Media Relations

Media Relations

Sydney O’Drobinak

Office: 409-683-4209

Cell: 409-370-4585

Jerri Hamachek

Office: 409-683-4249

Cell: 409-789-2607

MOODY GARDENS HITS ATTENDANCE AND GUEST APPROVAL RECORDS WITH INTRODUCTION OF NEW ICE SCULPTURES ATTRACTION FEATURING SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS

GALVESTON, Texas – The debut of the coolest new attraction to hit the Southwest has helped Moody Gardens in reaching the highest attendance numbers in 15 years.

As the only holiday ice sculpture attraction on the Gulf Coast, ICE LAND: Ice Sculptures with SpongeBob SquarePants has received dazzling reviews from guest surveys since opening on November 15. Visitors rank the overall appeal, value and SpongeBob SquarePants theme highly with 98 percent reporting that it met or exceeded their expectations.

“The overall guest feedback for ICE LAND has been outstanding,” said John Zendt, Moody Gardens President and CEO who added that the guest experience is the primary focus of the opening and success of a new attraction. “We are especially pleased to see thatover 70 percent of those surveyed came from referrals from friends, family and social media.”

It took a skilled team of 31 professional ice sculptors from Harbin, China, 45 days to carve this vast and amazing display of over 900 tons of magnificent holiday-themed ice creations. Chilled and held at a temperature of nine degrees, the ice slide and some character sculptures are three stories tall. You can experience this popular attraction through January 4 within a 28,000 sq. ft. insulated exhibit tent.

Once you return your courtesy parkas from ICE LAND, you can enjoy the 13th annual Festival of Lights packed with holiday magic. Continue the tradition with the largest holiday lighting event on the Gulf Coast with more than one million lights, the area’s only outdoor skating rink and Arctic Ice Slide. With the addition of holiday movies in the MG 3D and 4D Special FX Theaters, pictures with Santa and a station to make gingerbread houses, it is clear to see how Moody Gardens has transformed into a premiere holiday destination.

“We will continue to survey our guests throughout the holiday season,” said Zendt. “It is an important process as we strive to provide exciting quality experiences for our guests now and in the future.”

Admission to ICE LAND is $26.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors and $15.95 for children. It is also included in the Moody Gardens Value Pass for $59.95.A list of peak, non-peak and group rates is available.

Admission to the Festival of Lights is $8.95. With the purchase of a Festival of Lights ticket, tickets to the Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, Discovery Pyramid, holiday MG 3D film, holiday 4D Film, Arctic Ice Slideand Colonel Paddlewheel Boat can be purchased for only $7 each.Ice skates are available to rent for $7 or guests can bring their own.Special holiday packages are also available at the Moody Gardens Hotel, including the Christmas Dinner and Show with Master Illusionist Curt Miller Dec. 18-27.

For more information, please call 800-582-4673 or visit moodygardens.org.

Moody Gardens® is a public, non-profit, educational destination utilizing nature in the advancement of rehabilitation, conservation, recreation, and research.

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