If you’re planning a visit to ICEBAR Orlando, be prepared, it may not be the “arctic adventure” you’re expecting. The $35 cover charge - should you choose to experience the “ice” portion of ICEBAR Orlando - affords you 45 minutes and a drink in what amounts to an over-sized walk-in freezer with stacks of ice blocks for walls. The hand-carved features add some character to the room, but only so much as to provide a place for a photograph with friends.
After reading the press release and seeing some pictures on the ICEBAR Orlando website, I was expecting much more when I attended the opening night press event. Their usage of the term “expedition” gave me the impression that there would be opportunities to “explore” once inside the ice bar. Instead, I found a space that’s no more than 10 steps from end-to-end. Compared to ICE! at Gaylord Palms, there’s nearly zero interactivity.
There may be a market for ICEBAR Orlando, especially as a special event location, but the price tag is way too high for what you get in return on most nights. In comparison, $35 could buy you dinner and a movie for two at the Enzian, a ticket to “The Glass Menagerie” at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater or a weekday ticket to Halloween Horror Nights*.
If you’re interested in seeing ICEBAR Orlando for yourself, Orlando Attractions Magazine posted an excellent review that includes pictures and video that beautifully capture the interior of ICEBAR and some of its most “interesting” features.
You can also read more on the ICEBAR Orlando website, or in one of many articles available on the web, including one posted today on CNN.com.
* Florida resident price
Popularity: 3% [?]
3 Comments for “ICEBAR Orlando gives me the chills”
April 26th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
I agree witht his post 100% . After seeing the website I was so excited to go inside. They never offered me the free drink they promised on the web site after the Ice bar because we booked on line and they only had ONE vodka with different flavors. THe room was SOOOO small and it was empty. ICE at the Gaylord Palms is an amazing amazing place to go if you want to see Ice but the ice bar orlando was the biggest waste of time we left after we held our noses and drank the worst vodka ever on the planet. Huge disappointment and a waste of money.
May 17th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
We came here on vacation and thought this icebar would be fun; not so! First the place was empty and nobody at the front desk. We’ve been to icebars in Europe and frankly this one is a CHEAP KNOCK-OFF. The floors were GROSS and there is unwashed fake fur to sit on. The ice is also melting.. the Polar Bear has no ear and there is a hole in the side of it. I think the owners are just trying to take people’s money. We were offered our free drink either..
March 11th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
I Loved the Icebar. It was huge, and while not the cheesy kid playplace that Gaylord Palms was, we had a crowd of fun loving folks drinking amazing vodka out of ice glasses. Since the price was lowered we bought $5 drinks, a cheap price on I drive btw. The carvings are by a champion and are great, the light show and bartender were super. The music, fabulous. we will be returning many times. A great date night. It was clean, friendly, and fun.
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