Gaylord Opryland Hotel
"A Country Christmas"
By: Ed Stone
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| Lights, lights and more lights illuminate the Gaylord Opryland Hotel property. |
Christmas is a special time for children. Christmas is also a wonderful time for grand parents to enjoy the unforgettable expressions of their grandchildren.
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| Anna, Ellie and Fran enjoy viewing the "A Country Christmas" decorations in the hotel's Conservatory. |
Recently, my wife Fran and I took our two granddaughters who live in nearby Nashville to see the beautiful lights and decorations of the Gaylord Opryland Hotel’s “A Country Christmas.” Ellie is five and Anna is one. They both had eyes glued to the many different colors of lights, decorations and DreamWorks characters now involved with all of the Gaylord Hotel properties. (Nashville, Orlando, D.C., and Dallas areas.) Some of the familiar faces of Shrek, Alex the Lion, Po, King Julien, Puss in Boots and a host of other lovable characters from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. are being spotted around various areas of the properties. From all indications, they are truly delighting guests with their Christmassy DreamWorks Experience packages.
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| Ed, Ellie & Anna poise in front of one of the large decorated Christmas trees. |
Signature ICE! events at all four resorts this year are themed from two of DreamWorks Animation's most popular television holiday specials: Merry Madagascar at Gaylord Opryland and Gaylord National, and Shrek the Halls at Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Texan. Also at Gaylord Palms and Gaylord Texan, DreamWorks' 3D Theater Experience environments are built for guests to check out DreamWorks Animation hits, enjoy fabulous dining, and meet characters from the movies. This Christmas, the much-anticipated Puss In Boots feature allows guests to bring a piece of the movie home, as the price of admission also includes a Puss In Boots movie collectible as well as a red carpet photo opportunity with Puss in Boots himself. Gaylord Opryland is hosting DreamWorks' Holiday Shrektacular, a street party with music, lights, dancing and, of course, the DreamWorks Animation characters.
One of the reasons a visit to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel at this season is so special with my grandchildren is that back in the early 1980’s, I was part of a marketing group who created and developed the concept of “A Country Christmas.” Back then, a most respected gentleman and director of marketing for the Opyland Hotel by the name of Mike Dimond was one of the members of the group and he died some three years ago. I could not help but think of the giant steps this element of the Opryland Hotel has taken from the days of craft shows, story telling by the Grand Ole Opry stars, etc. What a nice tribute to my friend “Shiney Dimond.” This program now entertains thousands each season and is a credit to all of that committee who had a dream of “A Country Christmas.” I’m so glad the company continues to think big and now my grandchildren can enjoy this extraordinary event taking place each November and December.
Ellie and Anna thank the Gaylord Opryland Hotel stars for making their Christmas an even brighter one.