The Gaylord Texan Resort offers an annual ICE! event, a holiday attraction featuring hand-carved ice sculptures based on classic Christmas themes. For the current season, the event showcases the theme "Elf." Tickets are available for purchase through Groupon, offering discounts of up to 30% off regular prices without requiring a promo code. Regular pricing for the Gaylord Texan location starts at $29.99, while discounted tickets can be found for as low as $20.99. Children aged 3 and under are admitted free of charge when accompanied by a paying adult. For children ages 4 to 11, a paid adult admission is required.
The event is held in a maintained environment kept at 9 degrees Fahrenheit. While the resort provides signature blue parkas for attendees to wear, it is recommended that guests bring their own hats and gloves for additional warmth. The attraction involves viewing scenes from the featured theme carved from over two million pounds of ice and includes activities such as sliding down ice slides. Additional activities available at the Gaylord Texan during the holiday season include tubing, skating, and gingerbread decorating.
Pricing and Discount Availability
Current ticket pricing for the ICE! event at various Gaylord Resort locations is available through Groupon. The specific pricing for the Gaylord Texan location is detailed below:
- Gaylord Texan (Dallas, TX): Features the "Elf" theme.
- Regular Price: $29.99
- Discounted Price: As low as $20.99
Other participating locations and their respective themes and pricing include:
- Gaylord Palms (Orlando, FL): Features "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Discounted tickets start at $23.09 (regular $32.99).
- Gaylord Rockies (Denver, CO): Features "Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas." Discounted tickets start at $21.89 (regular $29.99).
- Gaylord Opryland (Nashville, TN): Features "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Discounted tickets start at $23.09 (regular $32.99).
- Gaylord National (National Harbor, MD): Features "The Polar Express." Discounted tickets start at $28.69 (regular $40.99).
Family Suitability and Requirements
The event is generally considered suitable for families, though specific age requirements and recommendations apply.
Age Requirements: * Ages 3 and under: Admitted free with a paying adult. * Ages 4 to 11: Require a paid adult admission ticket to attend.
Parental Feedback: User reports from community forums indicate that the event is generally suitable for young children, including toddlers. One parent inquired about taking children aged 3.5 years and 15 months, and the environment is described as manageable with appropriate preparation. Although the room is kept at 9 degrees, the resort provides blue parkas. It is advisable for parents to ensure young children have adequate headwear and hand coverings.
Event Features and Atmosphere
ICE! is an immersive holiday experience defined by several key elements:
- Ice Sculptures: The main attraction involves millions of pounds of ice carved into scenes and characters based on licensed intellectual property (e.g., "Elf," "The Grinch").
- Temperature Control: The event space is maintained at 9 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Apparel: The resort provides blue parkas to all attendees to wear inside the event space.
- Activities: Beyond viewing the sculptures, the Gaylord Texan location offers additional holiday activities, including ice bumper cars, tubing, ice skating, and gingerbread decorating.
- Atmosphere: Descriptions of the resort during the holiday season emphasize a "magical" atmosphere with extensive decoration beyond the ice event itself.
Related Holiday Activities at Gaylord Texan
In addition to the ICE! event, the Gaylord Texan Resort hosts other holiday-themed attractions. While specific details for the current year's "Winter Wonderland" display were not fully detailed in the source data, the resort is known for hosting light displays and animal-themed lanterns. There is mention of a "Christmas at Gaylord Texan" vacation package giveaway, though specific entry details or freebie availability were not provided in the source material.
Additional Texas Holiday Offers
While the primary focus is on the Gaylord Texan, the source data includes information regarding other holiday events and dining offers in the Texas area.
Holiday Events in Dallas-Fort Worth: * Dallas Zoo Lights: Features millions of lights and holiday lanterns. Select nights from November 14 through January 4. Price is $18 per person. * Texas Artisan Markets: Holiday market at Gilley’s Dallas on November 15 and 16. Admission is Free. * Peace Plaza Ice Rink (Grapevine): Located in the "Christmas Capital of Texas." Open from November 22, 2025, to January 6, 2026. Cost is $20 per person for a one-hour session including skates.
Dining Promotions (Kids Eat Free/Cheap): The following restaurants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area offer low-cost or discounted kids' meals. These are categorized as "CHEAP" by the source, indicating low cost rather than free, though specific "free" nights were not listed in the provided data for these brands:
- Texas Roadhouse: Kids' meals start at $5.99 (ages 12 and younger). Locations include Bedford, Fort Worth, Garland, Grand Prairie, Irving, Mansfield, Mesquite, Northlake, and Rockwall.
- The Biscuit Bar: Kids' meals cost $5.90 (ages 12 and younger). Locations include Arlington, Coppell, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano.
- Torchy's Tacos: Kids' meals start at $3.25 (ages 12 and younger). Multiple locations across Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Kids' smoothies start at $4.29; entrées start at $5.19 (ages 12 and younger). Multiple locations.
- Twisted Root: Kids' meals start at $7 (all ages). Locations include Arlington, Bedford, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, and Plano.
- Uncle Julio’s: Kids' meals start at $7.
Summary of Offerings
The primary free or discounted offering identified in relation to the Gaylord Texan is the discounted ticket pricing for the ICE! event via Groupon (up to 30% off) and the free admission for children 3 years old and younger. No other free samples, brand freebies, or mail-in sample programs were identified in the source data specifically for the Gaylord Texan or the ICE! event. The source data focuses heavily on ticketed events and dining costs rather than free product trials or samples.
Conclusion
The Gaylord Texan ICE! event offers a significant discount on tickets through Groupon, reducing prices to as low as $20.99 from a regular price of $29.99. The event is suitable for families, with free admission for children aged 3 and under, though a paid adult is required for children aged 4 to 11. Attendees should prepare for a 9-degree environment, although parkas are provided. While the event itself is a paid attraction, the discounted pricing serves as a primary financial incentive for consumers. Additional holiday activities are available in the surrounding Grapevine and Dallas areas, ranging from free markets to paid ice skating.