The Queen Mary’s Chill has always been interesting, but it has never been this ambitious and fun. Smarting from the Post Halloween Stress Disorder blues, fans of the macabre would do well to visit this reimagined Christmas event that creates a literal winter wonderland of activities and epicurean adventures.
The ice sculpture tour idea has been abandoned and the event is entirely outside of the dome this year, liberating the creative forces behind the event and giving them the chance to tell a much broader story of peace and unity. Consisting of 6 separate lands themed to various parts around the world, CHILL attempts to tell the story of Christmas on a global scale. America’s North Pole, Holland, Germany, Russia, China, and Switzerland are represented.
Let’s take a look at each area of the Ice Park and see what they have to offer.
America’s North Pole
Activities
Claus Cabin
Stop in for a visit and photo with the one and only Santa Claus!
Ski Lift
Add-On Ticket ($15) – Take a page out of Santa’s Book and ZIP OVER CHILL with an exhilarating ride in the sky on our 300′ ft long Zip Line!
Food and Drink
Stocking Stoppe
Add-On Ticket ($9)- Back again! Decorate your very own Christmas Stocking with the help of Santa’s Elves
The Candy Bar
Grab candy for the little ones and liquid candy for mom and dad… this sweet shop is for ALL AGES!
Right off the bat, Chill’s Ski Lift zip line greets guests at the gate as part of the North Pole section of the park. Certainly exhilarating, the brief trip is fun, but a little pricey at $15 a pop. If you have never tried these, this might actually be a perfect starter though.
If ziplining isn’t your thing then Mrs. Claus is waiting below to share in story time where you can also grab cocoa and cookies. The kids seemed to love sitting and listening to silly little stories as the one and only wife of the big guy made them feel right at home.
Holland
Activities
Illumination Stage
Wrapped around our Christmas Tree is the mainstage; With a Chillettes Welcome and a Tree Lighting, this is going to be a busy spot.
Private Igloos
Whether hosting a stargazing soiree or seeking refuge from the cold, these igloos are the perfect indulgence. *CLICK HERE to purchase your private igloo. After you make your reservation someone will contact you with details.
Amsterdam Bumper Boats
Add-On Ticket ($5) – Hop in for a smashing good time! A twist on a favorite childhood past time!
Food and Drink
Dutch Pantry
Have breakfast for dinner! After all, doughnuts and pancakes are just a few of the favorite things the Dutch have introduced to the world!
Holland was an interesting place to visit. Without question this area of the park had our favorite activity, the Amsterdam Bumper Boats. Here water is exchanged for ice and guests can careen and spin in their own little lighted bumper boat of sorts. Surrounded by a seemingly endless grid of LED lights that flash and change color. If you had to choose one thing to pay extra for the bumper boats are it.
Germany
Activities
Gnomes Wishing Well
Make a wish in the magical well or grant one for someone in need. You may even spot a Garden Gnome, who love giving away treats!
Village Players Stage
Take in the traditions of Germany and raise your stein as you sway to the tunes of an authentic Alpine band.
World’s Largest Rocking Horse
FREE W/ ADMISSION – A rockin’ good time and a moment you’re sure to remember for years to come!
Food
Gingerbread House
$14 – $15 – Meet Ginny Gingerbread and decorate your own creations inside a lifesize gingerbread house!
Twisted Pretzel & Tasting Tavern
Sip suds and grab some grub in this cozy German pub featuring German beer flights and butter beer for the wee ones.
Bavarian Bakery
Indulge in delectable desserts and holiday treats featuring custom birthday cupcakes, cookies, pastries and of course, German Chocolate.
Munich Market
Shop traditional holiday trinkets and souvenirs at the festive Christmas Market!
Brat Haus
Chow down on some traditional German grub including Schnitzel, Bratwurst, Kraut and more!
Roasted Nuts Cart
Kick off the Holiday Season with the storied tradition of roasted nuts!
Gourmet Pretzel Cart
Savor one of the many flavors of this favorite German treat.
While the large rocking horse is great, and free with admission, the food is the star in Germany. We tried the traditional brat with spicy mustard and MAN was that good. To stand, chowing on yummy German food, listening to polka, and taking in the scene was pure magic.
China
Activities
Kung Fu Forest
Take in traditional Chinese Entertainment including; Shaolin Monks, Lion Dance, and even Fireworks every Sunday!
Shanghai Speedway
Add-On Ticket ($5) – Glide through to the finish line ice-bound big wheels! A race for the whole family!
Food and Drink
Zen Teahouse
Meet the beautiful Tea Hostess at the Teahouse for a traditional Tea Service and decorate a lantern.
The Hot Pot
Feast on China’s favorite winter food – Dumplings!!
At the time of this writing, the Kung Fu Forrest wasn’t so much a wooded area as it was a lightly themed spot. This misgiving aside, the food and drink and activities were there. We had particular fun on the Shanghai Speedway and getting to ride through the tunnel of stringed lights.
The real star in this portion of the ice park was the entertainment. The lion dancers were amazing as were the acrobats. Too, every Sunday night there is a stunning fireworks display.
Russia
Activities
Disco Shuffle Board
FREE W/ ADMISSION – Shuffleboard on ice! A twist on your favorite pub game.
Northern Lights Show
Take in the magic of the Northern Sky nightly at the Aurora Borealis light show!
Palace Ice Bar
Add-On Ticket ($15) -Wrap yourself in one of our parkas and experience vodka how it was meant to be drunk… JUST ABOVE FREEZING!
Food and Drink
Pierogi Paradise
Enjoy and try our sumptuous Russian Potato Dumplings!
Stroganoff & Stew!
Warm up with traditional Russian stews and stroganoff – Hey, if it can keep people warm in Russia, it should do the trick here!!
Entering the smaller white dome we are suddenly in a peaceful, snowy forest at night. Above us the aurora borealis paints the sky above us in tones of green and blue. In the center of the dome is a stage on which acrobatic shows on silks are performed. If the lighting could be fine tuned in this area it would really push it over the edge as one of the highlights of any visit.
Our choice for best bar at Chill has to go to this Star Bar inside the Northern Lights dome as well. Sitting with a cocktail, watching the Northern lights, watching the skaters on the ice track breeze by and taking in the shows, it is simply magic.
Switzerland
Activities
Matterhorn Mountain
FREE W/ ADMISSION – The ice slide is back with a vengeance… so take a ride down the side of Matterhorn Mountain!
*Height Restriction: 40″
Food and Drink
Alpine Lodge
Cozy up to the second floor Chateau Bar or dine downstairs at the Lodge Restaurant on traditional Swiss bites overlooking our Tubing Slide
The Fire Pit
Roast marshmallows and build your best s’more at the toasty fire pit.
Fondue Pot
Take a break to fill your belly with Swiss fondue, be it cheese or chocolate, you can’t go wrong with this Swiss Tradition!
Swiss Chocolate Confectioner
A special stop for your sweet tooth. No one does it better than the Swiss – after all, they did invent the stuff!
Village Coffee
Perk up with a Gourment Cup of Joe at Village Coffee.
Zurich Deli
Grab a sandwich or salad featuring famous Swiss cheeses, breads, and meats!
Switzerland is where we end the tour around the world of Christmas. Here you can climb the stairs to the second floor of the upper floor of the Alpine lodge and sip a swanky drink while overlooking the entire ice park. Certainly the best vantage point to relax and take in the ever-changing patterns of lights and sparkling smoke stacks on the Queen Mary.
This is, without question, the very best that Chill has ever been. They have completely reinvented the idea of a Christmas event and created an expansive, explorable, and even magical tour around the world to great success.
Yes, the event had some opening night jitters. Some areas felt unfinished, but the the intention to pull guests into a believable world of holiday fun was wholeheartedly fulfilled. Every actor was on point 100% of the time which help to fill the more noticeable gaps in the backdrop of the experience. There wasn’t a single moment that we did not feel engaged and invested in the sparkling, Christmas world we explored.
Hats off to the creative team behind Chill 2017. They pulled off a high concept event with some major creative successes that left me planning my next visit. Yes, it is that good.
