Experience Summerfest at Gaylord Texan Resort

Complimentary stay provided for my family to experience Summerfest at Gaylord Texan Resort firsthand!

USA TODAY recently named the Gaylord Texan Resort one of the top Family Resorts in the nation. Having visited on many occasions for special events and stayed overnight on countless others, I have to agree. What makes this Dallas area resort (located in Grapevine, Texas) so wonderful, is that is appeals to every age and every type of traveler – family, business, luxury.

You’ll want to pick the Gaylord Texan Resort for many things:

• As a resort destination when visiting the Dallas/Ft Worth area (whether traveling with kids or not)
• As a staycation spot – you’ll feel like you’ve gotten away from home at this resort
• As a day visit (you don’t have to be a resort guest to take part in most of the fun)

Because you don’t have to be a resort guest to experience most of the fun, both travelers and local Dallas area residents will want to visit now through September 5th for Summerfest at Gaylord Texan. This summer event is so big and so full of activities that it is one of the area’s top summer attractions for 2016!

Featuring Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” as it’s theme, the Gaylord Texan resort has kicked this summer into high gear as the 13th annual Summerfest is underway.

Recently, the Gaylord Texan Resort invited my family to enjoy Summerfest and we were blown away.

The Gaylord Texan is a massive resort to begin with, and at the center of this resort is the Lone Star Atrium, featuring a Texas themed glass ceiling. Many of the indoor rooms with balconies overlook this area. The atrium is where most of the action happens for Summerfest and it is incredible.

Walking around the large atrium, you are bound to run into characters from Alice in Wonderland. But you know, here in Texas we do things a little differently. While I didn’t get a great picture of it (you’ll just have to take my word), Alice herself was wearing cowboy boots. I kid you not!

While these aren’t the Alice in Wonderland characters she’s grown up with in the movies, my daughter absolutely LOVED them. Or Hated, as in the case of the Queen of Hearts. Oh, she played the part well. My daughter even managed a curtsy before the Queen. The Mad Hatter, well, he was “mad” as always!

While nighttime is the best time to visit, there are plenty of activities during the day, including the Hatter’s Tea Party featured above in a little section of the atrium. It looked beautiful and for a fee, kids can attend the tea party or can paint a cup or an Alice-themed canvas.

Here are some of my favorite activities:

Giant Glow Checkers – (7am-11pm) – Free to all, this huge checkerboard is ready for a game.

Wonderland Photo Opps – Free to all, located throughout the property, you’ll find so many like the sand sculpture above.

This Way & That Way Scavenger Hunt – ($10 plus tax) Follow the clues/solve puzzles to find the Cheshire Cats hidden. Receive a special souvenir upon completion.

Cups & Canvases Crafting – Cup or Canvas ($19.99 + tax or $35.99 for any 2 items). Thurs/Fri 5-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm ; Sun 10am-4pm

Hatter’s Tea Party – ($25 + tax) Decorate cupcakes, put on your souvenir top hat, etc., all while the Hatter creates nonsensical magic. Fri 6pm or 8pm; Sat 2pm 4pm 6pm 8pm; Sun 12pm or 2pm

Queen of Arts Tour – Free to all

Junior Chefs Camp – select dates and either $60 or $90 per class – day camp teaches kids how to cook, plate and serve family.

Queen of Hearts Light Up the Night Party – Free to all. 9pm every Fri & Sat night plus occasional Sun night on holiday weekends.

We had the chance to experience firsthand the 4D Wonderland Adventure Maze.

Before you begin the maze, the resort provides you with 3D glasses (you’ll want to keep these for the light show at 9:30pm for extra fun) and you’ll walk through the maze, or should I say travel through the vortex tunnel.

It might not look so intimidating right now, but put on those 3D glasses and it feels like you are spinning as you walk through the tunnel. No worries, it’s a short walk and all the kiddos had a great time. Inside you’ll find amazing rooms with colorful lights and 3D artwork. The question is, can you find your way out? This was incredibly fun.

Adults $15 + tax,  Kids 4-12 are $12 + tax, 3 and under Free w/paid ticket

Mon-Fri 5-9pm; Sat 10am-9pm; Sun 10am-4pm

(Note, there is a Wonderland All-Access Pass for $48 that covers some, but not all, of the activities. So look into that if visiting)

While daytime is full of fun, it’s the nighttime that becomes the star of the show. You should see the crowds in the atrium. Get there early!

The 3D Visual Light Show “Breaking Through the Looking Glass” every Friday & Saturday (Sundays during 4th of July & Labor Day weekends) at 9:30pm in the atrium!

Watch as our walls transform and change shape, giant mushrooms sprout, and the characters of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” appear before your eyes! This event is FREE for everyone and we kick off the show with the Queen of Hearts “Light Up The Night” Glow Party at 9pm!

Where is the show? Literally on the walls. It’s incredible and like nothing I’d ever seen before.

So what are you waiting for? The White Rabbit and I agree that you are late, for a very important date!

Make plans to visit the Dallas/Ft Worth area resort now. And if you live nearby, take advantage one weekend of these activities. Great family fun!