DreamWorks Shrek the Halls is Gaylord’s Holiday Ice Show

Gaylord National Resort Announces Details for its Fifth Annual Christmas on the Potomac Celebration

National Harbor, Md. (July 21, 2012) – Where can you meet the world-famous DreamWorks characters …. see a 60-foot-tall glass Christmas tree … experience an indoor snowfall…. gaze at two million dazzling lights ….or walk through an icy wonderland?  It’s all part of the fifth-annual Christmas on the Potomac celebration, taking place Nov. 16, 2012 to Jan. 6, 2013, at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center. 

 Gaylord National’s 2012 Christmas on the Potomac celebration will feature:

ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Shrek the Halls©

Hand-carved from TWO-MILLION pounds of colorful ice, this walk-through indoor frozen attraction returns in 2012 with an all-new hilarious theme: ICE! featuring DreamWorks Shrek the Halls.  Guests will walk through jaw-dropping scenes carved entirely of ice, and can even slide down incredible, two-story-tall ice slides. As they experience ICE!, guests will relive the heartwarming story of the “Shrek The Halls” animated, holiday TV special featuring Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, Gingy and Puss in Boots as they celebrate Christmas in their own special way. The story follows Shrek as he tries to plan the “perfect Christmas” for Fiona and the kids, but his plans are disrupted by chaos and commotion. However, in the end, Shrek learns the true meaning of the holiday.

Event Dates: Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 to Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013
Operating Hours: Open daily; Hours vary daily – see operating calendar on website

To Purchase Tickets:  Visit www.christmasonthepotomac.com or call 301-965-4000

*Ticket prices vary according to “Peak” and “Non-Peak” days – see operating calendar on website.

**Military Discount Tickets available at ICE! Box Office. Military I.D. must be presented. (Not available online.)

***Early-Bird Discount pricing only available on Non-Peak tickets through 10/01/12.  After this date, all Non-Peak tickets will increase to regular price.

Gingy’s Gingerbread Decorating

This fun, sticky, decorating tradition is now a whole lot sweeter!  Hosted by Gingy   (of Shrek fame), guests will choose to decorate a delectable gingerbread family,   tree, train or gingerbread house.  After they’ve decorated – don’t forget the gum drop buttons! – guests will meet Gingy himself for a heart-warming moment they can capture with their own camera. 

Location: Hotel Lower Atrium

Operating Hours: Open daily; Hours vary daily – see operating calendar on website

• $29.95 – Gingerbread Cookie Family Kit

Includes Gingerbread Cookie Family, with frosting and candy, plus (2) Meet & Greets with Gingy

• $35.95 – Gingerbread Tree Kit / Gingerbread Train Kit

Includes either Gingerbread Tree Kit or Gingerbread Train Kit, plus (2) Meet & Greets with Gingy

• $49.95 – Gingerbread House Kit

Includes Gingerbread House (House, frosting and candy), plus (4) Meet & Greets with Gingy

Potomac Express Train Rides

All aboard!  Kids can take a ride on our winter themed miniature train. Open Daily, Hotel Lower Atrium (Ticket purchase required.)

Nightly Tree Lighting Show featuring the DreamWorks Characters

Every evening, our atrium comes to life with a Tree Lighting Show and Indoor Snowfall. This year’s new 15-minute show will feature the DreamWorks Characters, music, a light show, and a dancing fountain that shoots 60-feet high. And, best of all, you won’t believe your eyes as it snows inside!  Nightly (Free)

Photos with Santa Claus

Tell Santa what you want for Christmas and get a special keepsake photo.

Available: Monday-Friday, Noon-9 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 3 p.m.-9 p.m.

Price: Photo packages start at $20 (photo purchase required to meet Santa)

Location: Pienza Patio, Hotel Lower Atrium

Tree of Light

This jaw-dropping Christmas tree is made of synthetic “candy” glass!  Hanging from the center of our atrium, this “must-see” is 60-feet tall, weighs 7,000 pounds and is a one-of-a-kind work of art.  By day, it resembles a spectacular piece of stained-glass art.  At night, special lighting effects make it glow brilliantly. (Free)

Spectacular Holiday Decorations

Be mesmerized by our holiday decorations, including two million twinkling lights.  Look up to see the Northern Lights, made up of more than 50 magnificent light curtains hanging from the ceiling of our atrium.  Choreographed to music, the lights appear to “dance” and change colors overhead just like the real Northern Lights.  As part of Gaylord National’s on-going commitment to the environment, all lights utilize energy efficient LED bulbs. Illuminated 5-10 p.m. nightly (Free)

Brightest Star Fountain Show

Hear a heartwarming narration of the classic Christmas story as choreographed water “dances” to traditional holiday music. Nightly (Free)

Nightly Live Musical Entertainment at Belvedere Lobby Bar

Enjoy special holiday cocktails and live performances by local musicians.

Seasonal Spa Treatments at Reláche Spa

Celebrate the holidays and pamper yourself with very merry spa treatments for men and women.  No matter your choice, these treatments are pure bliss. Spa gift certificates also make great stocking stuffers!

Overnight Hotel Packages

This year, Gaylord National’s overnight hotel guests will have access to the following EXCLUSIVE DreamWorks experiences available only for them (not open to the general public).  

NEW! The Christmassy “DreamWorks Experience” Hotel Package

Package Includes:

• Choice of two (2) or three (3) nights of deluxe hotel accommodations at Gaylord National
• Tickets to ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Shrek the Halls
• Souvenir family photo (one per room)
• PLUS these experiences available only for DreamWorks Package guests*:

·        EXCLUSIVE!  Front of the Line Access to ICE!* – DreamWorks Package guests get the front-of-the-line VIP treatment when they enter ICE!

·        EXCLUSIVE!  ShrekFeast* – Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Become an honorary Ogre and join Shrek, Fiona and Puss in Boots for a fairytale feast fit for a king. Guests will also enjoy a Magic Fountain bubbling over with intoxicating chocolate potions and solve riddles and puzzles to earn their ogre ears. Shrek and friends will visit each table for hugs and photos.

·         EXCLUSIVE!  DreamWorks Character Passport* – Guests will meet all their favorite characters from the Madagascar, Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Puss in Boots movies. 

·         EXCLUSIVE!  Puss in Boots and the Quest for the Magic Beans Scavenger Hunt* – The whole family will search throughout our spectacular indoor gardens on this fun, interactive scavenger hunt. They will follow the clues, look high and low – and everywhere in between – to solve the puzzle.

·         EXCLUSIVE!  DreamWorks^® Character Wake-Up Calls* – How does an ogre say “good morning?” Guests can find out when they wake up to a special greeting via their guest room phone. Each night before bedtime, they will select to receive a wake-up call from the DreamWorks^® character of their choice to help get the next morning started off in a fun and unique way.

·        EXCLUSIVE!  DreamWorks^® Welcome Amenity* – The fun begins from the moment our guests arrive! DreamWorks^® Package guests will receive an extra-special gift to commemorate their unforgettable visit when they check in. (Limit one per package, per guest room.)

Package Price:

• Two-Night Package starts at $219** per night (based on two occupants per room)
• Three-Night Package starts at $199** per night (based on two occupants per room)
• Extra adult or child (ages 4+): $49 plus tax
• Baby (ages 3 and under): FREE

*DreamWorks Package purchase is required for all of the above activities/experiences. They are not open or available to the general public.  **Package price is person based on double occupancy and availability, plus tax, resort fee and parking. Extra nights and atrium upgrades may be available at prevailing rates. Not valid for groups or in conjunction with other offers. Not retroactive. Subject to blackout dates. Other restrictions may apply.

The “Christmas On the Potomac” Hotel Package

Package Includes:

• One (1) night of deluxe room accommodations at Gaylord National Resort
• Tickets to ICE! featuring DreamWorks’ Shrek the Halls
• Souvenir ICE! Photo (one per room)

Package Price:

• Package starts at $249 per night (based on two occupants per room)
• Each extra adult (ages 13 and older): $29.99 plus tax
• Each extra child (ages 4-12): $22.99 plus tax
• Baby (ages 3 and under): FREE

**Package price is person based on double occupancy and availability, plus tax, resort fee and parking. Does not include ShrekFeast and/or DreamWorks Character Passport experiences – both may be available for purchase onsite after hotel check-in (based on availability). Extra nights and atrium upgrades may be available at prevailing rates. Not valid for groups or in conjunction with other offers. Not retroactive. Subject to blackout dates. Other restrictions may apply.

Parking and Public Transportation:

·         Onsite Parking – Available at the Gaylord Self-Parking Garage for a special rate of $10 (up to 3 hours).

·         National Harbor-Washington D.C. Shuttle – Round-trip service from Union Station and the Old Post Office, departing every hour.

·         Alexandria-National Harbor Water Taxi – Running every hour (www.potomacriverboatco.com)

·         NH-1 Metrobus – Round-trip, direct connection bus route from the Branch Avenue Metro Station (Green Line) to National Harbor, running every 30-45 minutes (visit www.wmata.com for full schedule).

Other Details:

·         Christmas on the Potomac experiences are open to BOTH resort guests and day visitors (unless otherwise indicated as available for “DreamWorks Package Guests Only”). 

·         For more info, to purchase tickets, or make dining reservations, visitwww.christmasonthepotomac.com, call 301-965-4000; or visit the Concierge Desk in the hotel lobby.

Recognition & Awards:

Over the past five years, the 2,000-room Gaylord National Resort has become known as the Washington D.C.region’s “Capital of Christmas.”  Not only do its holiday events attract more than 250,000 visitors annually, it has also garnered big recognition by being named:

• “Top 10 U.S. Hotels Decked Out for the Holidays” by Orbitz Travel (Orbitz.com)
• “12 Most Festive Places to Find Holiday Spirit” by the American Automobile Association (AAA)
• “Top 100 North American Events” by the American Bus Association (ABA) for 2010, 2011, 2012