A Country Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland Resort
The Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville is at its best during Christmas. There are all kinds of special events, but the decorations alone make this worth a visit. This is our look at our late 2018 December visit to A Country Christmas at the Gaylord Opryland resort
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Overview
The annual Christmas event at Gaylord Opryland Resort is called A Country Christmas. It runs every year from the second week of November through December. In 2019, it runs November 8 to January 1, 2020. Basic entrance is free, but parking is $25. Note some places validate parking and you can also park for free next door at Opry Mills Mall.
Click here to check prices at the Gaylord
Our full guide to the Gaylord Opryland Resort briefly touched on some of the highlights of visting during Christmas. There are all kinds of things going on. However, just walking the ground to look at the Christmas lights and decorations is worth a visit. There are 3 millions Christmas lights!
WEBSITE: https://www.marriott.com/gaylord-hotels/gaylord-opryland-nashville-a-country-christmas.mi
Attractions
ICE! is a big annual event at the Gaylord resorts. They bring in 2 million pounds of ice. Each year has a theme. On our visit in 2018, the theme was around The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. Ice sculptures are carved based on the theme. There are also ice slides more than two stories tall.
Of course, ICE! Is cold with a temperature of 9 degrees. Make sure you dress appropriately!
There are five Gaylords in the U.S. and each year the theme rotates to a different resort. For 2019, the Gaylord Opryland Resort theme will be the movie A Christmas Story (in 2018 that was the theme in Florida).
ICE! Is not cheap at about $30 for adults and $22 for kids. It is probably best purchased as a bundle.
In addition to ICE! The Gaylord Opryland Resort has:
- Tubing Slides (set upside right outside the resort): $18.99/person
- Indoor Ice Skating: $19.99/person
- Gingerbread Decorating Center: $22.99 to $32.99 for a kit
- Reindeer Games: A scavenger unit for Rudolph and the Misfit Toys throughout the 9 acre gardens: $13.99/person
- Carriage Rides: $10.00/person
- Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical: Starting at $24.99/person
The best deal is to buy a bundle that includes multiple activities. There are also all kinds of specials and travel bundles available. Of course if you stay at the resort special packages are available.
There are many other things going on during Christmas such as nativity scenes, a kids train ride, Build-a-bear workshops, photos with Santa and more.
Many of the restaurants have special restaurant themes and custom dining experiences. For example the Irish Pub was rethemed as Frosty’s, the Christmas Pub.
Decorations
During Christmas, we have traveled to both Gaylord Opryland and the Gaylord National outside Washington, D.C. several times. We have never paid extra for the attractions. With just the free stuff there is plenty to see and do.
The 9 acres of gardens at the Gaylord Opryland Resort are decorated each Christmas with over 3 million lights. During our visit we walked around and enjoyed the scenery. Check out our photos.
The Delta
The largest and most active area. This section has a New Orleans theme, complete with a Delta boat ride. There is a huge glass roof atrium, fountain water shows and shops and restaurants in the center Delta Island area.
Cascades
This section features a large atrium with big waterfalls (you can walk behind the waterfall). This a calm area where the focus is on the water. There are some more upscale eating places here.
Garden Conservatory
There are gardens throughout the Gaylord, but this area features 2 levels of lush gardens complete with waterfalls and a gazebo. Like the Cascades, this is a more quiet area with more upscale dining options
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