ICE at National Harbor - Review

[Anonymous]

So we were invited to go spend some time with family members and it was our first time.

We payed $100+ for 2 adults and one child (3). We also payed $12.00 for parking.

Once we got there, we had to wait in line to get get inside the exhibition for about 1 hour and 30 min.

The exhibition itself is not huge, so it takes anywhere from 15 to 30 min depending if you are the type of person to stop and take pictures of everything e like to go down the ice slide a couple of times. It is really well done and beautiful BUT not beautiful enough for me to ever go back!

The wait time in line was just unbearable for what it was! Plus, it was so freaking cold inside (they keep it at 8 degrees). It was actually painful for me (even my husband who is used to cold weather was uncomfortable). To be fair, our 3 y old didn't care and wanted to keep going down the slide!

It was so cold, that once we got outside it actually felt like I was in a warm room with a fireplace! That was Saturday, a cold day.

Maybe if you get a groupon deal and don't mind the time waiting in line, it is worth it. Not for me.

[Anonymous]

This past Saturday? Huh. We had a different experience. Line was about 30 minutes. I actually thought the Night Before Christmas theme was really cute and much better from the Dreamworks stuff they've done in recent years -- it seems obvious they've had some issues with licensing.

It's in a new location now on the water because of the casino being built.

It did feel smaller this year than in the past. I'll give you that. But this was one of the better ones, I think. We've gone many years.

I agree that it is expensive. If you DO go again you can save money by parking in one of the other lots and walking over to the hotel. I think I paid $5.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the review! I've been considering taking our family. We have 4 kids, 2 of which would be considered adults for the ticket prices so it would be pretty expensive for us to go.
Based on your review, I think we will pass.

[Anonymous]

We went last year. It was OK. I would not do it again. The best part was inside the hotel. We had a nice meal and the meet and greet with Santa was great.

[Anonymous]

Your wait sounds like a dream compared to ours-- we went on Saturday evening and waited 2.5 hours. Luckily my 4 YO son was well-behaved in the line (in part due to the $7 bag of chips I bought him!) Had a great time with the friends I went with, but the exhibit itself would only be worth it on a random weekday when no one was in line. Son loved the slide.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your wait sounds like a dream compared to ours-- we went on Saturday evening and waited 2.5 hours. Luckily my 4 YO son was well-behaved in the line (in part due to the $7 bag of chips I bought him!) Had a great time with the friends I went with, but the exhibit itself would only be worth it on a random weekday when no one was in line. Son loved the slide.

Tip: We went at like 230 and there was barely any wait.

[Anonymous]

We went on a Friday and had a noon admission so there was no wait. DS 6 lasted 30 minutes-- he loved, loved, loved the slide.

We spent the day-- did the gingerbread stuff and the train and the scavenger hunt. Then we had dinner, watched the tree lighting and watched the indoor snow.

He had a blast. I enjoyed it. Would I do it again? Probably.

[Anonymous]

Ice is a rip off although OP, seriously you can't complain about the temperature. It is call "Ice" after all not "Puddles." They have to keep the ice frozen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ice is a rip off although OP, seriously you can't complain about the temperature. It is call "Ice" after all not "Puddles." They have to keep the ice frozen.

Of course I can. I am not saying they are wrong and the place should be heated, but I can complain that it felt to cold for "me." So, people that are more sensitive to the cold can know in advance that it can be uncomfortable.

Or, they can better prepare themselves than I did and take some of those heat pads to put inside their gloves. I wish I had done that!

[Anonymous]

The online FAQ clearly says it's 9 degrees. Did you think it would be warmer?

http://www.marriott.com/hotel-info/wasgn-gaylord-national-resort-and-convention-center/christmas-on-the-potomac/xyjvxiz/ice.mi

[Anonymous]

Don't go on a weekend, duh.

[Anonymous]

I got tickets on Living Social and took my 4 kids last Thursday after work. We got there about 6:30, no line. It was freezing but my kids loved it. My only complaint is that food is so expensive there. We did grab dinner and got home aroun 9:30. Kids want to make it an annual outing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ice is a rip off although OP, seriously you can't complain about the temperature. It is call "Ice" after all not "Puddles." They have to keep the ice frozen.

Of course I can. I am not saying they are wrong and the place should be heated, but I can complain that it felt to cold for "me." So, people that are more sensitive to the cold can know in advance that it can be uncomfortable.

Or, they can better prepare themselves than I did and take some of those heat pads to put inside their gloves. I wish I had done that!

Well, certainly, you can complain. Common sense would tell you it would be cold b/c they have to keep ice sculptures from melting. So if you know you're sensitive to cold...

[Anonymous]

We went last year on a weekend day. I don't remember how long we waited, but it was a long time. Then inside, my kids didn't like it and complained of the cold. I would not go again. The whole National Harbor area seemed very generic to me.

[Anonymous]

Our 3 DS loves the hotel with the water fountain show and the indoor decoration. The indoor pool and the harbor itself with the beach area with those sculptures to play around. We never done ICE because it's just not worth it at his age, plus it's 8 degrees inside. BRrrrr.