Dallas last weekend - Ice at Gaylord shut down. New Disney store very underwhelming.

[hookedonears]

We had bought tickets for Ice at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas last weekend and the exhibit was shut down for 24 hours because of a problem with their freezers. Fortunately, we had come to Dallas for another reason, so our 180 mile trip wasn't a complete waste of time. The new Disney store at North Park Mall, however was completely underwhelming. I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure was more than what I saw. It was nothing more that just a plain Disney store with nothing special as it was purported to be in their official announcement.

 

[christygobar]

DH and I talked about going to Ice this weekend - apparently, I am glad we did not!

I agree about the new Disney store in Northpark. It is a tiny store, smaller than some of the other Disney stores I have been in. But it seemed to have some of the same features of the NY store they highlighted with the cool trees and the area with the tv. But it was so crowded, we could barely walk around with our stroller. We walked through there 2 weeks ago.

 

[sayhello]

What is this "Ice"?

Sayhello

 

[hookedonears]

Ice is an incredible display of life size and larger than live size Ice sculptures, done by a group from China each year at the Gaylord hotels across the country. You walk through a nativity scene and many, many more sculptures. This years theme is snoopy the peanuts character. There is also a large Ice slide and in addition this year is a snow exhibit with man made snow and some sort of slide on the snow. It's extremely cold, though they provide a parka for you to wear. You have to buy tickets in advance and reserve a particular time to go. You can go online to the Gaylord site for more info.

 

[Annette_VA]

Oh, that sucks that ICE was shut down!

We're going to ICE at the Gaylord National this weekend. I hope they don't have similar issues.

Gaylord National's ICE is Grinch themed
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/christmas-on-the-potomac/ice-experience/index.html

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Oh, that sucks that ICE was shut down!

We're going to ICE at the Gaylord National this weekend. I hope they don't have similar issues.

Gaylord National's ICE is Grinch themed
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/christmas-on-the-potomac/ice-experience/index.html

Annette - I'm curious to hear about your experience. I was thinking of taking my girls but read some really negative reviews about the National Harbor location:
http://www.viewpoints.com/ICE-at-Gaylord-Palms-Resort-review-b0502
I know for each bad review there are good ones not posted but I found dozens more like this with the biggest complaint of there being a vast amount of disorganization. I was disappointed, to say the least, because I am always up for anything that resembles Disney magic even if it isn't Disney (I got excited when I found an Earl of Sandwich at the Boston airport)

 

[sayhello]

Ice is an incredible display of life size and larger than live size Ice sculptures, done by a group from China each year at the Gaylord hotels across the country. You walk through a nativity scene and many, many more sculptures. This years theme is snoopy the peanuts character. There is also a large Ice slide and in addition this year is a snow exhibit with man made snow and some sort of slide on the snow. It's extremely cold, though they provide a parka for you to wear. You have to buy tickets in advance and reserve a particular time to go. You can go online to the Gaylord site for more info.

Oooo! That sounds really neat. I wonder if there's a Gaylord anywhere around Ohio...

Thanks!
Sayhello

 

[DaParkers]

We had bought tickets for Ice at the Gaylord Texan in Dallas last weekend and the exhibit was shut down for 24 hours because of a problem with their freezers. Fortunately, we had come to Dallas for another reason, so our 180 mile trip wasn't a complete waste of time. The new Disney store at North Park Mall, however was completely underwhelming. I don't know what I was expecting, but it sure was more than what I saw. It was nothing more that just a plain Disney store with nothing special as it was purported to be in their official announcement.

Are you close to Shreveport/Bossier? Just asking because I used to drive to Dallas when I lived in Bossier City.

 

[Annette_VA]

Annette - I'm curious to hear about your experience. I was thinking of taking my girls but read some really negative reviews about the National Harbor location:
http://www.viewpoints.com/ICE-at-Gaylord-Palms-Resort-review-b0502
I know for each bad review there are good ones not posted but I found dozens more like this with the biggest complaint of there being a vast amount of disorganization. I was disappointed, to say the least, because I am always up for anything that resembles Disney magic even if it isn't Disney (I got excited when I found an Earl of Sandwich at the Boston airport)

Oh, bummer! I will let you know how it goes.

(and I totally understand the need to find a little Disney-type magic wherever you can!)

 

[Annette_VA]

Stacy -

Gaylord National just posted this on their Facebook page:

During Thanksgiving weekend, ICE! proved to be more popular than we
could ever imagine. Our ticketing system was unable handle the
overwhelming demand resulting in an oversold ticket situation. We
sincerely apologize if your visit to ICE! was unsatisfactory during this
time. We have made adjustments and happily report that all is going
well. We are sorry for any inconvenience you may have experienced.

Maybe that's what attributed to the chaos & bad reviews. I checked Yelp and most of the reviews from outside that time window were pretty good.

 

[hookedonears]

Stacy -

Gaylord National just posted this on their Facebook page:



Maybe that's what attributed to the chaos & bad reviews. I checked Yelp and most of the reviews from outside that time window were pretty good.

Our ticket reservations were actually for the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We got there a couple of hours early and decided to eat at their Way, Way over priced Mexican Buffet. $32 per person. Food was good, but very limited. Our server at the restaurant was the one who told us that Ice was down and it was going to be down for 24 hours. The Gaylord is on the Far West Northwest side of Dallas, probably 75 miles out of the way, because we were going East. Very disappointing.

 

[hookedonears]

Are you close to Shreveport/Bossier? Just asking because I used to drive to Dallas when I lived in Bossier City.

We live in Shreveport.

 

[Disneybridein2k3]

Stacy -

Gaylord National just posted this on their Facebook page:



Maybe that's what attributed to the chaos & bad reviews. I checked Yelp and most of the reviews from outside that time window were pretty good.

Thanks Annette! I didn't check their FB page out but that is understandable. I really wanted to take the kids - I'll be sure to make the trip

 

[disneysteve]

We've been to the new Disney Store in Cherry Hill, NJ and DD has been to the Times Square store. They are very underwhelming. They are still nothing more than overpriced kiddie toy stores, nowhere near the experience of Disney Stores of years past that were filled with interesting and unique collectibles, jewelry, housewares and stuff that adults would actually want to buy. I was hoping they would go back to that business model but clearly they have not.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

Sorry ICE was down while you where here. We are planning on going the week before Christmas. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

 

[hookedonears]

We've been to the new Disney Store in Cherry Hill, NJ and DD has been to the Times Square store. They are very underwhelming. They are still nothing more than overpriced kiddie toy stores, nowhere near the experience of Disney Stores of years past that were filled with interesting and unique collectibles, jewelry, housewares and stuff that adults would actually want to buy. I was hoping they would go back to that business model but clearly they have not.

Knowing the ability of Disney to deliver a product that wows people, I guess I was expecting an FAO Swartz on steroids or something. One that, as you said also included collectables and a little more for adults as well.