Holiday news

ICE! chisels back into Gaylord Texan in Grapevine for 2022 holiday season

ICE! is chugging back to the Gaylord with a Polar Express theme.

Photo courtesy of Gaylord Texan

One of the most popular holiday traditions in all of Dallas-Fort Worth is finally making its post-pandemic return: ICE! returns to Grapevine's Gaylord Texan Resort for the 2022 holiday season.

According to an August 17 release, ICE! will run November 11, 2022-January 1, 2023 and will have a Polar Express theme. Tickets ($16.99-$34.99) are now on sale.

The beloved holiday movie will be brought to life by a team of 40 ice artisans from China using more than 1,000 tons (2 million pounds) of ice from 6,700 massive blocks. They'll work for about six weeks, over 12,000 hours, to create the 17,000-square-foot, frozen attraction, organizers say.

"The artisans, using skills passed down from generation to generation, follow a 300-page design book to create the spectacle. Ice carvings range in size from details as tiny as a coin to soaring scenes more than 30 feet tall," the release describes. "The environment will be kept frozen by a state-of-the-art chilling system that maintains the temperature at a frosty 9 degrees Fahrenheit."

Visitors shouldn't worry about frost bite, though, as they'll receive parkas to wear, as in years past. Besides walking through the sculpture presentation, guests will be able ride down two-story-tall ice slides, traverse through ice tunnels and arches, and visit Carver’s Showcase to see live sculpting demonstrations, organizers say.

The whole experience will conclude with a dramatic Nativity scene, carved from crystal-clear ice.

“We can’t wait for our guests to once again experience the magic and wonder of ICE! during this year’s Lone Star Christmas celebration,” says Chuck Pacioni, general manager of Gaylord Texan Resort, in the release. “Since debuting here in 2005, ICE! has always been a one-of-a-kind attraction for our guests, and we’re excited to welcome this Gaylord Hotels tradition back this year with The Polar Express and all the beloved characters from the classic holiday movie.”

This will be the Gaylord's 15th year to present the exhibition, which will run as part of the resort's Lone Star Christmas festivities. Other attractions will include “Cirque: Winter Wonderland;" "#LIT Light Show" synchronized "dancing" Christmas trees; three interactive escape rooms; an ice skating rink (separate from another Grapevine skating rink); a Christmas carousel ride; and much more.

The Gaylord is also unwrapping some new special room packages for this year's holiday season; for more information, visit ChristmasAtGaylordTexan.com.

families holidays

Celebrity Fights

How to catch the Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight at AT&T Stadium Arlington

Photo courtesy of Dog Haus

In his spare time, Jake Paul is also designing menu items for Dog Haus.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul had to wait an extra four months for his high-profile match with 58-year-old former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

The delay from the original plan for July was caused by Tyson having a medical episode on a plane and needing time to recover from a stomach ulcer.

But now the rescheduled bout is set for November 15 at the $1.2 billion retractable-roof home of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys in Arlington. The state has sanctioned it as a pro fight with some modifications.

Here's a guide for watching the fight:

When is the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul fight?

It's hard to give an exact time for the main event Friday night, but it could approach 11 pm. The telecast starts at 7 pm Dallas time.

Is the Tyson-Paul fight free on Netflix?

While this isn't the more common, and more expensive, pay-per-view format followed by most major boxing events, it does require a Netflix subscription. Netflix reported more than 280 million subscribers worldwide at the end of the third quarter in 2024.

What are the odds on the Tyson-Paul fight?

Paul is a minus-200 betting favorite, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. That means the payout for a Paul victory would be about half the amount of any bet. The most bet prop is for Tyson to win by KO/TKO or DQ (+275), followed by Tyson to win on points (+1000) and Tyson to win in the first round (+1400).

What's the age difference between the fighters?

It's 31 years. Paul is 27.

When was Tyson's last sanctioned fight?

Tyson retired in 2005 with a record of 50-6, with 44 knockouts, after losing to Kevin McBride. He fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition four years ago. Paul is 10-1 with seven knockouts against mostly undistinguished opponents. His loss was to Tommy Fury, the less-accomplished half-brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury.

How many rounds are scheduled for the Tyson-Paul fight?

The fight is scheduled for eight two-minute rounds, as opposed to the normal three minutes and 10 or 12 rounds for most pro fights. Tyson and Paul also will use heavier gloves with the idea of decreasing the power of punches. The gloves will be 14 ounces instead of 10. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has said Tyson's physical condition met the criteria for the fight to proceed.

What are the purses?

According to reports, Paul will make $40 million and Tyson about $20 million. Paul did mention his number at a news conference in August.

event-planner celebrities