As the Holidays come closer, we know that families are searching for some fun things to do locally. There are a bunch of things going on at Gaylord Opryland, and we have an inside scoop in the form of senior Jessica Markwood.

1)      What exactly is your job?
I am a part of Gaylord Opryland's Dreamworks Experience. This year Opryland will be hosting popular characters from Dreamworks' films Shrek, Madagascar, & Kung Fu Panda in addition to the traditional Country Christmas, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and ICE!. I will be working with meet & greets, Gingy's Gingerbread House Decorating, the Holiday Shrektacular, ShrekFeast, & the Dreamworks Scavenger Hunt. This is all part of the Dreamworks Experience Package, which is a weekend deal perfect for families with kids.

2) What do the characters that are a part of ICE! do?
Most of the time the characters will be doing meet & greets throughout the hotel with Dreamworks Experience guests. ShrekFeast, which will take place outside Shrek's house, is an interactive breakfast where you may become an honorary ogre for a day, which is first offered to Dreamworks Experience guests, then the general public. Gingy will conduct a special gingerbread house decorating class and Puss n' Boots will be leading a scavenger hunt. All of the characters will be in Shrektacular, which is going to be the coolest holiday street party ever held at Opryland. Gingy's gingerbread making & Shrektacular are open to the general public.

3) Which character is your favorite?
That's a tie between Mort & King Julien from Madagascar. King Julien is hilarious & dances all over the place, but Mort is just adorable.

4) What is ICE!?
ICE! is a winter wonderland experience completely made of ice. This year's theme is Merry Madagascar, which is the Dreamworks short holiday film with all your favorite Madagascar characters. ICE! designs are a year-round effort, but once the highly-skilled Siberian ice-carvers arrive in Nashville, the entire exhibit takes relatively little time to come together. In addition to the incredible sculptures, the ice slides, and cool (literally) photo ops, there will be a condensed showing of Merry Madagascar, a retail area, and VIP ticket holders get meet & greets with the Madagascar penguins. The best part- Chelsea Willette works here!

So, DCA families, if you’re looking for something fun and festive to do these winter holidays, consider one of the many events going on at Opryland (You just might get to see Jessica or Chelsea on your visit!)

- ICE! feat. DreamWorks' Merry Madagascar ($25 for adults & $18 for kids, free for kids under 4)

Other activities in the Opryland area are as follows:                                                - The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes: This is the 10 year anniversary addition and more than 60% of the show is brand new. ($25-79)
-Louise Mandrell's Chrismas Dinner Party ($66 adult, $36 4-11, free for kids under 4)
-Christmas on the General Jackson Showboat (prices vary, all under $60 a ticket)
-Holly Jolly Town Square: all new 1950s town square complete with shops, story time with Mrs. Claus at the library, live entertainment, children's rides, and more. ($17 adult, $10 4-11, free under 4)
-Treasures for the Holidays: a huge Christmas craft fair with merchants from all over the country (FREE)
- Gingy's Gingerbread Decorating (free admission, price depends on gingerbread house)
-Photos with Santa (price varies with photo package)
-Carriage rides (private rides-$45, adults-$10, kids-$5, free under 4)
-Christmas lights & outdoor nativity display
-Shrektacular, ShrekFeast, Character Passport Meet & Greets, & DreamWorks themed Scavenger Hunt