Professionally Produced Outdoor Ice Skating Show Features Sought-After Pro and Competitive Skaters from Across the U.S.
For more information, contact:
Robert Hubler
(407) 718-4640, rhubler@RosenHotels.com
ORLANDO (Oct. 21, 2014) — The holidays have always been a special time to visit Orlando, but this year, the award-winning Rosen Centre® Hotel on International Drive is helping both visitors and locals create a new fun-filled family tradition – Holidays on Ice at Rosen Centre®.
Celebrating its inaugural year, Holidays on Ice at Rosen Centre® is Orlando’s only professionally produced poolside, outdoor, theatrical ice skating extravaganza. Nowhere else in Orlando – or perhaps the world – can guests sit outdoors next to a beautiful Olympic-size tropical swimming pool, surrounded by swaying palm trees, enjoying average December in Orlando highs of 72.9° F – all while watching an incredible ice skating and light show. This intimate and totally unique setting places guests as close as an arm’s length from a cast of six highly sought-after competitive and professional skaters, hand selected from around the United States especially for the Rosen Centre® show.
The holiday-themed spectacular features individual, couples and ensemble performances set to traditional holiday music “with a twist.” Dazzling, custom-designed costumes adorned with sparkling Swarovski™ crystals add to the ambiance of the evening show, particularly during the jaw-dropping opening number, “Let There Be Light,” which literally lights up the entire Rosen Centre® hotel – all 24 floors! There’s also a little comedy in the 45-minute production, as skaters present a light-hearted spoof of Olympic skating rivalries.
The show was written and produced specifically for Rosen Centre® by professional figure skater, Alex Wilfand, owner of Ice Creative Entertainment. Wilfand has produced ice skating events worldwide for organizations including Disney on Ice, the National Hockey League and Gaylord Palms Resorts, as well as numerous music video and television events.
Wilfand personally selected the cast for Holidays on Ice, including four female and two male skaters, many of whom skate professionally for globally touring productions including Disney on Ice and for major theme parks and entertainment companies around the world. Many are former championship competitive figure skaters and ice dancers who have risen through the ranks of state, regional, sectional and national competitions before turning professional. One member of the cast is currently training for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea. The cast comes from as far as Texas, California and Washington State, while one is a Winter Park, Fla. native.
Wilfand is confident that Holidays on Ice at Rosen Centre® will make a big splash in Orlando. “There are many things to do in Orlando over the holidays, but there has never been anything like this before. Holidays on Ice is a completely one-of-a-kind show, like nothing you will ever see anywhere else,” he explained. “Guests will be able to see these incredible skaters up close and feel like a part of the show, all while sitting in a beautiful outdoor poolside setting under the stars. It promises to be truly magical.”
Todd Frappier, Director of Sales and Marketing for Rosen Centre® agrees. “Everybody is looking for something special to do during the holiday season, so we are proud to provide Rosen Centre® guests as well as local residents with a brand new holiday tradition that’s both affordable and entertaining for the whole family.”
Holidays on Ice at Rosen Centre® is offered nightly Thursday through Sunday evenings from Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, until Dec. 28, including Christmas Day, as well as on Dec. 31, New Year’s Eve. Two shows are offered nightly on Fridays and Saturdays. Each show includes a pre-show meet and greet with the cast and performances by carolers, as well as a post-performance photo opportunity with the cast. Tickets for Holidays on Ice are $25 per person; children under age 3 are complimentary.
Guests who dine at Rosen Centre®, including the new Harry’s Poolside Bar & Grill, can purchase a show ticket at a significant discount (some restrictions apply). Special discounts also are available for those who purchase the Thanksgiving or Christmas Day
To make it a truly memorable evening, Rosen Centre® is offering specially priced accommodations packages including Holidays on Ice tickets. Visit www.rosencenter.com/holidays for specific dates and show times, to make dining or accommodations reservations and to pre-purchase tickets. Holidays on Ice is also accepting bookings for corporate holiday parties, birthday parties and other private events. Please call 407-996-6155.
The Holidays on Ice skating rink will be open for public skating Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the show season, as well as Dec. 22-30. Price is $12 per person which includes skate rental and two hours of skating time on the synthetic rink. And, for just $15, guests of all ages can book a 15-minute private skating lesson with one of the stars of the show.
About Alex Wilfand
Alex Wilfand, owner of Ice Creative Entertainment, has produced ice skating events worldwide for organizations including Disney on Ice, the National Hockey League, Gaylord Palms Resorts and the University of Central Florida, as well as various music video and television events. Skating since age 7, Wilfand trained in Boston and rose through the ranks as a national competitor, along with Olympians including Alexi Yagudin of Russia and Surya Bonaly of France. He toured globally as a soloist with Disney on Ice, portraying some of Disney’s most beloved characters, before being tapped as a global casting consulting for The Walt Disney Company and assisting in the creation of Tokyo Disneyland’s White Holiday Ice Skating Parade. He is a member of the Professional Figure Skaters Association and was recently inducted into the United States Figure Skating Association’s Theatrical Skating Committee. Over the years, he has coached numerous national medalists and international competitors.
