of Who-ville inspired items, table-side visits with The Grinch and Max, plus special touches Dr. Seuss fans are sure to adore. There’s even a new adventure inviting kids to follow clues through the resort looking for riddles and puzzles dreamed up by The Grinch as he attempts to steal Christmas. In The Grinch’s Wonderful Awful Idea Scavenger Hunt, solving clues leads to a grand prize
and a change of heart for The Grinch.
Christmas Village is just a quick sleigh ride from the North Pole where Santa waits for the Big Day welcoming children to share their Christmas wishes and take souvenir photos. A long list of activities for children of all ages includes an all-new adventure even Santa’s reindeer will love. The new Reindeer Rush Ice Tubing Hill offers all the fun of sledding with the added speed of ice.
The new outdoor Winter Square overlooking the Potomac River will brighten holiday spirits with twinkling lights and festival decorations that include an outdoor Ice-Skating Rink and Tinsel Tavern, a new, over-the-top ugly sweater themed bar. Adult beverages and hot chocolate add to the cheer at this warm and cozy outdoor space.
Inside the artfully lit Garden Atrium, revelers will be dazzled by the 55-foot suspended Starlight Christmas tree and nightly Christmas Miracles laser, light and music show magically reminding us that miracles live in all of us if we believe – and believe we will when snow starts to fall indoors! The Garden Atrium is also home to the newest version of Cirque Dreams Unwrapped, a spellbinding production of seasonal dreams combining breathtaking choreography, music and showmanship from around the world. This intimate extravaganza on the stage and in the air will have guests on their feet and at the edge of their seats.
The list of fun at Christmas on the Potomac is so long, even Santa will have to check twice to be sure not to miss a thing! Individual attraction tickets and flexible discount bundles including multiple attractions and experiences, along with hotel packages, are available on the resort’s website at www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com
For more information on Christmas On The Potomac at Gaylord National Resort, to book a room or package and purchase tickets, visit www.ChristmasOnThePotomac.com or call 301-965-4000.