Orlando Polar Bear Club Creates Kooky Holiday Tradition

Members to Take 9-Degree Plunge in Bathing Suits; Raise Money for Special Olympics Florida

Kissimmee, Fla.—( November 3, 2008 ) For more than 100 years, members of Polar Bear Clubs around the world have gathered in their bathing suits to "take the plunge" into icy winter-chilled lakes and waterways. While it's easy to chalk it up as an oddball Northern phenomenon, the activity is about to catch on... in Sunny Orlando, of all places!

While this gives a new meaning to people who like to be perceived as cool, Polar Bear Clubs take this notion to the extreme with the collective motto: "When you start your day below freezing, there is no place to go but up."

Orlando is the newest city with a branch of the famed Polar Bear Club, with its inaugural plunge planned for Nov. 28 at 8:30 am.

This new organization — based loosely on the traditions of its kooky Northern counterparts — will give residents (and visitors) the opportunity to take their own cold-weather plunge through ICE!, Orlando's 9-degree holiday attraction hand-carved from nearly two million pounds of ice.

The attraction, carved by a team of 40 artisans from China, features a walk-through winter wonderland of ice sculptures and monuments, all intricately carved from ice. The highlight of the attraction — four ice speed slides — will provide a thrilling (and icy) "plunge" for Orlando members of the Polar Bear Club.

Ticketholders will have the only opportunity this season to visit ICE! in a bathing suit. Afterward, participants will be named official members of the Orlando Polar Bear Club and will receive a special certificate to commemorate their plunge. A post-plunge warm-up reception will include coffee and cocoa. In addition, participants will be invited to return to the attraction later that morning while fully clothed.

But why would a person want to run through the 9-degree ICE attraction in a bathing suit?
"The short answer is simple... 'just because,'" said hotel General Manager Kemp Gallineau. "Because it's fun and memorable — something to laugh about, brag about and blog about."

"And not everybody can go to Pamplona to run with the bulls," he continued.

Despite its miles of coastline, Floridians have never had a chance to participate in such an experience ... until now. This year's debut of the Orlando Polar Bear Club will bring this cold-weather tradition to the Sunshine State — giving Florida residents (and visitors) a chance to "take the plunge" in another way ... during a visit to ICE!

On Nov. 28, ICE! will open an hour early to welcome guests who would like to become an official member of Florida's only Polar Bear Club. The special Orlando Polar Bear Club ticket, which goes on sale Nov. 1, is available for $19.99 plus tax. For every ticket sold, $5 will be donated to Special Olympics Florida. Overnight rates are available starting at $129 per night.

For more information or to purchase tickets, guests should visit www.orlandopolarbearclub.com.

 

About ICE!
ICE!, the marquee attraction of Best of Florida Christmas, is a wildly popular family experience that combines fantastic frozen creations, thrilling ice slides, dramatic lighting and special effects. This year's attraction, which reflects the theme "Santa's Arctic Blast," is presented by Coca-Cola and Walgreen's and sponsored by Nissan.

The ICE! attraction is carved by a team of 40 artisans from Harbin, China. Since its inception, this unique attraction has garnered national recognition from the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, and Travel + Leisure.

ICE! is open daily during the holiday season and is accessible on the Exhibit Hall level at the Gaylord Palms Hotel convention center, which is located at 6000 W. Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee.

 

About Gaylord Palms
Gaylord Palms Hotel & Convention Center has gained the attention of the meeting and convention industry by providing world-class convention and leisure-focused amenities — all in one place. The award-winning Gaylord Palms is a Gaylord Hotels-branded property owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gaylordpalms.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com.

 

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