Updated: Nov 1, 2020
Are you planning a trip to Gaylord Texas Hotel this Christmas? I got you covered. Here is everything you need to know about Christmas at the Gaylord Hotel.
Pre-Trip to Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Hotel
I did a quick run to the grocery store to pick up food and snacks for the hotel room. DO NOT bring frozen items, there is no microwave in the rooms. I had to throw away our frozen items. However, on a good note, the hotel gives you two bottle waters everyday for free. If you like to drink alcoholic beverages, which we do, bring your own. They charge $7 for one beer. Everyone is walking around with drinks, so you will not feel out of place with your own drink in hand. Also, bring your own hot chocolate mix which is $15 a pop in the hotel. They have a coffee maker in the room to heat up the water. Bring plastic wear plus plates because the room is not stocked with either.
Day 1- Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Hotel
We knew the hotel food would be crazy expensive, so we ate at our favorite Texas chain restaurant Pappasitos before checking into the hotel. If it’s your first time in Texas you need to try a Pappas chain restaurant such as Pappasitos, Pappa Bbq, or Pappadeaux. You won’t be disappointed. It’s a little pricy but way cheaper then any Gaylord restaurant in the hotel.
Self Parking $23 day vs. Valet Parking $43
We decided on self parking because it’s cheaper. Valet lines are long and self parking lines look long, but the parking garage had parking attendants who made parking fast. I felt like we parked and got in the hotel faster then the people valeting their car.
Check In @ 4pm:
The lines look long & quite scary.
Do not be discouraged the lines go super fast! We ordered a room with two queen beds six months in advance. Sadly, at check in we were given a room with a king bed. The clerk told us that the hotel does not guarantee that you will receive two queen beds. I was highly disappointed. Naturally I complained to the clerk due to fact I was not looking forward to sleeping with my kids. She gave us a roll-away bed for free (yes they charge for those) & she comp our parking, so they will accommodate you if you have any issues. My husband was thrilled with comps, yet I was still not looking forward to stepping over a roll-away bed at night when I needed to use the restroom.
We picked a room with an Atrium view. These rooms are awesome and go fast. You need to order these rooms way in advance. Here is a picture of our view from the balcony in our room.
We spent the evening walking around the massive hotel. We enjoyed looking at all the Christmas decorations.
Day 2-Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Hotel
The kids started the day eating donuts on the balcony. I was surprised how much they enjoyed the balcony.
We bought the package deal online in advance to do everything at the Gaylord. Ice tubing was the first item on our “to do” list. The lines are long so get there early. The passes for tubing are good for the entire day. You get to ride at least three slopes before your turn is over. I would suggest getting the fast pass for an extra $10 a person because the lines are long.
Next, we enjoyed snow throwing which happened to be next to the snow tubing. We bought three buckets which came with our package deal online. One for the adults and one for each of the kids. You are only able to do this once.
Around 1 pm my husband’s family showed up so it was time for ICE! Be Prepared it is freezing cold! Hotel guest get their own special line that I would consider equal to the fast pass line. My husband’s family who were not hotel guests were able to skip the lines with us. **Bring hats and mittens** My daughter and I made that mistake and we had to leave early.
Before you walk into the freezer you are able to purchase drink tickets for $15, which includes two shots and a full drink. Yes, there is bar in the ICE room.
The drinks are strong. Be prepared you will have a buzz.
All three events are in the same room. So when picking out events to attend snow tubing, snowball throw, & ICE are all together.
That night we ate at my in-laws favorite Texas chain restaurant Texas Roadhouse which was about 20 minutes away.
Day 3 -Christmas at the Gaylord Texan Hotel
Breakfast with Rudolph. The buffet is similar to Walt Disney World character dining. You get really nice buffet selection and the characters walk around so you can take pictures with them. The costumes are high quality and extremely well made.
Next, was the ginger bread decorating. Honestly, it was kinda lame for the price! They only give you a small bag of candy balls and icing. However, the kids still had fun.
We went ice skating. Try to do this before check-in at 4 pm. As we were leaving a huge crowd of people came to the ring. It looked like everyone checked-in and went straight to skating ring.
If you have small children or first time ice skaters I suggest renting the panda for $5. The line is long for the panda. There is only few pandas available and people hold on to them for awhile since they paid $5 for them. They help teach younger skaters how to skate.
If you are hungry for lunch at this time I would suggest the concession stand by the skating rink. The food stand seemed to have reasonable priced food.
The indoor & outdoor pools are heated. We decided to swim in the indoor pool. Do not worry about towels they have plenty available by the pool.
Afterwards, we went back to the room and changed, then we had dinner at the pizza stand next to the sports bar. They had $10 personal pizza which was crazy cheap compared to everything else in the hotel. The pizza tasted like a cardboard box though. We didn’t complain since we were tired, hungry, and didn’t want to leaved the hotel.
We had book reading with Mrs. Clause, but our daughter was extremely exhausted and fell asleep at the dinner table. We missed the event.
In the end, I think you can complete everything in the hotel in less than two days. Bring your own food or leave the hotel for food. Our kids had a blast. I think this is something you should do at least one time.
*****Parking for day guest*****
Gaylord will validate self parking with any qualifying purchases at Riverwalk Cantina, Texan Station or Zeppole. (I believe the amount you are required to spend is $50). Make sure you have your self parking ticket with you at the restaurant so they can stamp it.
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