Nashville Exhibit Expected to Give You the Chills

October 2005 - Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville has announced the return of ICE! presented by BellSouth, an incredible holiday attraction hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice. Enclosed in a self-contained 20,000 square-foot refrigerated theater, the unique exhibit has become a must-see holiday event for families everywhere. The frozen event will run November 17, 2005 through January 8, 2006.

The ICE! experience will give guests an opportunity to visit a whimsical winter wonderland of interactive environments; larger-than-life, three-dimensional ice monuments; and colorful ice sculptures - many of which are more than 25 feet in length. This icy exhibit is created from 1.5 million pounds of ice and is kept at a chilly 9 degrees. ICE! blends amazing frozen creations with thrilling ice slides, all enhanced by dramatic lighting and special effects. To stay comfortable throughout this "frozen fountain of youth," guests are issued complimentary warm parkas with hoods.

ICE! is the creation of 35 dedicated artisans from Harbin, China. The talented team spends nearly an entire month in Nashville creating this one-of-a-kind attraction. The resulting handiwork includes beloved holiday figures including Santa and Mrs. Claus; frolicking snowmen; and heavenly angels, many weighing more than two tons.

ICE! provides an unusual and exciting addition to Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas® presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®, America's popular vacation destination for the holidays. This unique attraction has garnered national recognition from USA TODAY, The New York Times, Southern Living magazine, and Travel + Leisure magazine.

"This captivating exhibit inspires awe and awakens the holiday spirit for all who attend," said Arthur Keith, senior vice president and general manager, Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. "We're pleased to bring back the ICE! experience as a headlining event for this year's A Country Christmas line-up."

Within the U.S., this unique exhibit can only be seen at the Gaylord Hotels properties. Guest can get their chilling thrill at Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee; Gaylord Texan® Resort in Grapevine, Texas; and Gaylord Palms® Resort in Kissimmee, Florida as each property will host their versions of ICE! this Christmas season.

The following is an overview of each ICE! "environment": Country Band - Upon entering the exhibit, guests meet the welcome wagon ICE! style as they come to a snowman country band, complete with a Grand Ole Opry barn façade in vibrant color.

Country Home - A giant, full-color wreath portal in transports guests back in time to an old fashioned Country Home on Christmas Eve, complete with gingerbread ice porch and a Victorian ice family giddy with Christmas spirit. Mom and Dad steal a kiss under the mistletoe, the family dog sleeps by the fireplace where stockings are hung with care, and a child looks upon the whole scene in amazement. In the center of it all is the family tree - built from green ice with glowing electric candles. Beyond the house, our country ice adventure continues as guests come upon a horse-drawn carriage and frozen driver, where they can climb aboard, take a seat beside the icy driver, and have their photo taken on a frozen sleigh ride.

Christmas Castle - Next, leave the "real world" of a country Christmas and enter the fantasy world of the Christmas Castle, with toy soldiers standing guard and candy cane turrets. This is a magical play land, featuring the ever popular ice slides. Bigger and bolder than in years past, guests can choose from three different slides or ride them all.

Santa's Toyland - Leaving the castle courtyard through a long illuminated tunnel, we find the surprise at the other end is Santa's Toyland. This year the traditional toyshop has been left behind. In its place is a magical, icy machine-age toy factory. This is the most colorful area ever attempted in ice. Elves are hard at work carving toys and placing them on enchanted conveyor belts to load up Santa's sleigh. Bright flashing lights and colorful candy decorations adorn the whimsical contraptions, all under Santa's watchful eye. Guests can pose for photos on a special stage beside the ice Santa himself.

Winter Forest - Upon leaving Santa's Toyland guests begin to segue back to the real world from the North Pole fantasy. The Winter Forest is a tranquil and contemplative environment, featuring a running waterfall, twinkling stars behind a painted dusk sky, and a winding foot path. This area is quiet and natural, inviting guests to reflect on the meaning of the holiday season while discovering the beauty of the serene ice setting. To be discovered among the trees are realistic woodland creatures populating the ice forest. A bench is provided for guests to sit and capture a snapshot in front of the waterfall and pond. In a silhouette, Santa passes over the scene via illuminated moon light.

Country Church - Guests will exit the forest through a frozen tree canopy. This path leads to a Country Church environment. Here, a monumental sculpture of the Herald angel is set against a rustic church façade. Light streams through ice, stained-glass windows surrounding the angel with a miraculous aura.

Nativity - Upon leaving the church guests will round the corner to discover the crown jewel of ICE! - the Nativity. With much anticipation for the detail and spender, guests marvel year after year as this crystal manger completes their experience. This is the signature scene of the show, one of the world's most beautiful and inspirational renditions of the Nativity.

Guests exit the cold exhibition into the retail and refreshment area where they can have a warm treat and shop for gifts and souvenirs.

ICE! presented by BellSouth, is part of Gaylord Opryland's A Country Christmas® presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® which is celebrating its 22nd season. ICE! will be held in the Gaslight Theater, adjacent to the Grand Ole Opry House from November 17, 2005 through January 8, 2006. The exhibit will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last ticket sold at 9 p.m.) On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the exhibit will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Ticket prices Monday through Thursday are $14.75 including tax for adults and $7.25 including tax for children (ages 4-11). On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, adults can purchase tickets for $16.75 including tax and children (ages 4-11) are $9.25. Children 3 and under are FREE. A Country Christmas® vacation packages are available and include room accommodations and tickets to all of the events and shows. For more information and reservations, please call toll-free 1-888-999-OPRY or visit www.gaylordhotels.com and follow the links to Gaylord Opryland's vacation packages.

This one-of-a-kind exhibit features exceptional designs by noted New York design agency Hotopp & Associates; lighting designer, David Agress; the Harbin Ice and Tourism Festival; and International Special Attractions Ltd.

SOURCE GAYLORD OPRYLAND NASHVILLE