Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Poster 02
Date: 11/27/2007
These are but a few of the hundreds of posters, featuring the Travelocity gnome, reminding you (and your children – and the adults who act like children) to hunt for the little guys. They all look the same, and are attached to the light fixtures. They say Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt featuring the Roaming Gnome (presented by Travelocity) How Many Can You Find?
You can find these signs everywhere in Gaylord Palms - from Key West, through Emerald Plaza and Market Square, all across St. Augustine, and into the Everglades. They’re not part of the hunt, although the kids would constantly point to them and say “found one!” laughing at their jokes that never get old.
These signs help me remember the extreme commercialism that binds us to Christmas, as you watch Carnival Cruise lines, Travelocity, and The Gaylord Palms in Orlando collect demographic data from people who would otherwise simply see the ICE! sculptures and then disappear back to their homes. Now, when you fill out your contest entry, you give each of these businesses your contact information so that they can all call you and mail you again and again for summer vacation, Christmas vacation, spring break, and so on.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 01
Date: 11/23/2007
Just inside the lobby, as you pass through the revolving door, there’s a huge table in the middle with a massive wooden birdcage on it. Just ahead of that cage is a little sitting area alcove with some sofas, chairs, and a black baby grand player piano, where you can rest as you sit near the waterfall in the St. Augustine area of the atrium. The wall boasts a large fireplace, and during the Best of Florida Christmas happenings, stockings are hung on the mantel. Along the inside wall of this cozy alcove are a number of sconce candle holders. In ONE of those candle holders is a dinky little holiday gnome.
In the Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, this is clue number 1 – “I am nimble, I am quick… Look in the lobby by the candlesticks.”
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 02
Date: 11/23/2007
In the St. Augustine part of the atrium’s Gatorland exhibit, the part with the three waterfalls and the sunlamps for the alligators, just outside of Castillo de San Marcos (the fort thing), dangles a scared holiday gnome who looks like he just parachuted in and luckily got stuck in a tree rather than plunging into the gator infested swamp. It’s one of the big gnomes, and he’s out in the light, so this roaming gnome is one of the easier gnomes to spot. One of the kids found this one while we were looking at the alligators, and was so thrilled with himself that he was actually able to find a gnome all on his own.
This Travelocity gnome’s clue in the Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt at Gaylord Palms is probably #2 – “If you don’t come soon, I’ll surely be gator bait.”
Just in case you were curious why alligators would be in the St. Augustine part of the atrium, rather than in the Everglades, it might be helpful to realize that one of Florida’s oldest attractions, the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park has been open on St. Augustine Beach since 1893. This exhibit, however, is run by Gatorland, which is local to Kissimmee. That way Gaylord Palms gets to entertain their guests with Florida wildlife and Gatorland might entice a few yanks staying at Gaylord Palms to come over to visit their 110 acre theme park and wildlife preserve. For those of us living in Florida for more than a year, most of us have seen our share of alligators already.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 04 - Far Away
Date: 11/24/2007
In the Gaylord Palms hotel atrium, St. George Street is on the opposite side of the Emerald Bay from Villa de Flora, just across Market Square. It’s the road that runs alongside Old Hickory Steakhouse connecting to Market Square.
If you’re headed to Hagen-Dasz or Augie’s Jammin’ Piano Bar, you’ll wander down St. George Street (which you otherwise wouldn’t, because there’s not much else there except for conference rooms and such), passing Emerald Bay elevator A. Don’t go into the elevator waiting area, stay out in the atrium. On the pillar between the two glass elevators which face Emerald Bay, at the top of the first floor, stands one of the big gnomes. He’s in plain sight with lots of light and easy to spot, no matter how much ice cream you bought. (sorry, I felt compelled to come up with something that rhymed)
The hint for this roaming gnome is #4 - “The atrium lift that is labeled with A, is where I intend to spend all my days.” For those of you who don’t speak like them there pompous gnomes, a “lift” is fancy-talk for an elevator.
Now, there are three gnomes up and down St. George Street, all very close to one another, so while you’re over here, look for the one by Hagen-Dasz and down the side corridor next to Augie’s piano bar. They’re all within spittin’ distance of one another – oh wait, that’s more like the Everglades than Emerald Bay – I got carried away.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 04 - Up Close
Date: 11/24/2007
In the Gaylord Palms hotel atrium, St. George Street is on the opposite side of the Emerald Bay from Villa de Flora, just across Market Square. It’s the road that runs alongside Old Hickory Steakhouse connecting to Market Square.
If you’re headed to Hagen-Dasz or Augie’s Jammin’ Piano Bar, you’ll wander down St. George Street (which you otherwise wouldn’t, because there’s not much else there except for conference rooms and such), passing Emerald Bay elevator A. Don’t go into the elevator waiting area, stay out in the atrium. On the pillar between the two glass elevators which face Emerald Bay, at the top of the first floor, stands one of the big gnomes. He’s in plain sight with lots of light and easy to spot, no matter how much ice cream you bought. (sorry, I felt compelled to come up with something that rhymed)
The hint for this roaming gnome is #4 - “The atrium lift that is labeled with A, is where I intend to spend all my days.” For those of you who don’t speak like them there pompous gnomes, a “lift” is fancy-talk for an elevator.
Now, there are three gnomes up and down St. George Street, all very close to one another, so while you’re over here, look for the one by Hagen-Dasz and down the side corridor next to Augie’s piano bar. They’re all within spittin’ distance of one another – oh wait, that’s more like the Everglades than Emerald Bay – I got carried away.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 06
Date: 11/23/2007
My wife hunted this gnome while wandering around with the kids in Key West. I think I was taking a picture of the lighthouse bathroom or something as we were on our way to our massive breakfast buffet dining experience at Villa de Flora. We got there good and early, and were able to get some good pictures of the restaurant itself and the buffet. I was able to see the holiday gnome from our table inside Villa de Flora.
In Key West, just outside the Duval Street Traders shop, there’s a little fishing dock that looks over at the 60 foot sailboat Gaylord which houses Sunset Sam’s Bar. There’s a marlin hanging from a post for one of those Kodak Photo moments type things (no Kodak signage though… maybe they could make a few bucks bringing them into the fold.) On the Gaylord Palms map, the spot is marked as Marlin Dock.
I guess you’re supposed to stand there all proud like you caught this massive marlin from your hotel suite balcony. I guess you might be able to if you had an atrium view instead of a “Florida” view. These ponds are all full of fish. Some of the fish are HUGE. Okay, none of them are quite marlin-sized, but it still might be fun.
The hint for this Travelocity roaming gnome™ in the Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt is #6 – “Here’s a fish story I’ve claimed as mine… I’m in Key West, but not where you dine.”
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 07
Date: 11/23/2007
As plain as could be, the Christmas tree in Emerald Bay is right where the Gaylord Palms map says “Fountain of Youth.” Coming from Market Square, as if you were just visiting ICE! and coming back to the Gaylord Palms atrium for your hot cocoa, at the base of the tree and a smidge off to the right – thar stands the wee little holiday gnome from Travelocity. Actually, this one is the big version, standing a foot and a half tall. The reason he looks so small in the picture is because the Christmas tree is enormous.
Apparently the roaming gnome was rocking around the Christmas tree during Luminescence - A Holiday Fantasy. Perhaps he wanted to get a better view of the aerial drum solo. Maybe he wanted to be first in line for the hot cocoa.
In the Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt, the clue for this little guy is #7 – “I tower and glisten above Emerald Bay. You’ll find me within limbs of greenness, I say.”
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 08
Date: 11/23/2007
After you enter the Everglades from the St. Augustine part of the atrium in Gaylord Palms, passing the Old Hickory Steakhouse on your left, there are a set of stairs off to the right. Follow those stairs down to the Sawgrass Trail. As soon as you get to the bottom of the stairs, look across at the wall. Now, depending upon the time of day you do this, it can be quite dark under the footbridge, and this holiday gnome can be hard to spot in the shadows. Once you spot the telltale Travelocity roaming gnome colors, however, you know he’s there.
The clue for this particular gnome in the Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt is #8 – “I am hanging around below (but not inside) Old Hickory Steakhouse.”
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 09
Date: 11/23/2007
In a little shanty in the lower level of the Everglades section of the atrium, way up in the rafters inside, hides this tiny little holiday gnome, snugly sitting between an unmarked barrel and a jug of moonshine, err sorghum. It’s one of the small ones, and it’s not well lit – so you can easily miss him. The shack says cute things on the outside like “snakes” and “gators”, as one might expect from a Everglades tourist trap. In the exhibit are terrariums with turtles, snakes, alligators and such. The kids liked seeing the animals, but were even more delighted to find the roaming gnome. I’m pretty sure that the clue for this Christmas gnome was #9 - “Snakes? Why did it have to be snakes?" in the Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt.
This shack is just off to the right after you go down the stairs to the lower level from the Everglades walk right in front of Old Hickory Steakhouse. There’s no name for this shack/building on the map of the Gaylord Palms, but there is a little box for it. The alligator/snake shake sits between the stairs that say “to lower level” and the “Everglades Elevator”
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 10
Date: 11/24/2007
One of the holiday gnomes is hiding in the window of the Hagen-Dazs. You don’t see Hagen-Dazs on the Gaylord Palms map, but the ice cream shop is on the back side of their coffee shop “Java Coast,” which is marked by the coffee cup, just to the east of the Market Square in Emerald Plaza. Mind you, you can’t get to the ice cream shop from inside the coffee shop, so you have to go around to St. George Street. Hagen-Dazs is right across St. George Street from the Orange Blossom Ballroom, which, conveniently, is where they have the kids build the gingerbread houses. When we were in line to build the gingerbread houses, I didn’t see him in the window, but Hagen-Dazs was closed at the time (it was fairly early, still). Maybe they don’t put the holiday gnome in the window until they open? Maybe there were just too many people in line for the gingerbread houses.
Now the clue that this little Orlando Christmas gnome matches up with absolutely has to be #10, “Yesterday, I was JOGGIN in OZ with the mimes … today I’m in the window of the cone shop that rhymes.”
Three gnomes are hanging out around St. George Street (perhaps they’re a gang), quite near one another. While you’re in the area, look for the gnome in a hallway by Augie’s piano bar, and another in the atrium, next to Emerald Bay elevator A.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Clue 10 - Attack the GnomeKids - Get That Gnome!
Date: 11/24/2007
Here's one with the kids that was just too cute to not put up.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt - Bonus Gnome 01Bonus Gnome 01 in the Lobby of the Gaylord Palms
Date: 11/23/2007
This little gnome is in the registration lobby of the Gaylord Palms. He’s in on of the revolving door dioramas.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt - Bonus Gnome 02
Date: 11/23/2007
Behind the registration desk in St. Augustine. He's technically IN the St. Augustine part of the Gaylord Palms Atrium, you can see him quite plainly from the Lobby, as you face the reception area.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt - Bonus Gnome 03 - Far Away
Date: 11/23/2007
If you go to the second floor of Castillo de San Marcos and look across Glassell’s Landing over at Villa de Flora, you’ll see a large gnome standing on top of what resembles a chimney of Villa de Flora. This appears to be a bonus gnome, as it doesn’t match any of the hints for the numbered gnomes. He’s just sitting there surveying the scene. Perhaps he’s part of the three-way aerial communication system with the gnome in the Christmas Tree and the gnome over at Emerald Bay elevator A.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt - Bonus Gnome 03 - Close Up
Date: 11/23/2007
If you go to the second floor of Castillo de San Marcos and look across Glassell’s Landing over at Villa de Flora, you’ll see a large gnome standing on top of what resembles a chimney of Villa de Flora. This appears to be a bonus gnome, as it doesn’t match any of the hints for the numbered gnomes. He’s just sitting there surveying the scene. Perhaps he’s part of the three-way aerial communication system with the gnome in the Christmas Tree and the gnome over at Emerald Bay elevator A.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt - Bonus Gnome 04
Date: 11/23/2007
In the little tree house above Old Hickory Steakhouse, in the Everglades part of the atrium, right across from the stairs going from Everglades Walk down to Sawgrass Trail sits another Travelocity holiday gnome… watching… waiting… patiently… He sees you. He knows what you do. What will he do with this information? Who does he report to? Who is he working with?
I initially thought he represented the Everglades chapter of the St. Augustine aerial surveillance network consisting of the Villa de Flora gnome, Christmas Tree gnome, and Emerald Bay Elevator A gnome. But, triangulating his visibility vectors, he doesn’t have the proper line of sight to effectively signal them. I noticed some pipes running from his tree house down the rest of the facility. Perhaps he signals other Travelocity gnomes about imminent travel bargains through rhythmic tapping of said pipe.
Or maybe he’s made out of PVC and sits there simply because someone from Gaylord Palms put him there.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt - Bonus Gnome 05
Date: 11/24/2007
Wandering around, looking for some gnomes reportedly causing trouble in the area, I spotted one of the small fellows in the window dressing of the Orange Blossom Ballroom across from Augie’s piano bar advertising the ICE! exhibit, featuring penguins and polar bears soliciting Coca-Cola products to unsuspecting passers-by.
In the make-believe world of Coca-Cola, ice cold refreshment is a place where penguins and polar bears live together in peaceful coexistence. The cold, harsh reality is that the gnomes are in charge. Things just aren’t as fun as they used to be in the care-free days of yore. It used to be that all of the snow-laden creatures would pander Coca-Cola products to a willing and happy public. “Oh, look how cute and fuzzy we are... wouldn’t an ice cold Coke be good right now?”
Now that there’s a new power at play in the frozen wilderness, both poles have been united under the tiny iron fists of gnome power. Instead of simply sucking down 50 cent sodas from either pole, this frosted frenzy is raising the stakes – Swedish, Arctic, and Antarctic worlds of mythology and reality are joining forces to coerce families into taking more vacations that they can barely afford – and while you’re out and about, make sure to get yourself plenty of Coke™.
It seems that there’s a gnome gang forming on the east side of Emerald Bay. Three have been spotted giving gang signs to passers by near St. George Street. If you’re in this area already, be on the lookout near the shop window of Hagen-Dazs and in the atrium near Emerald Bay elevator A for possible co-conspirators.
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Bonus Gnome 05
Date: 12/07/2006
Entombed in ICE! Just after CandyLand and right before the Nativity scene ice sculptures, this roaming gnome sites frozen in his tracks. When you see the giant snowflake entryway to the nativity scene ice sculptures, as everyone else turns left to see the sculpture exhibit, turn yourself to the right and behold the Travelocity gnome frozen in time and space.
There are many theories of his origin. Perhaps he was an outcast from the organized gnome gang out in the atrium, hoping to improve the conditions for enslaved polar bears and penguins. The theory goes that he got too big for his breeches and the Emerald Bay Gaylord Gang put him on ice to cool his heels for a while until their operation was fully underway.
Another theory is that he was trying to lick the ice (which is strictly forbidden) and got stuck. The Chinese artists who created the wonder that is ICE!™ not being familiar with Finnish folklore, failed to free the floundering fellow – forcing him to be forever frozen in this final frame of frost. How fitting...
Gaylord Palms Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt Poster 01
Date: 11/23/2007
These are but a few of the hundreds of posters, featuring the Travelocity gnome, reminding you (and your children – and the adults who act like children) to hunt for the little guys. They all look the same, and are attached to the light fixtures. They say Hidden Holiday Gnome Hunt featuring the Roaming Gnome (presented by Travelocity) How Many Can You Find?
You can find these signs everywhere in Gaylord Palms - from Key West, through Emerald Plaza and Market Square, all across St. Augustine, and into the Everglades. They’re not part of the hunt, although the kids would constantly point to them and say “found one!” laughing at their jokes that never get old.
These signs help me remember the extreme commercialism that binds us to Christmas, as you watch Carnival Cruise lines, Travelocity, and The Gaylord Palms in Orlando collect demographic data from people who would otherwise simply see the ICE! sculptures and then disappear back to their homes. Now, when you fill out your contest entry, you give each of these businesses your contact information so that they can all call you and mail you again and again for summer vacation, Christmas vacation, spring break, and so on.
