Sep 30, 2023
BETHESDA, Md. — Many say Santa Claus speaks a special language that all the children of the world understand. For one Santa Claus, that language is American Sign Language (ASL), and he makes holiday dreams come true by visiting Deaf children and children-at-heart.
Deaf Santa Claus - also known as Santa Charles - is one of the few Deaf Santas in the country, and he communicates with children using ASL. This December, he will visit all five Gaylord Hotels in the country, bringing the magic of Saint Nick to groups of Deaf children.
Celebrating the Christmas season, Gaylord Hotels is collaborating with Deaf communities and organizations to invite guests to visit Deaf Santa Claus. The initiative began last year at Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Md., and the hotel brand expanded it to all Gaylord Hotels this year.
"We are excited to help make Christmas wishes come true at our resorts this year with Santa Charles," says John Adams, vice president and managing director of Gaylord Hotels at Marriott International. "After seeing the joy he brought to our guests at Gaylord National Resort last year, we decided to bring this special experience to all our resorts this holiday season. Gaylord Hotels is dedicated to creating a sense of belonging and inclusivity for everyone at our resorts, and hosting Santa Charles helps reinforce that belief and commitment."
A graduate of the International University of Santa Claus, Santa Charles says he feels a greater connection to guests who visit with him because he has a full understanding of the Deaf experience. He will be joined at his Gaylord Hotels appearances with his real-life wife, who portrays Mrs. Claus.
Throughout December, Deaf Santa Claus will visit all five Gaylord Hotels - Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas (Dec. 1), Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colo. (Dec. 5), Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla. (Dec. 11), Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Md. (Dec. 13), and Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn. (Dec. 18).
At select Gaylord Hotels, guests invited to visit with Deaf Santa Claus will also visit "ICE!" - Gaylord Hotels' signature holiday attraction that features 2 million pounds of ice, hand-carved at each resort into larger-than-life characters and scenes from classic holiday films.
About Gaylord Hotels: Gaylord Hotels, part of the Marriott International portfolio of brands, offers extraordinary environments with everything in one place - diverse dining options, full-service spas, spectacular convention and event spaces, water parks and pools, top-notch entertainment and special events, shopping and more. Locations include Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tenn., Gaylord Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Fla., Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas, Gaylord National Resort in National Harbor, Md., and Gaylord Rockies Resort in Aurora, Colo.
